CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Nehemiah 4:23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the guards with me changed out of our clothes; each carried his weapon, even to go for water.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/4-23.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/16_Neh_04_23.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 4:23 - Discouragement Overcome" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the guards with me changed out of our clothes; each carried his weapon, even to go for water." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/nehemiah/4-23.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/nehemiah/4-23.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/nehemiah/">Nehemiah</a> > <a href="/nehemiah/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 23</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad3.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/nehemiah/4-22.htm" title="Nehemiah 4:22">◄</a> Nehemiah 4:23 <a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm" title="Nehemiah 5:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/nehemiah/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the guards with me changed out of our clothes; each carried his weapon, even to go for water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, <i>saving that</i> every one put them off for washing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes, <i>except</i> that everyone took them off for washing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me—none of us removed our clothes; each <i>took</i> his weapon <i>even to</i> the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each <i>took</i> his weapon <i>even to</i> the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So neither I, my brothers, my young men, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each <i>took</i> his weapon <i>even to</i> the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So neither I, my brothers (relatives), my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each took his weapon [even] to the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And I, my brothers, my servants, and the men of the guard with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />And I, my brothers, my men, and the guards with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard that followed me, none of us put off our clothes, every one went with his weapon to the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I even slept in my work clothes at night; my relatives, the workers, and the guards slept in theirs as well. And we always kept our weapons close by. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, every one went with his weapon to the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />My brothers, my servants, and the guards assigned to me never changed their clothes. Neither did I. We each kept our weapons at hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I didn't take off my clothes even at night, neither did any of my companions nor my servants nor my bodyguards. And we all kept our weapons at hand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />No one—neither I, my allies, my servants, nor the bodyguards who accompanied me—changed clothes. Everyone carried a weapon even while going for water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the guards with me changed out of our clothes; each carried his weapon, even to go for water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />We did not change clothes--not I, nor my relatives, nor my workers, nor the watchmen who were with me. Each had his weapon, even when getting a drink of water. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />So neither I, nor my brothers, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes. Everyone took his weapon to the water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />So neither I, nor my brothers, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes. Everyone took his weapon to the water. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and there are none—I, and my brothers, and my servants, the men of the watch who [are] after me—there are none of us putting off our garments, each [has] his vessel of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and there are none -- I and my brethren and my servants, the men of the guard who are after me -- there are none of us putting off our garments, each hath his vessel of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And not I and my brethren and my young men, and the men of the watch which were after me, we not putting off our garments; a man his weapon for water.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now I and my brethren, and my servants, and the watchmen that followed me, did not put off our clothes: only every man stripped himself when he was to be washed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But I and my brothers, and my servants, and the guards who were behind me, we did not take off our clothes; each one only removed his clothes to wash.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Neither I, nor my kindred, nor any of my attendants, nor any of the bodyguard that accompanied me took off our clothes; everyone kept a weapon at hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me ever took off our clothes; each kept his weapon in his right hand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So neither I nor my brethren nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off his clothes for many full months, and each one did his duty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I and my brothers and my boy Servants and the men Guards who followed me did not take off our clothes for a month of days, each man who arrived for it. <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard that followed me, none of us put off our clothes, every one that went to the water had his weapon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I was <i>there</i>, and the watchmen behind me, and there was not a man of us that put off his garments.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/4-23.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=1001" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Discouragement Overcome</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">22</span>At that time I also said to the people, “Let every man and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day.” <span class="reftext">23</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: ’ă·nî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">So neither I</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: wə·’ên (Conj-w:: Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle."></a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: wə·’a·ḥay (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">nor my brothers</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: ū·nə·‘ā·ray (Conj-w:: N-mpc:: 1cs) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">nor my servants</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: wə·’an·šê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4929.htm" title="4929: ham·miš·mār (Art:: N-ms) -- Place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance. From shamar; a guard; a deposit; also a usage, or an example.">nor the guards</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·ray (Prep:: 1cs) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">with me</a> <a href="/hebrew/369.htm" title="369: ’ên- (Adv) -- As if from a primitive root meaning to be nothing or not exist; a non-entity; generally used as a negative particle."></a> <a href="/hebrew/587.htm" title="587: ’ă·naḥ·nū (Pro-1cp) -- We. Apparently from 'anokiy; we."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6584.htm" title="6584: p̄ō·šə·ṭîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To strip off, make a dash, raid. A primitive root; to spread out; by analogy, to strip.">changed out of</a> <a href="/hebrew/899.htm" title="899: bə·ḡā·ḏê·nū (N-mpc:: 1cp) -- A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage. From bagad; a covering, i.e. Clothing; also treachery or pillage.">our clothes;</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">each</a> <a href="/hebrew/7973.htm" title="7973: šil·ḥōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A missile, weapon, sprout. From shalach; a missile of attack, i.e. Spear; also a shoot of growth; i.e. Branch.">carried his weapon,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: ham·mā·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">even to go for water.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-11.htm">Ephesians 6:11-18</a></span><br />Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. / Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-6.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:6-8</a></span><br />So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. / For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. / But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-7.htm">2 Corinthians 6:7</a></span><br />in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a></span><br />Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-41.htm">Matthew 26:41</a></span><br />“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-35.htm">Luke 12:35-40</a></span><br />Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning. / Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. / Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-11.htm">Romans 13:11-14</a></span><br />And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. / The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. / Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/16-13.htm">1 Corinthians 16:13</a></span><br />Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-3.htm">2 Timothy 2:3-4</a></span><br />Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. / A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17</a></span><br />Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/62-6.htm">Isaiah 62:6-7</a></span><br />On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves, / nor give Him any rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/33-6.htm">Ezekiel 33:6-7</a></span><br />But if the watchman sees the sword coming and fails to blow the horn to warn the people, and the sword comes and takes away a life, then that one will be taken away in his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.’ / As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/127-1.htm">Psalm 127:1</a></span><br />A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-5.htm">2 Chronicles 32:5</a></span><br />Then Hezekiah worked resolutely to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and to raise up towers on it. He also built an outer wall and reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David, and he produced an abundance of weapons and shields.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/7-19.htm">Judges 7:19-21</a></span><br />Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands. / The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” / Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">So neither I, nor my brothers, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.</p><p class="hdg">So neither I</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/5-16.htm">Nehemiah 5:16</a></b></br> Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants <i>were</i> gathered thither unto the work.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/7-2.htm">Nehemiah 7:2</a></b></br> That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he <i>was</i> a faithful man, and feared God above many.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/9-48.htm">Judges 9:48</a></b></br> And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that <i>were</i> with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid <i>it</i> on his shoulder, and said unto the people that <i>were</i> with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, <i>and</i> do as I <i>have done</i>.</p><p class="hdg">saving that, etc.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/5-11.htm">Judges 5:11</a></b></br> <i>They that are delivered</i> from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, <i>even</i> the righteous acts <i>toward the inhabitants</i> of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/34-27.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/ezra/3-10.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/27-2.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-22.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-22.htm">Guards</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-17.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-7.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/ezra/4-10.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-39.htm">Saving</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-16.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-6.htm">Washing</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-26.htm">Water</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-17.htm">Weapon</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/9-21.htm">Clothes</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-21.htm">Clothing</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-32.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-3.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/psalms/97-10.htm">Guards</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-16.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-16.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/esther/2-6.htm">Removed</a> <a href="/psalms/20-6.htm">Saving</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-5.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/job/9-30.htm">Washing</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-1.htm">Water</a> <a href="/job/20-24.htm">Weapon</a><div class="vheading2">Nehemiah 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">While the enemies scoff, Nehemiah prays and continues the work</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Understanding the wrath and secrets of the enemy, he sets a watch</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/4-13.htm">He arms the laborers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/4-19.htm">and gives military precepts</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nehemiah/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nehemiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/nehemiah/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the guards with me</b><br>This phrase highlights the unity and shared commitment among Nehemiah and his companions. Nehemiah, as the leader, sets an example of diligence and vigilance. The mention of "brothers" and "servants" indicates a close-knit community working together for a common cause. This reflects the communal effort seen throughout the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, emphasizing the importance of leadership and teamwork in achieving God's purposes. The guards' presence underscores the constant threat from adversaries, a theme prevalent in Nehemiah's narrative, where opposition from surrounding nations is a recurring challenge.<p><b>changed out of our clothes</b><br>This indicates a state of readiness and alertness. In the ancient Near Eastern context, changing clothes was often associated with rest or relaxation. By not changing, Nehemiah and his team demonstrate their continuous preparedness to defend against any sudden attack. This vigilance is reminiscent of the New Testament exhortation to be spiritually alert, as seen in <a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a>, where believers are urged to be sober-minded and watchful.<p><b>each carried his weapon</b><br>The carrying of weapons signifies the tangible threat faced by the builders and the necessity of being prepared for battle at any moment. This dual focus on building and defense is a practical response to the opposition from figures like Sanballat and Tobiah, who sought to disrupt the work. Theologically, this can be seen as a metaphor for the Christian life, where believers are called to build the kingdom of God while also being equipped to stand against spiritual adversaries, as described in <a href="/ephesians/6-10.htm">Ephesians 6:10-18</a> with the armor of God.<p><b>even to go for water</b><br>This detail underscores the constant vigilance required, as even routine tasks like fetching water were not exempt from the need for protection. Water, a basic necessity, symbolizes life and sustenance, and the need to be armed even during such tasks highlights the pervasive danger. This can be paralleled with the Christian's call to be prepared in all aspects of life, maintaining spiritual readiness in both mundane and significant moments. The vigilance in Nehemiah's time serves as a reminder of the persistent nature of spiritual warfare.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/nehemiah.htm">Nehemiah</a></b><br>The central figure in the book, Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes and later became the governor of Jerusalem. He led the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/brothers.htm">Brothers</a></b><br>Likely referring to fellow Jews or close associates who were working alongside Nehemiah in the rebuilding effort.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/servants.htm">Servants</a></b><br>Those who were directly serving Nehemiah and assisting in the work of rebuilding the wall.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/men_of_the_guard.htm">Men of the Guard</a></b><br>These were the armed men who protected the workers from potential attacks by adversaries.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where the wall was being rebuilt, a central place of worship and identity for the Jewish people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/v/vigilance_in_spiritual_warfare.htm">Vigilance in Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>Just as Nehemiah and his men were always prepared for physical attacks, Christians must be spiritually vigilant, always ready to defend against spiritual attacks.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_and_cooperation.htm">Unity and Cooperation</a></b><br>The passage highlights the importance of working together in unity. Nehemiah, his brothers, servants, and guards all had a role to play, emphasizing the need for cooperation in the body of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_adversity.htm">Perseverance in Adversity</a></b><br>Despite the threat of attack, Nehemiah and his team did not cease their work. This teaches the importance of perseverance and dedication in the face of challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparedness_and_readiness.htm">Preparedness and Readiness</a></b><br>The constant readiness of Nehemiah’s team serves as a reminder for Christians to be prepared at all times, both physically and spiritually.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god's_protection.htm">Dependence on God’s Protection</a></b><br>While they were armed and ready, Nehemiah and his men ultimately relied on God’s protection, reminding believers to trust in God’s sovereignty.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_nehemiah_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/main_themes_of_bible's_books.htm">What are the main themes of the Bible's books?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_levites_in_2_chr_23_8.htm">What evidence supports the existence of the Levites and captains mentioned in 2 Chronicles 23:8, and how do we reconcile any lack of external records?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/nehemiah_4_21-23__is_constant_vigilance_feasible.htm">Nehemiah 4:21-23: Does the notion of workers maintaining constant vigilance, day and night, align with practical human limitations and historical labor practices?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'called_by_his_purpose'_mean.htm">How is Jesus represented in each book of the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/nehemiah/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(23) <span class= "bld">Saving that every one put them off for washing.</span>--This rendering is very improbable, as the words are simply: "every man his weapon water." Some interpret that "each man's weapon was his water": evidently too subtle a turn of thought. It is best, on the whole, to supply the ellipsis: "every man went with his weapon to the water."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 23.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">My brethren</span>. Actual brothers probably. That Nehemiah had brothers appears from <a href="/nehemiah/1-2.htm">Nehemiah 1:2</a>; that one of them, Hanani, had accompanied him to Jerusalem is evident from <a href="/nehemiah/7-2.htm">Nehemiah 7:2</a>. <span class="cmt_word">My servants</span>. See above, ver. 16. <span class="cmt_word">The men of the guard that followed me</span>. As governor, Nehemiah would maintain a body-guard, in addition to his band of slaves. <span class="cmt_word">Saving that every one put them off for washing</span>. So the Vulgate: "Unnsquisque tantum nudabatur ad baptismum;" but it is at least doubtful whether the Hebrew words can possibly have this meaning. The most natural and literal sense of them is that given by Maurer and Rambach - "Each man's weapon was his water;" the supposed connection of the clause with the preceding being, "No one took off his clothes," not even for the bath - no one bathed; "a man's only bath was his weapon." Some critics, however, defend the rendering of the A. V.; others take the words in the same way, but explain the term "water" differently, of a natural want (Ewald, Stanley); while many regard the text as unsound, and propose emendations. None, however, that has as yet been proposed is satisfactory. <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/4-23.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So neither I</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנִ֜י</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nor brothers</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאַחַ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’a·ḥay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> </span><span class="str2">A brother, )</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nor my men</span><br /><span class="heb">וּנְעָרַ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(ū·nə·‘ā·ray)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> </span><span class="str2">A boy, lad, youth, retainer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nor the guards</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֖ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with me</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֲרַ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥă·ray)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hind or following part</span><br /><br /><span class="word">changed out of</span><br /><span class="heb">פֹשְׁטִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ō·šə·ṭîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6584.htm">Strong's 6584: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strip off, make a dash, raid</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our clothes;</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּגָדֵ֑ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḡā·ḏê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_899.htm">Strong's 899: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">each carried his weapon,</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁלְח֥וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(šil·ḥōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7973.htm">Strong's 7973: </a> </span><span class="str2">A missile of attack, spear, a shoot of growth, branch</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[even to go] for water.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמָּֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(ham·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/4-23.htm">Nehemiah 4:23 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4-23.htm">Nehemiah 4:23 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/4-23.htm">Nehemiah 4:23 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4-23.htm">Nehemiah 4:23 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4-23.htm">Nehemiah 4:23 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/4-23.htm">Nehemiah 4:23 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/4-23.htm">Nehemiah 4:23 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/4-23.htm">Nehemiah 4:23 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/4-23.htm">Nehemiah 4:23 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/4-23.htm">Nehemiah 4:23 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/4-23.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 4:23 So neither I nor my brothers (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/4-22.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:22"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:22" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 5:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 5:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>