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Nehemiah 4:14

Nehemiah 4:14 in Multiple Translations

After I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, who is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

And after looking, I got up and said to the great ones and to the chiefs and to the rest of the people, Have no fear of them: keep in mind the Lord who is great and greatly to be feared, and take up arms for your brothers, your sons, and your daughters, your wives and your houses.

After inspecting our defenses, I stood up and addressed the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, saying, “Don't be afraid of them! Remember the Lord, who is powerful and formidable! Fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes!”

Then I behelde, and rose vp, and said vnto the Princes, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not afrayde of them: remember the great Lord, and fearefull, and fight for your brethren, your sonnes, and your daughters, your wiues, and your houses.

And I see, and rise up, and say unto the freemen, and unto the prefects, and unto the rest of the people, 'Be not afraid of them; the Lord, the great and the fearful, remember ye, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.'

I looked, and rose up, and said to the nobles, to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them! Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

And I looked, and arose, and said to the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be ye not afraid of them: remember the LORD who is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

And I looked and rose up: and I said to the chief men and the magistrates, and to the rest of the common people: be not afraid of them. Remember the Lord who is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, and your wives, and your houses.

Then after I inspected everything, I summoned the leaders and other officials and many of the other people, and I said to them, “Do not be afraid of our enemies! Think about what Yahweh, who is great and glorious, can do! And fight to protect your friends, your families, and your homes!”

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Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 4:14

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Nehemiah 4:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB בִּ/מְק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֤ר תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ אֶת ק֣וֹל הַ/שּׁוֹפָ֔ר שָׁ֖מָּ/ה תִּקָּבְצ֣וּ אֵלֵ֑י/נוּ אֱלֹהֵ֖י/נוּ יִלָּ֥חֶם לָֽ/נוּ
בִּ/מְק֗וֹם mâqôwm H4725 place Prep | N-ms
אֲשֶׁ֤ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel
תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ shâmaʻ H8085 to hear V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
ק֣וֹל qôwl H6963 voice N-ms
הַ/שּׁוֹפָ֔ר shôwphâr H7782 trumpet Art | N-ms
שָׁ֖מָּ/ה shâm H8033 there Adv | Suff
תִּקָּבְצ֣וּ qâbats H6908 to gather V-Niphal-Imperf-2mp
אֵלֵ֑י/נוּ ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep | Suff
אֱלֹהֵ֖י/נוּ ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp | Suff
יִלָּ֥חֶם lâcham H3898 to fight V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
לָֽ/נוּ Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 4:14

בִּ/מְק֗וֹם mâqôwm H4725 "place" Prep | N-ms
Maqom means a place or location, like a city or a region. It can also refer to a condition of the body or mind. This term is used to describe a wide range of locations and situations.
Definition: 1) standing place, place 1a) standing place, station, post, office 1b) place, place of human abode 1c) city, land, region 1d) place, locality, spot 1e) space, room, distance 1f) region, quarter, direction 1g) give place to, instead of
Usage: Occurs in 379 OT verses. KJV: country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 1:9; Deuteronomy 12:3; 1 Kings 20:24.
אֲשֶׁ֤ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ shâmaʻ H8085 "to hear" V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
To hear and listen is what this Hebrew word means, often implying attention and obedience. In Exodus and Deuteronomy, it is used when God speaks to the people, and they must listen and obey.
Definition: : hear v 1) to hear, listen to, obey 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hear (perceive by ear) 1a2) to hear of or concerning 1a3) to hear (have power to hear) 1a4) to hear with attention or interest, listen to 1a5) to understand (language) 1a6) to hear (of judicial cases) 1a7) to listen, give heed 1a7a) to consent, agree 1a7b) to grant request 1a8) to listen to, yield to 1a9) to obey, be obedient 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be heard (of voice or sound) 1b2) to be heard of 1b3) to be regarded, be obeyed 1c) (Piel) to cause to hear, call to hear, summon 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to hear, tell, proclaim, utter a sound 1d2) to sound aloud (musical term) 1d3) to make proclamation, summon 1d4) to cause to be heard n m 2) sound
Usage: Occurs in 1072 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. See also: Genesis 3:8; Exodus 32:18; Deuteronomy 27:9.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
ק֣וֹל qôwl H6963 "voice" N-ms
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
הַ/שּׁוֹפָ֔ר shôwphâr H7782 "trumpet" Art | N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to a trumpet or cornet, often made from a ram's horn. It was used in the Bible to signal important events or to sound an alarm, and is still used today in some Jewish traditions.
Definition: horn, ram's horn
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: cornet, trumpet. See also: Exodus 19:16; 1 Chronicles 15:28; Psalms 47:6.
שָׁ֖מָּ/ה shâm H8033 "there" Adv | Suff
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
תִּקָּבְצ֣וּ qâbats H6908 "to gather" V-Niphal-Imperf-2mp
To gather or collect people or things, like when the Israelites assembled in the book of Numbers. It's about bringing things or people together in one place.
Definition: 1) to gather, assemble 1a) (Qal) to gather, collect, assemble 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, gather 1b2) to be gathered 1c) (Piel) to gather, gather together, take away 1d) (Pual) to be gathered together 1e) (Hithpael) to gather together, be gathered together
Usage: Occurs in 121 OT verses. KJV: assemble (selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up), heap, resort, [idiom] surely, take up. See also: Genesis 41:35; Proverbs 28:8; Psalms 41:7.
אֵלֵ֑י/נוּ ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
אֱלֹהֵ֖י/נוּ ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
יִלָּ֥חֶם lâcham H3898 "to fight" V-Niphal-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this word means to feed on or consume something, often referring to eating food or battling against someone. It's used in stories like David's battles and the Israelites' struggles in the wilderness.
Definition: 1) to fight, do battle, make war 1a) (Qal) to fight, do battle 1b) (Niphal) to engage in battle, wage war
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: devour, eat, [idiom] ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring). See also: Exodus 1:10; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 35:1.
לָֽ/נוּ "" Prep | Suff

Study Notes — Nehemiah 4:14

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 2 Samuel 10:12 Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”
2 Numbers 14:9 Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be like bread for us. Their protection has been removed, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!”
3 Isaiah 41:10–14 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness. Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing. For I am the LORD your God, who takes hold of your right hand and tells you: Do not fear, I will help you. Do not fear, O worm of Jacob, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
4 Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
5 Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
6 Psalms 20:7 Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
7 Psalms 66:3 Say to God, “How awesome are Your deeds! So great is Your power that Your enemies cower before You.
8 Psalms 65:5 With awesome deeds of righteousness You answer us, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas.
9 Deuteronomy 1:21 See, the LORD your God has placed the land before you. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
10 Hebrews 12:28–29 Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. “For our God is a consuming fire.”

Nehemiah 4:14 Summary

[Nehemiah 4:14 means that when we're faced with threats or challenges, we should trust in God's power and provision, just like Nehemiah did. We can do this by remembering God's works in our lives, as encouraged in Psalm 77:10-12, and by trusting in his power to help us, as seen in Exodus 14:13-14. By doing so, we can have the courage to stand up for what's important, like our families and communities, and trust that God will help us. This is similar to the way God helped the Israelites in their battles, and we can have the same trust and confidence in God's power.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Nehemiah's response to the threats from their enemies?

Nehemiah stood up and encouraged the people to remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and to fight for their families and homes, as seen in Nehemiah 4:14. This response is reminiscent of David's trust in God in Psalm 27:1-3.

Why did Nehemiah tell the people to remember the Lord?

Nehemiah told the people to remember the Lord because he wanted them to trust in God's power and provision, just as Moses encouraged the Israelites to remember God's works in Deuteronomy 8:2-5.

What was the result of Nehemiah's inspection and encouragement?

After Nehemiah's inspection and encouragement, the people were able to continue their work on the wall, with half of the servants working and the other half standing guard, as seen in Nehemiah 4:15-16. This is similar to the way God helped the Israelites in their battles, as described in Exodus 14:13-14.

How can we apply Nehemiah's example to our own lives?

We can apply Nehemiah's example by trusting in God's power and provision, just as he did, and by remembering God's works in our own lives, as encouraged in Psalm 77:10-12 and Lamentations 3:21-23.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's power and provision, just like Nehemiah did?
  2. How can I remember the Lord and his works in my daily life, especially when faced with challenges and threats?
  3. What are some ways I can 'fight' for my family and community, just as Nehemiah encouraged the people to do?
  4. How can I balance my work and responsibilities with the need to trust in God and remember his power, as seen in Nehemiah 4:15-16?

Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 4:14

And I looked,.... Took a view of the people, and observed that they were in their proper place, and sufficiently armed, and also whether the enemy was coming: and rose up and said unto the nobles,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 4:14

Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:14

Nehemiah 4:14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, [which is] great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.Ver. 14. And I looked, and rose up] Et vidi, et surrexi, et dixi, so the original runs. He saw the enemy a-coming, he started up, and he made this excellent exhortation; which puts me in mind of that which one once said of Julius Caesar, If you had never known him to have been a soldier, yet hear him but speak only, and you will conclude him to be one, Si acta eius penitus ignorasses, per linguam tanten militem esse diceres. And said unto the nobles] In a short but pithy oration; such as was that of Joab, 2 Samuel 10:12, of which Pellican saith, Non potuit vex duce dignior cogitari, as brave a speech as a man could make; or that of Hunniades, about to join battle with the Turks (see Turk. Hist. fol. 272); or, lastly, that of the Prince of Orange at the battle of Newport; where they had the sea on one side and the Spaniards on the other. If, said he, you will live, you must either eat up these Spaniards or drink up this sea. So here, Either you must fight lustily, or all you have is forfeited assuredly. Be not ye afraid of them] Away with that cowardly passion, which unmans a man, et rectum tollit de cardine mentem, robs him of all power and policy. Remember the Lord] Whom he that feareth needs fear none else. "The name of the Lord is a strong tower," &c. Who is great and terrible] For the defence of his people, and offence of his enemies. The Lord is a man of war, Exodus 15:3. Yea, he alone is a whole army of men, van and rear both, Isaiah 52:12; and may better say to his soldiers than Antigonus did to his, when they were afraid of the enemy’ s numbers, How many do ye reckon me for? And fight for your brethren] Whether by race, or religion. Your sons, and your daughters] Those φιλτατα, as the Greeks call them; Charissimi, as the Latins; dearest pledges. Your wives, and your houses] In the last commandment houses are set first before wives, because a house is to be first provided; neither will a wise man take a wife before he hath a house. Here wives are set before houses; because far more precious, and a main part of a man’ s self, Ephesians 5:28. House and riches are the inheritance of the fathers, but a prudent wife is of the Lord, Proverbs 19:14. She was one of the first real and royal gifts bestowed by God upon Adam.

Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:14

(14) And I looked.—It appears that the energetic appeal now described was uttered on the actual approach of an attacking party.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:14

Verse 14. Be not ye afraid of them] Are they more terrible or stronger than God? Fight for your brethren] Your own countrymen, who worship the same God, and are come from the same stock; your sons, whom they wish to slay or lead into captivity; your daughters and wives, whom they wish to deflower and defile; and your houses, which they wish to seize and occupy as their own. They had every thing at stake; and therefore they must fight pro aris et focis, for their religion, their lives, and their property. A people thus interested, who once take up the sword, can never be conquered. There is an address made to the Greeks by their leader in AEschylus, Pers. ver. 402, similar to this, to excite them against the Persians: - - ΩΠαιδεςἙλληνων, ιτε, Ελευθερουτεπατριδ,ελευθερουτεδε Παιδας, γυνιακας, θεωνρεπατρῳωνἑδη, Θηκαςτεπρογονων·νυνὑπερπαντωναγων. "-----------Sons of the Greeks, go on! Free now your country, and your children free; Your wives, the temples of your fathers' gods, And dear abodes of farthest ancestors:-- Now strike the blow for all!" J. B. B. C.

Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 4:14

14. And I looked, and rose up] Nehemiah’s ‘look’ seems to denote his inspection of the guards which he had stationed. unto the nobles, and to the rulers] R.V. marg. ‘Or, deputies’. Upon the difference of these two classes see note on Nehemiah 2:16. the Lord] R.V. the Lord. The sacred name here used is ‘Adonai,’ not ‘Jahveh;’ see on Nehemiah 1:11, (Nehemiah 3:5). which is great and terrible] For these epithets, see note on Nehemiah 1:5, and compare Nehemiah 9:22. The attributes of power and awe belong to the God of Israel and ensure the victory of those that trust him, cf. Deuteronomy 3:22, Deut. 20:31, 32. fight for your brethren … houses] Nehemiah exhorts his men to fight courageously. To the Jews the contest must be for their very existence as a people. Their foes are banded together to compass the extermination of their race and name. The brotherhood of the race (brethren), the blessings of family and home (sons and daughters), the ties of personal affection (wives) or cherished ancestral inheritance (house) were at stake. The enemy against whom they fought knew no pity.

Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:14

14. I looked — To see if all my orders had been carried out. Rose up — To pass around and address the nobles and others with words of encouragement and cheer.

Sermons on Nehemiah 4:14

SermonDescription
Carter Conlon Steak and Snake by Carter Conlon The sermon from Malachi chapter 3 emphasizes the importance of having oil in our lamps, symbolizing the need for spiritual readiness in a darkening world. It warns against the sedu
Carter Conlon Honoring God in an Impossible Place by Carter Conlon This sermon emphasizes the need for the Church of Jesus Christ to rise up in a generation where society is rapidly declining morally, socially, and politically. The speaker calls f
Carter Conlon The Call of the Shipmaster by Carter Conlon This sermon is a powerful call to prayer and revival, emphasizing the need for believers to awaken to the urgency of the times and seek God's presence. Drawing from the story of Jo
F.B. Meyer Our Daily Homily - Nehemiah by F.B. Meyer F.B. Meyer emphasizes the significance of Nehemiah's role as a cupbearer, illustrating how God can use humble individuals for great purposes. Nehemiah's heartfelt prayers and tears
Chuck Smith Nehemiah 4:14 by Chuck Smith Chuck Smith emphasizes the importance of overcoming fear in the face of challenges, as illustrated in Nehemiah 4:14. He acknowledges that while there are valid reasons for fear, su
F.B. Meyer Remember the Lord. by F.B. Meyer F.B. Meyer emphasizes the importance of remembering the Lord in all circumstances, drawing from Nehemiah's example of faith and reliance on God amidst adversity. He encourages beli
David Wilkerson Are You Overwhelmed by Fear? by David Wilkerson David Wilkerson emphasizes that when fear overwhelms us, we must focus on the greatness of God and recall His past deliverances. He illustrates this through Nehemiah, who encourage

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