Nehemiah 4:18

Nehemiah 4:18 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.

King James Version KJV

For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.

American Standard Version ASV

and the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.

Bible in Basic English BBE

Every builder was working with his sword at his side. And by my side was a man for sounding the horn.

Free Bible Version FBV

All the builders carried a sword strapped to their side, and the trumpeter stood beside me.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

For euery one of the buylders had his sworde girded on his loynes, and so buylded: and he that blewe the trumpet, was beside me.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And the builders [are] each with his sword, girded on his loins, and building, and he who is blowing with a trumpet [is] beside me.

World English Bible WEB

Among the builders, everyone wore his sword at his side, and so built. He who sounded the trumpet was by me.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so built. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

For every one of the builders was girded with a sword about his reins. And they built, and sounded with a trumpet by me.

Translation for Translators T4T

All those who were building the wall had a dagger fastened to their side. The man who would blow the trumpet if our enemies attacked was standing at my side.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 4:18

BAB

Word Study

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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.

Study Notes — Nehemiah 4:18

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Nehemiah 4:18 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 4:18
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 4:18
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:18
Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:18
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 4:18
Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:18
Sermons on Nehemiah 4:18

Context — Discouragement Overcome

16And from that day on, half of my servants did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers stationed themselves behind all the people of Judah 17who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.

18And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.

19Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is great and extensive, and we are spread out far from one another along the wall. 20Wherever you hear the sound of the horn, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Numbers 10:9	When you enter into battle in your land against an adversary who attacks you, sound short blasts on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God and saved from your enemies.
2	2 Chronicles 13:12–17	Now behold, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with their trumpets sound the battle call against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.” Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them. When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets, and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. And when they raised the cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. So the Israelites fled before Judah, and God delivered them into their hands. Then Abijah and his people struck them with a mighty blow, and 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain.

Nehemiah 4:18 Summary

[The builders in Nehemiah 4:18 worked with swords at their sides because they were in danger and needed to be ready to defend themselves. This shows us that even when we're doing God's work, we might face opposition, but we can trust Him to protect us, as in Psalm 23:4. Just like the builders, we need to be prepared to stand firm in our faith, with the 'sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God' (Ephesians 6:17). By trusting in God and being prepared, we can face challenges with confidence and courage.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the builders working with swords strapped at their sides?

The builders worked with swords at their sides because they were under threat of attack from their enemies, as seen in Nehemiah 4:1-14, and they needed to be prepared to defend themselves at a moment's notice, similar to the instruction in Ecclesiastes 3:8 to have a time for war.

What was the role of the trumpeter in this context?

The trumpeter's role was to sound an alarm in case of an attack, as mentioned in Nehemiah 4:20, to rally the people to the point of danger, trusting in God's deliverance as promised in Psalm 121:1-2.

How does this verse relate to the broader theme of trusting God in difficult circumstances?

This verse illustrates the importance of trusting God while still taking practical steps to protect oneself, as seen in the combination of prayer and action in Nehemiah 4:4-5 and the exhortation to trust in God's sovereignty in Proverbs 3:5-6.

What can we learn from the example of the builders and the trumpeter about our own spiritual battles?

We can learn the importance of being prepared for spiritual battles, as in Ephesians 6:10-18, and the value of having a system of support and warning, like the trumpeter, to rally us in times of need, as in Hebrews 10:24-25.

Reflection Questions

How can I apply the principle of being prepared to defend my faith, like the builders with their swords, in my daily life?
In what ways can I be like the trumpeter, ready to sound an alarm and rally others to stand firm in their faith?
What are some spiritual 'swords' that I can use to defend myself against the enemy's attacks, as mentioned in Ephesians 6:17?
How can I balance trust in God's sovereignty with the need to take practical steps to protect myself and my community, as seen in Nehemiah 4:9?

Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 4:18

For the builders had everyone his sword girded by his side, and so builded,.... Thus accoutred he wrought, and was prepared for either service: and he that sounded the trumpet was by me; to give the

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 4:18

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.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:18

To call the people together, when and where it was fit and necessary.

Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:18

Nehemiah 4:18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and [so] builded. And he that sounded the trumpet [was] by me.Ver. 18. For the builders every one had his sword girded by his side] Heb. on his loins; that is the place for the sword to hang on: Psalms 45:3, "Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty." And Revelation 19:16, Christ’ s name is written upon his vesture, that all may see it, and upon his thigh, where his sword hangs, to show that he won it by his valour. Among the Turks at this day, as the right hand is held uppermost for a scholar, so the left for a soldier; because it gives a man possession of his companion’ s sword; though the Turks seldom bear weapons but in travel; and then some of them seem no less like a walking, than these builders did like a working, armoury.

Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 4:18

18. For the builders] R.V. And the builders. Not, as A.V., a fresh explanatory sentence, but a continuation of the foregoing, a description of the other class of those engaged in the work. his sword girded by his side] Both hands were occupied in the work of laying the stones, which would be done chiefly by skilful mechanism with pulleys and rollers. The free action of both hands would be requisite. But though thus fully occupied, they were to be armed against a surprise attack. The mention of the ‘sword’ here accounts for its absence in Nehemiah 4:16. And he that &c.] This is a distinct parenthetical sentence introducing the personal reminiscence. The men were scattered over a large area, and the commands of the governor were to be given by sound of trumpet, so that the alarm could be given to all at the same time. by me] i.e. at my side, cf. Nehemiah 4:3. The words imply that Nehemiah was the life and soul of the defence, and that he was untiring in moving from point to point in the wall, superintending the work and directing the disposition for the defence.

Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:18

18. Every one had his sword girded by his side — This was probably literally the case. Swords are not mentioned in Nehemiah 4:16 as among the arms held in readiness by the half of the people that watched while the others worked.

Sermons on Nehemiah 4:18

	Sermon	Description
	Gods Order in Christ - Part 9 by T. Austin-Sparks	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and abiding in the word of God. They highlight the battle between life and death and the need for spiritual tog
	(Through the Bible) 2 Chronicles 10-13 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the history of Israel and their rebellion against God. He mentions how God had made a covenant with David that there would always be a king fr
	Fighting Our Battles by Mary Wilder Tileston	Mary Wilder Tileston preaches about the assurance of victory in God's battles, emphasizing the presence of the Lord as our fighter and captain. She highlights the importance of tru