Looking for Nehemiah

[JLG]

3)​

Solomon Added to the Walls of the City​

After David died, Solomon built the Temple Mount Platform on Mt. Moriah upon the threshing floor of Araunah. Then he erected the temple upon it and added walls from the City of David to encompass the Temple Mount and temple.

 

[JLG]

4)​

Hezekiah’s Broad Wall Expansion of the Western Hill​

In 701 BC, the Assyrians, headed by Sennacherib invaded Judah, the Southern Kingdom of Israel, because of their disobedience to God. According to an Assyrian stele found in the ruins of the royal palace of Nineveh, Sennacherib conquered 46 cities in Judea prior to attempting to conquer Jerusalem.



God allowed most of Judah to be conquered but protected Jerusalem because of Hezekiah’s obedience to Him. As Hezekiah began to prepare for what he knew would be a terrible siege by a merciless Assyrian war machine, he had to figure out how to protect his people. This meant building new defenses.
During the time of Hezekiah, Jerusalem’s urban population had grown far outside the old walls of the city and were unprotected. King Hezekiah fortified the existing walls of the city and built a new wall in a rapid manner to protect those living outside the city walls.



2 Chronicles 32:5: He set to work resolutely and built up all the wall that was broken down and raised towers upon it, and outside it he built another wall, and he strengthened the Millo in the city of David. He also made weapons and shields in abundance.


Hezekiah’s new wall measured about 22 feet wide (7 m.) by 25 feet high (8 m.). It was a massive undertaking and measured around 2.5 miles (4 km.) in length.
A portion of the wall was discovered in the 1970s by Israeli archaeologist Nahman Avigad and dated to the reign of King Hezekiah (716–687 BC). It was called “Hezekiah’s Broad Wall” by archaeologists because of its width.



Hezekiah also built a water tunnel in order to keep the water from the Gihon Spring inside the city walls so the Assyrians couldn’t cut off the water supply (2 Chron. 32:3–4). The curving tunnel is 583 yards (533 m.) long and has a fall of 12 inches (30 cm.) between its two ends. It was chiseled from both ends to the middle at the same time. It took the water from the Gihon Spring under the mountain to the Pool of Siloam below the city. Today, this water tunnel is known as Hezekiah’s Tunnel.

 

[JLG]

5)

Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls​

When the Babylonians conquered and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC, they also destroyed the walls and burned the gates with fire. However, God sovereignly moved in the heart of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, to allow Nehemiah to rebuild the walls. Under his leadership and with a small Jewish population, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt to dimensions similar to Solomon’s day.



Nehemiah 1:1–3: Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel, 2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem. 3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who had survived the exile is in great trouble and shame. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire."



The rebuilding and repair of the wall was a miracle.
Nehemiah 6:15–16: So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.

 

[JLG]

6)

Hasmonean Wall Addition​

The Jews gained their independence from the Seleucid Empire in 164 BC, led by the Maccabees and Hasmoneans. During this time, known as the Hasmonean period (164–63 BC), Jerusalem was rebuilt along with its walls. It was built to dimensions similar to King Hezekiah’s time.

 

[JLG]

7)

King Herod Addition ~ Jerusalem of Jesus’ Day​

In 19 BC, the master-builder, King Herod the Great, began his life's most ambitious building project. He undertook the rebuilding of the temple and the Temple Mount on a massive scale. He took the expansion of the Hasmonean Temple Mount and extended it on three sides, to the north, west, and south. This expansion also included some additional wall construction on the north side of the city walls. The archaeology of the Temple Mount today confirms this enlargement. It would be this city layout that would exist during the time of Christ.

 

[JLG]

8)

Agrippa I Wall Addition​

According to the Jewish historian Josephus, King Agrippa I (41–44 AD) began the construction of a third city wall of Jerusalem to protect a new quarter that grew north beyond the first and second city walls. Agrippa stopped work on the wall after only laying the foundation out of fear that Roman emperor Claudius would suspect he was planning a revolt. Jewish rebels later completed this wall in haste leading up to the First Jewish Revolt (66–70 AD). This would be the largest area the city walls would encompass.

 

[JLG]

9)

The City Walls Today​

In the 16th century, Suleiman decided to rebuild the city walls on much of the remains of the ancient walls that already existed. However, much of the southern part of the city walls were omitted in the new construction. They were completed in 1538 and are the walls that exist today.

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 4:3

Then Tobiah
וְטוֹבִיָּ֥ה (wə·ṭō·w·ḇî·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2900: Tobiah -- 'Yah is my good', three Israelites, also an Ammonite

the Ammonite,
הָעַמֹּנִ֖י (hā·‘am·mō·nî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5984: Ammonite -- descendants of Ammon

who was beside him,
אֶצְל֑וֹ (’eṣ·lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 681: A joining together, proximity

said,
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

even
גַּ֚ם (gam)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

a fox
שׁוּעָ֔ל (šū·‘āl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7776: Fox, perhaps jackal

were to climb up on
יַעֲלֶ֣ה (ya·‘ă·leh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

what
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

they
הֵ֣ם (hêm)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

are building,
בּוֹנִ֔ים (bō·w·nîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1129: To build

it would break down
וּפָרַ֖ץ (ū·p̄ā·raṣ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6555: To break through

their wall
חוֹמַ֥ת (ḥō·w·maṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

of stones!”
אַבְנֵיהֶֽם׃ (’aḇ·nê·hem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 68: A stone


- The opponents keep laughing at the reconstruction!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 4:4

Hear us,
שְׁמַ֤ע (šə·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

O God,
אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we are
הָיִ֣ינוּ (hā·yî·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

despised.
בוּזָ֔ה (ḇū·zāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 939: Something scorned, an object of contempt

Turn
וְהָשֵׁ֥ב (wə·hā·šêḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

their scorn
חֶרְפָּתָ֖ם (ḥer·pā·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2781: Contumely, disgrace, the pudenda

back upon
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

their own heads,
רֹאשָׁ֑ם (rō·šām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7218: The head

and let them be taken
וּתְנֵ֥ם (ū·ṯə·nêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

as plunder
לְבִזָּ֖ה (lə·ḇiz·zāh)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 961: Spoil, booty

to a land
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of captivity.
שִׁבְיָֽה׃ (šiḇ·yāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7633: Captivity, captives

As a consequence, the Jews are calling Yah.weh for help against their enemies!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 4:5

Do not
וְאַל־ (wə·’al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

cover up
תְּכַס֙ (tə·ḵas)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

their iniquity
עֲוֺנָ֔ם (‘ă·wō·nām)
Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5771: Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity

or let their sin
וְחַטָּאתָ֖ם (wə·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯām)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

be blotted out
תִּמָּחֶ֑ה (tim·mā·ḥeh)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 4229: To stroke, rub, to erase, to smooth, grease, make fat, to touch, reach to

from Your sight,
מִלְּפָנֶ֣יךָ (mil·lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

for
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they have provoked
הִכְעִ֖יסוּ (hiḵ·‘î·sū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3707: To trouble, to grieve, rage, be indignant

the builders.
הַבּוֹנִֽים׃ (hab·bō·w·nîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1129: To build

- We may remember it is Nehemiah’s way to pray Yah.weh for help!
- And he keeps doing it!
- And it is necessary so Yah.weh can listen to them!
- Because their sins against Yah.weh are many!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 4:6

So we rebuilt
וַנִּבְנֶה֙ (wan·niḇ·neh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 1129: To build

the wall
הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה (ha·ḥō·w·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

until all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

[of it]
הַחוֹמָ֖ה (ha·ḥō·w·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

was joined together
וַתִּקָּשֵׁ֥ר (wat·tiq·qā·šêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7194: To tie, gird, confine, compact, in love, league

up to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

half its [height],
חֶצְיָ֑הּ (ḥeṣ·yāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2677: The half, middle

for the people
לָעָ֖ם (lā·‘ām)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

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

a mind
לֵ֦ב (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

to work.
לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃ (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

• Thus the Jews rebuild the wall!
• They make it up to half its height!
• Because of people’s minds!
• When you work together, you can achieve a lot!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 4:7

When
כַאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ḵa·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Sanballat
סַנְבַלַּ֡ט (san·ḇal·laṭ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5571: Sanballat -- a Samaritan leader

and Tobiah,
וְ֠טוֹבִיָּה (wə·ṭō·w·ḇî·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2900: Tobiah -- 'Yah is my good', three Israelites, also an Ammonite

together with the Arabs,
וְהָעַרְבִ֨ים (wə·hā·‘ar·ḇîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6163: Arabian -- inhabitant of Arabia

Ammonites,
וְהָעַמֹּנִ֜ים (wə·hā·‘am·mō·nîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 5984: Ammonite -- descendants of Ammon

and Ashdodites,
וְהָאַשְׁדּוֹדִ֗ים (wə·hā·’aš·dō·w·ḏîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 796: Ashdodites -- an inhabitant of Ashdod

heard
שָׁמַ֣ע (šā·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the repair
אֲרוּכָה֙ (’ă·rū·ḵāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 724: Healing, restoration

to the walls
לְחֹמ֣וֹת (lə·ḥō·mō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

of Jerusalem
יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

was progressing
עָלְתָ֤ה (‘ā·lə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

and that
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the gaps
הַפְּרֻצִ֖ים (hap·pə·ru·ṣîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 6555: To break through

were being closed,
לְהִסָּתֵ֑ם (lə·his·sā·ṯêm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5640: To stop up, to repair, to keep secret

they were furious,
וַיִּ֥חַר (way·yi·ḥar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2734: To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

• The reconstruction of the walls are going well!
• And the gaps are being closed!
• So the opponents are furious!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 4:8

and all of them
כֻלָּם֙ (ḵul·lām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

conspired
וַיִּקְשְׁר֤וּ (way·yiq·šə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7194: To tie, gird, confine, compact, in love, league

to come
לָב֖וֹא (lā·ḇō·w)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

and fight
לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם (lə·hil·lā·ḥêm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

against Jerusalem
בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (bî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

and create
וְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (wə·la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

a hindrance.
תּוֹעָֽה׃ (tō·w·‘āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8442: Mistake, impiety, injury

• Yes, they are furious!
• Thus when they see that laughing at them is not sufficient, they want to conspire and fight against them!
• Simple basic logic!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 4:9

So we prayed
וַנִּתְפַּלֵּ֖ל (wan·niṯ·pal·lêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

our God
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ (’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

and posted
וַנַּעֲמִ֨יד (wan·na·‘ă·mîḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

a guard
מִשְׁמָ֧ר (miš·mār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4929: Place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance

against them
עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

day
יוֹמָ֥ם (yō·w·mām)
Adverb
Strong's 3119: Daytime, by day

and night.
וָלַ֖יְלָה (wā·lay·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

• First they pray Yah.weh!
• Then they post a guard day and night to protect themselves from their enemies!
• The two actions are connected!
• What about us?

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 4:10

Meanwhile, the people of Judah
יְהוּדָ֗ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

said:
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“The strength
כֹּ֣חַ (kō·aḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species)

of the laborer
הַסַּבָּ֔ל (has·sab·bāl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5449: Burden bearer

fails,
כָּשַׁל֙ (kā·šal)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3782: To totter, waver, to falter, stumble, faint, fall

and there is so much
הַרְבֵּ֑ה (har·bêh)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

rubble
וְהֶעָפָ֖ר (wə·he·‘ā·p̄ār)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6083: Dust, clay, earth, mud

that we
וַאֲנַ֙חְנוּ֙ (wa·’ă·naḥ·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

will never
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be able
נוּכַ֔ל (nū·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3201: To be able, have power

to rebuild
לִבְנ֖וֹת (liḇ·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1129: To build

the wall.”
בַּחוֹמָֽה׃ (ba·ḥō·w·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

• The strength of the laborer fails!
• They think they won’t be able to rebuild the wall!
• Are their enemies successful?
• Who is the enemy: the enemy or the laborer?

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 4:11

And our enemies
צָרֵ֗ינוּ (ṣā·rê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 6862: Narrow, a tight place, a pebble, an opponent

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

“Before
עַ֛ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

they know
יֵדְעוּ֙ (yê·ḏə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3045: To know

[or]
וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

see
יִרְא֔וּ (yir·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

[a thing],
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

we will come
נָב֥וֹא (nā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

into
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

their midst,
תּוֹכָ֖ם (tō·w·ḵām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

kill them,
וַהֲרַגְנ֑וּם (wa·hă·raḡ·nūm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

and put an end
וְהִשְׁבַּ֖תְנוּ (wə·hiš·baṯ·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 7673: To repose, desist from exertion

to the work.”
הַמְּלָאכָֽה׃ (ham·mə·lā·ḵāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property


- Their enemies want to stop the reconstruction of the wall by killing the workers!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 4:12

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

- Their enemies are getting more aggressive!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 4:13

So I stationed [men]
וָֽאַעֲמִ֞יד (wā·’a·‘ă·mîḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

behind
מֵאַחֲרֵ֥י (mê·’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition-m
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

the lowest
מִֽתַּחְתִּיּ֧וֹת (mit·taḥ·tî·yō·wṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 8482: Lowermost, the depths

sections
לַמָּק֛וֹם (lam·mā·qō·wm)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

of the wall,
לַחוֹמָ֖ה (la·ḥō·w·māh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

at the vulnerable areas.
בַּצְּחִיחִ֑ים (baṣ·ṣə·ḥî·ḥîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6708: Bare spot, in the glaring sun

I stationed
וָֽאַעֲמִ֤יד (wā·’a·‘ă·mîḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

them
הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

by families
לְמִשְׁפָּח֔וֹת (lə·miš·pā·ḥō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

with
עִם־ (‘im-)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

their swords,
חַרְבֹתֵיהֶ֛ם (ḥar·ḇō·ṯê·hem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword

spears,
רָמְחֵיהֶ֖ם (rā·mə·ḥê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7420: A lance, the iron point

and bows.
וְקַשְּׁתֹתֵיהֶֽם׃ (wə·qaš·šə·ṯō·ṯê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7198: A bow, for, shooting, the iris

• As a consequence, Nehemiah decides to station armed men at the vulnerable areas!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 4:14

After I had made an inspection,
וָאֵ֣רֶא (wā·’ê·re)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

I stood up
וָאָק֗וּם (wā·’ā·qūm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

and said
וָאֹמַ֞ר (wā·’ō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the nobles,
הַחֹרִ֤ים (ha·ḥō·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2715: White, pure, noble

the officials,
הַסְּגָנִים֙ (has·sə·ḡā·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5461: A prefect of a, province

and the rest
יֶ֣תֶר (ye·ṯer)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3499: An overhanging, an excess, superiority, remainder, a small rope

of the people,
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

“Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

be afraid
תִּֽירְא֖וּ (tî·rə·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

of them.
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם (mip·pə·nê·hem)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6440: The face

Remember
זְכֹ֔רוּ (zə·ḵō·rū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

the Lord,
אֲדֹנָ֞י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

who is great
הַגָּד֤וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

and awesome,
וְהַנּוֹרָא֙ (wə·han·nō·w·rā)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

and fight
וְהִֽלָּחֲמ֗וּ (wə·hil·lā·ḥă·mū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your brothers,
אֲחֵיכֶם֙ (’ă·ḥê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )

your sons
בְּנֵיכֶ֣ם (bə·nê·ḵem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1121: A son

and your daughters,
וּבְנֹתֵיכֶ֔ם (ū·ḇə·nō·ṯê·ḵem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1323: A daughter

your wives
נְשֵׁיכֶ֖ם (nə·šê·ḵem)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

and your homes.�
וּבָתֵּיכֶֽם׃ (ū·ḇāt·tê·ḵem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 1004: A house


- Nehemiah tells all his people not to be afraid but to put his confidence in Yah.weh!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 4:15

When
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר־ (ka·’ă·šer-)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

our enemies
אוֹיְבֵ֙ינוּ֙ (’ō·wy·ḇê·nū)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

heard
שָׁמְע֤וּ (šā·mə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that
כִּי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we were aware
נ֣וֹדַֽע (nō·w·ḏa‘)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

of their scheme
עֲצָתָ֑ם (‘ă·ṣā·ṯām)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

and that God
הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

had frustrated it,
וַיָּ֥פֶר (way·yā·p̄er)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6565: To break up, to violate, frustrate

each
כֻּלָּ֙נוּ֙ (kul·lā·nū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

of us returned
וַנָּ֤שָׁב (wan·nā·šāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

his own work
מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃ (mə·laḵ·tōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property

on
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the wall.
הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה (ha·ḥō·w·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

- Nehemiah is aware of what their enemies want to do against them!

- But Yah.weh prevented it!

- And the Jews go back to work on the wall!