Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water. New Living Translation During this time, none of us—not I, nor my relatives, nor my servants, nor the guards who were with me—ever took off our clothes. We carried our weapons with us at all times, even when we went for water. English Standard Version So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each kept his weapon at his right hand. Berean Standard Bible So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the guards with me changed out of our clothes; each carried his weapon, even to go for water. King James Bible So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing. New King James Version So neither I, my brethren, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes, except that everyone took them off for washing. New American Standard Bible So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me—none of us removed our clothes; each took his weapon even to the water. NASB 1995 So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water. NASB 1977 So neither I, my brothers, my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water. Legacy Standard Bible So neither I, my brothers, my young men, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us removed our clothes, each took his weapon even to the water. Amplified Bible So neither I, my brothers (relatives), my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes; each took his weapon [even] to the water. Christian Standard Bible And I, my brothers, my servants, and the men of the guard with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing. Holman Christian Standard Bible And I, my brothers, my men, and the guards with me never took off our clothes. Each carried his weapon, even when washing. American Standard Version So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard that followed me, none of us put off our clothes, every one went with his weapon to the water. Contemporary English Version I even slept in my work clothes at night; my relatives, the workers, and the guards slept in theirs as well. And we always kept our weapons close by. English Revised Version So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, every one went with his weapon to the water. GOD'S WORD® Translation My brothers, my servants, and the guards assigned to me never changed their clothes. Neither did I. We each kept our weapons at hand. Good News Translation I didn't take off my clothes even at night, neither did any of my companions nor my servants nor my bodyguards. And we all kept our weapons at hand. International Standard Version No one—neither I, my allies, my servants, nor the bodyguards who accompanied me—changed clothes. Everyone carried a weapon even while going for water. Majority Standard Bible So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the guards with me changed out of our clothes; each carried his weapon, even to go for water. NET Bible We did not change clothes--not I, nor my relatives, nor my workers, nor the watchmen who were with me. Each had his weapon, even when getting a drink of water. New Heart English Bible So neither I, nor my brothers, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes. Everyone took his weapon to the water. Webster's Bible Translation So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing. World English Bible So neither I, nor my brothers, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me took off our clothes. Everyone took his weapon to the water. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand there are none—I, and my brothers, and my servants, the men of the watch who [are] after me—there are none of us putting off our garments, each [has] his vessel of water. Young's Literal Translation and there are none -- I and my brethren and my servants, the men of the guard who are after me -- there are none of us putting off our garments, each hath his vessel of water. Smith's Literal Translation And not I and my brethren and my young men, and the men of the watch which were after me, we not putting off our garments; a man his weapon for water. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNow I and my brethren, and my servants, and the watchmen that followed me, did not put off our clothes: only every man stripped himself when he was to be washed. Catholic Public Domain Version But I and my brothers, and my servants, and the guards who were behind me, we did not take off our clothes; each one only removed his clothes to wash. New American Bible Neither I, nor my kindred, nor any of my attendants, nor any of the bodyguard that accompanied me took off our clothes; everyone kept a weapon at hand. New Revised Standard Version So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me ever took off our clothes; each kept his weapon in his right hand. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo neither I nor my brethren nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off his clothes for many full months, and each one did his duty. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I and my brothers and my boy Servants and the men Guards who followed me did not take off our clothes for a month of days, each man who arrived for it. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard that followed me, none of us put off our clothes, every one that went to the water had his weapon. Brenton Septuagint Translation And I was there, and the watchmen behind me, and there was not a man of us that put off his garments. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Discouragement Overcome…22At that time I also said to the people, “Let every man and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day.” 23So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the guards with me changed out of our clothes; each carried his weapon, even to go for water. Cross References Ephesians 6:11-18 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. / Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. ... 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. / For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. / But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:7 in truthful speech and in the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Luke 12:35-40 Be dressed for service and keep your lamps burning. / Then you will be like servants waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can open the door for him at once. / Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them. ... Romans 13:11-14 And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. / The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. / Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. ... 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. 2 Timothy 2:3-4 Join me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. / A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him. Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you. Isaiah 62:6-7 On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves, / nor give Him any rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth. Ezekiel 33:6-7 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and fails to blow the horn to warn the people, and the sword comes and takes away a life, then that one will be taken away in his iniquity, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.’ / As for you, O son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word from My mouth and give them the warning from Me. Psalm 127:1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain. 2 Chronicles 32:5 Then Hezekiah worked resolutely to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and to raise up towers on it. He also built an outer wall and reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David, and he produced an abundance of weapons and shields. Judges 7:19-21 Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands. / The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” / Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran. Treasury of Scripture So neither I, nor my brothers, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing. So neither I Nehemiah 5:16 Yea, also I continued in the work of this wall, neither bought we any land: and all my servants were gathered thither unto the work. Nehemiah 7:2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. Judges 9:48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done. saving that, etc. Judges 5:11 They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates. Jump to Previous Clothes Clothing Followed Guard Guards Hand Kept Removed Saving Servants Washing Water WeaponJump to Next Clothes Clothing Followed Guard Guards Hand Kept Removed Saving Servants Washing Water WeaponNehemiah 4 1. While the enemies scoff, Nehemiah prays and continues the work7. Understanding the wrath and secrets of the enemy, he sets a watch 13. He arms the laborers 19. and gives military precepts So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the guards with me This phrase highlights the unity and shared commitment among Nehemiah and his companions. Nehemiah, as the leader, sets an example of diligence and vigilance. The mention of "brothers" and "servants" indicates a close-knit community working together for a common cause. This reflects the communal effort seen throughout the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, emphasizing the importance of leadership and teamwork in achieving God's purposes. The guards' presence underscores the constant threat from adversaries, a theme prevalent in Nehemiah's narrative, where opposition from surrounding nations is a recurring challenge. changed out of our clothes each carried his weapon even to go for water Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahThe central figure in the book, Nehemiah was a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes and later became the governor of Jerusalem. He led the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. 2. Brothers Likely referring to fellow Jews or close associates who were working alongside Nehemiah in the rebuilding effort. 3. Servants Those who were directly serving Nehemiah and assisting in the work of rebuilding the wall. 4. Men of the Guard These were the armed men who protected the workers from potential attacks by adversaries. 5. Jerusalem The city where the wall was being rebuilt, a central place of worship and identity for the Jewish people. Teaching Points Vigilance in Spiritual WarfareJust as Nehemiah and his men were always prepared for physical attacks, Christians must be spiritually vigilant, always ready to defend against spiritual attacks. Unity and Cooperation The passage highlights the importance of working together in unity. Nehemiah, his brothers, servants, and guards all had a role to play, emphasizing the need for cooperation in the body of Christ. Perseverance in Adversity Despite the threat of attack, Nehemiah and his team did not cease their work. This teaches the importance of perseverance and dedication in the face of challenges. Preparedness and Readiness The constant readiness of Nehemiah’s team serves as a reminder for Christians to be prepared at all times, both physically and spiritually. Dependence on God’s Protection While they were armed and ready, Nehemiah and his men ultimately relied on God’s protection, reminding believers to trust in God’s sovereignty.(23) Saving that every one put them off for washing.--This rendering is very improbable, as the words are simply: "every man his weapon water." Some interpret that "each man's weapon was his water": evidently too subtle a turn of thought. It is best, on the whole, to supply the ellipsis: "every man went with his weapon to the water."Verse 23. - My brethren. Actual brothers probably. That Nehemiah had brothers appears from Nehemiah 1:2; that one of them, Hanani, had accompanied him to Jerusalem is evident from Nehemiah 7:2. My servants. See above, ver. 16. The men of the guard that followed me. As governor, Nehemiah would maintain a body-guard, in addition to his band of slaves. Saving that every one put them off for washing. So the Vulgate: "Unnsquisque tantum nudabatur ad baptismum;" but it is at least doubtful whether the Hebrew words can possibly have this meaning. The most natural and literal sense of them is that given by Maurer and Rambach - "Each man's weapon was his water;" the supposed connection of the clause with the preceding being, "No one took off his clothes," not even for the bath - no one bathed; "a man's only bath was his weapon." Some critics, however, defend the rendering of the A. V.; others take the words in the same way, but explain the term "water" differently, of a natural want (Ewald, Stanley); while many regard the text as unsound, and propose emendations. None, however, that has as yet been proposed is satisfactory.
Hebrew So neither Iאֲנִ֜י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I nor brothers וְאַחַ֣י (wə·’a·ḥay) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) nor my men וּנְעָרַ֗י (ū·nə·‘ā·ray) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 5288: A boy, lad, youth, retainer nor the guards אִ֖ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person with me אַחֲרַ֔י (’a·ḥă·ray) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 310: The hind or following part changed out of פֹשְׁטִ֖ים (p̄ō·šə·ṭîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 6584: To strip off, make a dash, raid our clothes; בְּגָדֵ֑ינוּ (bə·ḡā·ḏê·nū) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural Strong's 899: A covering, clothing, treachery, pillage each carried his weapon, שִׁלְח֥וֹ (šil·ḥōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7973: A missile of attack, spear, a shoot of growth, branch [even to go] for water. הַמָּֽיִם׃ (ham·mā·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen Links Nehemiah 4:23 NIVNehemiah 4:23 NLT Nehemiah 4:23 ESV Nehemiah 4:23 NASB Nehemiah 4:23 KJV Nehemiah 4:23 BibleApps.com Nehemiah 4:23 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 4:23 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 4:23 French Bible Nehemiah 4:23 Catholic Bible OT History: Nehemiah 4:23 So neither I nor my brothers (Neh Ne) |
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