Nehemiah 4:12
New International Version
Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”

New Living Translation
The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!”

English Standard Version
At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.”

Berean Standard Bible
At that time the Jews who lived nearby came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”

King James Bible
And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.

New King James Version
So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, “From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us.”

New American Standard Bible
When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,”

NASB 1995
When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,”

NASB 1977
And it came about when the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened when the Jews who lived near them came and said to us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,”

Amplified Bible
When the Jews who lived near them came, they said to us ten times (repeatedly), “From every place you turn, they will come up against us.”

Christian Standard Bible
When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again, “Everywhere you turn, they attack us.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again, “Everywhere you turn, they attack us.”

American Standard Version
And it came to pass that, when the Jews that dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times from all places, Ye must return unto us.

Contemporary English Version
On at least ten different occasions, the Jews living near our enemies warned us against attacks from every side,

English Revised Version
And it came to pass that, when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times from all places, Ye must return unto us.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Jews who were living near our enemies warned us ten times that our enemies would attack us from every direction.

Good News Translation
But time after time Jews who were living among our enemies came to warn us of the plans our enemies were making against us.

International Standard Version
The Jews who lived near them kept coming to us, reporting at least ten times, "They'll attack us from every direction."

Majority Standard Bible
At that time the Jews who lived nearby came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”

NET Bible
So it happened that the Jews who were living near them came and warned us repeatedly about all the schemes they were plotting against us.

New Heart English Bible
It happened that when the Jews who lived by them came, they said to us ten times from all places, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us."

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, that when the Jews who dwelt by them came, they said to us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return to us they will be upon you.

World English Bible
When the Jews who lived by them came, they said to us ten times from all places, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, when the Jews have come who are dwelling near them, that they say to us ten times from all the places to where you return—[they are] against us.

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, when the Jews have come who are dwelling near them, that they say to us ten times from all the places whither ye return -- they are against us.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be that when the Jews dwelling near them came, and they will say to us ten times, From all places which ye shall turn back to us.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it came to pass, that when the Jews that dwelt by them came and told us ten times, out of all the places from whence they came to us,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now it happened that, on ten occasions, some Jews arrived who were living near them, from all the places from which they came to us, and they told us this.

New American Bible
When the Jews who lived near them had come to us from one place after another, and had told us ten times over that they were about to attack us,

New Revised Standard Version
When the Jews who lived near them came, they said to us ten times, “From all the places where they live they will come up against us.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the Jews who dwelt with them came, they said to us, Behold, now ten times from all places where they dwell will they come and fight against you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Jews who dwelt with them came and they were saying to us: ‘Behold, therefore, ten times they came to fight with you from all of those places where they have been shooting at them.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass that, when the Jews that dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times: 'Ye must return unto us from all places.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass, when the Jews who lived near them came, that they said to us, They are coming up against us from every quarter.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Discouragement Overcome
11And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.” 12At that time the Jews who lived nearby came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” 13So I stationed men behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 6:9
For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands.

Nehemiah 2:19-20
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” / So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah 4:1-3
Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews / before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” / Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”

Nehemiah 6:1-2
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates— / Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.

Nehemiah 6:5-7
The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter / that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”

Nehemiah 6:13-14
He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would sin by doing as he suggested, so they could give me a bad name in order to discredit me. / O my God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the other prophets who tried to intimidate me.

Nehemiah 13:21
but I warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they did not return on the Sabbath.

Ezra 4:4-5
Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build. / They hired counselors against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Psalm 31:13
For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

Psalm 83:3-4
With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish, / saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.”

Isaiah 8:9-10
Huddle together, O peoples, and be shattered; pay attention, all you distant lands; prepare for battle, and be shattered; prepare for battle, and be shattered! / Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”

Jeremiah 20:10
For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”

Matthew 10:17-18
But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. / On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.

Matthew 10:22-23
You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. / When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

Matthew 24:9-10
Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. / At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelled by them came, they said to us ten times, From all places from where you shall return to us they will be on you.

ten times

Genesis 31:7,41
And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me…

Numbers 14:22
Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;

Job 19:3
These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.

From all places, etc.

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Directions Dwelt Jews Live Places Ten Times Turn Whence Wherever Whither
Nehemiah 4
1. While the enemies scoff, Nehemiah prays and continues the work
7. Understanding the wrath and secrets of the enemy, he sets a watch
13. He arms the laborers
19. and gives military precepts














At that time
This phrase sets the historical context, indicating a specific period during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership. The phrase suggests urgency and immediacy, highlighting a moment of crisis. Historically, this was during the Persian period, around the mid-5th century BC, when the Jews were returning from Babylonian exile. The phrase underscores the constant threat and pressure faced by the Jewish community during this pivotal time.

the Jews who lived nearby
This refers to the Jewish people residing in the surrounding areas of Jerusalem, possibly in towns like Jericho, Tekoa, and Gibeon. These Jews were not directly involved in the construction but were close enough to be aware of the threats. Their proximity to the hostile regions made them more vulnerable to enemy attacks, and their repeated warnings reflect their concern for the safety of their brethren in Jerusalem.

came and told us
The act of coming and telling signifies a deliberate and urgent communication. It reflects the communal nature of the Jewish people, emphasizing their solidarity and mutual concern. The repeated warnings indicate the seriousness of the threat and the need for vigilance. This phrase also highlights the importance of communication and unity in the face of adversity.

ten times over
The number ten in Hebrew culture often symbolizes completeness or thoroughness. The repetition of the warning "ten times" suggests a persistent and emphatic message, indicating that the threat was not only real but also imminent. This phrase underscores the intensity of the situation and the need for the community to be on high alert.

Wherever you turn
This phrase conveys the idea of being surrounded by danger, with no safe direction to escape. It reflects the strategic disadvantage faced by the Jews, who were encircled by hostile forces. The phrase emphasizes the omnipresent threat and the need for constant vigilance and preparedness.

they will attack us
The certainty of the attack is expressed in this phrase, highlighting the aggressive intentions of the adversaries. Historically, these adversaries included the Samaritans, Ammonites, Arabs, and Ashdodites, who opposed the rebuilding efforts. The phrase underscores the reality of spiritual and physical warfare faced by God's people, reminding believers of the need for faith and reliance on God's protection.

(12) From all places.--The neighbouring Jews in their terror said by repeated messages "from all places 'Ye shall return to us,' ": that is, for our protection.

Verse 12. - If the text is sound, it can only mean that the Jews who dwelt in the outlying towns, in the neighbourhood of Ammon, Samaria, Ashdod, etc., came repeatedly to Jerusalem, and tried to draw off their contingents, saying to them, "You must return to us." But it is suspected that there is a corruption of the original words of Nehemiah, and that what he wrote was, that these Jews came repeatedly to Jerusalem and warned him of the enemy's designs. (So Ewald, Houbigant, Dathe, A. Clarke, and others. )

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
At that time
וַֽיְהִי֙ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the Jews
הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים (hay·yə·hū·ḏîm)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3064: Jews -- Jewish

who lived
הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים (hay·yō·šə·ḇîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

nearby
אֶצְלָ֑ם (’eṣ·lām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 681: A joining together, proximity

came
בָּ֣אוּ (bā·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

and told
וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ (way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

us
לָ֙נוּ֙ (lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

ten
עֶ֣שֶׂר (‘e·śer)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6235: Ten

times [over],
פְּעָמִ֔ים (pə·‘ā·mîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6471: A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence

“Wherever
מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

you turn,
תָּשׁ֥וּבוּ (tā·šū·ḇū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

they will attack us.”
עָלֵֽינוּ׃ (‘ā·lê·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT History: Nehemiah 4:12 It happened that when the Jews who (Neh Ne)
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