Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 4:11
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
And our adversaries said, they shall not know, etc.] Our designs upon them: neither see; or perceive what we are about to do: till we come in the midst of them; with an army suddenly, at an unawares, and unexpected: and slay them; they being unarmed, and not prepared to defend themselves: and cause the work to cease; as it must in course, the builders being slain. Ver. 12 And it came to pass, when the Jews that dwelt by them, etc.] Near Samaria, Arabia, and Ashdod, and had intelligence of their designs: came, they said to us ten times; that is, they came to them at Jerusalem, and often told them, as this phrase “ten times” signifies, (see Gill on “<013107>Genesis 31:7”), from all places whence ye shall return unto us: they will be upon you, come which way you will, so that ye are in the utmost danger: or “from all places”; where you are repairing and rebuilding: return to us; that ye may enjoy peace and prosperity with us under Sanballat, etc. and escape the wrath and fury you are now exposed to; or “from all places we come, that ye may return to us”; so De Dieu; these Jews, though they pretended to be friends, to their brethren, yet seemed to be in friendship with their enemies, and sought to discourage them, and weaken their minds, and cause them to cease building.
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