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Nehemiah 4:9

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 4:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
Nehemiah 4:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto half [the height] thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
7But 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;
8and they conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion therein.
9But we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
10And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
11And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come into the midst of them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.
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.
← Nehemiah 4:8Nehemiah 4:10 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Nevertheless, we made our prayer unto our God, etc.] Spread their case before him in prayer, entreating direction and help from him: and set a watch against them day and night, because of them; to give notice of their approach, that they might prepare to defend themselves; though they prayed to God, and trusted in him for deliverance, they did not neglect the use of means.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Because of them - Or, “over against them,” i. e. opposite to the place where they were encamped, probably on the north side of the city. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:9 we prayed . . . and guarded: This wise approach to the threat involved both relying on God and doing what was needed.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Nevertheless: Neh 4:11; Gen 32:9-12, Gen 32:28; Kg2 19:14-19; Psa 50:15, Psa 55:16-22; Luk 6:11, Luk 6:12; Act 4:24-30 set a watch: Mat 26:41; Luk 21:36; Pe1 5:8 Nehemiah 4:10”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“(4:3) The Jews, on the other hand, made preparation by prayer, and by setting a watch (משׁמר, comp. Neh 7:3; Neh 13:30) day and night. We, viz., Nehemiah and the superintendents of the work, prayed and set a watch עליהם, against them, to ward off a probable attack. מפּניהם, for fear of them, comp. Neh 4:10. Nehemiah 4:10”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification