the hand of my God Cf. Nehemiah 2:8. The blessing which had so far attended his plan.

as also the king's words R.V. as also of, &c. He reported the substance of the king's words, which the compiler has not given us.

Let us rise up and build The people responded with enthusiasm.

So they strengthened their hands The presence of enemies on every side made the undertaking hazardous. At the same time the need of courage will be more obvious if we accept the theory of a recent hostile attack (cf. note on Nehemiah 1:2). The versions render the verb in the passive, LXX. ἐκραταιώθησαν αἱ χεῖρες αὐτῶν, Vulg. confortatae sunt manus eorum, which is followed by Luther, - ihre Hände wurden gestärkt.

forthis goodwork] R.V. for the good work. Literally, -for the good," the same expression as -the well-fare" in Nehemiah 2:10. LXX. εἰς τὸ ἀγαθόν, Vulg. in bono.

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