Nehemiah 4:21
What does Nehemiah 4:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 4:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 4:21 means
Work continues alongside defense, with half the men holding spears from dawn until nightfall. The schedule is intense, revealing the cost of rebuilding under threat. Vigilance is not a brief burst but a sustained posture. This verse shows endurance: the people choose long days and shared burdens to keep the project moving. It is a picture of steadfastness shaped by necessity and guided by wise leadership. The pairing of labor and guard detail becomes their way of life, demonstrating that perseverance often looks like ordinary faithfulness stretched over many hours.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So we wrought in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So we wrought in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So we went on with the work: and half of them had spears in their hands from the dawn of the morning till the stars were seen.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And we are working in the business, and half of them are keeping hold of the spears, from the going up of the dawn till the coming forth of the stars.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And let us do the work: and let one half of us hold our spears from the rising of the morning, till the stars appear.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And we laboured in the work; and half of them held the spears from the rising of the dawn till the stars appeared.
Context
Having stated the rally plan and confidence in God (verse 20), the account now shows the daily rhythm it produced: extended work and guard shifts. Verse 21 sets the timetable. Verses 22–23 will add living arrangements and personal readiness standards, intensifying the sense of total commitment. The flow underscores that rebuilding a broken city requires not only moments of bravery but seasons of disciplined, communal sacrifice.
v.20in what place soever ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us; our God will fight for us.
v.21This passage
v.22Likewise 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 may labor in the day.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Colossians 1:29
whereunto I labor also, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.
- Galatians 6:9
And let us not be weary in well-doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
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