Nehemiah 4:13-15

Context

4:13 So I stationed people at the lower places behind the wall in the exposed places.¹ I stationed the people by families, with their swords, spears, and bows. 4:14 When I had made an inspection,² I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awesome Lord,³ and fight on behalf of your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your families!”⁴

4:15 It so happened that when our adversaries heard that we were aware of these matters,⁵ God frustrated their intentions. Then all of us returned to the wall, each to his own work.

[4:13] ¹tc The MT preserves the anomalous Kethib form צְחִחִיִּים (tsÿkhikhiyyim); the Qere reads צְחִיחִים (tsÿkhikhim) which is preferred (BDB 850 s.v. צָהִיחַ; HALOT 1018 s.v. *צָהִיחַ).

[4:14] ²tn Heb “And I saw.”

[4:14] ³tn The Hebrew term translated “Lord” here is אֲדֹנָי (’adonay).

[4:14] ⁴tn Heb “houses.”

[4:15] ³tn Heb “it was known to us.”