Nehemiah 4:20
What does Nehemiah 4:20 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 4:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 4:20 means
Nehemiah instructs the people to converge wherever they hear the trumpet, with the faith-filled assurance, “our God will fight for us.” This line captures the heart of their courage: they labor and defend, but ultimate victory belongs to God. The rally point binds them in action; the confession binds them in trust. This is not presumption but confidence grounded in God’s covenant care. The plan respects human responsibility while resting in divine aid. By uniting practical readiness with theological certainty, Nehemiah sustains a community that can respond fast and fear less, knowing they are not alone in the battle.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000in what place soever ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us; our God will fight for us.
KJV
King James Version · 1611In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901in what place soever ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us; our God will fight for us.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Wherever you may be when the horn is sounded, come here to us; our God will be fighting for us.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862in the place that ye hear the voice of the trumpet thither ye are gathered unto us; our God doth fight for us.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In what place soever you shall hear the sound of the trumpet, run all thither unto us: our God will fight for us.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890in what place ye hear the sound of the trumpet, thither shall ye assemble to us; ourGod will fight for us.
Context
Following the acknowledgment of separation in verse 19, verse 20 provides the rallying directive and the spiritual anchor. It concludes the explanation of the trumpet system begun in verse 18. The narrative then moves (verses 21–23) to describe the grueling schedule and total commitment required: extended hours, lodging within the city, and constant readiness. The flow shows how faith in God’s fight coexists with long, disciplined labor and watchfulness.
v.19And 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:
v.20This passage
v.21So we wrought in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Joshua 23:10
One man of you shall chase a thousand; for Jehovah your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he spake unto you.
- Deuteronomy 20:4
for Jehovah your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
- Exodus 14:25
And he took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for Jehovah fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
- Zechariah 14:3
Then shall Jehovah go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.
- Deuteronomy 3:22
Ye shall not fear them; for Jehovah your God, he it is that fighteth for you.
- Exodus 14:14
Jehovah will fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
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