So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
Parallel translations
- WEB So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together to half its height: for the people had a mind to work.
- BSB So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
- NKJV So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
- NASB So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
- NLT At last the wall was completed to half its height around the entire city, for the people had worked with enthusiasm.
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
Despite the opposition, the wall is joined together to half its height because the people had a mind to work. Wholehearted commitment overcomes discouragement.
Overview
In the face of mockery and threats, the builders press on until the entire wall reaches half its height, for "the people had a mind to work." Their willing, united determination, combined with Nehemiah's leadership and prayer, yields steady progress. The verse celebrates the fruit of faith expressed in diligent labor, showing that God advances His work through the wholehearted devotion of His people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Phil 2:13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
- Neh 6:15So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.
- 1 Chr 29:3Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
- Heb 13:21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
- 1 Chr 29:14But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.
- 1 Chr 29:17–18I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.
- Ps 110:3Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.
- 2 Cor 8:16–17But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
- 2 Chr 29:36And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.
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 4:6 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.