Nehemiah 4

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 2

4:2 The Persians had stationed Samarian army officers in Jerusalem to keep peace. • poor, feeble Jews: Sanballat’s mockery had an element of truth: The Jews were not rich, powerful, or many in number. However, Sanballat failed to realize the strength of the God whom the Jews served. • Do they think . . . by just offering a few sacrifices? Sanballat might have been mocking a sudden increase in sacrifices at the Temple as the Israelites dedicated their work to the Lord. • rubbish . . . charred: When fire destroyed Jerusalem (586 BC), it heated the stones, causing some to crack and crumble. The people used these stones to restore the walls.

Verse 4

4:4 Nehemiah prayed intensely for God to stop those who opposed God’s will. Nehemiah’s practice was to cry out to God in times of need (2:4; 5:19; 6:14; 13:14, 22, 29, 31).

Verse 5

4:5 Do not ignore their guilt: See also “Prayers for Vengeance” Theme Note.

Verse 6

4:6 half its height: Perhaps 10–12 feet (3.0–3.7 meters) tall, since some scholars speculate that the original wall was 20–24 feet (6.0–7.3 meters) high.

Verse 7

4:7 Israel’s enemies from the north (Sanballat), the south (Arabs), the east (Ammonites), and the west (Ashdodites) were enraged by the speed and success of Jerusalem’s reconstruction, which threatened these opponents’ political power in the region.

Verse 9

4:9 we prayed . . . and guarded: This wise approach to the threat involved both relying on God and doing what was needed.

Verse 11

4:11 The relentless psychological attack of Israel’s enemies was having a negative effect on morale.

Verse 12

4:12 They will come from all directions and attack us! Jews from the surrounding areas might have been exhorting the people working in Jerusalem to return to their villages to avoid being killed in an attack.

Verse 13

4:13 Nehemiah countered by positioning armed guards near the most vulnerable parts of the wall. He also made sure opponents outside the wall could see the forces ready to defend the city.

Verse 14

4:14 The strongest motivation for hope was Israel’s great and glorious God, who had delivered his people from mighty nations before (cp. 2 Chr 32:7-8; see Exod 14:13-14; Deut 8:1-3; 20:3; Josh 10:25). Another motivation was to protect their own families and properties.

Verse 15

4:15 Nehemiah gave the credit to God (see also 2:20; 6:16), who had frustrated them through the prayers of the people, the 24-hour patrol, the open display of force, and the confidence in God’s protection.

Verse 18

4:18-19 Through the trumpeter, Nehemiah could sound the alarm to direct workers to any portion of the wall that might be attacked.

Verse 20

4:20 our God will fight for us! Drawing on Israel’s ancient holy war tradition (Exod 14:14; Deut 1:30; 20:4; Josh 10:14; 23:10), Nehemiah encouraged the people that victory was certain if they trusted in the Lord.

Verse 23

4:23 Nehemiah and the other leaders were not elitists who relaxed while others toiled.