Nehemiah 4:17-23

Ne 4:17

They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.

 

Then there were people specially appointed to bring the materials to those who were working on the wall so they would not have to move from their workplaces thus leaving a breach in the ability to spot an enemy.  They were prepare for the battle, in case there was one, by not only applying themselves to the work but also having their weapon so close by them that it would seem it was in their hand already.  This way if there was an attack, they could defend in an instant.

 

Ne 4:18

For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.

 

So the builders had their swords attached to their belts in case they needed them to repel any invaders.  So instead of them waiting on the wall and doing nothing, they continued their work toward completing the wall.  Then close to Nehemiah was the person who had the trumpet, which was the Shofar, and if the enemy attacked then the Shofar would sound and the people would lay their tools down and pick up their weapons.  If when he seeth the sword come upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people; (Ezekiel 33:3) 

 

Ne 4:19

And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.

 

Then Nehemiah speaks once again to the rulers and to the people that since the wall which surrounded Jerusalem was very large, the workers who were rebuilding it were all working at a distance from each other leaving openings in the wall which could be used as entrances for the enemies.  Apparently where the walls were broken down and being repaired allowed gaps to be placed in their security and this concerned Nehemiah since he knew that his enemies would not be sitting still for long.  For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. (Proverbs 4:16)

 

Ne 4:20

In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.

 

It may be that Nehemiah had the person who had the Shofar create different alarms which would be sounded if the enemy attacked in a certain area.  Then when they heard that specific alarm, they would rush to that particular area where the attack took place.  It could be something like two long blasts for the north wall, or three short blasts for the south wall or something like that so the people would know exactly where to go to mount a defense and a system like that would eliminate confusion.

 

Ne 4:21

So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.

 

There was no such thing as an eight hour day and then go home.  Since the people had a mind to work and knowing that an attack could come at any time, the more work they did strengthening the walls, the safer they would be.  So they worked from the dawn until the setting sun and that included those who stood guard watching for the enemy.  Then at sunset there was a changing of the guard to keep an eye out for the enemy until dawn when the workers would come back.

 

Ne 4:22

Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.

 

Then Nehemiah did not want the people to be scattered as there may have been some who lived outside the walls of the city in the surrounding areas and with the threats to them, he now wanted all the people to remain inside the walls to protect them from marauders who could kill them in the night and this way there was a show of solidarity among the people inside the walls who would not only be protected from night bandits but would also be quickly available to gather quickly if there was an attack.  Plus if they did not have to walk to the city in the morning, they would be fresher and stronger for the work.

 

Ne 4:23

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, saving that every one put them off for washing.

 

Then to further the protection mindset, the people did not take their clothes off for sleeping and that included Nehemiah himself plus his bodyguards and servants.  The only time they removed their clothes was to wash them as they would get pretty dirty working in the hot sun all day.  The clothes washing was probably done in shifts and were probably done by others who were not working on the wall or guarding the people.  They probably each had a change of clothes and while wearing one set, the other would have been washed.  They probably washed their clothes in the Pool of Siloam within the walls for safety.

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