Nehemiah 4 10

Nehemiah 4:10 kjv

And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.

Nehemiah 4:10 nkjv

Then Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is so much rubbish that we are not able to build the wall."

Nehemiah 4:10 niv

Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall."

Nehemiah 4:10 esv

In Judah it was said, "The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall."

Nehemiah 4:10 nlt

Then the people of Judah began to complain, "The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves."

Nehemiah 4 verses

Nehemiah 4 10 Meaning

Nehemiah 4:10 describes the point of profound weariness and discouragement among the people of Judah involved in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. The verse highlights two primary challenges: the severe exhaustion of the burden-bearers, signifying the physical toll of the massive effort, and the overwhelming quantity of rubble from the city's destruction. These combined factors led to a pervasive sense of inability and hopelessness, where the builders concluded they lacked the capacity to complete the work on the wall. It reveals the internal struggle faced by God's people amidst their divinely appointed task.

Nehemiah 4 10 Context

Nehemiah chapter 4 depicts a critical phase in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, marked by both external opposition and internal challenges. Prior to this verse, Nehemiah 4:1-9 details the rising external threats and ridicule from surrounding enemies, particularly Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, who mocked the Jews' efforts and plotted to attack them. Nehemiah's initial response (Neh 4:4-5) was prayer and setting up guards, which strengthened the workers. However, this verse (Neh 4:10) marks a significant shift, introducing an internal crisis. The overwhelming labor of clearing massive amounts of ancient rubble (from the Babylonian destruction a century prior) combined with the constant threat of attack led to severe exhaustion and discouragement among the people. The people of Judah, initially eager and with "a mind to work" (Neh 4:6), now voiced their inability, reflecting a decline in morale that could halt the entire project. This despondency created a vulnerability that was potentially more dangerous than the external threats.

Nehemiah 4 10 Word analysis

• And Judah said: The statement comes from "Judah," which here refers to the people, or representatives, from the tribe/region of Judah, conveying a collective sentiment rather than the utterance of a single individual named Judah. This implies a widespread sentiment of despondency among the workers.
• The strength: Hebrew: kōaḥ (כֹּחַ). This word signifies physical power, vigor, or capacity. Its failure implies not merely tiredness but an exhaustion that saps the very ability to continue the work, suggesting a depletion of vital energy.
• Of those who bear the burdens: Hebrew: hassabbāl (הַסַּבָּל), meaning "the burden-bearer" or "porter." It's used collectively, representing all the laborers carrying the heavy stones and clearing the debris. This emphasizes the sheer physical demand of the task, requiring immense and continuous effort.
• Is failing: Hebrew: kāšal (כָּשַׁל). This verb means "to stumble," "to totter," "to collapse," or "to fail." It graphically portrays a deep decline in capability, indicating not just temporary fatigue but a breakdown of strength and resolve. It can imply a loss of footing, both physically and figuratively.
• And there is much rubbish: Hebrew: wəheʿāp̄ār harbēh (וְהֶעָפָר הַרְבֵּה). ʿāp̄ār (עָפָר) refers to dust, earth, debris, or rubble. This points to the massive amount of pulverized remains from the destroyed wall and structures of Jerusalem, dating back to Nebuchadnezzar's destruction. Clearing this rubble was a prerequisite for new construction and itself an overwhelming task, compounding the physical exertion. Its vastness was a psychological and physical barrier.
• We are not able: Hebrew: lōʾ nûḵal (לֹא־נוּכַל), "not we-are-able." This phrase expresses an absolute inability and a profound sense of hopelessness. It reflects a total surrender to the perceived impossibility of the task, born out of deep physical and emotional exhaustion. It’s a crisis of conviction, believing the work is simply beyond their capacity.
• To build the wall: The objective of their labor, Jerusalem's city wall, now seems unattainable. The physical and emotional weight of clearing ancient rubble, coupled with the unending threat of opposition, rendered the very goal impossible in their minds.

Nehemiah 4 10 Bonus section

The feeling of "not able" often emerges not just from a lack of physical strength but from an erosion of spiritual conviction or purpose. The vast amount of debris (rubbish) serves as a potent metaphor for the accumulation of obstacles, past failures, or generational burdens that can make a task seem insurmountable. Clearing this ancient debris was a critical, yet disheartening, step; it represents the often unseen and unpleasant groundwork required before genuine progress can be made. This internal despondency within the people of Judah made them vulnerable, illustrating how internal weakness can be more detrimental than external attacks in any spiritual building project. The verse sets up a test of Nehemiah's leadership to renew their hope and empower them to continue, recognizing that true strength comes from dependence on God.

Nehemiah 4 10 Commentary

Nehemiah 4:10 articulates the stark reality that spiritual endeavor often encounters significant internal weariness and discouragement, alongside external opposition. The phrase "the strength of those who bear the burdens is failing" underscores the profound physical and mental toll exerted by sustained labor in the face of immense difficulties. This was not a temporary dip in morale but a deeper, widespread exhaustion. The problem was exacerbated by the sheer volume of "rubbish"—the centuries-old debris from Jerusalem’s destruction. Clearing this vast amount of rubble was an unglamorous, grueling, and seemingly endless task that drained hope. The collective cry, "we are not able to build the wall," reveals a critical moment of despair, indicating that their will and capacity for work had seemingly reached breaking point. This highlights a universal challenge in service or mission: the initial enthusiasm (Neh 4:6, "a mind to work") can dissipate when confronted by the grinding reality of prolonged hardship, both physical and psychological. Nehemiah's leadership was then critically tested not just against enemies, but against the wavering spirit of his own people. This verse is a powerful reminder that the Lord's work often demands immense human perseverance through difficult circumstances, where the physical demands and the visible obstacles threaten to overshadow the spiritual purpose and promises. It sets the stage for Nehemiah's masterful response, demonstrating how faith-filled leadership confronts despair by reminding people of God's power and implementing practical solutions.