Nehemiah 4:17

Arabic Bible ERV 2009

الَّذِينَ يَبنُونَ السُّورَ. وَكانَ الحَمّالُونَ يَحمِلُونَ وَيَشتَغِلُونَ بِيَدٍ، وَيَحمِلُونَ سِلاحاً بِاليَدِ الأُخرَى.

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes the builders of the wall in Jerusalem who worked while carrying weapons. They did their construction work with one hand and held a weapon with the other, ready to defend themselves from enemies. Nehemiah is speaking about the efforts of the people to rebuild the wall.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're building a sandcastle on the beach, and there are some kids who might try to knock it down. You'd use one hand to build and the other to hold a toy sword to protect your castle. That's what the people in this story did while rebuilding the wall around their city.

Historical Background

Nehemiah 4:17 is part of the Book of Nehemiah, written by Nehemiah, a Jewish leader and governor who lived in the 5th century BCE. This book tells the story of Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The verse reflects the perilous times when the builders needed to be both workers and warriors.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, we might see this as a scenario where a team is under pressure and must multitask. Imagine a startup team working on a product launch while simultaneously defending their idea from competitors. This verse reminds us that we can handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously, even in challenging circumstances.

Topics

• perseverance
• protection
• faith
• hard work
• defense
• unity

Related Verses

• Ephesians 6:13
• 2 Chronicles 20:17
• Ecclesiastes 9:16
• Psalms 91:4
• Isaiah 54:17

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main message of Nehemiah 4:17?

The main message is about the importance of preparation and vigilance, showing how the builders of Jerusalem's wall worked while also being ready to defend themselves.

How can this verse be applied in a workplace setting?

In a workplace, this verse can be applied by maintaining focus on the task at hand while also being prepared to address potential challenges or threats to the team's success.

What does this verse tell us about Nehemiah's leadership style?

Nehemiah's leadership style is demonstrated as proactive and protective. He ensured his people were not only building but also safeguarding their work against enemies.

Why is this verse significant in the context of the Book of Nehemiah?

This verse is significant because it highlights the dual nature of the work the people faced, emphasizing the need for both construction and defense, which underscores the broader theme of resilience and perseverance in the book.