Nehemiah 4

Amen.—T. Scott. Chap. IV. Ver. 1—23. gether to stop the building; and vigilance of Nehemiah.—The preceding chapter narrates the various parts which the people took in repairing the walls of Jerusalem, which, very properly, was the first object with the new governor, and Ver. 6.) In proportion as they succeeded, their enemies were exasperated, and took every method to oppose and defeat the people. The people proceeded rapidly, because their heart was in the work. First, they ridiculed them; and ridicule is more difficult to withstand than open force. “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they build? Or, will they work miracles, as of old time, and complete the work in a day?” &c.

The enemies of Judah conspire to stop the building; but are defeated by the prudence and vigilance of Nehemiah. Tobiah, the Ammonite, unites with him in the banter. “If a fox,” (or a jackal,) says he, “‘go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.” But, what say Nehemiah and the Jews? They turn to the Lord in prayer. “Hear, O our God, for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head!” But their ridicule is turned to rage, so soon as they find the work is seriously advancing; and they meditated, it is evident, some artifice, some dreadful revenge in night, and unawares. The pious Jews, however, again recur to prayer, and set a watch against their enemies, both by day and night; setting they fortify them an example to Christians, in similar circumstances, to “watch and pray” against their more mighty and inveterate enemies. And not only so, but to put on the whole armour of God, that, while persevering in their Christian course, they may be prepared for every attack by which they may be assailed. As Christians, we must not only watch and pray, but fight also, if we expect to bear the palm hereafter. ((Revelation 7:9).)

Notes on the verses

It is probable, that some of the principal people were either obliged, or voluntarily offered, to repair those parts of the wall which were opposite, or adjacent, to their own houses. The names of those who repaired the walls are commemorated, because it was an undertaking of piety, virtue, and courage to restore the holy city.]—Bagster. Ver. 32. Goldsmiths.—(The word tzeraphim, miners, or persons that worked in metals of any kind; but it is generally understood of those who worked in gold. From the remotest period of the history of the Jews, they had artists in all the elegant and ornamental trades; and it appears that goldsmiths, apothecaries, and merchants, were formed into companies in the time of Nehemiah.)—Bagster. IV. Ver. 6. Unto the half thereof.—i.e. the whole circuit of the wall was completed unto half the intended height.—Bagster.—A mind to work.—What they did, they did with all their heart. Ver. 8. To fight against.—That is, openly to oppose; not in battle array; but to take them by surprise.—To hinder it.—Parkhurst thinks they contemplated playing them some trick in the night. Ver. 12. Ten times.—That is, many times.—From all places, &c.—See Margin, i.e. wherever ye hide yourselves, ye must, ye shall surrender. Ver. 16. Other half held spears.—(This is no unusual thing in Palestine, even at the present day; people sowing their seed are often attended by armed men, to prevent the Arabs from robbing them of it.—Habvergeon—From the Teutonic hals, the neck, and bergen, to cover, defend, may be considered as signifying a breast-plate, though the Franco-Gallic hautbergon signifies a coat of mail: the original, shiryon, denotes a corslet.)—Bagster.

Ver. 17. With one of his hands wrought.—(That is, he had his arms at hand; and was as fully prepared to fight as to work. The builders could not possibly have made any progress, if they had literally held a weapon in one of their hands; but the expression is evidently figurative, implying that every man was as much a soldier as a builder.)—Bagster. Ver. 23. None of us put off our clothes, saying, &c.—That is, none of us went to bed for sleeping, only “a man sent them to the water” to be washed, when dirty.