Among the builders, everyone wore his sword at his side, and so built. He who sounded the trumpet was by me.
Parallel translations
- KJV For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
- BSB And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.
- NKJV Every one of the builders had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded the trumpet was beside me.
- NASB As for the builders, each wore his sword strapped to his waist as he built, while the trumpeter stood near me.
- NLT All the builders had a sword belted to their side. The trumpeter stayed with me to sound the alarm.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Each builder wears his sword while working, and a trumpeter stays beside Nehemiah to sound the alarm. Defense is woven into the daily work.
Overview
The builders never lay aside their swords, and a trumpeter near Nehemiah stands ready to summon help. This communication system anticipates the dispersed nature of the work along the wall. It reflects careful, coordinated leadership that keeps the scattered people united and responsive to danger.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 2
- Num 10:9When you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets. Then you will be remembered before Yahweh your God, and you will be saved from your enemies.
- 2 Chr 13:12–17Behold, God is with us at our head, and his priests with the trumpets of alarm to sound an alarm against you. Children of Israel, don’t fight against Yahweh, the God of your fathers; for you will not prosper.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
The rebuilt walls and renewed covenant community foreshadow the greater builder who gathers and secures a people for God, the one who declares 'I will build my church.'
How Nehemiah 4:18 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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