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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 />Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, &#8220Wherever you turn, they will attack us.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, “They will come from all directions and attack us!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, “You must return to us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />At that time the Jews who lived nearby came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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 <i>they will be upon you</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, “From whatever place you turn, <i>they will be</i> upon us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />When the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, &#8220They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And it came about when the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now it happened when the Jews who lived near them came and said to us ten times, “They will come up against us from every place where you may turn,”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />When the Jews who lived near them came, they said to us ten times (repeatedly), “From every place you turn, they will come up against us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again, “Everywhere you turn, they attack us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again, &#8220Everywhere you turn, they attack us.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass that, when the Jews that dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times from all places, Ye must return unto us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />On at least ten different occasions, the Jews living near our enemies warned us against attacks from every side, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it came to pass that, when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times from all places, Ye must return unto us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Jews who were living near our enemies warned us ten times that our enemies would attack us from every direction. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />But time after time Jews who were living among our enemies came to warn us of the plans our enemies were making against us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The Jews who lived near them kept coming to us, reporting at least ten times, "They'll attack us from every direction." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />At that time the Jews who lived nearby came and told us ten times over, ?Wherever you turn, they will attack us.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So it happened that the Jews who were living near them came and warned us repeatedly about all the schemes they were plotting against us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It happened that when the Jews who lived by them came, they said to us ten times from all places, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass, that when the Jews who dwelt by them came, they said to us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return to us they will be upon you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />When the Jews who lived by them came, they said to us ten times from all places, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And it comes to pass, when the Jews have come who are dwelling near them, that they say to us ten times from all the places to where you return—[they are] against us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And it cometh to pass, when the Jews have come who are dwelling near them, that they say to us ten times from all the places whither ye return -- they are against us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it will be that when the Jews dwelling near them came, and they will say to us ten times, From all places which ye shall turn back to us.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass, that when the Jews that dwelt by them came and told us ten times, out of all the places from whence they came to us, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now it happened that, on ten occasions, some Jews arrived who were living near them, from all the places from which they came to us, and they told us this.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When the Jews who lived near them had come to us from one place after another, and had told us ten times over that they were about to attack us,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />When the Jews who lived near them came, they said to us ten times, “From all the places where they live they will come up against us.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And when the Jews who dwelt with them came, they said to us, Behold, now ten times from all places where they dwell will they come and fight against you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Jews who dwelt with them came and they were saying to us: ‘Behold, therefore, ten times they came to fight with you from all of those places where they have been shooting at them.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it came to pass that, when the Jews that dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times: 'Ye must return unto us from all places.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And it came to pass, when the Jews who lived near them came, that they said to us, They are coming up against us from every quarter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/4-12.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=882" 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">11</span>And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.” <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">At that time</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer- (Prep-k:: 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/3064.htm" title="3064: hay·yə·hū·ḏîm (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Jewish. Patronymically from Yhuwdah; a Jehudite, or descendant of Jehudah.">the Jews</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: hay·yō·šə·ḇîm (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">who lived</a> <a href="/hebrew/681.htm" title="681: ’eṣ·lām (Prep:: 3mp) -- A joining together, proximity. From 'atsal; a side; near.">nearby</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and told</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- ">us</a> <a href="/hebrew/6235.htm" title="6235: ‘e·śer (Number-fsc) -- Ten. Masculine of term aasarah; from asar; ten.">ten</a> <a href="/hebrew/6471.htm" title="6471: pə·‘ā·mîm (N-fp) -- A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence. Or pa;amah; from pa'am; a stroke, literally or figuratively.">times over,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: mik·kāl (Prep-m:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">“Wherever</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: ham·mə·qō·mō·wṯ (Art:: N-mp) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition."></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/7725.htm" title="7725: tā·šū·ḇū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">you turn,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lê·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">they will attack us.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>So I stationed men behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows.…<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="/nehemiah/6-9.htm">Nehemiah 6:9</a></span><br />For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Nehemiah 2:19-20</a></span><br />But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” / So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1-3</a></span><br />Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews / before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” / Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/6-1.htm">Nehemiah 6:1-2</a></span><br />When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates— / Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5-7</a></span><br />The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter / that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, / and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/6-13.htm">Nehemiah 6:13-14</a></span><br />He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would sin by doing as he suggested, so they could give me a bad name in order to discredit me. / O my God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the other prophets who tried to intimidate me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/13-21.htm">Nehemiah 13:21</a></span><br />but I warned them, “Why are you camping in front of the wall? If you do it again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on, they did not return on the Sabbath.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/4-4.htm">Ezra 4:4-5</a></span><br />Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build. / They hired counselors against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/31-13.htm">Psalm 31:13</a></span><br />For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-3.htm">Psalm 83:3-4</a></span><br />With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish, / saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/8-9.htm">Isaiah 8:9-10</a></span><br />Huddle together, O peoples, and be shattered; pay attention, all you distant lands; prepare for battle, and be shattered; prepare for battle, and be shattered! / Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; state a proposal, but it will not happen. For God is with us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/20-10.htm">Jeremiah 20:10</a></span><br />For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-17.htm">Matthew 10:17-18</a></span><br />But beware of men, for they will hand you over to their councils and flog you in their synagogues. / On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-22.htm">Matthew 10:22-23</a></span><br />You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved. / When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-9.htm">Matthew 24:9-10</a></span><br />Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. / At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelled by them came, they said to us ten times, From all places from where you shall return to us they will be on you.</p><p class="hdg">ten times</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/31-7.htm">Genesis 31:7,41</a></b></br> And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/14-22.htm">Numbers 14:22</a></b></br> Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/19-3.htm">Job 19:3</a></b></br> These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed <i>that</i> ye make yourselves strange to me.</p><p class="hdg">From all places, etc.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/35-4.htm">Directions</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-26.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-3.htm">Live</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Places</a> <a href="/ezra/8-24.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/ezra/10-14.htm">Times</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-4.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/1-12.htm">Whence</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/23-7.htm">Wherever</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-16.htm">Whither</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/job/4-11.htm">Directions</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-73.htm">Dwelt</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-1.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-2.htm">Live</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-13.htm">Places</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-18.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-4.htm">Times</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-26.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/job/1-7.htm">Whence</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-20.htm">Wherever</a> <a href="/psalms/68-29.htm">Whither</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>At that time</b><br>This phrase situates the events within a specific period during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership. The context is the mid-5th century BC, a time of significant opposition from surrounding peoples. The phrase indicates a moment of heightened tension and threat, emphasizing the urgency and danger faced by the Jewish community.<p><b>the Jews who lived nearby</b><br>These Jews were likely those residing in the surrounding areas of Judah, outside the immediate vicinity of Jerusalem. Their proximity to hostile groups such as the Samaritans, Ammonites, and others made them more aware of the threats. This highlights the broader Jewish community's involvement and concern for the safety and success of the rebuilding efforts.<p><b>came and told us ten times over</b><br>The repetition of the warning "ten times over" underscores the seriousness and persistence of the threat. In biblical terms, the number ten often signifies completeness or intensity. This repeated warning reflects the genuine fear and urgency felt by the Jews, emphasizing the need for vigilance and preparedness.<p><b>“Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”</b><br>This phrase captures the sense of being surrounded by enemies, with no safe direction to turn. It reflects the strategic disadvantage and vulnerability of the Jews at that time. The threat of attack from all sides is reminiscent of other biblical narratives where God's people faced overwhelming odds, such as in <a href="/2_kings/6-15.htm">2 Kings 6:15-17</a>, where Elisha's servant sees the surrounding enemy but is reassured by God's protection. This situation foreshadows the need for divine intervention and reliance on God for deliverance and protection, a theme prevalent throughout the book of Nehemiah.<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 is a Jewish leader who is instrumental in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. His leadership and faith are pivotal in overcoming opposition.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jews.htm">The Jews</a></b><br>These are the Jewish people living near Jerusalem who are involved in the rebuilding efforts. They are concerned about the threats from their enemies and report these threats to Nehemiah.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/enemies_of_judah.htm">Enemies of Judah</a></b><br>These are the surrounding nations and groups who oppose the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. They are a constant threat to the safety and progress of the Jewish people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city whose walls are being rebuilt. It is a symbol of God's presence and the center of Jewish worship and identity.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_threat.htm">The Threat</a></b><br>The repeated warnings of attack highlight the persistent danger and opposition faced by the Jews during the rebuilding process.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_the_face_of_opposition.htm">Perseverance in the Face of Opposition</a></b><br><a href="/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Nehemiah 4:12</a> reminds us that opposition is a common experience for those doing God's work. We must be prepared to face challenges and remain steadfast in our mission.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community.htm">The Importance of Community</a></b><br>The Jews living nearby came together to warn Nehemiah, demonstrating the importance of community and communication in overcoming obstacles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_protection.htm">Trust in God's Protection</a></b><br>Despite the threats, Nehemiah and the people continued their work, trusting in God's protection. This teaches us to rely on God's strength and not be paralyzed by fear.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/v/vigilance_and_preparedness.htm">Vigilance and Preparedness</a></b><br>The repeated warnings highlight the need for vigilance. We must be aware of the spiritual battles around us and prepare ourselves through prayer and the Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/encouragement_in_numbers.htm">Encouragement in Numbers</a></b><br>The phrase "ten times over" emphasizes the persistence of the warnings, but also the strength found in numbers. Encouragement and support from others can bolster our resolve.<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/do_i_discipline_my_body_and_control_it.htm">What does 'The joy of the Lord is your strength' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_esther_4_16's_fast_conflict_historically.htm">Does the three-day fast in Esther 4:16 conflict with known historical or cultural practices of the time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_ezra_2_64-65_totals_match_estimates.htm">How can the reported totals in Ezra 2:64-65 align with known population estimates of the region at that time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_allow_more_killing_in_esther_9_13-15.htm">Esther 9:13-15: Why would an additional day of killing be sanctioned, and does this align with other biblical teachings on mercy and restraint?</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>(12) <span class= "bld">From all places.</span>--The neighbouring Jews in their terror said by repeated messages "from all places 'Ye shall return to us,' ": that is, for our protection.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - If the text is sound, it can only mean that the Jews who dwelt in the outlying towns, in the neighbourhood of Ammon, Samaria, Ashdod, etc., came repeatedly to Jerusalem, and tried to draw off their contingents, saying to them, "You must return to us." But it is suspected that there is a corruption of the original words of Nehemiah, and that what he wrote was, that these Jews came repeatedly to Jerusalem and warned him of the enemy's designs. (So Ewald, Houbigant, Dathe, A. Clarke, and others. ) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/4-12.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">At that time</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיְהִי֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Jews</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yə·hū·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3064.htm">Strong's 3064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jews -- Jewish</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who lived</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yō·šə·ḇîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">nearby</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶצְלָ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(’eṣ·lām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_681.htm">Strong's 681: </a> </span><span class="str2">A joining together, proximity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּ֣אוּ</span> <span class="translit">(bā·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and told</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">us</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֙נוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(lā·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">ten</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶ֣שֶׂר</span> <span class="translit">(‘e·śer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6235.htm">Strong's 6235: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ten</span><br /><br /><span class="word">times [over],</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּעָמִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(pə·‘ā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6471.htm">Strong's 6471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Wherever</span><br /><span class="heb">מִכָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(mik·kāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you turn,</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּשׁ֥וּבוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tā·šū·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they will attack us.”</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלֵֽינוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Nehemiah 4:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Nehemiah 4:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Nehemiah 4:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Nehemiah 4:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Nehemiah 4:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Nehemiah 4:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Nehemiah 4:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Nehemiah 4:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Nehemiah 4:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Nehemiah 4:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/4-12.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 4:12 It happened that when the Jews who (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/4-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/4-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:13" /></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>