BibleWord.ai› Bible› Nehemiah› Chapter 4› Verse 15

Nehemiah 4:15

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 4:15 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
Nehemiah 4:15 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
12And it came to pass that, when the Jews that dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times from all places, Ye must return unto us.
13Therefore set I in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places, I set [there] the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
14And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, who is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
15And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
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.
17They all 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;
18and the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
← Nehemiah 4:14Nehemiah 4:16 →
← Full Chapter 4 Nehemiah Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it came to pass, when our enemies heard it was known unto us, etc.] What they intended, as might be reported to them from the preparations made by the Jews to receive them, and defend themselves: and God had brought their counsel to naught; which was to come upon them secretly and unawares; but being discovered, they dropped their design, and their scheme came to nothing: so that we returned all of us to the wall, every man to his work; to that part of it where he wrought, in order to finish it.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:15 Nehemiah gave the credit to God (see also 2:20; 6:16), who had frustrated them through the prayers of the people, the 24-hour patrol, the open display of force, and the confidence in God’s protection.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“God: Sa2 15:31, Sa2 17:14; Job 5:12, Job 5:13; Psa 33:10, Psa 33:11; Pro 21:30; Isa 8:10; Isa 44:25; Lam 3:37, Lam 3:38; Co1 3:19, Co1 3:20 every one: Mar 13:34; Rom 12:11; Th1 4:11 Nehemiah 4:16”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“(4:9-17) Thus was the design of the enemy circumvented, and the Jews returned to their work on the wall, which they had forsaken to betake themselves to their weapons. The manner in which they resumed their building work was, that one half held weapons, and the other half laboured with weapons in hand. Neh 4:15 When our enemies heard that it (their intention) was known to us, and (that) God had brought their counsel to nought (through the measures with which we had met it), we returned all of us to the wall, every one to his work. The conclusion does not begin till ונּשׁוב, האל ויּפר belonging to the premiss, in continuation of נודא כּי. Neh 4:16-18 From that day the half of my servants…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Nehemiah 4 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification