Nehemiah 4:12

The translation of the last clause of this verse presents a great difficulty, and leaves us doubtful with what intention the Jews here spoken of addressed their countrymen.

The verse stands in very loose connexion with the two previous verses. It represents a fresh complication in the difficult position which confronted Nehemiah. To discontent within, and the schemes of the foe without, is added the panic of the Jews in the outlying districts.

the Jews which dwelt by them By this expression are apparently intended the Jewish dwellers in towns and districts adjacent to the territory of the Samaritans, Ammonites, Arabians and Philistines, who had sent contingents to assist in the rebuilding of the walls e.g. Jericho, Tekoah, Gibeon, Mizpah, Zanoah (chap. Nehemiah 3:2; Nehemiah 3:5; Nehemiah 3:7; Nehemiah 3:13). -by them," comp. Nehemiah 5:3.

they said unto us ten times i.e. again and again, as often as occasion offered cf. Genesis 31:41, -Thou hast changed my wages ten times."

From all places whence ye shall return unto usthey will be upon you] R.V. from all places, Ye must return unto us, marg. -Or, From all places whence ye shall returnthey will be upon us". The Authorised Version is here unintelligible.

(1) The R.V. text is a literal translation, with the exception of the omission of the relative before -Ye must return." This however may be explained as an instance of the relative in late Hebrew idiom prefixed to the -Oratio Recta," like ὅτι in late Greek. -From all places" refers to the scattered Jewish communities. The foes of Jerusalem were on every side; the fears of the Jewish frontier-towns on every side were increased by the growing hostility of the neighbouring peoples. The words of their petition to Nehemiah and his companions may be explained in one of two ways.

(a) They express apprehension on their own account and for their own homes. Deprived of the able-bodied men who had been sent to work at the walls on Jerusalem, these little towns and villages could not hope to defend themselves against the gathering foe. Wherefore they address themselves through the leaders to their fellow-townsmen sojourning in Jerusalem, -Ye must return unto us."

(b) They are alarmed for the safety of their fellow-townsmen. They see the combination of foes against Jerusalem and regard her overthrow as certain. They entreat their own friends and relatives to return home in time to save their lives.

Of these alternatives (a) is much to be preferred.

(2) The R.V. marg. -From all places whence ye shall return they will beupon us." This rendering is perfectly literal, but it seems impossible to find a satisfactory meaning for -whence ye shall return." The interpretation -On every side, as soon as you leave a place, the enemy occupy it and attack us," gives a fair sense, but is hardly applicable to the circumstances. The Jews had no moving forces in the field.

(3) Another rendering which is supplied by the reading of the 3rd pers. for the 2nd pers. plur. is found in the Versions, LXX., Vulg., and Peshitto Syriac. The 3rd pers. plur. then refers to the enemy; and the translation will run, -And they told it us ten times from all the places where the enemy went to and fro against us." (LXX. ἀναβαίνουσιν … ἐφʼ ἡμᾶς. Vulg. venerant ad nos). But the alteration of the text has the appearance of a correction to make the passage easier; and the renderings -told," instead of -said," -went to and fro," instead of -return," introduce fresh difficulties.