Nehemiah 4:9
◄  Nehemiah 4:9  ►
New International Version (©2011)
But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.

New Living Translation (©2007)
But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.

English Standard Version (©2001)
And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night.

International Standard Version (©2012)
But we prayed to our God. We also set up guards day and night because of them.

NET Bible (©2006)
So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard to protect against them both day and night.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
But we prayed to our God and set guards to protect us day and night.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

American King James Version
Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

American Standard Version
But we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And we prayed to our God, and set watchmen upon the wall day and night against them.

Darby Bible Translation
Then we prayed to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

English Revised Version
But we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

Webster's Bible Translation
Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

World English Bible
But we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

Young's Literal Translation
And we pray unto our God, and appoint a watch against them, by day and by night, because of them.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

4:7-15 The hindering good work is what bad men aim at, and promise themselves success in; but good work is God's work, and it shall prosper. God has many ways of bringing to light, and so of bringing to nought, the devices and designs of his church's enemies. If our enemies cannot frighten us from duty, or deceive us into sin, they cannot hurt us. Nehemiah put himself and his cause under the Divine protection. It was the way of this good man, and should be our way. All his cares, all his griefs, all his fears, he spread before God. Before he used any means, he made his prayer to God. Having prayed, he set a watch against the enemy. If we think to secure ourselves by prayer, without watchfulness, we are slothful, and tempt God; if by watchfulness, without prayer, we are proud, and slight God: either way, we forfeit his protection. God's care of our safety, should engage and encourage us to go on with vigour in our duty. As soon as a danger is over, let us return to our work, and trust God another time.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 9. - We... set a watch against them day and night, because of them. Rather, "over against, them,". "opposite to them" - opposite, that m, to the point from which they were expected to make their attack.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Nevertheless, we made our prayer unto our God,.... Spread their case before him in prayer, entreating direction and help from him:

and set a watch against them day and night, because of them; to give notice of their approach, that they might prepare to defend themselves; though they prayed to God, and trusted in him for deliverance, they did not neglect the use of means.

Nehemiah 4:9 Parallel Commentaries

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Discouragement Overcome
9Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. 10And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall. 11And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the middle among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. …

Nehemiah 4:10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall."
Nehemiah 4:11 Also our enemies said, "Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work."