Nehemiah 6:16
What does Nehemiah 6:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 6:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 6:16 means
When the enemies and surrounding nations heard the news, they were afraid and fell in their own estimation, realizing that this work was done by God. Their confidence collapsed because the outcome contradicted their plans and predictions. The finished wall became a public sign of divine favor. The verse reveals the proper interpretation of the whole project: it is God’s accomplishment through willing hands. Even opponents had to acknowledge a power beyond human capacity. God’s vindication of His people’s work silenced pride and exposed hostility as futile.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And it came to pass, when all our enemies heardthereof, that all the nations that were about us feared, and were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And it came to pass, when all our enemies heardthereof, that all the nations that were about us feared, and were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And when our haters had news of this, all the nations round about us were full of fear and were greatly shamed, for they saw that this work had been done by our God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and it cometh to pass, when all our enemies have heard, and all the nations who are round about us see, that they fall greatly in their own eyes, and know that by our God hath this work been done.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And it came to pass when all our enemies heard of it, that all nations which were round about us, were afraid, and were cast down within themselves, for they perceived that this work was the work of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass that when all our enemies heard [of it], all the nations that were about us were afraid and were much cast down in their own eyes, and they perceived that this work was wrought by ourGod.
Context
This reaction follows directly on the completion report. The narrative notes not just that the wall stands, but that its success reshapes the regional landscape of fear and respect. With external enemies chastened, the chapter now turns to internal compromise in the remaining verses. The reader learns that, despite victory, threats persist from within, as some nobles maintain ties with Tobiah, creating new channels for pressure and intimidation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 126:2
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing: Then said they among the nations, Jehovah hath done great things for them.
- Joshua 5:1
And it came to pass, when all the kings of the Amorites, that were beyond the Jordan westward, and all the kings of the Canaanites, that were by the sea, heard how that Jehovah had dried up the waters of the Jordan from before the children of Israel, until we were passed over, that their heart melted, neither was there spirit in them any more, because of the children of Israel.
- 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.
- Nehemiah 4:7
But it came to pass that, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth;
- Nehemiah 4:1
But it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
- Nehemiah 2:10
And when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, for that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
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