Nehemiah 4 22

Nehemiah 4:22 kjv

Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.

Nehemiah 4:22 nkjv

At the same time I also said to the people, "Let each man and his servant stay at night in Jerusalem, that they may be our guard by night and a working party by day."

Nehemiah 4:22 niv

At that time I also said to the people, "Have every man and his helper stay inside Jerusalem at night, so they can serve us as guards by night and as workers by day."

Nehemiah 4:22 esv

I also said to the people at that time, "Let every man and his servant pass the night within Jerusalem, that they may be a guard for us by night and may labor by day."

Nehemiah 4:22 nlt

I also told everyone living outside the walls to stay in Jerusalem. That way they and their servants could help with guard duty at night and work during the day.

Nehemiah 4 verses

Nehemiah 4 22 Meaning

Nehemiah 4:22 records Nehemiah's strategic directive for all workers, including their servants, to lodge within Jerusalem. This measure served a dual purpose: providing night-time guards for collective security against enemy attacks and ensuring continuous, immediate access to labor for the wall's rebuilding during the day, maximizing efficiency. It reflects a critical tightening of defenses and a profound commitment to the arduous work amidst severe external threats.

Nehemiah 4 22 Context

Nehemiah 4 describes the intense opposition faced by the Israelites during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership. After Sanballat and Tobiah ridiculed their efforts (vv. 1-3), they conspired to attack Jerusalem (vv. 7-8). In response, Nehemiah not only led the people to pray but also instituted strict defensive measures (v. 9). The workers, who were already struggling with debris and fear, were equipped with weapons, with half of them guarding while the other half worked, or worked with a weapon by their side (vv. 10-18). Trumpeters were assigned for quick alerts (vv. 19-20). Verse 21 notes their extreme dedication, working from dawn to dusk and even through the night. Nehemiah 4:22 is a further, critical strategic step taken by Nehemiah to solidify defense and optimize labor, building upon these existing rigorous arrangements. It reflects a total mobilization, where personal comfort was sacrificed for the communal task of national and spiritual restoration amidst palpable danger.

Nehemiah 4 22 Word analysis

• Likewise: This conjunctive adverb connects the present instruction to Nehemiah's prior directives regarding defense (e.g., workers carrying weapons) and intense labor. It signifies continuity and an intensification of commitment.
• at the same time: This phrase highlights the immediacy and urgency of the command. It was not a future plan but an instruction concurrent with the ongoing intense labor and vigilance, emphasizing an immediate tactical adjustment to the daily operations.
• I said: This denotes Nehemiah's personal authority and leadership in instituting this measure. It wasn't a suggestion but a direct command from the appointed leader of the reconstruction effort, highlighting his decisive governance.
• to the people: This indicates the broad scope of the command, applying to everyone involved in the rebuilding project. It underscores the communal nature of the burden and the unified effort required for success.
• Let everyone with his servant: The Hebrew ish v'avdo (אִישׁ וְעַבְדּוֹ) literally "man and his servant." This refers to household heads, landowners, or those with dependents/laborers under their charge. The term eved (עֶבֶד) can refer to a slave, a hired servant, or even a dependent. This shows the societal structure where households were integrated into the workforce and defense, bringing all available manpower, even those typically associated with non-combatant roles, into the heart of the protective and productive effort.
• lodge within Jerusalem: The Hebrew verb yālin (יָלִין) means "to spend the night, to stay overnight, to abide." This was a critical security measure. Prior to this, many might have resided in villages outside Jerusalem, returning home after the day's work. Requiring them to stay inside the city ensured they were protected by the partially rebuilt walls and readily available for defense, eliminating vulnerable travel time.
• that they may be a guard for us by night: The Hebrew mishmeret (מִשְׁמֶרֶת) refers to a watch, a guard, a keeping, or a post. The primary purpose was communal security. Instead of designated few, all available able-bodied men (and their accompanying laborers/servants) within the city contributed to the night watch, making the city more formidable against nocturnal raids and surprise attacks. This transformed the workforce into a militia.
• and a laborer by day: This second purpose highlights efficiency. By staying inside, the workers would save the time and energy spent commuting from outside settlements. This allowed for immediate and continuous engagement in the demanding physical work of rebuilding the walls, maintaining the momentum of the project without interruption.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Likewise at the same time I said to the people": This emphasizes Nehemiah's direct and authoritative command, implemented immediately as a crucial next step in the defense strategy, applying to everyone engaged in the task. It showcases responsive and adaptive leadership.
• "Let everyone with his servant lodge within Jerusalem": This command transformed the civilian workers into residents and part of the military defense system. It brought all available manpower directly into the secured zone, ensuring their safety and maximizing their utility for the communal project, reflecting a collective burden.
• "that they may be a guard for us by night and a laborer by day": This phrase articulates the dual and complementary goals of the instruction: fortified security around the clock and maximized efficiency in labor. It shows the practical ingenuity in Nehemiah's leadership to address both existential threat and the demanding timeline of the rebuilding project. It illustrates total commitment—no downtime, only work or watchfulness.

Nehemiah 4 22 Bonus section

This verse demonstrates Nehemiah's brilliant capacity for strategic leadership under pressure. He recognized that simply having armed workers during the day was not enough. The vulnerability of a dispersed workforce at night, living outside the partial protection of the walls, posed an unacceptable risk. By centralizing everyone within Jerusalem, he not only increased the number of night guards exponentially but also created a more unified and responsive defense force. Furthermore, it underscored a key theme of Nehemiah: that God's work, especially amidst adversity, requires full dedication, wise organization, and an unwavering, unified commitment from all members of the community, demanding a willingness to sacrifice personal convenience for the greater divine purpose. This "all in" approach built both walls and a strong sense of community and reliance on God.

Nehemiah 4 22 Commentary

Nehemiah 4:22 captures the extraordinary level of dedication and strategic acumen required during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under dire threats. This instruction, given by Nehemiah, mandated an unprecedented living arrangement: all workers and their servants were to reside within the nascent city boundaries. This command solidified Jerusalem's defenses, ensuring a ready night watch and transforming the workforce into a vigilant citizen guard, prepared to repel any nocturnal assault. Concurrently, it optimized labor, removing any time lost in commuting and allowing continuous, high-intensity construction throughout the day. It reflects a total commitment to the divine task, prioritizing the communal good over personal comfort, and stands as an example of determined, sacrificial service in the face of immense opposition, embodying the principle of working with one hand and defending with the other.