Nehemiah 4:23
What does Nehemiah 4:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 4:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 4:23 means
Nehemiah closes with a personal note of unrelenting readiness: he, his brothers, servants, and guards did not take off their clothes, and each kept his weapon even when going for water. Leadership models the standard it asks of others. The details highlight total commitment and continuous alertness in a dangerous season. This round-the-clock posture may be temporary, but it is necessary to preserve the work and the people. The verse honors the gritty, practical side of faith: staying dressed for duty, weapon at hand, ready to respond at any hour, so that rebuilding can continue without catastrophic interruption.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard that followed me, none of us put off our clothes, every one went with his weapon to the water.
KJV
King James Version · 1611So 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard that followed me, none of us put off our clothes, every one went with his weapon to the water.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So not one of us, I or my brothers or my servants or the watchmen who were with me, took off his clothing, everyone went armed to the water.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and there are none--I and my brethren and my servants, the men of the guard who <FI>are<Fi> after me--there are none of us putting off our garments, each <FI>hath<Fi> his vessel of water.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Now I and my brethren, and my servants, and the watchmen that followed me, did not put off our clothes: only every man stripped himself when he was to be washed.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard that followed me, none of us put off our garments: every one had his weapon on his right side.
Context
This final verse caps the chapter’s portrait of armed vigilance. After laying out defensive structures and schedules (verses 16–22), Nehemiah testifies to the leadership’s personal participation in the same rigor. Ending here leaves the reader with the image of a community fully engaged—working, watching, and ready. The next chapter will address internal social injustices that threaten unity from within. For now, chapter 4 has shown how external opposition was met with prayer, wise organization, courageous exhortation, and persevering labor.
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.
v.23This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
- Nehemiah 7:2
that I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the governor of the castle, charge over Jerusalem; for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
- Judges 9:48
And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it up, and laid it on his shoulder: and he said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.
- Nehemiah 5:16
Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work.
- Judges 5:11
Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, There shall they rehearse the righteous acts of Jehovah, Eventhe righteous acts of his rule in Israel. Then the people of Jehovah went down to the gates.
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…