Nehemiah 4:10

KJV

And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and [there is] much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Judah {H3063} said {H559}, The strength {H3581} of the bearers of burdens {H5449} is decayed {H3782}, and there is much {H7235} rubbish {H6083}; so that we are not able {H3201} to build {H1129} the wall {H2346}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hudah was saying, "The strength of the people who carry loads away is starting to fail, and there is so much rubble that we can't build the wall."

Berean Standard Bible

Meanwhile, the people of Judah said: “The strength of the laborer fails, and there is so much rubble that we will never be able to rebuild the wall.”

American Standard Version

And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 4:10 vividly portrays a critical juncture in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, capturing the profound despair and physical exhaustion that gripped the Jewish exiles. The collective voice of "Judah" articulates a deep weariness, acknowledging that their "strength... is decayed" under the relentless burden of the task. The overwhelming presence of "much rubbish"—the literal debris from the destroyed city—symbolizes the seemingly insurmountable obstacles, culminating in a declaration of utter inability: "we are not able to build the wall." This verse powerfully underscores the human toll of God-ordained labor when faced with relentless opposition and daunting physical challenges, setting the stage for Nehemiah's strategic leadership and God's sustaining grace.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 4:10 is strategically placed within a narrative arc that meticulously details the intense opposition faced by the Jewish community as they endeavor to rebuild Jerusalem's protective walls. The preceding chapters (1-2) establish Nehemiah's burden for Jerusalem, his fervent prayer, and his successful petition to King Artaxerxes for permission and resources. Chapter 3 then provides a detailed account of the meticulous, collaborative effort involved in reconstructing the wall, emphasizing the unified commitment of various families and groups. The narrative shifts dramatically in Chapter 4, introducing the escalating external threats from adversaries like Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, who initially resort to mocking the builders' efforts ([Nehemiah 4:1-3](/nehemiah/4-1-3 "Nehemiah 4:1-3 - Sanballat and Tobiah's Scorn")) before conspiring to launch a physical attack ([Nehemiah 4:7-8](/nehemiah/4-7-8 "Nehemiah 4:7-8 - Conspiracy Against Jerusalem")). It is against this backdrop of relentless external pressure, combined with the sheer physical demands of the work, that the internal morale of the builders begins to crumble. The despair articulated in [Nehemiah 4:10](/nehemiah/4-10 "Nehemiah 4:10 - Judah's Discouragement") represents a critical low point, serving as a catalyst for Nehemiah's decisive response, which involves both fervent prayer and pragmatic measures to protect and re-energize the workforce ([Nehemiah 4:9-23](/nehemiah/4-9-23 "Nehemiah 4:9-23 - Nehemiah's Response to Opposition")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting of Nehemiah 4:10 is the post-exilic period, approximately a century after the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Following the initial return under Zerubbabel to rebuild the Temple ([Ezra 3](/ezra/3 "Ezra 3 - Rebuilding the Temple")) and Ezra's efforts to restore religious and legal life ([Ezra 7](/ezra/7 "Ezra 7 - Ezra's Arrival in Jerusalem")), Nehemiah's mission was to reconstruct the city walls. This was a monumental undertaking, not merely for physical security but also as a crucial act of re-establishing Jewish identity, sovereignty, and communal dignity. Unwalled cities in the ancient Near East were vulnerable targets and a stark symbol of subjugation. The "rubbish" mentioned in [Nehemiah 4:10](/nehemiah/4-10 "Nehemiah 4:10 - Judah's Discouragement") refers to the colossal amount of debris from the original destruction, which had lain untouched for over a century. Clearing this vast rubble was a prerequisite for any new construction, adding an immense, often overlooked, layer of laborious and demoralizing work. The surrounding adversaries—Samaritans (Sanballat), Ammonites (Tobiah), and Arabs (Geshem)—perceived a fortified Jerusalem as a direct threat to their regional influence, leading to their coordinated and persistent opposition. The cultural expectation of communal labor for such vital projects was high, yet the physical and psychological toll was equally profound, making the collective cry of despair entirely understandable.

* **Key Themes:** [Nehemiah 4:10](/nehemiah/4-10 "Nehemiah 4:10 - Judah's Discouragement") encapsulates several pivotal themes central to the book of Nehemiah and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **reality of human weakness and discouragement**, even when engaged in divinely appointed tasks. Despite Nehemiah's exemplary leadership and God's clear call, the people's physical and emotional limits are reached, highlighting that even faith-driven endeavors do not exempt one from weariness. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **overwhelming obstacles and the imperative for perseverance**. The "much rubbish" serves as a potent metaphor for the daunting challenges that can make a task seem utterly impossible, demanding not only physical strength but also unwavering faith and strategic ingenuity. Thirdly, the collective voice of "Judah" points to the **importance of communal solidarity and responsive leadership in times of crisis**. Nehemiah's subsequent actions—prayer, encouragement, and practical organization—demonstrate how effective leadership can rally a disheartened people, transforming shared burdens into collective resolve. Finally, this verse implicitly sets the stage for the overarching theme of **God's faithfulness and provision**, as the narrative will proceed to show how God empowers His people to overcome these seemingly insurmountable difficulties, often through unexpected means, reinforcing the truth that strength ultimately comes from Him ([Nehemiah 4:14](/nehemiah/4-14 "Nehemiah 4:14 - Nehemiah's Call to Remember the Lord")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Strength (Hebrew, _kôach'_):** This word (כּוֹחַ, H3581) denotes vigor, force, might, or capacity. It can refer to physical prowess, mental fortitude, or even material substance and wealth. In Nehemiah 4:10, its "decay" signifies a complete depletion of physical and mental energy, a loss of the very capacity required to continue the arduous work. It's not just fatigue, but a profound enervation that renders the laborers ineffective.
* **Decayed (Hebrew, _kâshal'_):** The verb (כָּשַׁל, H3782) literally means "to totter," "to waver," "to stumble," or "to fall." In this context, when applied to "strength," it vividly conveys the idea of physical collapse, exhaustion, and a profound loss of vigor and capacity. It implies a state where one can no longer stand firm or carry on, suggesting a crumbling of resolve alongside physical debilitation.
* **Rubbish (Hebrew, _ʻâphâr'_):** This term (עָפָר, H6083) primarily refers to "dust," "dry earth," or "ashes." Here, it denotes the immense accumulation of debris, rubble, and detritus from the destroyed walls and buildings of Jerusalem. The "much rubbish" emphasizes the overwhelming scale of this preparatory work—clearing centuries of devastation—which was a physically demanding and psychologically draining task, arguably as challenging as the building itself.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Judah said":** This opening phrase indicates a collective sentiment, representing the widespread despair and exhaustion that had permeated the entire community of builders, or at least a significant portion of them. It signifies a moment of communal crisis where a deep-seated discouragement finds a unified voice, highlighting the shared nature of their burden.
* **"The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed":** This clause directly addresses the physical and emotional state of the laborers. The "bearers of burdens" (H5449, _çabbâl_) are those performing the arduous, heavy-lifting work of clearing rubble and transporting building materials. Their "strength is decayed" (H3581, _kôach_ and H3782, _kâshal_) means they are utterly exhausted, their physical and mental resilience depleted to the point of collapse. This reveals the intense physical toll of the work compounded by the psychological strain of constant opposition.
* **"and [there is] much rubbish":** This identifies the primary physical obstacle hindering progress. The "rubbish" (H6083, _ʻâphâr_) refers to the vast amount of debris from the city's destruction. The quantity ("much," H7235, _râbâh_) emphasizes the overwhelming nature of this task. It was not a minor hindrance but a seemingly endless supply of material that had to be removed before any new construction could effectively begin, representing the foundational, unglamorous, and often discouraging work that precedes visible progress.
* **"so that we are not able to build the wall":** This is the climactic declaration of despair and perceived inability. The "so that" clause presents the direct consequence of their depleted strength and the overwhelming presence of rubbish. It is a statement of utter powerlessness (H3201, _yâkôl_), a profound feeling that the task has grown beyond their capabilities. This expresses a loss of hope and a belief that their efforts are futile, marking a critical low point in the monumental rebuilding effort.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 4:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey the profound despair of the builders. The use of **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "much rubbish" and the subsequent declaration "we are not able to build the wall." While the amount of debris was indeed vast, the statement of complete inability likely exaggerates their current state of exhaustion to express extreme frustration and hopelessness, rather than a literal, absolute impossibility. The "rubbish" itself functions as a powerful **Metaphor**, representing not only the literal physical obstacles but also the accumulated burdens, past failures, and spiritual weariness that weighed down the community. The phrase "And Judah said" is an example of **Synecdoche**, where a part ("Judah," representing the tribe) stands for the whole (the entire community of builders), emphasizing that this was a widespread, collective sentiment, not an isolated complaint. Finally, the entire verse is imbued with **Pathos**, effectively evoking sympathy and understanding for the laborers' plight, drawing the reader into their emotional struggle and highlighting the very real human cost of their God-given mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 4:10 serves as a poignant reminder that even in the midst of God's work, human limitations, fatigue, and discouragement are real and profoundly felt. It underscores the biblical truth that while God calls His people to monumental tasks, He does not exempt them from the arduousness and weariness inherent in such endeavors. The despair voiced by "Judah" highlights the tension between divine commission and human frailty, emphasizing the constant need for reliance on God's supernatural strength when our own "strength... is decayed." This moment of crisis is not a sign of failure but an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power and faithfulness through renewed leadership and divine intervention, transforming perceived inability into a testament to His sustaining grace. It teaches us that acknowledging our weakness is the first step towards experiencing God's perfect strength, reminding us that His power is made perfect in our weakness.

* [2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Strength in Weakness")
* [Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "Philippians 4:13 - All Things Through Christ")
* [Isaiah 40:29-31](/isaiah/40-29-31 "Isaiah 40:29-31 - Renewed Strength for the Weary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 4:10 offers profound practical and spiritual insights for believers navigating the challenges of life and ministry today. It validates the experience of weariness, discouragement, and feeling overwhelmed, reminding us that these are not signs of spiritual failure but common human responses to arduous tasks, especially when coupled with opposition. Whether we are building a family, a career, a church, or pursuing a personal calling, we will inevitably encounter "much rubbish"—the accumulated debris of past failures, the overwhelming scale of the work, or the relentless opposition from spiritual and worldly adversaries. This verse calls us to honest self-assessment, urging us to acknowledge our limits and the reality of our "decayed strength." It then points us toward the necessity of seeking divine strength and communal support, just as Nehemiah rallied the people through prayer, strategic planning, and renewed vision. Our inability is God's opportunity to display His power, transforming our despair into a renewed reliance on His sufficiency.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "rubbish" (obstacles, past failures, overwhelming tasks) in your life or ministry is causing your "strength to decay" right now?**
* **How do you typically respond when you feel "not able" to carry on with a task God has called you to?**
* **In what ways can you, like Nehemiah, strategically address both the physical and spiritual weariness in your own life or in your community?**
* **How does acknowledging your weakness, as the people of Judah did, open the door for God's strength to be made perfect?**

### FAQ
**Why did the people of Judah feel so discouraged, despite being on a God-ordained mission?**

Answer: The people of Judah felt profoundly discouraged due to a confluence of factors. Firstly, the sheer physical demands of the work were immense and relentless. They were not merely building new structures but first clearing over a century's worth of "much rubbish" from the destroyed city, a task both exhaustive and unglamorous. Secondly, they faced constant and escalating external opposition from neighboring adversaries like Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, who resorted to mockery, threats, and active conspiracy against them ([Nehemiah 4:1-8](/nehemiah/4-1-8 "Nehemiah 4:1-8 - Opposition to the Rebuilding")). This combination of internal fatigue and external pressure created a pervasive sense of overwhelming burden and vulnerability, leading to a collective declaration of "decayed strength" and inability to continue the work. It highlights that even in God's work, human endurance has limits, and discouragement is a real possibility that must be addressed.

**What is the significance of "much rubbish" in this verse?**

Answer: The "much rubbish" (Hebrew, _ʻâphâr_) is highly significant on both a literal and metaphorical level. Literally, it refers to the vast amount of debris, rubble, and dust from the destroyed walls and buildings of Jerusalem that had accumulated over many decades. Clearing this immense quantity of material was a prerequisite for any new construction and an incredibly arduous, time-consuming, and demoralizing task. Metaphorically, the "much rubbish" symbolizes the overwhelming obstacles, past failures, lingering issues, or the sheer scale of the foundational work that often precedes visible progress in any significant endeavor. It represents the unglamorous, often frustrating, groundwork that can make a task feel insurmountable, directly contributing to the "decayed strength" and sense of inability expressed by the people. It underscores that sometimes the greatest challenge is not building, but clearing away what hinders building.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 4:10, with its depiction of human weakness and overwhelming obstacles in the face of a divine mission, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Just as the people of Judah struggled with the physical "rubbish" and their "decayed strength" to build a physical wall, humanity was utterly incapable of clearing the "rubbish" of sin and death and building a path back to God. This is precisely where Christ steps in as the ultimate "bearer of burdens." He did not merely build a wall, but bore the incomprehensible weight of the world's sin and the curse of the law on the cross, a burden that would have utterly decayed the strength of any mere human ([Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant")). Through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, Jesus cleared the ultimate "rubbish"—the sin that separated us from God—and decisively overcame the spiritual opposition of Satan, achieving what we were "not able to" do ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13-15 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Furthermore, Christ is the foundational cornerstone upon whom the true spiritual temple, His Church, is being built ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone")). When believers today face "decayed strength" and "much rubbish" in their callings, they can draw strength from Him, knowing that His power is made perfect in weakness ([2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "2 Corinthians 12:9 - God's Strength in Weakness")) and that He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion ([Philippians 1:6](/philippians/1-6 "God's Faithfulness to Complete His Work")). He is the one who enables us to do all things through Him who strengthens us ([Philippians 4:13](/philippians/4-13 "All Things Through Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 32:9

For when they went up unto the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which the LORD had given them.

2 Chronicles 2:18

And he set threescore and ten thousand of them [to be] bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand [to be] hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.

Ezekiel 29:18

Son of man, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon caused his army to serve a great service against Tyrus: every head [was] made bald, and every shoulder [was] peeled: yet had he no wages, nor his army, for Tyrus, for the service that he had served against it:

Psalms 11:1

¶ To the chief Musician, [A Psalm] of David. In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee [as] a bird to your mountain?

Psalms 11:2

For, lo, the wicked bend [their] bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart.

Numbers 13:31

But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they [are] stronger than we.

Haggai 1:2

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built.