Nehemiah 4:9

Nevertheless R.V. But. The simple copula in the original introduces the contrast between the plan of the enemy and the defensive measures adopted by the Jews. -Nevertheless" is too strong an adversative. The thought is merely -and on our side, we made our prayer." On the prominence of prayer in these books see Ezra 8:23; Ezra 9:5; Ezra 10:1; Nehemiah 1:4; Nehemiah 2:4. Nehemiah mentions the spiritual source of aid first.

and set a watch i.e. posted sentinels. The human means of defence are not neglected although the confidence rests in a higher protection.

day and night i.e. while the builders were at work on the wall, the city was almost as defenceless against a surprise as in the dead of night.

against them … because of them -against them," i.e. -to repel their attack:" -because of them," literally -from before their face," i.e. in consequence of their hostility and the fear which they had excited. Others render -over against", i.e. so as to watch and observe the movements of the foe. The rendering -over against" introduces the idea of a definite mustering of defenders upon some particular quarter of the city, and some have suggested that the reference is to the north side as the most open for assault and nearest to the Samaritan forces. This gives too precise and limited a meaning. The character of the verse is indefinite and general. The recourse to prayer is mentioned in the first clause, and the posting of sentinels in the second. In both cases the action is due to the movement of the enemy, -because of them." After the words -against them" it seems at first sight a weak conclusion to the sentence. But the words -against them" belong to -set a watch" and are the antithesis to -unto our God." The words -because of them" refer to both clauses of the Nehemiah 4:10-12. Nehemiah's trials do not come upon him singly. He is confronted with (Nehemiah 4:10) the murmurs of the Jews, (Nehemiah 4:11) the openly expressed confidence of his foes, (Nehemiah 4:12) the fears of the Jews in the rural districts.