King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work [is] great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
Complete Jewish Bible:
I said to the nobles, the leaders and the rest of the people, "This is a great work, and it is spread out; we are separated on the wall, one far from another.
Berean Standard Bible:
Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is great and extensive, and we are spread out far from one another along the wall.
American Standard Version:
And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And I said{H559} unto the nobles{H2715}, and to the rulers{H5461}, and to the rest{H3499} of the people{H5971}, The work{H4399} is great{H7235} and large{H7342}, and we are separated{H6504} upon the wall{H2346}, one{H376} far from{H7350} another{H251}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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Commentary for Nehemiah 4:19
Nehemiah 4:19 is set within the historical context of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls in the 5th century BCE, after the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah, a Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes I, received permission to return to Jerusalem to lead the reconstruction efforts. The verse captures a moment of leadership and motivation as Nehemiah addresses the nobles, rulers, and the rest of the people involved in the massive task of rebuilding the city's fortifications.
The theme of this verse is the acknowledgment of the enormity of the task at hand and the practical challenges faced by the workers. Nehemiah highlights the scale of the project ("The work [is] great and large") and the physical distribution of the laborers ("we are separated upon the wall, one far from another"). This speaks to the logistical complexity of the endeavor, as workers were spread out along the wall, which made coordination and defense against potential attacks more difficult.
Nehemiah's statement also serves to rally the people, emphasizing unity and shared purpose despite the physical distance between them. It is a call to remain vigilant and committed to the cause, despite the daunting nature of the project. The verse reflects the leadership skills of Nehemiah, who not only organizes the work but also keeps morale high by recognizing the challenges and encouraging collective effort and resilience in the face of adversity. This moment is emblematic of Nehemiah's role throughout the reconstruction, as he consistently navigates the political, social, and physical obstacles to achieve the goal of restoring Jerusalem's walls and, by extension, the identity and morale of the returning exiles.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H2715
There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֹר
Transliteration: chôr
Pronunciation: khore
Description: or (fully) חוֹר; from חָרַר; (compare חֹרִי); properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence (figuratively) noble (in rank); noble. - Strong's Number: H5461
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סָגָן
Transliteration: çâgân
Pronunciation: saw-gawn'
Description: from an unused root meaning to superintend; a prefect of a province; prince, ruler. - Strong's Number: H3499
There are 95 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יֶתֶר
Transliteration: yether
Pronunciation: yeh'-ther
Description: from יָתַר; properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a small rope (as hanging free); [phrase] abundant, cord, exceeding, excellancy(-ent), what they leave, that hath left, plentifully, remnant, residue, rest, string, with. - Strong's Number: H5971
There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עַם
Transliteration: ʻam
Pronunciation: am
Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H4399
There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מְלָאכָה
Transliteration: mᵉlâʼkâh
Pronunciation: mel-aw-kaw'
Description: from the same as מֲלְאָךְ; properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor); business, [phrase] cattle, [phrase] industrious, occupation, ([phrase] -pied), [phrase] officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship). - Strong's Number: H7235
There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָבָה
Transliteration: râbâh
Pronunciation: raw-baw'
Description: a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for רָבַב), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. - Strong's Number: H7342
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָחָב
Transliteration: râchâb
Pronunciation: raw-khawb'
Description: from רָחַב; roomy, in any (or every) direction, literally or figuratively; broad, large, at liberty, proud, wide. - Strong's Number: H6504
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּרַד
Transliteration: pârad
Pronunciation: paw-rad'
Description: a primitive root; to break through, i.e. spread or separate (oneself); disperse, divide, be out of joint, part, scatter (abroad), separate (self), sever self, stretch, sunder. - Strong's Number: H2346
There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חוֹמָה
Transliteration: chôwmâh
Pronunciation: kho-maw'
Description: feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection; wall, walled. - Strong's Number: H376
There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אִישׁ
Transliteration: ʼîysh
Pronunciation: eesh
Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה. - Strong's Number: H7350
There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָחוֹק
Transliteration: râchôwq
Pronunciation: raw-khoke'
Description: or רָחֹק; from רָחַק; remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used adverbially (with preposition); (a-) far (abroad, off), long ago, of old, space, great while to come. - Strong's Number: H251
There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָח
Transliteration: ʼâch
Pronunciation: awkh
Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.