Nehemiah 4:13

4:12 And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you. From all: or, That from all places ye must return to us

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. in the: Heb. from the lower parts of the place, etc

KJV

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Therefore I set guards in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places. I set the people by family groups with their swords, their spears, and their bows.

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.

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.

What does Nehemiah 4:13 mean?

Nehemiah 4:13 is a verse in the book of Nehemiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include עָמַד (ʻâmad), תַּחְתִּי (tachtîy), מָקוֹם (mâqôwm). It connects to 11 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

Therefore

setעָמַדʻâmad/aw-mad'/H5975to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

the

lowerתַּחְתִּיtachtîy/takh-tee'/H8482lowermost; as noun (feminine plural) the depths (figuratively, a pit, the womb)

placesמָקוֹםmâqôwm/maw-kome'/H4725properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

behindאַחַרʼachar/akh-ar'/H310properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

the

wall,חוֹמָהchôwmâh/kho-maw'/H2346a wall of protection

and

the

higher

places,צְחִיחַtsᵉchîyach/tsekh-ee'-akh/H6706glaring, i.e. exposed to the bright sun

even

setעָמַדʻâmad/aw-mad'/H5975to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

the

peopleעַםʻam/am/H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

after

their

familiesמִשְׁפָּחָהmishpâchâh/mish-paw-khaw'/H4940a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

with

their

swords,חֶרֶבchereb/kheh'-reb/H2719drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

their

spears,רֹמַחrômach/ro'-makh/H7420a lance (as thrown); especially the iron point

and

their

bows.קֶשֶׁתqesheth/keh'-sheth/H7198a bow, forshooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris

the:

Heb.

from

the

lower

parts

the

place,

etc

Commentary on Nehemiah 4:13

HENRY_FULL · Nehemiah 4:12–13

="x-p" Ezra's Thankfulness to God. ( b. c. 457.) 27 Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem: 28 And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me. Ezra cannot proceed in his story without inserting his thankful acknowledgement of the goodness of God to him and his people in this matter. As soon as he has concluded the king's commission, instead of subjoining, God save the king (though that would have been proper enough), he adds, Blessed be the Lord; for we must in every thing give thanks, and, whatever occurrences please us, we must own God's hand in them, and praise his name. Two things Ezra blessed God for:—1. For his commission. We suppose he kissed the king's hand for it, but that was not all: Blessed be God (says he) that put such a thing as this into the king's heart. God can put things into men's hearts which would not arise there of themselves, and into their heads too, both by his providence and by his grace, in things pertaining both to life and godliness. If any good appear to be in our own hearts, or in the hearts of others, we must own it was God that put it there, and bless him for it; for it is he that worketh in us both to will and to do that which is good. When princes and magistrates act for the suppression of vice, and the encouragement of religion, we must thank God that put it into their hearts to do so, as much as if they had granted us some particular favour. When God's house was built Ezra rejoiced in what was done to beautify it. We read not of any orders given to paint or gild it, or to garnish it with precious stones, but to be sure that the ordinances of God were administered there constantly, and carefully, and exactly according to the institution; and that was indeed the beautifying of the temple. 2. For the encouragement he had to act in pursuance of his commission ( v. 28 ): He has extended mercy to me. The king, in the honour he did him, we may suppose, had an eye to his merit, and preferred him because he looked upon him to be a very sensible ingenious man; but he himself ascribes his preferment purely to God's mercy. It was this that recommended him to the favour of his prince. Ezra himself was a man of courage, yet he attributed his encouragement not to his own heart, but to God's hand: "I was strengthened to undertake the services, as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me to direct and support me." If God gives us his hand, we are bold and cheerful; if he withdraws it, we are weak as water. Whatever service we are enabled to do for God and our generation, God must have all the glory of it. Strength for it is derived from him, and therefore the praise of it must be given to him.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

1 Chronicles 4:33

And all their villages that were round about the same cities, unto Baal. These were their habitations, and their genealogy. Baal: or, Baalathbeer their genealogy: or, as they divided themselves by nations among them

1 Chronicles 9:1

So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.

1 Chronicles 9:34

These chief fathers of the Levites were chief throughout their generations; these dwelt at Jerusalem.

1 Chronicles 24:31

These likewise cast lots over against their brethren the sons of Aaron in the presence of David the king, and Zadok, and Ahimelech, and the chief of the fathers of the priests and Levites, even the principal fathers over against their younger brethren.

1 Chronicles 26:32

And his brethren, men of valour, were two thousand and seven hundred chief fathers, whom king David made rulers over the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, for every matter pertaining to God, and affairs of the king. affairs: Heb. thing

2 Chronicles 26:12

The whole number of the chief of the fathers of the mighty men of valour were two thousand and six hundred.

Nehemiah 1:5

And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:

Nehemiah 7:7

Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this; Azariah: or, Seraiah

Nehemiah 7:13

The children of Zattu, eight hundred forty and five.

Nehemiah 7:70

And some of the chief of the fathers gave unto the work. The Tirshatha gave to the treasure a thousand drams of gold, fifty basons, five hundred and thirty priests' garments. some: Heb. part.

Nehemiah 7:71

And some of the chief of the fathers gave to the treasure of the work twenty thousand drams of gold, and two thousand and two hundred pound of silver.

Topics

Prudence Samaria, Modern Spear

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Nehemiah 4:13.

Genesis 10:18

And the Arvadite, and the Zemarite, and the Hamathite: and afterward were the families of the Canaanites spread abroad.

Genesis 10:32

These are the families of the sons of Noah, after their generations, in their nations: and by these were the nations divided in the earth after the flood.

Genesis 13:14

And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:

Genesis 19:17

And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.

Genesis 19:27

And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD:

Genesis 24:31

And he said, Come in, thou blessed of the LORD; wherefore standest thou without? for I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.

Genesis 36:40

And these are the names of the dukes that came of Esau, according to their families, after their places, by their names; duke Timnah, duke Alvah, duke Jetheth, Alvah: or, Aliah

Frequently asked questions

What does Nehemiah 4:13 say?

Nehemiah 4:13 (King James Version) reads: "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. in the: Heb. from the lower parts of the place, etc"

Is Nehemiah 4:13 in the Old or New Testament?

Nehemiah 4:13 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Nehemiah.

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