Lectionary Calendar
Wednesday, April 8th, 2026
Wednesday in Easter Week
Attention!
Tired of seeing ads while studying? Now you can enjoy an "Ads Free" version of the site for as little as 10¢ a day and support a great cause!
Click here to learn more!

Read the Bible

Complete Jewish Bible

Nehemiah 4:15

So we kept doing the work. Half of them held spears from daybreak until the stars appeared.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Prudence;   Thompson Chain Reference - Co-Operation;   Nehemiah;   Unity-Strife;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Prayer, Answers to;   Prudence;   Samaria, Modern;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Samaritans;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Nehemiah;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Jerusalem;  

Encyclopedias:

- The Jewish Encyclopedia - Day;   Night;   Sun, Rising and Setting of the;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
When our enemies heard that we knew their scheme and that God had frustrated it, every one of us returned to his own work on the wall.
Hebrew Names Version
It happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and God had brought their counsel to nothing, that we returned all of us to the wall, everyone to his work.
King James Version
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
English Standard Version
When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.
New Century Version
Then our enemies heard that we knew about their plans and that God had ruined their plans. So we all went back to the wall, each to his own work.
New English Translation
It so happened that when our adversaries heard that we were aware of these matters, God frustrated their intentions. Then all of us returned to the wall, each to his own work.
Amplified Bible
Now when our enemies heard that we knew about their plot against us, and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each one to his work.
New American Standard Bible
Now when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work.
World English Bible
It happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and God had brought their counsel to nothing, that we returned all of us to the wall, everyone to his work.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And when our enemies heard that it was knowen vnto vs, then God brought their counsell to nought, and we turned all againe to the wall, euery one vnto his worke.
Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had thwarted their counsel, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work.
Berean Standard Bible
When our enemies heard that we were aware of their scheme and that God had frustrated it, each of us returned to his own work on the wall.
Contemporary English Version
Our enemies found out that we knew about their plot against us, but God kept them from doing what they had planned. So we went back to work on the wall.
Darby Translation
And it came to pass that when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had defeated their counsel, we returned all of us to the wall, every one to his work.
Easy-to-Read Version
Then our enemies heard that we knew about their plans. They knew that God ruined their plans. So we all went back to work on the wall. Everyone went back to their own place and did their part.
George Lamsa Translation
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that the matter was known to us and that the LORD had brought their counsel to naught, we all returned and went up to the wall, every one to his work.
Good News Translation
Our enemies heard that we had found out what they were plotting, and they realized that God had defeated their plans. Then all of us went back to rebuilding the wall.
Lexham English Bible
It happened when our enemies heard that their plan was known to us, that God had frustrated it, and we all returned to the wall—each to his work.
Literal Translation
And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had broken their counsel, all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Neuertheles whan or enemies herde yt we had gotten worde of it, God broughte their councell to naughte, and we turned all againe to the wall, euery one vnto his labor.
American Standard Version
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
Bible in Basic English
And when it came to the ears of those who were against us, that we had knowledge of their designs and that God had made their purpose come to nothing, we all went back to the wall, everyone to his work
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Neuerthelesse, when our enemies heard that we had gotten worde of it, God brought their counsell to naught: and we turned all againe to the wall, euery one vnto his labour.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
So we wrought in the work; and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
King James Version (1611)
And it came to passe when our enemies heard that it was knowen vnto vs, and God had brought their counsell to nought, that we returned all of vs to the wall, euery one vnto his worke.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was made known to us, and God had frustrated their counsel, that we all returned to the wall, every man to his work.
English Revised Version
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe it was doon, whanne oure enemyes hadden herd that it was teld to vs, God distriede her counsel; and alle we turneden ayen to the wallis, ech man to his werk.
Update Bible Version
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and God had brought their counsel to nothing, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one to his work.
Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and God had brought their counsel to naught, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one to his work.
New King James Version
And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work.
New Living Translation
When our enemies heard that we knew of their plans and that God had frustrated them, we all returned to our work on the wall.
New Life Bible
When those who hated us heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought trouble to their plan, then all of us returned to the wall. Each one returned to his work.
New Revised Standard
When our enemies heard that their plot was known to us, and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had overturned their counsel, then returned we, all of us, unto the wall, every man unto his work.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that the thing had been told us, that God defeated their counsel. And we returned all of us to the walls, every man to his work.
Revised Standard Version
When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work.
Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, when our enemies have heard that it hath been known to us, and God doth frustrate their counsel, and we turn back, all of us, unto the wall, each unto his work;
THE MESSAGE
Our enemies learned that we knew all about their plan and that God had frustrated it. And we went back to the wall and went to work. From then on half of my young men worked while the other half stood guard with lances, shields, bows, and mail armor. Military officers served as backup for everyone in Judah who was at work rebuilding the wall. The common laborers held a tool in one hand and a spear in the other. Each of the builders had a sword strapped to his side as he worked. I kept the trumpeter at my side to sound the alert.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
When our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had frustrated their plan, then all of us returned to the wall, each one to his work.

Contextual Overview

7 So in the lower parts of the space behind the wall, I stationed men according to their families, with their swords, spears and bows. 8 After inspecting them, I stood up and addressed the nobles, leaders and the rest of the people: "Don't be afraid of them! Remember Adonai, who is great and fearful; and fight for your brothers, sons, daughters, wives and homes." 9 When our enemies heard that the plot was known to us, and God had foiled their plans, we all returned to the wall, everyone to his work. 10 From then on, half of my men would do the work; and half of them held the spears, shields, bows and armor; while the leaders stood guard behind the entire house of Y'hudah, 11 as they continued building the wall. Those who carried loads held their loads with one hand and carried a weapon in the other. 12 As for the construction-workers, each one had his sword sheathed at his side; that is how they built. The man to sound the alarm on the shofar stayed with me. 13 I said to the nobles, the leaders and the rest of the people, "This is a great work, and it is spread out; we are separated on the wall, one far from another. 14 But wherever you are, when you hear the sound of the shofar, come to that place, to us. Our God will fight for us!" 15 So we kept doing the work. Half of them held spears from daybreak until the stars appeared.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

God: 2 Samuel 15:31, 2 Samuel 17:14, Job 5:12, Job 5:13, Psalms 33:10, Psalms 33:11, Proverbs 21:30, Isaiah 8:10, Isaiah 44:25, Lamentations 3:37, Lamentations 3:38, 1 Corinthians 3:19, 1 Corinthians 3:20

every one: Mark 13:34, Romans 12:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:11

Reciprocal: Ezra 7:6 - according to Acts 5:38 - for

Cross-References

Genesis 4:24
If Kayin will be avenged sevenfold, then Lemekh seventy-sevenfold!"
Leviticus 26:18
If these things don't make you listen to me, then I will discipline you seven times over for your sins.
Leviticus 26:21
"‘Yes, if you go against me and don't listen to me, I will increase your calamities sevenfold, according to your sins.
Leviticus 26:24
then I too will go against you; and I, yes I, will strike you seven times over for your sins.
Leviticus 26:28
then I will go against you furiously, and I also will chastise you yet seven times more for your sins.
1 Kings 16:7
Through the prophet Yehu the son of Hanani the word of Adonai was proclaimed against Ba‘sha and his house both because he did so much evil from Adonai 's perspective, angering him with his actions and becoming like the house of Yarov‘am, and because he killed [Nadav].
Psalms 59:11
God, who gives me grace, will come to me; God will let me gaze in triumph at my foes.
Psalms 79:12
Repay our neighbors sevenfold where they can feel it for the insults they inflicted on you, Adonai.
Proverbs 6:31
but even he, if caught, must pay back sevenfold; he may have to give up all the wealth that he owns.
Ezekiel 9:4
Adonai said to him, "Go throughout the city, through all Yerushalayim, and put a mark on the foreheads of the men who are sighing and crying over all the disgusting practices that are being committed in it."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And it came to pass, when our enemies heard it was known unto us,.... What they intended, as might be reported to them from the preparations made by the Jews to receive them, and defend themselves:

and God had brought their counsel to naught; which was to come upon them secretly and unawares; but being discovered, they dropped their design, and their scheme came to nothing:

so that we returned all of us to the wall, every man to his work; to that part of it where he wrought, in order to finish it.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 15. Their counsel to naught — The word counsel used here countenances the emendation in the Nehemiah 4:12; Nehemiah 4:12 verse.


 
adsfree-icon
Ads FreeProfile