Nehemiah 4:8

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Nehemiah 4:8 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance.

King James Version KJV

And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.

American Standard Version ASV

and they conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion therein.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And they made designs, all of them together, to come and make an attack on Jerusalem, causing trouble there.

Free Bible Version FBV

They all plotted together to come and attack Jerusalem and to throw everything into confusion.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And conspired all together to come and to fight against Ierusalem, and to hinder them.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and they conspire, all of them together, to come in to fight against Jerusalem, and to do to it injury.

World English Bible WEB

and they all conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion among us.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And they all assembled themselves together, to come, and to fight against Jerusalem, and to prepare ambushes.

Translation for Translators T4T

They all planned to come and fight against the people of Jerusalem [MTY] and to cause trouble.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 4:8

BAB

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 4:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וָ/אֵ֣רֶא וָ/אָק֗וּם וָ/אֹמַ֞ר אֶל הַ/חֹרִ֤ים וְ/אֶל הַ/סְּגָנִים֙ וְ/אֶל יֶ֣תֶר הָ/עָ֔ם אַל תִּֽירְא֖וּ מִ/פְּנֵי/הֶ֑ם אֶת אֲדֹנָ֞/י הַ/גָּד֤וֹל וְ/הַ/נּוֹרָא֙ זְכֹ֔רוּ וְ/הִֽלָּחֲמ֗וּ עַל אֲחֵי/כֶם֙ בְּנֵי/כֶ֣ם וּ/בְנֹתֵי/כֶ֔ם נְשֵׁי/כֶ֖ם וּ/בָתֵּי/כֶֽם

וָ/אֵ֣רֶא râʼâh H7200 Provider Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs

וָ/אָק֗וּם qûwm H6965 -kamai Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs

וָ/אֹמַ֞ר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs

אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep

הַ/חֹרִ֤ים chôr H2715 noble Art | N-mp

וְ/אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Conj | Prep

הַ/סְּגָנִים֙ çâgân H5461 ruler Art | N-mp

וְ/אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Conj | Prep

יֶ֣תֶר yether H3499 remainder N-ms

הָ/עָ֔ם ʻam H5971 Amaw Art | N-ms

אַל ʼal H408 not Part

תִּֽירְא֖וּ yârêʼ H3372 to fear V-Qal-Juss-2mp

מִ/פְּנֵי/הֶ֑ם pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp | Suff

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

אֲדֹנָ֞/י ʼĂdônây H136 Lord N-mp | Suff

הַ/גָּד֤וֹל gâdôwl H1419 Great (Sea) Art | Adj

וְ/הַ/נּוֹרָא֙ yârêʼ H3372 to fear Conj | Art | V-Niphal

זְכֹ֔רוּ zâkar H2142 to remember V-Qal-Impv-2mp

וְ/הִֽלָּחֲמ֗וּ lâcham H3898 to fight Conj | V-Niphal-Impv-2mp

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

אֲחֵי/כֶם֙ ʼâch H251 brother N-mp | Suff

בְּנֵי/כֶ֣ם bên H1121 son N-mp | Suff

וּ/בְנֹתֵי/כֶ֔ם bath H1323 Bath (Shua) Conj | N-fp | Suff

נְשֵׁי/כֶ֖ם ʼishshâh H802 woman N-fp | Suff

וּ/בָתֵּי/כֶֽם bayith H1004 place Conj | N-mp | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 4:8

וָ/אֵ֣רֶא râʼâh H7200 "Provider" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs

The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.

Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after

Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.

וָ/אָק֗וּם qûwm H6965 "-kamai" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs

Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.

Definition: Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B) § -Kamai = "my adversary" Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai

Usage: Occurs in 596 OT verses. KJV: abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). See also: Genesis 4:8; Numbers 30:13; Ruth 4:10.

וָ/אֹמַ֞ר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep

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.

הַ/חֹרִ֤ים chôr H2715 "noble" Art | N-mp

In the original Hebrew, this word means noble or pure, like something made clean by fire. It describes someone of high rank or birth, like a freeborn person. It appears in various Bible translations as 'noble'.

Definition: a noble, freeborn one

Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: noble. See also: 1 Kings 21:8; Nehemiah 6:17; Isaiah 34:12.

וְ/אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Conj | Prep

הַ/סְּגָנִים֙ çâgân H5461 "ruler" Art | N-mp

A ruler is a person with authority and power, like a prince or governor. In the Bible, this word is used to describe leaders in Assyria and Babylon, who had control over provinces and people.

Definition: 1) ruler, prefect, governor, a subordinate ruler 1a) prefects (of Assyria and Babylon) 1b) petty rulers or officials Aramaic equivalent: se.gan (סְגַן "prefect" H5460)

Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: prince, ruler. See also: Ezra 9:2; Nehemiah 13:11; Isaiah 41:25.

וְ/אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Conj | Prep

יֶ֣תֶר yether H3499 "remainder" N-ms

A cord or rope, also meaning excess or remainder, as seen in the Bible's descriptions of leftovers or abundant resources.

Definition: 1) remainder, excess, rest, remnant, excellence 1a) remainder, remnant 1b) remainder, rest, other part 1c) excess 1d) abundantly (adv) 1e) abundance, affluence 1f) superiority, excellency

Usage: Occurs in 95 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] abundant, cord, exceeding, excellancy(-ent), what they leave, that hath left, plentifully, remnant, residue, rest, string, with. See also: Genesis 49:3; 2 Kings 15:26; Psalms 11:2.

הָ/עָ֔ם ʻam H5971 "Amaw" Art | N-ms

A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.

Definition: This name means nation, people

Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.

אַל ʼal H408 "not" Part

Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.

Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)

Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.

תִּֽירְא֖וּ yârêʼ H3372 "to fear" V-Qal-Juss-2mp

This Hebrew word means to fear or revere, and is used to describe being afraid or standing in awe of something, like God's power. It appears in the Bible to convey a sense of respect or reverence. In the KJV, it's translated as 'affright' or 'reverence'.

Definition: : frightening(DANGER) 1) to fear, revere, be afraid 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fear, be afraid 1a2) to stand in awe of, be awed 1a3) to fear, reverence, honour, respect 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be fearful, be dreadful, be feared 1b2) to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe 1b3) to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe 1c) (Piel) to make afraid, terrify 2) (TWOT) to shoot, pour

Usage: Occurs in 318 OT verses. KJV: affright, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear(-ful, -fully, -ing), (be had in) reverence(-end), [idiom] see, terrible (act, -ness, thing). See also: Genesis 3:10; 1 Samuel 12:18; Psalms 3:7.

מִ/פְּנֵי/הֶ֑ם pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp | Suff

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

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.

אֲדֹנָ֞/י ʼĂdônây H136 "Lord" N-mp | Suff

Adonay is a title used to refer to God, spoken in place of Yahweh as a sign of reverence and respect. It is used throughout the Bible to address God or refer to Him in a formal way. Adonay is a term of worship and devotion.

Definition: Lord - a title, spoken in place of Yahweh in Jewish display of reverence Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 430 OT verses. KJV: (my) Lord. See also: Genesis 15:2; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 2:4.

הַ/גָּד֤וֹל gâdôwl H1419 "Great (Sea)" Art | Adj

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.

Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)

Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.

וְ/הַ/נּוֹרָא֙ yârêʼ H3372 "to fear" Conj | Art | V-Niphal

זְכֹ֔רוּ zâkar H2142 "to remember" V-Qal-Impv-2mp

To remember means to recall or mark something, like God remembering his covenant with Abraham in Genesis 9:1 and Exodus 2:24.

Definition: 1) to remember, recall, call to mind 1a) (Qal) to remember, recall 1b) (Niphal) to be brought to remembrance, be remembered, be thought of, be brought to mind 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to remember, remind 1c2) to cause to be remembered, keep in remembrance 1c3) to mention 1c4) to record 1c5) to make a memorial, make remembrance

Usage: Occurs in 223 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] burn (incense), [idiom] earnestly, be male, (make) mention (of), be mindful, recount, record(-er), remember, make to be remembered, bring (call, come, keep, put) to (in) remembrance, [idiom] still, think on, [idiom] well. See also: Genesis 8:1; Psalms 74:2; Psalms 8:5.

וְ/הִֽלָּחֲמ֗וּ lâcham H3898 "to fight" Conj | V-Niphal-Impv-2mp

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.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

אֲחֵי/כֶם֙ ʼâch H251 "brother" N-mp | Suff

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.

Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance

Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.

בְּנֵי/כֶ֣ם bên H1121 "son" N-mp | Suff

In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.

Definition: : child/son

Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.

וּ/בְנֹתֵי/כֶ֔ם bath H1323 "Bath (Shua)" Conj | N-fp | Suff

The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.

Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')

Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.

נְשֵׁי/כֶ֖ם ʼishshâh H802 "woman" N-fp | Suff

The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.

Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)

Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.

וּ/בָתֵּי/כֶֽם bayith H1004 "place" Conj | N-mp | Suff

The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.

Definition: nm place, origin, between

Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.

Study Notes — Nehemiah 4:8

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Context
Cross References
Nehemiah 4:8 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 4:8
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 4:8
Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:8
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:8
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 4:8
Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:8
Sermons on Nehemiah 4:8

Context — The Work Ridiculed

6So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious,

8and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance.

9So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night. 10Meanwhile, the people of Judah said: “The strength of the laborer fails, and there is so much rubble that we will never be able to rebuild the wall.”

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Psalms 83:3–11	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.” For with one mind they plot together, they form an alliance against You— the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, of Gebal, Ammon, and Amalek, of Philistia with the people of Tyre. Even Assyria has joined them, lending strength to the sons of Lot. Selah Do to them as You did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the River Kishon, who perished at Endor and became like dung on the ground. Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, and all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,
2	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. ”
3	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.”
4	Psalms 2:1–3	Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.”
5	Acts 23:12–13	When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty of them were involved in this plot.

Nehemiah 4:8 Summary

[Nehemiah 4:8 tells us that the people around Jerusalem were not happy about the walls being rebuilt and they wanted to stop it. They conspired, or made a plan, to come and fight against Jerusalem and create problems. This is similar to what happened in Nehemiah 4:1-3, where Sanballat and Tobiah were angry about the rebuilding of the walls. We can learn from this that when we are doing something good, like serving God, there will often be people who try to stop us or cause trouble, but we can trust in God's power and protection, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Isaiah 43:2.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the motivation behind the conspiracy against Jerusalem in Nehemiah 4:8?

The motivation behind the conspiracy was the progress being made in repairing the walls of Jerusalem, which was seen as a threat to the surrounding nations, as mentioned in Nehemiah 4:7. This is similar to the opposition faced by the apostles in the book of Acts, where they were persecuted for preaching the gospel, as seen in Acts 4:1-3.

How does this verse relate to the spiritual battles we face today?

This verse reminds us that as believers, we will face opposition and hindrances, just like the Israelites did, but we can trust in God's power and providence to overcome them, as promised in Romans 8:28 and Philippians 4:13.

What can we learn from the response of the Israelites to this conspiracy?

The Israelites' response, as seen in Nehemiah 4:9, was to pray to God and post a guard against their enemies, demonstrating their trust in God's protection and provision, which is a valuable lesson for us today, as we face our own spiritual battles, and can be applied as seen in Psalm 121:1-2.

How does this verse fit into the larger narrative of Nehemiah?

This verse is part of the story of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, which is a symbol of God's restoration and redemption of His people, as seen in Nehemiah 1:1-4 and Isaiah 61:4, and serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and power in the face of opposition.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways in which I am facing opposition or hindrances in my own life, and how can I trust in God's power to overcome them?
How can I, like the Israelites, prioritize prayer and trust in God's protection and provision in the face of challenges?
In what ways can I be a part of God's restoration and redemption in my own community, just as the Israelites were part of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem?
What are some spiritual battles that I am facing, and how can I apply the lessons from this verse to overcome them?

Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 4:8

And conspired all of them together,.... All the above men and people entered into a confederacy and combination: to come and to fight against Jerusalem; to bring an army with them, and by force cause

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 4:8

And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:8

Nehemiah 4:8 And conspired all of them together to come [and] to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.Ver. 8. And conspired all of them together] All of them, and together; and yet this was not unity, but conspiracy; such as is that among devils, Mark 5:9, among Antichristians, Revelation 17:13, among Turks, who have as little dissension in their religion as any. But well may that garment have no seam that hath no shape. The army of Nineveh was quiet, Nahum 1:12, no falling out nor complaining in their hosts; hence their king marched on, passed through. But so did not these conspirators, because they met with those that were no less well combined and far better resolved than themselves. The Thebans had a band of men they called Sacra Cohors, sacred cohorts, ιεροςλοχος (Athen. 1.3), consisting of such only as were joined in the bonds of love, and resolved to live and die together. These Jews under the command of Nehemiah were none other, and were therefore insuperable. To come and to fight] To turn their works into knocks. And to hinder it] Heb. To make an error in it. The Hebrew word is used both of the error of the heart and of the foot, Isaiah 63:17 Psalms 119:176. It may be rendered here, to hinder him, to make an error in him; to make Nehemiah at a stand, or rather to run away, to creep into corners, and give over the work.

Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:8

(8) And conspired.—Not fearing the Persian authority, they resolved to attack the city; but it will be seen that they soon abandoned that project. To hinder it.—Rather, to do it hurt.

Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 4:8

8. and conspired all of them] R.V. and they conspired all of them. R.V. makes a stronger pause at the close of Neh 4:7, substituting a semicolon for the comma. ‘Conspired.’ The word here used is the usual term for secret treachery. to come and to fight] R.V. to come and fight. Literally ‘to come fight’ without the copula. This idiom, which occurs again in Nehemiah 9:15; Nehemiah 9:23 (cf. 1 Chronicles 12:31; 2 Chronicles 20:11), combines the thought of the two infinitives, the latter being epexegetic of the former. It is equivalent ‘to come for the purpose of fighting.’ and to hinder it] R.V. and to cause confusion therein. More literally ‘and to cause confusion to him.’ The masc. pronoun is here used, referring to the dwellers in Jerusalem. ‘to cause or make confusion’, the word rendered ‘confusion’ occurs only here and in Isaiah 32:6, ‘to utter error against the Lord.’ The rareness of the word occasioned difficulty to the versions. Hence LXX. ποιῆσαιαὐτὴνἀφανῆ, Vulg. molirentur insidias. The sudden arrival of hostile forces outside Jerusalem would be calculated ‘to cause confusion.’ It would encourage those who were already disaffected, and would terrify the timid. It would impede the work; for the patriot Jews would have to abandon the building for the sake of defending their walls, while the unwilling workers would gladly avail themselves of the pretext.

Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 4:8

8. To come… to fight… to hinder — None of these purposes, however, seem to have been carried out by the conspiring parties. The Hebrew here for hinder, is, literally to do to it a disturbance.

Sermons on Nehemiah 4:8

	Sermon	Description
	Hidden Workers by Charles E. Cowman	Charles E. Cowman preaches about the significance of living a great life even in mediocrity, drawing inspiration from John the Baptist who did no miracles but bore witness to the L
	The Beauty and Strength of Zion by John Owen	In this sermon, the preacher addresses five questions regarding the protection and preservation of the church. The preacher begins by giving an illustration of how massive and impe
	(Revelation - Part 6): Reign of Christ a Divine Imperative by A.W. Tozer	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the current state of the world and the need for deliverance from oppression and sin. He emphasizes the importance of a perfect leader who can
	Bringing the Power of God Into Prayer by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of speaking and the impact it can have on someone's life. He shares a story from the Old Testament about three lepers who made a c
	Pray Big and Pray Bold by Sundar Krishnan	This sermon emphasizes the power of intercessory prayer in shaping the future and creating a better world. It explores the concept of spiritual defiance through prayer, believing i
	Articles of Engagement for Spiritual Warfare by Darrell Champlin	In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of encountering a witch doctor and witnessing the power of God. The speaker describes how the witch doctor attempted to har
	Abimelech by Charles Alexander	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the anointing of Saul as the first king of Israel. Samuel, the prophet, pours the royal anointing oil on Saul's head, declaring him to be the