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.
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.
- KJV So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: 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.
- 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 who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.
- Neh 6:15So the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days.
- 1 Chr 29:3In addition, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, since I have a treasure of my own of gold and silver, I give it to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
- Heb 13:21make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
- 1 Chr 29:14But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.
- 1 Chr 29:17–18I know also, my God, that you try the heart, and have pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of my heart I have willingly offered all these things. Now I have seen with joy your people, who are present here, offer willingly to you.
- Ps 110:3Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth.
- 2 Cor 8:16–17But thanks be to God, who puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
- 2 Chr 29:36Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced, because of that which God had prepared for the people; for the thing was done suddenly.
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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.