Nehemiah 4:18

Neh 4:18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and [so] builded. And he that sounded the trumpet [was] by me.

Ver. 18. For the builders every one had his sword girded by his side] Heb. on his loins; that is the place for the sword to hang on: Psa 45:3, "Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most mighty." And Rev 19:16, Christ’s name is written upon his vesture, that all may see it, and upon his thigh, where his sword hangs, to show that he won it by his valour. Among the Turks at this day, as the right hand is held uppermost for a scholar, so the left for a soldier; because it gives a man possession of his companion’s sword; though the Turks seldom bear weapons but in travel; and then some of them seem no less like a walking, than these builders did like a working, armoury.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Neh 4:18. He that sounded the trumpet was by me — To give the alarm, and call the people together, when and where it was necessary. It appears by this he was continually with them while they wrought upon the wall.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

4:18-19 Through the trumpeter, Nehemiah could sound the alarm to direct workers to any portion of the wall that might be attacked.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

18. For the builders] R.V. And the builders. Not, as A.V., a fresh explanatory sentence, but a continuation of the foregoing, a description of the other class of those engaged in the work.

his sword girded by his side] Both hands were occupied in the work of laying the stones, which would be done chiefly by skilful mechanism with pulleys and rollers. The free action of both hands would be requisite. But though thus fully occupied, they were to be armed against a surprise attack. The mention of the ‘sword’ here accounts for its absence in Neh_4:16.

And he that &c.] This is a distinct parenthetical sentence introducing the personal reminiscence. The men were scattered over a large area, and the commands of the governor were to be given by sound of trumpet, so that the alarm could be given to all at the same time.

by me] i.e. at my side, cf. Neh_4:3. The words imply that Nehemiah was the life and soul of the defence, and that he was untiring in moving from point to point in the wall, superintending the work and directing the disposition for the defence.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For the builders had everyone his sword girded by his side, and so builded,.... Thus accoutred he wrought, and was prepared for either service:

and he that sounded the trumpet was by me; to give the alarm of war, that everyone might lay aside his work, and prepare for the battle: this officer stood by Nehemiah, that when he found it necessary, might give him orders to sound his trumpet, for the men to gather to him.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

By me, when the enemy appeared. (Menochius)

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

To call the people together, when and where it was fit and necessary.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

18. Every one had his sword girded by his side — This was probably literally the case. Swords are not mentioned in Neh_4:16 as among the arms held in readiness by the half of the people that watched while the others worked. Swords could be worn so as not greatly to hinder the workmen in their work.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

For the builders. Rather, "and the (actual) builders masons, bricklayers, and the like, as distinct from the bearers of burthens, or carriers of material. He that sounded the trumpet. The signalman. Trumpeters appear both in the Egyptian and the Assyrian sculptures (see "Ancient Monarchies," vol. 1. p. 539, second ed.; Wilkinson, "Ancient Egyptians," vol. 2. p. 260).

God fighting for his people.

"Our God shall fight for us." An inspiriting assurance. Grounds of it in the case of Nehemiah and the Jews.

I WHEN WE MAY CHERISH THIS ASSURANCE. When we fight for God; which we do

1. When we contend in and for his cause. When our contest is against Satan, sin, and error; and on behalf of Christ and truth and righteousness and souls our own and others.

2. When we are actuated by sincere and supreme regard for him. Desiring his glory, and trusting him for strength and victory.

3. When we employ the weapons which he has given us. Not using Satan"s arms, but the weapons of truth and love. (see 2Co_10:4)

4. When we fight in the spirit which he prescribes and imparts. (2Ti_2:25 Jam_1:20)

5. When we battle with all our power.

II THE GROUNDS OF THIS ASSURANCE.

1. The relation of God to us. "Our God.

2. His interest in the contest. It concerns his "great name," the accomplishment of his purposes of love to mankind in Christ, the destruction of his enemies.

3. His summons to it.

4. His promises.

III THE EFFECTS OF SUCH ASSURANCE.

1. Alacrity to engage in the combat.

2. Courage.

3. Confidence of victory.

"If God be for us, who can be against us?" Finally, take heed lest any of you fight against God. "Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker."

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Sounded - To call the people together, when, and where it was necessary.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.