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 4:9 So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/4-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/16_Neh_04_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 4:9 - Discouragement Overcome" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night." /><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/4-9.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/4-9.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 9</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="/ad9.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/4-8.htm" title="Nehemiah 4:8">◄</a> Nehemiah 4:9 <a href="/nehemiah/4-10.htm" title="Nehemiah 4:10">►</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 />But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But we prayed to our God and guarded the city day and night to protect ourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But we prayed to our God, and because of them we stood a guard against them day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set up a guard against them day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But we kept on praying to our God, and we also stationed guards day and night. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />But we prayed to our God and set guards to protect us day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />but we prayed to our God and kept men on guard against them day and night. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But we prayed to our God. We also set up guards day and night because of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard to protect against them both day and night.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night because of them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And we pray to our God, and appoint a watch against them, by day and by night, because of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And we pray unto our God, and appoint a watch against them, by day and by night, because of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And we will pray to our God, and we shall set up a watch against them day and night, from before them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And we prayed to our God, and set watchmen upon the wall day and night against them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And we prayed to our God, and we stationed guards upon the wall, day and night, against them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />We prayed to our God and posted a watch against them day and night for fear of what they might do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So we prayed to our God, and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, that he may set watchmen over us day and night because of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And we prayed before God to set Guards over us by day and by night before them.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />So we prayed to our God and set watchmen against them day and night, because of them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/4-9.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=856" 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">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6419.htm" title="6419: wan·niṯ·pal·lêl (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-1cp) -- To intervene, interpose. A primitive root; to judge; by extension, to intercede, pray.">So we prayed</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·nū (N-mpc:: 1cp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">our God</a> <a href="/hebrew/5975.htm" title="5975: wan·na·‘ă·mîḏ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-1cp) -- To take one's stand, stand. A primitive root; to stand, in various relations.">and posted</a> <a href="/hebrew/4929.htm" title="4929: miš·mār (N-ms) -- Place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance. From shamar; a guard; a deposit; also a usage, or an example.">a guard</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against them</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: mip·pə·nê·hem (Prep-m:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3119.htm" title="3119: yō·w·mām (Adv) -- Daytime, by day. From yowm; daily.">day</a> <a href="/hebrew/3915.htm" title="3915: wā·lay·lāh (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Night. Or leyl; also laylah; from the same as luwl; properly, a twist, i.e. Night; figuratively, adversity.">and night.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>Meanwhile, the people of Judah said: “The strength of the laborer fails, and there is so much rubble that we will never be able to rebuild the wall.”…<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="/philippians/4-6.htm">Philippians 4:6</a></span><br />Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-17.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:17</a></span><br />Pray without ceasing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-18.htm">Ephesians 6:18</a></span><br />Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-7.htm">1 Peter 5:7-8</a></span><br />Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. / 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="/colossians/4-2.htm">Colossians 4:2</a></span><br />Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-16.htm">James 5:16</a></span><br />Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/10-4.htm">2 Corinthians 10:4-5</a></span><br />The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. / We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-12.htm">Romans 12:12</a></span><br />Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Luke 18:1</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/55-22.htm">Psalm 55:22</a></span><br />Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.<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="/2_chronicles/20-12.htm">2 Chronicles 20:12</a></span><br />Our God, will You not judge them? For we are powerless before this vast army that comes against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”<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="/proverbs/21-31.htm">Proverbs 21:31</a></span><br />A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.</p><p class="hdg">Nevertheless</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/4-11.htm">Nehemiah 4:11</a></b></br> And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/32-9.htm">Genesis 32:9-12,28</a></b></br> And Jacob said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the LORD which saidst unto me, Return unto thy country, and to thy kindred, and I will deal well with thee: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/19-14.htm">2 Kings 19:14-19</a></b></br> And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD… </p><p class="hdg">set a watch</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/26-41.htm">Matthew 26:41</a></b></br> Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed <i>is</i> willing, but the flesh <i>is</i> weak.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/21-36.htm">Luke 21:36</a></b></br> Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a></b></br> Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/7-25.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-29.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/ezra/4-14.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-22.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-15.htm">Night</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-24.htm">Posted</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/joshua/20-3.htm">Protection</a> <a href="/ezra/4-22.htm">Threat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-25.htm">Watch</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/4-13.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-22.htm">Guard</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-2.htm">Meet</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Nevertheless</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-22.htm">Night</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-7.htm">Posted</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-9.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-27.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/psalms/5-11.htm">Protection</a> <a href="/psalms/64-1.htm">Threat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-22.htm">Watch</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 we prayed to our God</b><br>Prayer is a central theme in the book of Nehemiah, reflecting the importance of seeking divine guidance and intervention. Nehemiah consistently turns to God in prayer throughout his leadership (<a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Nehemiah 1:4-11</a>; 2:4). This phrase highlights the reliance on God amidst opposition, emphasizing the belief that spiritual battles require spiritual solutions. The act of prayer signifies trust in God's sovereignty and power, aligning with other biblical examples where leaders sought God's help in times of crisis (e.g., King Hezekiah in <a href="/2_kings/19-14.htm">2 Kings 19:14-19</a>).<p><b>and posted a guard</b><br>This phrase illustrates the balance between faith and action. While Nehemiah and the people prayed, they also took practical steps to protect themselves. This dual approach is a recurring biblical principle, seen in passages like <a href="/james/2-17.htm">James 2:17</a>, which emphasizes that faith without works is dead. The act of posting a guard demonstrates wisdom and responsibility, acknowledging that while God is sovereign, human effort is also necessary. This reflects the biblical theme of stewardship, where believers are called to actively participate in God's plans.<p><b>against them</b><br>The "them" refers to the adversaries of the Jews rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, including Sanballat, Tobiah, and others who opposed the work (<a href="/nehemiah/4.htm">Nehemiah 4:1-3</a>). These opponents represent the broader theme of opposition to God's people throughout scripture, echoing the spiritual warfare described in <a href="/ephesians/6-12.htm">Ephesians 6:12</a>. The hostility faced by Nehemiah and the builders is a reminder of the challenges believers encounter when pursuing God's purposes, paralleling the persecution faced by early Christians (<a href="/acts/4.htm">Acts 4:1-3</a>).<p><b>day and night</b><br>This phrase underscores the continuous vigilance required in the face of persistent threats. The round-the-clock guard reflects the seriousness of the opposition and the need for constant readiness, akin to the New Testament exhortation to "pray without ceasing" (<a href="/1_thessalonians/5-17.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:17</a>) and to be watchful (<a href="/1_peter/5-8.htm">1 Peter 5:8</a>). It also highlights the dedication and commitment of the people to the work of God, reminiscent of the dedication seen in the early church (<a href="/acts/2-42.htm">Acts 2:42-47</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/nehemiah.htm">Nehemiah</a></b><br>A Jewish leader and cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah is the central figure in the book. He is responsible for leading the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jews_in_jerusalem.htm">The Jews in Jerusalem</a></b><br>The community of Jewish exiles who returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the city and its walls after the Babylonian exile.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_threat.htm">The Threat</a></b><br>The opposition from surrounding enemies, including Sanballat and Tobiah, who sought to disrupt and discourage the rebuilding efforts.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The holy city of the Jews, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians and was in the process of being rebuilt under Nehemiah's leadership.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_and_vigilance.htm">Prayer and Vigilance</a></b><br>The dual response of the Jews to the threat, combining spiritual reliance on God with practical measures of defense.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_as_a_first_response.htm">Prayer as a First Response</a></b><br>Nehemiah's immediate reaction to opposition was to pray. This teaches us the importance of turning to God first in times of trouble.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/combining_faith_with_action.htm">Combining Faith with Action</a></b><br>The Jews did not only pray; they also took practical steps by posting guards. This illustrates the biblical principle of coupling faith with works.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_vigilance.htm">Community Vigilance</a></b><br>The collective effort to guard the city underscores the importance of community in spiritual and physical defense.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>While taking action, the Jews trusted in God's protection, reminding us to rely on God's sovereignty even as we act responsibly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_the_face_of_opposition.htm">Perseverance in the Face of Opposition</a></b><br>Despite threats, the Jews continued their work, teaching us to persevere in our God-given tasks despite challenges.<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/are_you_vigilant_and_prayerful_daily.htm">Are you vigilant and prayerful in your daily life?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_the_dream-like_search_literal.htm">In Song of Solomon 3:1–3, how can we reconcile the apparent dream-like search for the beloved with a literal historical setting? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/psalm_141_3__science_behind_speech_guard.htm">Psalm 141:3 – What scientific or psychological basis supports the metaphor of God acting as a literal guard over someone’s speech? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_1_sam_19_align_with_divine_protection.htm">How does 1 Samuel 19 reconcile with accounts in other sections of the Bible where David is portrayed as protected by divine power rather than subterfuge?</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>(9) <span class= "bld">Because of them.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">over against them:</span> opposite to each point of their encampment. The setting watch was accompanied by solemn and united prayer.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">We... set a watch against them day and night, because of them</span>. Rather, "over against, them,". "opposite to them" - opposite, that m, to the point from which they were expected to make their attack. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/4-9.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 we prayed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַנִּתְפַּלֵּ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(wan·niṯ·pal·lêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6419.htm">Strong's 6419: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, to intercede, pray</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">our God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and posted</span><br /><span class="heb">וַנַּעֲמִ֨יד</span> <span class="translit">(wan·na·‘ă·mîḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5975.htm">Strong's 5975: </a> </span><span class="str2">To stand, in various relations</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a guard</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁמָ֧ר</span> <span class="translit">(miš·mār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4929.htm">Strong's 4929: </a> </span><span class="str2">Place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch, observance</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against them</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·lê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine 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 /><br /><span class="word">day</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹמָ֥ם</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·mām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3119.htm">Strong's 3119: </a> </span><span class="str2">Daytime, by day</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and night.</span><br /><span class="heb">וָלַ֖יְלָה</span> <span class="translit">(wā·lay·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3915.htm">Strong's 3915: </a> </span><span class="str2">A twist, night, adversity</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Nehemiah 4:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Nehemiah 4:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Nehemiah 4:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Nehemiah 4:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Nehemiah 4:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Nehemiah 4:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Nehemiah 4:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Nehemiah 4:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Nehemiah 4:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Nehemiah 4:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/4-9.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 4:9 But we made our prayer to our (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/4-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/4-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:10" /></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>