Nehemiah 4

Nehemiah 4:2

HIs brethren] His companions that dwelt in Samaria: he stirs them up against the Jews.

What do these feeble Jews] Thus the wicked mock Gods people, as though they were weak and feeble, because they consider not, that Gods power is ever in a readinesse for the defence of his.

fortifie themselves] Heb. leave to themselves.

Nehemiah 4:4

Hear, O our God] This is the remedy that the children of God have against the derision and threatnings of their enemies.

despised] Heb. despite.

the land of captivity] Let them be spoiled, and led away captive.

Nehemiah 4:5

And cover not their iniquity] Let thy plagues declare to the world, that they set themselves against thee, and against thy church, Jere. 18. 23. Thus he prayeth, having having respect to Gods glory, and not out of private grudge.

they have provoked thee to anger before the builders] Or, they have provoked others against the builders. Or, they have provoked the builders standing over against them.

Nehemiah 4:6

unto the half thereof] Of the height of the wall.

Nehemiah 4:7

were made up] Heb. ascended.

Nehemiah 4:8

to hinder it] Heb. to make an errour to it.

Nehemiah 4:9

Neverthelesse] Or, Therefore.

against them] Or, over them: That is, over the workmen because of the enemies.

Nehemiah 4:10

so that we are not able to build the wall] The bearers, and the rubbish lying in the way, hinders us from building.

Nehemiah 4:12

they said] Or, and said.

ten times] That is, oftentimes, Job 19:3.

From all places, whence ye shall return unto us, they will be upon you] Or, That from all places ye must return to us. Or, They that are against us will come on all places, whence ye shall return. That is, when you go from your work to eat, or rest, the enemies will assail you on all sides.

Nehemiah 4:13

Therefore] Or, Then.

in the lower places] Heb. from the lower parts of the place, &c.

Nehemiah 4:14

remember the Lord] Who is ever at hand to deliver his out of danger, and therefore seeing they should fight for the maintenance of Gods glory, and for the preservation of their own lives, and the lives of theirs, he encourageth them to play the valiant men, 2 Samuel 10:12.

Nehemiah 4:15

and God had brought] Or, that God had brought.

that we returned] Or, and we returned.

Nehemiah 4:16

And] Or, Yet.

the rulers were behinde all the house of Judah] To over-see them, and to encourage them to their work.

Nehemiah 4:17

and with the other hand held a weapon] A lively type of the militant church, which still must with the one hand build on the work of the LORD, and with the other must be ready to keep off their spirituall and bodily enemies.

Nehemiah 4:18

by his side] Heb. on his loyns.

Nehemiah 4:20

resort ye thither unto us] Meaning to resist their enemies. And to this end he kept a trumpeter alwayes by him, to make them know when the enemy approached, v. 18.

our God shall fight for us] Exodus 14:14. Deuteronomy 1:30. and Deuteronomy 3:22.

Nehemiah 4:23

saving that every one put them off for washing] Or, every one went with his weapon for water.

for washing] That is, when they purified themselves, or else when they washed their clothes.