Nehemiah 4:6

Nehemiah 4:6 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

King James Version KJV

So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

American Standard Version ASV

So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto half the height thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

Bible in Basic English BBE

So we went on building the wall; and all the wall was joined together half-way up: for the people were working hard.

Free Bible Version FBV

So we rebuilt the wall until it was all connected, reaching half its height, because the people were keen to work.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

So we built the wall, and all the wall was ioyned vnto the halfe thereof, and the heart of the people was to worke.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And we build the wall, and all the wall is joined — unto its half, and the people have a heart to work.

World English Bible WEB

So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together to the half of it, for the people had a mind to work.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

So we built the wall, and joined it all together unto the half thereof: and the heart of the people was excited to work.

Translation for Translators T4T

But after some time, we finished building the wall around the whole city, up to half as high as the first wall had been. We were able to do that because we worked very hard.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 4:6

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Nehemiah 4:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַֽ/יְהִי֙ כַּ/אֲשֶׁר בָּ֣אוּ הַ/יְּהוּדִ֔ים הַ/יֹּשְׁבִ֖ים אֶצְלָ֑/ם וַ/יֹּ֤אמְרוּ לָ֨/נוּ֙ עֶ֣שֶׂר פְּעָמִ֔ים מִ/כָּל הַ/מְּקֹמ֖וֹת אֲשֶׁר תָּשׁ֥וּבוּ עָלֵֽי/נוּ

וַֽ/יְהִי֙ hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

כַּ/אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 which Prep | Rel

בָּ֣אוּ bôwʼ H935 Lebo V-Qal-Perf-3cp

הַ/יְּהוּדִ֔ים Yᵉhûwdîy H3064 of Judah Art | Ngmpa

הַ/יֹּשְׁבִ֖ים yâshab H3427 to dwell Art | V-Qal

אֶצְלָ֑/ם ʼêtsel H681 beside Prep | Suff

וַ/יֹּ֤אמְרוּ ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

לָ֨/נוּ֙ Prep | Suff

עֶ֣שֶׂר ʻeser H6235 ten Adj

פְּעָמִ֔ים paʻam H6471 beat N-fp

מִ/כָּל kôl H3605 all Prep | N-ms

הַ/מְּקֹמ֖וֹת mâqôwm H4725 place Art | N-mp

אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

תָּשׁ֥וּבוּ shûwb H7725 to return V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

עָלֵֽי/נוּ ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 4:6

וַֽ/יְהִי֙ hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

כַּ/אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 "which" Prep | Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

בָּ֣אוּ bôwʼ H935 "Lebo" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

This verb means to go or come, and is used in many contexts, such as entering a place or approaching someone, as seen in the book of Genesis. It can also mean to abide or apply, and is translated in various ways in the KJV Bible. This term is related to the name Lebo Hamath.

Definition: A shortened name of Lebo Hamath complined withcha.mat (חֲמָת "Hamath" H2574) This name means to go in, enter

Usage: Occurs in 2307 OT verses. KJV: abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. See also: Genesis 2:19; Genesis 32:7; Exodus 1:19.

הַ/יְּהוּדִ֔ים Yᵉhûwdîy H3064 "of Judah" Art | Ngmpa

This term refers to people from the tribe of Judah, including Judah himself, who was the son of Israel and Leah. It is used to describe the descendants of Judah, who are also known as Jews.

Definition: People descended from Judah, living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.29.35; son of: Israel (H3478) and Leah (H3812); brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); half-brother of: Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); married to Bath-shua (H1323I) and Tamar (H8559); father of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209), Shelah (H7956), Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I) Group of ye.hu.dah (יְהוּדָה "Judah" H3063) § Jew

Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: Jew. See also: 2 Kings 16:6; Esther 8:17; Jeremiah 32:12.

הַ/יֹּשְׁבִ֖ים yâshab H3427 "to dwell" Art | V-Qal

This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.

Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)

Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.

אֶצְלָ֑/ם ʼêtsel H681 "beside" Prep | Suff

Beside or near, this preposition indicates proximity or closeness to something or someone. It is often translated as at, by, or near in the King James Version, and is used to describe physical or spatial relationships in the Bible.

Definition: 1) beside, by, near, nearness, joining, proximity subst 2) (BDB) 2a) conjunction, proximity 2b) beside, in proximity, contiguous to, from beside

Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: at, (hard) by, (from) (beside), near (unto), toward, with. See also H1018 (בֵּית הָאֵצֶל). See also: Genesis 39:10; 2 Chronicles 9:18; Proverbs 7:8.

וַ/יֹּ֤אמְרוּ ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

לָ֨/נוּ֙ "" Prep | Suff

עֶ֣שֶׂר ʻeser H6235 "ten" Adj

This Hebrew word means the number ten, often used in combination with other numbers to describe larger quantities, such as in the story of the ten commandments in Exodus 20. It is commonly translated as 'ten' in the KJV.

Definition: 1) ten 1a) ten 1b) with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: a.sar (עֲשַׂר "ten" H6236)

Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ten, (fif-, seven-) teen. See also: Genesis 5:14; 1 Kings 6:3; Isaiah 5:10.

פְּעָמִ֔ים paʻam H6471 "beat" N-fp

This word refers to a beat or stroke, like a footstep or a blow. It can also mean a time or occurrence, and is used in the Bible to describe things like a single step or a repeated action.

Definition: 1) stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence 1a) foot, hoof-beat, footfall, footstep 1b) anvil 1c) occurrence, time, stroke, beat 1c1) one time, once, twice, thrice, as time on time, at this repetition, this once, now at length, now...now, at one time...at another

Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel. See also: Genesis 2:23; 1 Samuel 3:10; Psalms 17:5.

מִ/כָּל kôl H3605 "all" Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

הַ/מְּקֹמ֖וֹת mâqôwm H4725 "place" Art | N-mp

Maqom means a place or location, like a city or a region. It can also refer to a condition of the body or mind. This term is used to describe a wide range of locations and situations.

Definition: 1) standing place, place 1a) standing place, station, post, office 1b) place, place of human abode 1c) city, land, region 1d) place, locality, spot 1e) space, room, distance 1f) region, quarter, direction 1g) give place to, instead of

Usage: Occurs in 379 OT verses. KJV: country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 1:9; Deuteronomy 12:3; 1 Kings 20:24.

אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

תָּשׁ֥וּבוּ shûwb H7725 "to return" V-Qal-Imperf-2mp

This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.

Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back

Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.

עָלֵֽי/נוּ ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

Study Notes — Nehemiah 4:6

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Nehemiah 4:6 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 4:6
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 4:6
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:6
Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:6
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:6
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:6
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 4:6
Barnes' Notes on Nehemiah 4:6
Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:6
Sermons on Nehemiah 4:6

Context — The Work Ridiculed

4Hear us, O God, for we are despised. Turn their scorn back upon their own heads, and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity. 5Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.

6So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

7When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious, 8and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Philippians 2:13	For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.
2	Nehemiah 6:15	So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of Elul.
3	Hebrews 13:21	equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
4	1 Chronicles 29:14	But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You.
5	1 Chronicles 29:3	Moreover, because of my delight in the house of my God, I now give for it my personal treasures of gold and silver, over and above all that I have provided for this holy temple:
6	1 Chronicles 29:17–18	I know, my God, that You test the heart and delight in uprightness. All these things I have given willingly and with an upright heart, and now I have seen Your people who are present here giving joyfully and willingly to You. O LORD, God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, keep this desire forever in the intentions of the hearts of Your people, and direct their hearts toward You.
7	2 Corinthians 8:16–17	But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same devotion I have for you. For not only did he welcome our appeal, but he is eagerly coming to you of his own volition.
8	2 Chronicles 29:36	Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced at what God had prepared for the people, because everything had been accomplished so quickly.
9	Psalms 110:3	Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, to You belongs the dew of Your youth.

Nehemiah 4:6 Summary

[The people rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem had a mind to work, meaning they were united and determined to get the job done, and as a result, they made significant progress, rebuilding the wall up to half its height. This shows the power of teamwork and unity, as seen in Nehemiah 4:6. Just like the people in this verse, we can achieve great things when we work together and have a positive attitude towards our work, as encouraged in Colossians 3:23-24. By having a mind to work and working together, we can overcome challenges and make progress in our own lives, just as the people did in rebuilding the wall.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the condition of the wall when the people had a mind to work?

The wall was rebuilt until all of it was joined together up to half its height, as stated in Nehemiah 4:6, showing the progress they made with a unified effort, similar to what is encouraged in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.

Why was it important for the people to have a mind to work?

Having a mind to work was crucial because it allowed the people to make significant progress in rebuilding the wall, despite the opposition they faced, as seen in Nehemiah 4:4-5, and it reflects the importance of unity and cooperation found in Psalm 133:1-3.

How does this verse relate to the concept of teamwork in the Bible?

This verse highlights the value of teamwork and collaboration, as the people worked together to achieve a common goal, which is a principle also seen in Romans 12:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, where believers are compared to different parts of the body, each with unique roles but working together in unity.

What can we learn from the people's attitude towards work in this verse?

We can learn the importance of having a positive and diligent attitude towards work, as the people in Nehemiah 4:6 demonstrated, which is also reflected in Colossians 3:23-24, where believers are encouraged to work heartily as unto the Lord.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I need to have a mind to work, and how can I apply the principle of unified effort to achieve my goals?
How can I, like the people in Nehemiah 4:6, make progress in my spiritual journey despite facing opposition, and what role does perseverance play in this?
In what ways can I demonstrate a positive and diligent attitude towards my work, and how can this reflect my love and service to God?
What are some ways I can work together with others in my community or church to achieve a common goal, and how can we support and encourage one another in our efforts?

Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 4:6

So built we the wall,.... Went on in building it, notwithstanding their scoffs and threats: and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof; it was carried all round the city to half the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 4:6

So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. All the wall was joined together unto the half thereof.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:6

Unto the half thereof; either, 1. In length; or rather, 2. In height; for the whole circumference of the wall was distributed among the builders, who also had carried on the work, beginning at the sheep-gate, and ending there also, as appears from ,32; and the walls of Jerusalem are said to be made up, here, .

Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:6

Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.Ver. 6. So built we the wall] This followed upon his prayer, as a gracious answer to it; the people were encouraged, and the wall finished. Faithful prayer is never ineffectual. Reproaching is a heart breaking, Psalms 66:20, but so long as a Christian can pray he is not without his cordial. "I came for thy prayer," Daniel 10:12. And all the wall was joined together] Not with gold indeed (as Cassiodorus saith the walls of Susa in Persia were), but with that which was better than gold, faith in God’ s goodness and zeal of his glory. Unto the half thereof] Unto half the height, for they could not do all at once: neither can we in the spiritual building; but grow up and increase with the increase of God, Colossians 2:19. For the people had a mind to work] And the more mind because they met with so much opposition. A free spirit is most seen, saith one, when there be most rubs in the way; when he that moves by outward poises will stick and be dull: as when a bowl runs up a hill, every bounce slows it; but when downhill, a bounce quickeneth it.

Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:6

(6) Unto the half.—Up to half the height the wall was now continuous.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:6

Verse 6. For the people had a mind to work.] The original is very emphatic: ויהי לב לעם לעשות vayehi leb leam laasoth, "For the people had a heart to work." Their hearts were engaged in it; and where the heart is engaged, the work of God goes on well. The whole of this 6th verse is omitted by the Septuagint.

Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 4:6

6. So built we] R.V. So we built. No emphasis on ‘we.’ unto the half thereof] R.V. unto half the height thereof. ‘All the wall was joined together.’ The circumvallation was complete. There were no gaps or breaches. The wall had been raised to half its height all the way round. The most ancient wall, the foundations of which were discovered by Sir Charles Warren, must have had a height of 200 feet! for the people had a mind to work] The enthusiasm of the people explains the rapidity of the work. Nehemiah disclaims any credit to himself. a mind] literally, ‘heart.’

Barnes' Notes on Nehemiah 4:6

Unto the half thereof - i. e. to half the intended height.

Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:6

6. Unto the half thereof — That is, until it was half completed. Some understand this of half way around the city, others of half the height of the wall.

Sermons on Nehemiah 4:6

	Sermon	Description
	Nehemiah, Esther by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the story of Nehemiah and the importance of having a burden for God's work. He emphasizes the need for one person who is not discouraged by o
	From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Nehemiah) ch.3 & 4 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being vigilant against the enemy while remaining committed to God's work. The people in the story were wholeheartedly servi
	What Makes a Man of God by George Verwer	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the dedication and hard work of mechanics who work tirelessly for a meager wage, contrasting it with the lack of commitment shown by some Chr
	Nehemiah 6 - Part 6 by Joshua Daniel	This sermon emphasizes the importance of unity and dedication in building the walls of Jerusalem, drawing parallels to the fragmented efforts of individuals versus the unified work
	Nehemiah #2: Chapter 2-6 by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the lack of vision and discernment among the people regarding the state of the city walls. He emphasizes the importance of understanding God's
	Why Are We Here by George Verwer	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the rebuilding of the walls as described in the Bible. He emphasizes the opposition faced during this process and the importance of prayer and
	We Travel an Appointed Way by A.W. Tozer	A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of staying focused on God's calling, as exemplified by Nehemiah, who rose from his sorrow to rebuild Jerusalem despite ridicule and opposition.