Nehemiah 4:21

So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.

So we laboured {H6213} in the work {H4399}: and half {H2677} of them held {H2388} the spears {H7420} from the rising {H5927} of the morning {H7837} till the stars {H3556} appeared {H3318}.

So we kept doing the work. Half of them held spears from daybreak until the stars appeared.

So we continued the work, while half of the men held spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out.

So we wrought in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.

Commentary

Nehemiah 4:21 vividly portrays the intense dedication and constant vigilance required during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This verse highlights the relentless labor undertaken by the Jewish exiles under Nehemiah's leadership, emphasizing their commitment to the task while simultaneously guarding against external threats.

Context

Following their return from Babylonian exile, the Jewish people faced the daunting task of rebuilding Jerusalem, especially its protective walls, which lay in ruins. Nehemiah, inspired by God, led this monumental effort. However, their work was met with fierce opposition and ridicule from neighboring adversaries, primarily Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab. These enemies constantly plotted to attack and disrupt the construction.

In response to these threats, Nehemiah implemented a strategic plan: half of the people would work on the wall, and the other half would stand guard with weapons. This verse specifically details the demanding schedule and the dual role of the builders, building on the earlier description of them working with one hand and holding a weapon with the other.

Key Themes

  • Diligence and Perseverance: The phrase "laboured in the work" and "from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared" underscores the extraordinary effort and long hours invested. It speaks to an unwavering commitment to complete the divinely appointed task despite immense difficulty. This portrays a spirit of enduring hard work.
  • Vigilance and Preparedness: The necessity of "half of them held the spears" illustrates the constant threat they faced. It signifies the importance of being prepared for spiritual and physical opposition while engaged in God's work.
  • Unified Effort and Teamwork: The collective "we laboured" and the division of roles (half working, half guarding) show a remarkable display of unity and organized teamwork. Every individual played a vital role in the success of the project.
  • Trust in God Amidst Adversity: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the entire narrative of Nehemiah is saturated with a deep reliance on God's strength and protection, enabling them to persevere through seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared" is a vivid Hebrew idiom (ืžึตืขึฒืœื•ึนืช ื”ึทืฉึผืึทื—ึทืจ ืขึทื“ ืฆึตืืช ื”ึทื›ึผื•ึนื›ึธื‘ึดื™ื - me'alot hashachar ad tzeit hakochavim) that literally means "from the ascent of the dawn until the going forth of the stars." This emphasizes a full day's labor, from the earliest light of day until nightfall, highlighting the sheer exhaustion and dedication involved in their continuous effort.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 4:21 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Just as the Israelites rebuilt the physical walls of Jerusalem, Christians are called to build up God's kingdom, whether through personal spiritual growth, family life, church ministry, or professional endeavors. This verse reminds us:

  • Dedication to God's Calling: Our callings often require diligent, sustained effort, metaphorically "labouring in the work" for extended periods.
  • Spiritual Vigilance: We must remain spiritually alert, like those holding spears, against the schemes of the enemy (Ephesians 6:11 speaks of putting on the full armor of God) while pursuing our work.
  • Teamwork in Ministry: The communal effort highlights the importance of unity and shared responsibility within the body of Christ, where each member contributes to the overall mission.
  • Perseverance Through Opposition: Expect opposition when doing God's work, but find strength and encouragement in the example of those who continued to labor despite constant threats.

This verse serves as a powerful testament to the power of committed, vigilant, and unified labor in the face of adversity, underpinned by a deep purpose.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Galatians 6:9

    And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

  • Colossians 1:29

    Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:58

    ยถ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:10

    But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
โ† Back