Nehemiah 4 12

Nehemiah 4:12 kjv

And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.

Nehemiah 4:12 nkjv

So it was, when the Jews who dwelt near them came, that they told us ten times, "From whatever place you turn, they will be upon us."

Nehemiah 4:12 niv

Then the Jews who lived near them came and told us ten times over, "Wherever you turn, they will attack us."

Nehemiah 4:12 esv

At that time the Jews who lived near them came from all directions and said to us ten times, "You must return to us."

Nehemiah 4:12 nlt

The Jews who lived near the enemy came and told us again and again, "They will come from all directions and attack us!"

Nehemiah 4 verses

Nehemiah 4 12 Meaning

Nehemiah 4:12 describes a pivotal moment where Jewish residents living in close proximity to the hostile territories repeatedly warned Nehemiah and the wall-builders about the pervasive danger they faced. These Jews, who perhaps witnessed the threats firsthand, came constantly, urging caution with an urgent, hyperbolic emphasis, stating that enemies would attack the builders from every conceivable direction as they moved or returned to their posts. This communicated the severe and omnipresent nature of the threat, significantly impacting the morale of the workers by fostering a deep sense of fear and insecurity.

Nehemiah 4 12 Context

Nehemiah chapter 4 depicts the intense pressure and active opposition faced by Nehemiah and the Jewish people during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. After ridicule (v. 1-3), the enemies led by Sanballat and Tobiah grew increasingly agitated and conspired to physically attack Jerusalem (v. 7-8), intending to cause confusion and stop the work. Within this escalating conflict, the people of Judah themselves began to despair due to the overwhelming labor and the massive amount of rubble (v. 10). Verse 12 serves as a crucial point within this narrative, highlighting a significant internal source of anxiety: the repeated, dire warnings from Jews who resided outside the fortified areas, who were more exposed to and constantly observing the pervasive and cunning movements of their adversaries. This directly led to an atmosphere of widespread fear among the builders, necessitating Nehemiah’s subsequent strategic response to fortify defenses alongside continuing the construction.

Nehemiah 4 12 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: (וַיְהִי, va'yehi). A common Hebrew transitional phrase, indicating a new event or development. It sets the scene for what is about to unfold as a significant occurrence.
• that when the Jews which dwelt by them: (יְהוּדִים יֹשְׁבִים עֲלֵיהֶם, Yehudim yoshvim aleihem). Refers to the Jewish people residing in areas adjacent to or surrounding Jerusalem, likely in unprotected settlements. Their proximity to the enemy's activities meant they had direct observation and possibly suffered harassment, making their warnings credible but also rooted in fear.
• came: (בָּאוּ, ba'u). Indicates their act of approaching Nehemiah and the main body of builders. The repetition of their coming underscores their persistent concern.
• they said unto us ten times: (וַיֹּאמְרוּ אֵלֵינוּ עֶשֶׂר פְּעָמִים, va'yo'meru eleinu 'eser pa'amim). The phrase "ten times" is likely a hyperbole, emphasizing the persistent, urgent, and consistent nature of their warnings rather than a precise count. It conveys their deep alarm and how frequently the message was relayed, highlighting the pervasive sense of dread and constant threat perceived from external forces. This urgency also highlights the psychological warfare at play.
• From all places: (מִכָּל־הַמְּקוֹמוֹת, mi-kol ha-meqomot). This phrase denotes the universality of the threat. The enemies were perceived to be lurking everywhere, implying that danger was omnipresent and could originate from any direction or ambush point, adding to the pervasive fear.
• whence ye shall return unto us: (אֲשֶׁר תָּשׁוּבוּ אֵלֵינוּ, asher tashuvu eleinu). This is a complex phrase often debated by scholars. It can mean "wherever you turn (to us)" or "wherever you return to us." The nuance implies that no matter where the builders were (at their specific tasks, or returning to the central work site/their homes), and from whatever direction they came back, they would encounter danger. The "unto us" suggests that the attacks would impact the wider Jewish community, including those delivering the warning. It conveys the idea of an inescapable threat.
• they will be upon you: (יַעֲלוּ עָלֵינוּ, ya'alu aleinu - 'they will go up against us' / 'they will attack us'). This phrase signifies an imminent and overwhelming assault. The use of 'upon us' (עָלֵינוּ) demonstrates solidarity and shared fear with the builders, indicating the threat applied to the entire Jewish populace rather than just the construction workers.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times": This collective action signifies an organized or widespread attempt to inform and warn Nehemiah. The "ten times" underscores the desperation and persistent nature of their pleas, aimed at impressing the gravity of the danger upon Nehemiah and the people, and implicitly conveying the level of their own terror.
• "From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you": This sentence articulates the core message of the warning: the threat was omnipresent and unavoidable. It suggests that danger was not confined to one area but lurked in every direction, specifically targeting the builders' movements and possibly their lines of retreat or access to safety, aiming to instill paralyzing fear and halt the rebuilding effort entirely.

Nehemiah 4 12 Bonus section

• The psychological warfare described in Neh 4:12 resonates with the spiritual battles believers face (Eph 6:12). Satan, the enemy of our souls, often uses intimidation, lies, and fear-mongering to discourage us from pursuing God's will and building His kingdom.
• This verse serves as a reminder for leadership in any spiritual endeavor to not only address external threats but also to discern and counter internal sources of discouragement, even if stemming from genuinely fearful brethren.
• The repeated warnings highlight the vulnerability of those closest to the "front lines" of opposition and their potential to become agents of fear if not properly shepherded and equipped with faith.
• Nehemiah's response to this internal alarm, found in subsequent verses, involved equipping his people to defend themselves while continuing their work. This teaches that true faith does not ignore reality but rather actively trusts God while diligently preparing for and confronting adversity.

Nehemiah 4 12 Commentary

Nehemiah 4:12 powerfully illustrates the profound psychological impact of prolonged external opposition. The enemies of Judah weren't merely planning physical assaults; they were also waging a campaign of fear-mongering and intimidation. The "Jews which dwelt by them"—those living in constant exposure to the adversaries—became inadvertent tools in this psychological battle, relaying urgent, exaggerated warnings that the danger was inescapable ("from all places") and imminent ("they will be upon you"). The phrase "ten times" amplifies the persistence of these dire pronouncements, demonstrating the intense anxiety within parts of the community. This verse underscores that spiritual endeavors will often face not only external attacks but also internal discouragement and fear that can undermine resolve. Nehemiah, however, exemplified faith and wise leadership by acknowledging the real threat, but instead of succumbing to despair, he re-armed and re-organized the workers for vigilance, embodying the principle of "faith in action" where one prays and trusts God, but also acts responsibly in the face of danger.