Nehemiah 4:17
What does Nehemiah 4:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 4:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 4:17 means
Those who built and those who carried burdens now work with a weapon in one hand and tools in the other. The image is striking: construction and defense occur simultaneously. It reflects a community refusing to let fear halt progress, yet refusing naivety about danger. The verse portrays diligent, flexible workers able to adapt. It also highlights shared responsibility—everyone contributes to building and to security. By describing their posture so concretely, Nehemiah dignifies the labor and the vigilance. This is faith expressed in disciplined habits: they steward the task and their safety, keeping both trowel and sword ready.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They that builded the wall and they that bare burdens laded themselves; every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other held his weapon;
KJV
King James Version · 1611They 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They that builded the wall and they that bare burdens laded themselves; every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other held his weapon;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Those who were building the wall and those who were moving material did their part, everyone working with one hand, with his spear in the other;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862The builders on the wall, and the bearers of the burden, those lading, <FI>each<Fi> with one of his hands is working in the business, and one is laying hold of the missile.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Of them that built on the wall and that carried burdens, and that laded: with one of his hands he did the work, and with the other he held a sword.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They that built on the wall, and they that bore burdens, with those that loaded, wrought in the work with one hand, and with the other they held a weapon.
Context
Verse 17 elaborates on the arrangement begun in verse 16. The narrative paints the practical reality of working under threat: burden-bearers and builders alike arm themselves while continuing the task. Verse 18 will add that each builder had a sword at his side and that a trumpeter remained with Nehemiah for coordinated response. The flow builds a picture of unity, preparedness, and ordered communication, crucial for a workforce spread out over a large perimeter.
v.16And it came to pass from that time forth, that half of my servants wrought in the work, and half of them held the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the coats of mail; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
v.17This passage
v.18and the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Philippians 1:28
and in nothing affrighted by the adversaries: which is for them an evident token of perdition, but of your salvation, and that from God;
- 2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith:
- 1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
- Daniel 9:25
Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the anointed one, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troublous times.
- 2 Timothy 2:3
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
- 1 Corinthians 9:12
If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Nehemiah 4
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Nehemiah 4.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Confession of Sin
Confession of sin is an essential step in drawing near to God and receiving His forgiveness and cleansing.
Topic
Bible Verses About Fasting
Fasting in the Bible is a spiritual discipline involving abstinence from food for a period, often coupled with prayer and repentance.
What the Bible says about…