Nehemiah 4:13
What does Nehemiah 4:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 4:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 4:13 means
Nehemiah stations families with swords, spears, and bows at the lowest and most open places of the wall. He uses kinship bonds to stiffen resolve—people fight hardest when protecting their own. The placement at exposed gaps acknowledges reality: certain points are weaker and need reinforcement. This is not bravado but wisdom, allocating strength where vulnerability is greatest. The verse shows practical courage; defenses are set without abandoning construction. Unity, armament, and strategic positioning turn scattered workers into a protective community. It is a picture of stewardship: guarding what is most at risk, with an eye toward the security of all.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Therefore set I in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places, I set there the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Therefore set I in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places, I set there the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So in the lowest part of the space at the back of the walls, in the open places, I put the people by families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I appoint at the lowest of the places, at the back of the wall, in the clear places, yea, I appoint the people, by their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I set the people in the place behind the wall round about in order, with their swords, and spears, and bows.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I set in the lower places behind the wall in exposed places, I even set the people, according to their families, with their swords, their spears and their bows.
Context
The repeated warnings of verse 12 move Nehemiah to act. Verse 13 marks the tactical response: defend the weak spots with armed families. This step prepares the ground for the motivational speech in verse 14, where Nehemiah will address nobles and people alike. The flow emphasizes that leadership involves both planning and persuading—first arranging defenses, then inspiring hearts. Following this, verse 15 will show how enemy plans falter when vigilance and faith align, and the work resumes in earnest.
v.12And 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.
v.13This passage
v.14And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, who is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Song of Solomon 3:7
Behold, it is the litter of Solomon; Threescore mighty men are about it, Of the mighty men of Israel.
- Genesis 32:13
And he lodged there that night, and took of that which he had with him a present for Esau his brother:
- Psalms 112:5
Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth; He shall maintain his cause in judgment.
- 2 Chronicles 32:2
And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,
- Ephesians 6:11
Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
- 1 Corinthians 14:20
Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.
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