Nehemiah 4:21 So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out.

◄ Nehemiah 4:21 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
So we continued the work with half the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn till the stars came out.

English Standard Version
So we labored at the work, and half of them held the spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out.

New American Standard Bible
So we carried on the work with half of them holding spears from dawn until the stars appeared.

King James Bible
So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So we continued the work, while half of the men were holding spears from daybreak until the stars came out.

International Standard Version
So we worked hard, half of us holding spears from dawn to dusk.

American Standard Version
So we wrought in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And let us do the work: and let one half of us hold our spears from the rising of the morning, till the stars appear.

Darby Bible Translation
And we laboured in the work; and half of them held the spears from the rising of the dawn till the stars appeared.

Young's Literal Translation
And we are working in the business, and half of them are keeping hold of the spears, from the going up of the dawn till the coming forth of the stars.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

4:16-23 We must watch always against spiritual enemies, and not expect that our warfare will be over till our work is ended. The word of God is the sword of the Spirit, which we ought to have always at hand, and never to have to seek for it, either in our labours, or in our conflicts, as Christians. Every true Christian is both a labourer and a soldier, working with one hand, and fighting with the other. Good work is likely to go on with success, when those who labour in it, make a business of it. And Satan fears to assault the watchful Christian; or, if attacked, the Lord fights for him. Thus must we wait to the close of life, never putting off our armour till our work and warfare are ended; then we shall be welcomed to the rest and joy of our Lord.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Ne 4:7-23. He Sets a Watch.

7-21. But … when Sanballat … heard that the walls … were made up, and … the breaches … stopped—The rapid progress of the fortifications, despite all their predictions to the contrary, goaded the Samaritans to frenzy. So they, dreading danger from the growing greatness of the Jews, formed a conspiracy to surprise them, demolish their works, and disperse or intimidate the builders. The plot being discovered, Nehemiah adopted the most energetic measures for ensuring the common safety, as well as the uninterrupted building of the walls. Hitherto the governor, for the sake of despatch, had set all his attendants and guards on the work—now half of them were withdrawn to be constantly in arms. The workmen labored with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other; and as, in so large a circuit, they were far removed from each other, Nehemiah (who was night and day on the spot, and, by his pious exhortations and example, animated the minds of his people) kept a trumpeter by his side, so that, on any intelligence of a surprise being brought to him, an alarm might be immediately sounded, and assistance rendered to the most distant detachment of their brethren. By these vigilant precautions, the counsels of the enemy were defeated, and the work was carried on apace. God, when He has important public work to do, never fails to raise up instruments for accomplishing it, and in the person of Nehemiah, who, to great natural acuteness and energy added fervent piety and heroic devotion, He provided a leader, whose high qualities fitted him for the demands of the crisis. Nehemiah's vigilance anticipated every difficulty, his prudent measures defeated every obstruction, and with astonishing rapidity this Jerusalem was made again "a city fortified."