BSA_en_tn/en_tn_16-NEH.tsv

Book	Chapter	Verse	ID	SupportReference	OrigQuote	Occurrence	GLQuote	OccurrenceNote
NEH	front	intro	k2y2			0		# Introduction to Nehemiah<br><br>## Part 1: General Introduction<br><br>### Outline of Nehemiah<br><br>1. Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem and inspects the walls (1:1-2:20)<br>2. The people rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (3:1-4:23)<br>3. Nehemiah helps the poor and provides an unselfish example (5:1–19)<br>4. Enemies try to slow down the work, but the people finish the walls (6:1–19)<br>5. Nehemiah lists the people who returned from exile (7:6–73)<br>6. Ezra reads the law of Yahweh and the people respond (8:1-10:39)<br>7. Nehemiah lists the people who lived in and around Jerusalem (11:1–36)<br>8. Nehemiah lists the priests and Levites (12:1–26)<br>9. The people dedicate the walls of Jerusalem (12:27–47)<br>10. Nehemiah corrects problems (13:1–31)<br><br>### What is the Book of Nehemiah about?<br><br>A Jew named Nehemiah lived in Persia and worked for King Artaxerxes. Nehemiah received a report that the walls around Jerusalem were broken down. Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild the city walls. The walls around the city helped protect the city against armies and invaders.<br><br>### How should the title of this book be translated?<br><br>The Book of Nehemiah is named for a Jewish leader named Nehemiah. Translators can use the traditional title “Nehemiah.” Or they may choose a more complete title, such as “The Book about Nehemiah.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])<br><br>## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts<br><br>### Why were Israelites not allowed to marry people from other nations?<br><br>Foreigners worshiped many false gods. Yahweh did not allow his people to marry foreigners. He knew this would cause the people of Israel to worship false gods. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod]])<br><br>### Did all of the people of Israel return to their homeland?<br><br>Many of the Jews remained in Babylon instead of returning to the Promised Land. Many of them were successful in Babylon and desired to remain there. However, this meant that they were unable to worship Yahweh in Jerusalem as their ancestors had done. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/promisedland]])<br><br>## Part 3: Important Translation Issues<br><br>### How does the Book of Nehemiah use the term “Israel”?<br><br>The Book of Nehemiah uses the term “Israel” to refer to the kingdom of Judah. It was mostly made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The other ten tribes had ended their loyalty to any kings descended from David. God had allowed the Assyrians to conquer the other ten tribes and take them into exile around 275 years earlier. As a result, they mixed with other people groups and did not return to the land of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/israel]])<br><br>### Are the events in the Book of Nehemiah told in the order that they actually happened?<br><br>Some of the events in the Book of Nehemiah are told in an order that is different than the order in which they actually happened so that they events can be grouped by theme. Translators should pay attention to notes that signal when events are probably out of chronological order.
NEH	1	intro	y5jf			0		# Nehemiah 1 General Notes<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>### “The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:”<br><br>This phrase serves as an introduction to this entire book.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Repentance<br><br>This chapter is a single long record of Nehemiah’s repentance on behalf of the people of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])<br><br>## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter<br><br>### I<br><br>In this book, the word “I” always refers to Nehemiah.<br><br>### Israel<br><br>In this book, “Israel” probably does not refer to the northern kingdom of Israel. Neither does it likely refer to the twelve tribes of Israel. Instead, it is probably a reference to Israel in the sense of the surviving people group from the southern kingdom of Judah. At Nehemiah’s time, these would be the people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin who survived the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586 BC and the exile of many of them to Babylon. The other tribes had already been scattered throughout the entire Near East where most of them lost their identity as Israel.
NEH	1	1	bi9h	translate-names	נְחֶמְיָ֖ה בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָ֑ה	1	Nehemiah, the son of Hakaliah	Nehemiah is the name of a man, and Hakaliah is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	1	1	abc1	writing-newevent	וַ⁠יְהִ֤י	1	Now it happened	This is a common way of beginning a historical story. Use a natural way of beginning a story about something that actually happened. Alternate translation: “My story begins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
NEH	1	1	qd3e	translate-hebrewmonths	בְ⁠חֹֽדֶשׁ־כִּסְלֵיו֙	1	in the month of Kislev	**Kislev** is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]])
NEH	1	1	hn28	figs-explicit	שְׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים	1	in the twentieth year	This is referring to the number of years that Artaxerxes had been reigning as king. You can include this information if you want to make this clear. Most scholars consider this to be the year 445 BC. Alternate translation: “in the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, King of Persia” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	1	1	abc3	figs-metonymy	בְּ⁠שׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַ⁠בִּירָֽה	1	in Susa the citadel	A **citadel** is a fortified castle or palace, usually inside a city. In this case, the city in which this palace was located was also called Susa, because the city was associated with the palace. Since this was where the kings of Persia lived, it was the capital city of their empire. Alternate translation: “the capital city of Susa” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	1	1	abc5	translate-names	בְּ⁠שׁוּשַׁ֥ן	1	in Susa	This was the name of a royal city of the Persian kings. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	1	1	g6dl	translate-unknown	הַ⁠בִּירָֽה	1	the citadel	This means a “castle” or “palace” or “stronghold,” usually inside a city, where a king would live. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	1	2	f2ab	translate-names	חֲנָ֜נִי	1	Hanani	This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	1	2	l6cw		חֲנָ֜נִי אֶחָ֧ד	1	one of my brothers	The term **brother** is often used figuratively in this book, but here it most likely means that Hanani was Nehemiah’s biological brother.
NEH	1	2	abc7	figs-gendernotations	ה֥וּא וַ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֖ים	1	he and men	This was a delegation that had come from one Jewish community to visit another Jewish community in another part of the world. So it’s possible that it included women as well as men. Alternate translation: “along with some other people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
NEH	1	2	lg14	translate-names	מִֽ⁠יהוּדָ֑ה	1	from Judah	Judah was formerly the southern kingdom of the Israelites. It was now a Persian province. Alternate translation: “the province of Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	1	2	abc9	figs-parallelism	הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֧ים הַ⁠פְּלֵיטָ֛ה אֲשֶֽׁר־נִשְׁאֲר֥וּ מִן־הַ⁠שֶּׁ֖בִי	1	the Jews who escaped, who were left behind from the captivity	These two phrases mean the same thing. Nehemiah uses them together for clarity to describe one particular group of people, and perhaps also to express his particular concern for them. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “the Jews who had escaped the exile” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	1	2	q7zi	figs-explicit	הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֧ים הַ⁠פְּלֵיטָ֛ה אֲשֶֽׁר־נִשְׁאֲר֥וּ מִן־הַ⁠שֶּׁ֖בִי	1	the Jews who escaped, who were left behind from the captivity	These two phrases refer to the same group of people. This could mean: (1) the few Jews who were taken as exiles to Babylon but who later were able to return and live in Jerusalem or (2) the few Jews who had escaped from those who were trying to take them into exile in Babylon and so remained in Jerusalem. It is probably best to translate this in a way that can include both groups. Alternate translation: “the Jews who had escaped the exile and who remained in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	1	2	ab11	figs-abstractnouns	הַ⁠שֶּׁ֖בִי	1	the captivity	**Captivity** is an abstract noun that refers to the Jews being taken away from their homeland. Judah had been conquered by the Babylonians about 150 years before this. At that time, the Babylonians took many people away from Judah and relocated them to different parts of their empire. About 50 years later, the Persian Empire conquered Babylon and so the Babylonian empire became the Persian empire. The Jews who had been captured by Babylon now lived in Persia, although some had since returned to Judah. You can translate the idea of **captivity** with a phrase such as “the time when the Jews were taken away” or “the time when soldiers forced many Jews to go to Babylon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	1	2	ab13	figs-explicit	וְ⁠עַל־יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם	1	and about Jerusalem	Jerusalem had been the capital city of the kingdom of Judah. Nehemiah was asking specifically about the physical condition of the buildings and walls in the city, in addition to asking about the welfare of the Jewish community in Judah. Alternate translation: “about the condition of Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	1	3	igf2	figs-parallelism	הַֽ⁠נִּשְׁאָרִ֞ים אֲשֶֽׁר־נִשְׁאֲר֤וּ מִן־הַ⁠שְּׁבִי֙	1	the ones left behind, who were left behind from the captivity	These two statements mean similar things. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to show his concern for this group. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “the Jews who escaped the exile and remained” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	1	3	y1zg	figs-metonymy	בַּ⁠מְּדִינָ֔ה	1	in the province	Here **province** refers to Judah as an administrative district within the Persian Empire. Hanani is describing Judah by referring to something associated with it, its status as a province. Alternate translation: “in the province of Judah” or “in Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	1	3	ab15	figs-doublet	בְּ⁠רָעָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה וּ⁠בְ⁠חֶרְפָּ֑ה	1	in great evil and in reproach	**Difficulty** and **reproach** mean similar things. Hanani uses them together to emphasize what a desperate situation the people are in. You do not need to repeat both words in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “in a perilous situation” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	1	3	ab17	figs-abstractnouns	בְּ⁠רָעָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה וּ⁠בְ⁠חֶרְפָּ֑ה	1	in great evil	The abstract noun **difficulty** refers to a situation that is very hard for the people to live in. It describes a situation that is dangerous and insecure for the people in it. You can translate this idea with an adjective such as “bad.” Alternate translation: “in a very bad situation” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	1	3	ab19	figs-abstractnouns	וּ⁠בְ⁠חֶרְפָּ֑ה	1	and in reproach	**Reproach** is an abstract noun that describes how other people would see the situation of the Jews. The situation would lead them to say bad things about them. You can translate this idea with a verb such as “mock.” Alternate translation: “and people are mocking them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	1	3	pk3f	figs-activepassive	וְ⁠חוֹמַ֤ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ מְפֹרָ֔צֶת וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ נִצְּת֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ	1	the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire	You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “armies have broken open the wall of Jerusalem and have set its gates on fire” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	1	3	ab21	figs-explicit	וְ⁠חוֹמַ֤ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ מְפֹרָ֔צֶת וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ נִצְּת֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ	1	the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire	The implication is that the people are now defenseless. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people living there have no protection.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	1	3	ab23		נִצְּת֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ	1	burned with fire	If saying that something is burned **with fire** is redundant in your language, you can just say, **completely burned**. Alternate translation: “burned down”
NEH	1	4	ab25	writing-newevent	וַ⁠יְהִ֞י	1	And it happened that	Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next episode in his story. You do not need to represent it this way in your translation, but use a natural way to introduce a new episode in the story. Alternate translation: “So the next thing I did” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
NEH	1	4	ab27	figs-metonymy	כְּ⁠שָׁמְעִ֣⁠י ׀ אֶת־הַ⁠דְּבָרִ֣ים הָ⁠אֵ֗לֶּה	1	as soon as I heard these words	Here **words** refers to the things that were described by the words. Alternate translation: “after hearing about these things” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	1	4	ab29	translate-symaction	יָשַׁ֨בְתִּי֙ וָֽ⁠אֶבְכֶּ֔ה	1	I sat down, and I wept	**Sitting down** likely means that Nehemiah stopped going about his usual business because he was so overcome by grief. Alternate translation: “I could do nothing else but grieve” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	1	4	ab31	figs-idiom	וָ⁠אֶתְאַבְּלָ֖⁠ה יָמִ֑ים	1	I mourned for days	This means that Nehemiah kept on grieving. He did not get over being upset. The term “days” here suggests “many days” and it is a figurative expression for “a long time.” Alternate translation: “I could not stop mourning for a long time.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	1	4	ab33	translate-symaction	צָם֙ וּ⁠מִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל	1	fasting and praying	**Fasting** means going without food. This was something that Jews often did in connection with prayer. It allowed them to concentrate on their prayers, and it showed how important those prayers were. Alternate translation: “I went without food, and I prayed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	1	4	ab35	figs-metonymy	וּ⁠מִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל לִ⁠פְנֵ֖י	1	and praying before the face of	Here **face** is a metonym for the action of seeing, which is a figurative way of referring to a person’s notice or attention to something. Nehemiah is saying that he prayed in order to bring these matters to God’s notice or attention. Alternate translation: “and I prayed to” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	1	4	ab37		אֱלֹהֵ֥י הַ⁠שָּׁמָֽיִם	1	the God of heaven	Alternate translation: “God, who is in heaven”
NEH	1	5	ab39		וָ⁠אֹמַ֗ר	1	Then I said	Here Nehemiah tells what he prayed. Alternate translation: “Then I prayed”
NEH	1	5	ab41	figs-exclamations	אָֽנָּ֤א	1	Ah!	Nehemiah uses this word to call on God with strong feeling. Alternate translation: “O” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations]])
NEH	1	5	pf2l	translate-names	יְהוָה֙	1	Yahweh	This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	1	5	ab43	figs-you	אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֔יִם	1	the God of heaven	Since Nehemiah is addressing God directly, you can use “you” forms in your translation if that is natural. They should be singular but also respectful. Alternate translation: “you are the God who is in heaven” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
NEH	1	5	ab45	figs-doublet	הָ⁠אֵ֥ל הַ⁠גָּד֖וֹל וְ⁠הַ⁠נּוֹרָ֑א	1	the great and fearsome God	**Great** and **fearsome** mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together to emphasize how much respect God deserves. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. However, there is a slight difference in meaning, and you could also bring that out in your translation. “Great” refers to how powerful God is objectively. “Fearsome” reflects how people should respond to God’s greatness subjectively. They should “fear” God. This does not mean that they should be afraid of him, but that they should show him respect and reverence. Alternate translation: “the great and awesome God” or “the God who deserves total respect” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	1	5	ab47	figs-parallelism	שֹׁמֵ֤ר הַ⁠בְּרִית֙ וָ⁠חֶ֔סֶד	1	who keeps the covenant and covenant faithfulness	**Covenant** and **covenant faithfulness** mean similar things. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize how certain it is that God will keep his promises. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. However, there is a slight difference in meaning, and you could bring that out in your translation even if you combine the phrases. The “covenant” is God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants. “Covenant faithfulness” is a character quality of God. He is inwardly disposed to keep all of his promises, and so he always does so faithfully. Therefore, you could say something like, “Because of who you are, you always keep your promises faithfully.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	1	5	ab49	figs-parallelism	לְ⁠אֹהֲבָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠לְ⁠שֹׁמְרֵ֥י מִצְוֺתָֽי⁠ו	1	to those who love him and to those who keep his commandments	Nehemiah is not describing two different groups. These phrases mean similar things. The repetition is used for clarity and emphasis. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to express that those who love God show this by keeping his commandments. You can translate this so that it is clear that these words describe one group. Alternate translation: “those who love you and keep your commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	1	5	zc64	figs-123person	לְ⁠אֹהֲבָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠לְ⁠שֹׁמְרֵ֥י מִצְוֺתָֽי⁠ו	1	to those who love him and to those who keep his commandments	Since Nehemiah is speaking to Yahweh, the pronouns “him” and “his” can be translated as “you” and “your.” Alternate translation: “who love you and keep your commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	1	6	ab51	figs-parallelism	תְּהִ֣י נָ֣א אָזְנְ⁠ךָֽ־קַשֶּׁ֣בֶת וְֽ⁠עֵינֶ֪י⁠ךָ פְתֻוּח֟וֹת	1	Please let your ear be attentive and your eyes opened	These two phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to urge God to pay attention to him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “pay attention to me,” otherwise “please listen to me and look at me.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	1	6	ab53	figs-metonymy	אָזְנְ⁠ךָֽ־קַשֶּׁ֣בֶת	1	your ear be attentive	This request for God’s ear to be attentive refers figuratively to the action of listening. In this context, Nehemiah is asking God to listen to his prayer, with the intention that God would do something about the bad situation in Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	1	6	g947	figs-metonymy	וְֽ⁠עֵינֶ֪י⁠ךָ פְתֻוּח֟וֹת	1	and your eyes opened	This request for God’s eyes to be open refers figuratively to the action of seeing. Seeing is a metaphor meaning knowledge, perception, notice, attention, or judgment. In this case, Nehemiah is asking God to pay attention both to him and to the problem in Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	1	6	qjf3	figs-123person	תְּפִלַּ֣ת עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֡	1	the prayer of your servant	Nehemiah uses the word servant to refer to himself. This is how a person would address a superior in order to show humility and respect. Alternate translation: “my prayer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	1	6	ab55	figs-metonymy	מִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל לְ⁠פָנֶ֤י⁠ךָ	1	am praying before your face	Here **face** is a metonym for the action of seeing, which is figurative way of referring to a person’s notice or attention to something. Nehemiah is repeating the fact that he is praying in order to bring these matters to God’s notice or attention. Alternate translation: “praying to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	1	6	ab57	figs-idiom	הַ⁠יּוֹם֙	1	today	This does not necessarily mean on this particular day, but at this time. Alternate translation: “right now” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	1	6	v8gx	figs-merism	הַ⁠יּוֹם֙ יוֹמָ֣ם וָ⁠לַ֔יְלָה	1	day and night	When Nehemiah says that he has prayed both during the day and during the night, he means that he has also prayed at all times in between, that is, constantly. However, he does not mean that he has prayed non-stop all day long and all night long, without doing any other activities such as sleeping or eating. Alternate translation: “constantly,” otherwise “during the day and at night” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
NEH	1	6	ab59	figs-gendernotations	בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל	1	the sons of Israel	Here **sons** figuratively means **descendants.** Alternate translation: “on behalf of the people of Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
NEH	1	6	ab61	figs-metaphor	עֲבָדֶ֑י⁠ךָ	1	your servants	In this context, the word **servants** refers to the special role that the people of Israel had in the world as a model community of God’s followers. Alternate translation: “your chosen people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	1	6	ab63	figs-gendernotations	וּ⁠מִתְוַדֶּ֗ה עַל־חַטֹּ֤אות בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָטָ֣אנוּ לָ֔⁠ךְ	1	confessing on account of the sins of the sons of Israel that we have sinned against you	Here again **sons** means **descendants** and the phrase refers to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: “I must confess the sins that we, the people of Israel, have committed against you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
NEH	1	6	bxj6	figs-metonymy	וַ⁠אֲנִ֥י וּ⁠בֵית־אָבִ֖⁠י חָטָֽאנוּ	1	Even I and the house of my father, we have sinned	Among the Israelites, the expression **father’s house** or **house of the father** originally described an extended-family group who lived together. It later came to be used more generally to refer to a larger clan within a tribe. In this expression, the word **house** figuratively describes all the people descended from a particular person. The term views all of those descendants as if they were one household living together. However, since Nehemiah is stressing his sense of personal responsibility here and identifying closely with the people in this group, he may be using the term in its original sense to refer to his nearest relatives. Alternate translation: “Both I and my family have also sinned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	1	7	ab65	figs-parallelism	חֲבֹ֖ל חָבַ֣לְנוּ לָ֑⁠ךְ	1	With extreme corruption we have acted corruptly against you	The repetition here is used for emphasis. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. You can combine them into one phrase, with a word like **very** to convey emphasis. Alternate translation: “We have acted very corruptly toward you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	1	7	ryci	figs-abstractnouns	חֲבֹ֖ל חָבַ֣לְנוּ לָ֑⁠ךְ	1	With extreme corruption we have acted corruptly against you	You can translate the idea of the abstract noun **corruption** with a verb such as **sinned.** Alternate translation: “We have sinned very much against you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	1	7	ab67	figs-doublet	אֶת־הַ⁠מִּצְוֺ֗ת וְ⁠אֶת־הַֽ⁠חֻקִּים֙ וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠מִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים	1	the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments	These three words mean basically the same thing. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize how comprehensively the Israelites have disobeyed what God commanded them through Moses. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them into a single phrase. Alternate translation: “the law of Moses” otherwise “the commands and rules and laws” (Note: A doublet can involve the use of more than two words.) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	1	7	brz7	figs-explicit	אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֖יתָ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדֶּֽ⁠ךָ	1	that you commanded Moses, your servant	Moses was the great leader who brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt centuries before and gave them God’s law. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “that you gave us many years ago through your servant Moses.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	1	8	pv64	figs-idiom	זְכָר־נָא֙	1	Please remember	Here **remember** is an idiom that means to think about someone and consider what action you can take on their behalf. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten the promise he made to Moses. Alternate translation: “Please think about” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	1	8	y5jp	figs-yousingular	הַ⁠דָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֛יתָ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֖	1	the word that you commanded Moses, your servant	The pronouns **you** and **your** refer to God and so are singular. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular]])
NEH	1	8	ab69		הַ⁠דָּבָ֔ר	1	the word	This refers to a promise that God made while giving the law to the people of Israel through Moses. Alternate translation: “the promise”
NEH	1	8	b6qh	figs-you	אַתֶּ֣ם תִּמְעָ֔לוּ	1	If you yourselves act unfaithfully	The pronouns **you** and **yourselves** refer to the Israelite people, and so they are plural. Alternate translation: “If you Israelites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
NEH	1	8	ab71	figs-metaphor	אַתֶּ֣ם תִּמְעָ֔לוּ	1	If you yourselves act unfaithfully	Here infidelity in marriage is used as a figurative description of the people of Israel not keeping God’s commandments. Alternate translation: “If you Israelites do not keep my commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	1	8	evf5	figs-explicit	אָפִ֥יץ אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם בָּ⁠עַמִּֽים	1	I myself will scatter you among the peoples	The implication is that God would do this to punish the Israelites for breaking his commandments. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “as a punishment, I will take you from your land and make you live among the other nations” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	1	9	dqn5	figs-you	וְ⁠שַׁבְתֶּ֣ם אֵלַ֔⁠י וּ⁠שְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ מִצְוֺתַ֔⁠י וַ⁠עֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑⁠ם אִם־יִהְיֶ֨ה נִֽדַּחֲ⁠כֶ֜ם	1	But if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, although your banished ones are	The pronouns **you** and **your** refer to the Israelite people, so they are plural. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
NEH	1	9	ab75	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠שַׁבְתֶּ֣ם אֵלַ֔⁠י וּ⁠שְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ מִצְוֺתַ֔⁠י וַ⁠עֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑⁠ם אִם־יִהְיֶ֨ה נִֽדַּחֲ⁠כֶ֜ם	1	But if you return to me	**Return** is a figurative way of saying “become loyal again.” Alternate translation: “If you become loyal to me again” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	1	9	ab77	figs-parallelism	וּ⁠שְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ מִצְוֺתַ֔⁠י וַ⁠עֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑⁠ם	1	and keep my commandments and do them	These two statements mean similar things. They are used together for emphasis. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “start obeying my commandments once more” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	1	9	ab79		נִֽדַּחֲ⁠כֶ֜ם	1	your banished ones	This refers to the exile. Alternate translation: “all of you who were taken away”
NEH	1	9	f8jz	figs-hyperbole	בִּ⁠קְצֵ֤ה הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֨יִם֙	1	at the extremity of heaven	This means “the most distant point under the sky.” In this culture the sky was understood to be a solid dome with a flat earth beneath it. The phrase is describing a point beyond which no one could go any farther because they would have reached the edge of the dome of the sky. This is an overstatement because even from the perspective of this culture, no one could really reach such a point. Alternate translation: “places very far away” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH	1	9	ab81	figs-123person	אֲקַבְּצֵ֔⁠ם וַהֲבִֽיאוֹתִים֙	1	I will gather them and bring them	Since God is actually addressing the Israelites here, you can say “you” in the plural. Alternate translation: “I will bring you back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	1	9	ab83	figs-parallelism	אֲקַבְּצֵ֔⁠ם וַהֲבִֽיאוֹתִים֙	1	I will gather them and bring them	These two statements mean similar things. They are used together to emphasize that God will definitely keep this promise. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine the phrases. Alternate translation: “I will bring you back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	1	9	ab85	figs-personification	אֶל־הַ⁠מָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתִּי לְ⁠שַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶת־שְׁמִ֖⁠י שָֽׁם	1	to the place where I have chosen to cause my name to dwell there	Here God’s name is spoken of as if it were capable of living in a place. The phrase indicates the place from which God chose to start making himself famous throughout the world. You can say something like that as an alternate translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	1	9	lgh9	figs-explicit	אֶל־הַ⁠מָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתִּי לְ⁠שַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶת־שְׁמִ֖⁠י שָֽׁם	1	to the place where I have chosen to cause my name to dwell there	This phrase refers initially to Jerusalem because that was where God chose to put his temple. You could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “to Jerusalem, where I have chosen for my name to remain” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	1	9	w4qw	figs-metonymy	אֶל־הַ⁠מָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתִּי לְ⁠שַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶת־שְׁמִ֖⁠י שָֽׁם	1	to the place where I have chosen to cause my name to dwell there	Nehemiah is actually using this phrase to refer to all of Judah. As the book explains later, when the Jews returned there, they each settled in their own former towns, though one in ten of them were recruited to live in Jerusalem. So Judah is being described by something associated with it, the capital city. Alternate translation: “to your homeland of Judah.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	1	9	g88j	figs-metonymy	שְׁמִ֖⁠י	1	my name	Here, **name** is a figurative way of referring to the fame or reputation of a person. Their fame is described by something associated with it, how well known their name is and how people react to hearing it. Alternate translation: “reputation” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	1	10	mjx7	figs-123person	וְ⁠הֵ֥ם עֲבָדֶ֖י⁠ךָ וְ⁠עַמֶּ֑⁠ךָ	1	And they are your servants and your people	The word **they** refers to the Israelite people. Since Nehemiah is speaking on their behalf and including himself, you could say “we” in your translation if that would make things clearer for your readers. If your language marks the distinction, “we” should not include the addressee. Alternate translation: “we are your servants, your chosen people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	1	10	ab87	figs-parallelism	וְ⁠הֵ֥ם עֲבָדֶ֖י⁠ךָ וְ⁠עַמֶּ֑⁠ךָ	1	And they are your servants and your people	As in [1:6](../01/06.md), **servants** refers to the special role that the people of Israel had as a model community of God’s followers. So these two phrases are basically saying the same thing. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “we are your chosen people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	1	10	ab89	figs-explicit	אֲשֶׁ֤ר פָּדִ֨יתָ֙	1	whom you redeemed	This is a reference to the way God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Alternate translation: “you rescued us from slavery in Egypt” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	1	10	zu4s	figs-doublet	בְּ⁠כֹחֲ⁠ךָ֣ הַ⁠גָּד֔וֹל וּ⁠בְ⁠יָדְ⁠ךָ֖ הַ⁠חֲזָקָֽה	1	by your great power and by your strong hand	These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize the intensity of Yahweh’s power. Alternate translation: “by your very great strength” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	1	10	ax91	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠בְ⁠יָדְ⁠ךָ֖ הַ⁠חֲזָקָֽה	1	your strong hand	Here, **hand** represents a person’s power, strength, or ability. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	1	11	ab93	figs-exclamations	אָנָּ֣א	1	Ah!	As in [1:5](../01/05.md), Nehemiah uses this word to call on God with strong feeling. Alternate translation: “O” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclamations]])
NEH	1	11	ab95		אֲדֹנָ֗⁠י תְּהִ֣י נָ֣א אָזְנְ⁠ךָֽ־קַ֠שֶּׁבֶת אֶל־תְּפִלַּ֨ת עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֜	1	My Lord, please let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant	Nehemiah calls himself a **servant** and he calls God his **Lord** because this is how a person in his culture would address a superior in order to show humility and respect. See how you translated this in [1:6](../01/06.md).
NEH	1	11	ab97	translate-names	אֲדֹנָ֗⁠י	1	Lord	This term in Hebrew can be understood as either a noun with a pronoun suffix (“my Lord”) or as a simple title (“Lord”). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	1	11	ab99	figs-metonymy	תְּהִ֣י נָ֣א אָזְנְ⁠ךָֽ־קַ֠שֶּׁבֶת	1	let your ear be attentive	As in [1:6](../01/06.md), this phrase refers figuratively to the action of listening. Alternate translation: “please pay careful attention.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	1	11	jjm7	figs-123person	תְּפִלַּ֨ת עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֜	1	the prayer of your servant	Alternate translation: “to my prayer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	1	11	j433		תְּפִלַּ֣ת עֲבָדֶ֗י⁠ךָ	1	the prayer of your servants	Here, **servants** refers to the rest of the Israelite people who were also praying for Yahweh to act on behalf of his people and on behalf of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “and to the prayers of my fellow Israelites”
NEH	1	11	hk3z	figs-metonymy	הַֽ⁠חֲפֵצִים֙ לְ⁠יִרְאָ֣ה אֶת־שְׁמֶ֔⁠ךָ	1	the ones who delight to fear your name	Here, **name** represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: “who are glad to honor you” or “who are eager to uphold your reputation” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	1	11	a11b	figs-idiom	הַֽ⁠חֲפֵצִים֙	1	the ones who delight	To delight in doing something means to be glad to do it and to want to do it. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	1	11	a13b		לְ⁠יִרְאָ֣ה	1	to fear	As in [1:5](../01/05.md), **fear** means to show respect and reverence.
NEH	1	11	a15b	figs-123person	וְ⁠הַצְלִֽיחָ⁠ה־נָּ֤א לְ⁠עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֙ הַ⁠יּ֔וֹם וּ⁠תְנֵ֣⁠הוּ לְ⁠רַחֲמִ֔ים	1	cause your servant to succeed today and give him mercies	Once again Nehemiah calls himself a **servant** to show respect to a superior. He then refers to himself in the third person (“give him”) to express humility before God. Alternate translation: “make me successful today and let the king be merciful to me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	1	11	a17b	figs-parallelism	וְ⁠הַצְלִֽיחָ⁠ה־נָּ֤א לְ⁠עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֙ הַ⁠יּ֔וֹם וּ⁠תְנֵ֣⁠הוּ לְ⁠רַחֲמִ֔ים	1	cause your servant to succeed today and give him mercies	These two statements mean similar things. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize how important it is for him to have God’s help. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “grant that the king will have mercy on me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	1	11	a19b	figs-idiom	הַ⁠יּ֔וֹם	1	today	This does not necessarily mean on this same day. Rather, Nehemiah is praying that God will give him the opportunity to speak with the king soon about helping the Jews in Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “soon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	1	11	kr99	figs-123person	וּ⁠תְנֵ֣⁠הוּ לְ⁠רַחֲמִ֔ים	1	give him mercies	Here, **him** refers to Nehemiah, who refers to himself in the third person to express his humility before God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	1	11	r7af	figs-metaphor	לִ⁠פְנֵ֖י הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה	1	before the face of this man	Here, **face** is a figurative way of referring to the action of seeing, and seeing is a figurative way of describing knowledge, perception, notice, attention, or judgment. In this context, Nehemiah is asking God to cause the king to make a favorable decision in response to a request he plans to make. Alternate translation: “Please grant that the king will agree to the request that I am going to make.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	1	11	a21b	figs-explicit	הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה	1	this man	As we will discover in the next chapter, **this man** refers to Artaxerxes, the king of Persia. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	1	11	h9hl	writing-background	וַ⁠אֲנִ֛י הָיִ֥יתִי מַשְׁקֶ֖ה לַ⁠מֶּֽלֶךְ	1	Now as for me, I was a cupbearer for the king	This is background information about Nehemiah’s role in the king’s court. Your language may have a special way to mark background information. As a “cupbearer,” it was Nehemiah’s duty to serve the wine at the king’s table, but he was much more than a waiter or butler. When the king gave him this assignment, this showed that he trusted Nehemiah completely to protect him from being poisoned. Nehemiah’s work also allowed him to see the king frequently and get to know him. So this was an important office. Alternate translation: “At that time, I was an important official who served the wine at the king’s table.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH	2	intro	mj1d			0		# Nehemiah 2 General Notes<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>This chapter begins the account of the construction of the wall. Many scholars believe these chapters teach valuable lessons on leadership ([Nehemiah 2-6](./01.md)).<br><br>### Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Nehemiah’s character<br>Apparently, Nehemiah’s character made an impression on the king. It was very unusual for a king to be so concerned with one of his servants. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])<br><br>### Cultural Customs<br>In ancient Persia, people thought it was important for their conquered peoples to retain and practice their own cultural customs. It was thought that this independence promoted peace in their vast kingdom. The rebuilding of Jerusalem may have been seen as a way to allow for the Jewish cultural practices.<br><br>### Yahweh’s control<br>Yahweh is seen as very powerful. He is able to provide for his people even through a foreign king. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/peopleofgod]])
NEH	2	1	a23b	writing-newevent	וַ⁠יְהִ֣י	1	Then it happened that	Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. Alternate translation: “Then one day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
NEH	2	1	a25b	figs-explicit	בְּ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ נִיסָ֗ן שְׁנַ֥ת עֶשְׂרִ֛ים לְ⁠אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥סְתְּא הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ	1	in the month of Nisan, in year twenty of Artaxerxes the King	Since there were twelve months in the Hebrew calendar, and it was still the same year in the reign of Artaxerxes, this means that four months had gone by since Hanani came and spoke with Nehemiah. The implication is that Nehemiah had been praying all this time in the way described in chapter 1. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I prayed like this for four months” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	1	h3hu	translate-hebrewmonths	בְּ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ נִיסָ֗ן	1	In the month of Nisan	**Nisan** is the name of the first month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]])
NEH	2	1	l63f	translate-ordinal	שְׁנַ֥ת עֶשְׂרִ֛ים לְ⁠אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥סְתְּא הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ	1	in year twenty of Artaxerxes the king	This is referring to the number of years that Artaxerxes had been reigning as king. Alternate translation: “in year 20 of the reign of Artaxerxes as the king of Persia” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	2	1	k1vf		יַ֣יִן לְ⁠פָנָ֑י⁠ו	1	wine was before his face	**Him** means King Artaxerxes. Alternate translation: “when it was time to serve him the wine”
NEH	2	1	a24b	figs-metaphor	יַ֣יִן לְ⁠פָנָ֑י⁠ו	1	wine was before his face	Here, **face** is a figurative way of referring to the presence of a person. This sentence means that a time had come when Nehemiah needed to serve wine to the king. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	2	1	a29b		וָ⁠אֶשָּׂ֤א אֶת־הַ⁠יַּ֨יִן֙ וָ⁠אֶתְּנָ֣⁠ה לַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ	1	I lifted the wine, and I gave it to the king	Alternate translation: “I poured a cup of wine and gave it to the king”
NEH	2	1	a31b	figs-idiom	וְ⁠לֹא־הָיִ֥יתִי רַ֖ע לְ⁠פָנָֽי⁠ו	1	and I was not evil before his face	In this context, **unpleasant** refers to a person looking sad or upset. Alternate translation: “I did not look sad in his presence” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	2	1	a33b	figs-explicit	וְ⁠לֹא־הָיִ֥יתִי	1	and I was not	The context suggests that **I was not** actually means **I had never been.** It seems that King Artaxerxes always wanted his officials to be cheerful in his presence. That is why Nehemaiah became afraid when the king asked him why he was sad. If it would make things clearer for your readers, you could say “I had never been” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	1	a38p	figs-metaphor	לְ⁠פָנָֽי⁠ו	1	before his face	Here, **face** is a figurative way of referring to the presence of a person. Alternate translation: “in his presence” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	2	2	n5wy	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יֹּאמֶר֩ לִ֨⁠י הַ⁠מֶּ֜לֶךְ	1	And the king said to me	The king must have noticed that Nehemiah looked sad because he asked about it. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “But the king noticed that on this day I did look sad. So he asked me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	2	ue51	figs-synecdoche	מַדּ֣וּעַ ׀ פָּנֶ֣י⁠ךָ רָעִ֗ים	1	Why is your face evil?	The king refers to Nehemiah by one part of him, his **face**, because the face shows one’s emotions. Alternate translation: “Why are you sad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	2	2	a37b	figs-idiom	מַדּ֣וּעַ ׀ פָּנֶ֣י⁠ךָ רָעִ֗ים	1	Why is your face evil?	As in [2:1](../02/01.md), **unpleasant** refers to a person looking sad or upset. Alternate translation: “Why are you sad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	2	2	a39b		וְ⁠אַתָּה֙ אֵֽינְ⁠ךָ֣ חוֹלֶ֔ה	1	Now as for you, you are not sick	Alternate translation: “I can tell that you are not sick.”
NEH	2	2	g1k7	figs-personification	אֵ֣ין זֶ֔ה כִּי־אִ֖ם רֹ֣עַֽ לֵ֑ב	1	This is nothing except evil of heart	This phrase means **sadness of heart.** The king speaks as if Nehemiah’s heart were a living thing capable of having emotions. Alternate translation: “You must be very sad inside” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	2	2	a41b	figs-doublenegatives	אֵ֣ין זֶ֔ה כִּי־אִ֖ם רֹ֣עַֽ לֵ֑ב	1	This is nothing except evil of heart	You can state this in a positive form: Alternate translation: “This can only be sadness” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublenegatives]])
NEH	2	2	eyt8	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אִירָ֖א הַרְבֵּ֥ה מְאֹֽד	1	Then I was extremely much afraid	The implication is that Nehemiah was very afraid because no one was supposed to look unhappy in the king’s presence. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “This made me very afraid, because no one was supposed to look unhappy in the king’s presence” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	3	qz4i	figs-hyperbole	הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ לְ⁠עוֹלָ֣ם יִחְיֶ֑ה	1	May the king live to eternity!	Nehemiah is showing honor to King Artaxerxes. Here, **to eternity** is an exaggeration that refers to a long life. Alternate translation: “Long live the king” or “May you have a long life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH	2	3	a43b	figs-123person	הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ לְ⁠עוֹלָ֣ם יִחְיֶ֑ה	1	May the king live to eternity!	Nehemiah addresses the king in the third person as a sign of respect. You can indicate this respect by adding an expression such as “Your Majesty.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	2	3	klj6	figs-rquestion	מַדּ֜וּעַ לֹא־יֵרְע֣וּ פָנַ֗⁠י	1	Why should not my face be evil	Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect the king to give him reasons why he should not be sad. Instead, he is using the question form for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this as a statement. Alternate translation: “I am sorry, but I cannot help being sad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	2	3	a45b	figs-synecdoche	מַדּ֜וּעַ לֹא־יֵרְע֣וּ פָנַ֗⁠י	1	Why should not my face be evil	Nehemiah refers to himself by one part of him, his **face**, because the face shows one’s emotions. Alternate translation: “I have very good reasons to be sad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	2	3	a47b	figs-idiom	מַדּ֜וּעַ לֹא־יֵרְע֣וּ פָנַ֗⁠י	1	Why should not my face be evil	Here, **unpleasant** refers to a person looking sad or upset. Alternate translation: “I have very good reasons to be sad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	2	3	a49b	figs-explicit	הָ⁠עִ֜יר…חֲרֵבָ֔ה	1	the city … is desolate	**The city** means Jerusalem. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the city of Jerusalem … lies in ruins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	3	ehz3	figs-metaphor	בֵּית־קִבְר֤וֹת אֲבֹתַ⁠י֙	1	the house of the graves of my fathers	Here, **house** is a figurative way of referring to a place. Alternate translation: “the place where my ancestors are buried” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	2	3	a51b	figs-metonymy	בֵּית־קִבְר֤וֹת אֲבֹתַ⁠י֙	1	the house of the graves of my fathers	Here, **fathers** figuratively means **ancestors.** Alternate translation: “the place where my ancestors are buried” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	2	3	g7f4	figs-activepassive	וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ אֻכְּל֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ	1	its gates have been consumed by fire	If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “fire has destroyed its gates” or “our enemies have burned its gates” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	2	4	a53b		עַל־מַה־זֶּ֖ה אַתָּ֣ה מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ	1	For what is this you are seeking?	Alternate translation: “What do you want me to do for you”
NEH	2	4	a55b	figs-explicit	וָֽ⁠אֶתְפַּלֵּ֔ל	1	And I prayed	The implication is that Nehemiah prayed to God before he answered the king. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Before I answered him, I prayed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	4	a57b		אֱלֹהֵ֖י הַ⁠שָּׁמָֽיִם	1	the God of heaven	Alternate translation: “the God who is in heaven”
NEH	2	5	uv1p		וָ⁠אֹמַ֣ר לַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ	1	And I said to the king	Alternate translation: “Then I replied to the king”
NEH	2	5	a59b	figs-idiom	אִם־עַל־הַ⁠מֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב	1	If it is good to the king	This is an idiom that means, “If it seems good in your judgment” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	2	5	a61b	figs-123person	אִם־עַל־הַ⁠מֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב	1	If it is good to the king	Nehemiah speaks to the king in third person as a form of respect. Alternate translation: “If it seems good in your judgment” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	2	5	ae4b	figs-synecdoche	וְ⁠אִם־יִיטַ֥ב עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֖ לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ	1	and if your servant is good before your face	Here, **face** could be referring figuratively to the king himself by naming one part of him. What he thought and felt about Nehemiah’s request would become evident in his face first, so that would be an appropriate part of him to use to represent all of him. Another possibility is that **face** figuratively means the presence of a person. Alternate translation: “if you are pleased with me” or “as I stand here before you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	2	5	u2zy	figs-123person	וְ⁠אִם־יִיטַ֥ב עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֖ לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ	1	your servant	Nehemiah refers to himself as **your servant** to show his submission to the king. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	2	5	a63b	figs-idiom	אֲשֶׁ֧ר תִּשְׁלָחֵ֣⁠נִי אֶל־יְהוּדָ֗ה	1	that you would send me to Judah	Nehemiah is really asking for permission to go, rather than asking the king to send him. But as a sign of respect, he speaks as if the king would be taking the initiative. Alternate translation: “please allow me to go to Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	2	5	df8l		עִ֛יר קִבְר֥וֹת אֲבֹתַ֖⁠י	1	the city of the graves of my fathers	This is similar to [2:3](../02/03.md). Alternate translation: “the city where my ancestors are buried”
NEH	2	5	l6nj	figs-synecdoche	וְ⁠אֶבְנֶֽ⁠נָּה	1	and I will build it	Nehemiah does not plan to do all of the building himself, but he will be the leader of the work. Alternate translation: “that I and my people may rebuild it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	2	6	a67b	figs-explicit	וְ⁠הַ⁠שֵּׁגַ֣ל ׀ יוֹשֶׁ֣בֶת אֶצְל֗⁠וֹ	1	with the queen sitting beside him	This detail indicates that this was a private meal, since the queen probably did not attend public banquets with the king. The implication is that the private meal gave Nehemiah the opportunity to speak freely. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. See UST. Alternate translation: “This was a private meal, with the queen sitting next to the king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	6	a69b	figs-parallelism	עַד־מָתַ֛י יִהְיֶ֥ה מַֽהֲלָכֲ⁠ךָ֖ וּ⁠מָתַ֣י תָּשׁ֑וּב	1	Until when will be your journey? And when will you return?	These two phrases mean the same thing. The king says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to show that he is genuinely interested in Nehemiah’s situation. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “How long would you be away?” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	2	6	a71b	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יִּיטַ֤ב לִ⁠פְנֵֽי־הַ⁠מֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ וַ⁠יִּשְׁלָחֵ֔⁠נִי	1	And it was good before the face of the king, and he sent me	The implication is that Nehemiah told the king how long he would need to be away. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I told him how long I would be gone. That was acceptable to him, and he gave me permission to go” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	6	a73b	figs-idiom	וַ⁠יִּיטַ֤ב	1	And it was good	As in verse 5, this is an idiom that means, “If it seems like a good idea to you.” Alternate translation: “That was acceptable” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	2	6	a75b	figs-synecdoche	לִ⁠פְנֵֽי־הַ⁠מֶּ֨לֶךְ֙	1	before the face of the king	Nehemiah refers to the king by one part of him, his **face**, likely because the face shows one’s emotions. Alternate translation: “to him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	2	6	a77b		וַ⁠יִּשְׁלָחֵ֔⁠נִי	1	and he sent me	As in [2:5](../02/05.md), Nehemiah was really asking for permission to go, rather than asking the king to send him. But as a sign of respect, he speaks as if the king took the initiative. Alternate translation: “he gave me permission to go”
NEH	2	6	a79b		וָֽ⁠אֶתְּנָ֥⁠ה ל֖⁠וֹ זְמָֽן	1	and I gave to him a time	Alternate translation: “I told him what day I wanted to leave”
NEH	2	7	a81b		וָ⁠אוֹמַר֮	1	Then I said	Alternate translation: “I also said”
NEH	2	7	a83b		אִם־עַל־הַ⁠מֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב	1	If it is good to the king	Alternate translation: “If it seems like a good idea to you”
NEH	2	7	a85b	figs-123person	עַל־הַ⁠מֶּ֣לֶךְ	1	to the king	Nehemiah addresses the king in the third person as a sign of respect. Alternate translation: “to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	2	7	rgj6	figs-activepassive	אִגְּרוֹת֙ יִתְּנוּ־לִ֔⁠י	1	let letters be given to me	You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “please give me letters” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	2	7	a87b		עַֽל־פַּחֲו֖וֹת	1	for the governors	Alternate translation: “that I can show to the governors”
NEH	2	7	qp9n	translate-names	עֵ֣בֶר הַ⁠נָּהָ֑ר	1	Beyond-the-River	This is the name of the Persian province that lay west of the Euphrates River. Alternate translation: “the province Beyond the River” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	7	a89b		אֲשֶׁר֙ יַעֲבִיר֔וּ⁠נִי עַ֥ד אֲשֶׁר־אָב֖וֹא אֶל־יְהוּדָֽה	1	that they will bring me across as far as where I enter into Judah	Nehemiah’s request is not for these governors to provide him with transportation. Nehemiah explains in [2:9](../02/09.md) that the king did that for him. These letter would instead request the governors to allow him safe passage through their provinces. Alternate translation: “Please tell them to give me safe passage through their provinces to Judah”
NEH	2	8	a91b		וְ⁠אִגֶּ֡רֶת אֶל־אָסָף֩	1	and a letter to Asaph	Nehemiah is continuing his requests to the king. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Please also write a letter to Asaph for me”
NEH	2	8	ar5v	translate-names	אָסָף֩	1	Asaph	This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	8	a93b		שֹׁמֵ֨ר	1	the keeper of	Alternate translation: “the man who takes care of”
NEH	2	8	a95b	figs-explicit	הַ⁠פַּרְדֵּ֜ס אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַ⁠מֶּ֗לֶךְ	1	the forest that belongs to the king	The implication is that this forest was near where Nehemiah was going to need the wood. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “your royal forest in that area” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	8	a97b	figs-123person	הַ⁠פַּרְדֵּ֜ס אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַ⁠מֶּ֗לֶךְ	1	the forest that belongs to the king	Nehemiah addresses the king in the third person as a sign of respect. Alternate translation: “your royal forest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	2	8	a99b		אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִתֶּן־לִ֣⁠י עֵצִ֡ים	1	that he will give to me timbers	Alternate translation: “Please tell him to give me timber”
NEH	2	8	ac11	figs-metonymy	הַ⁠בִּירָ֤ה אֲשֶׁר־לַ⁠בַּ֨יִת֙	1	the citadel, which is for the house	As in [1:1](../01/01.md), **citadel** refers to a fortress or stronghold. “House” here figuratively describes the temple as the “house” where God lives. Alternate translation: “the fortress that is near the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	2	8	ac13		וְ⁠לַ⁠בַּ֖יִת אֲשֶׁר־אָב֣וֹא אֵלָ֑י⁠ו	1	and for the house into which I will enter	Alternate translation: “and for the house that I will live in”
NEH	2	8	ac15		וַ⁠יִּתֶּן־לִ֣⁠י הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ	1	And the king gave to me	Alternate translation: “The king agreed to all of my requests”
NEH	2	8	w91s	figs-metaphor	כְּ⁠יַד־אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֥ה עָלָֽ⁠י	1	according to the good hand of my God upon me	Here, **hand** figuratively represents strength, power, control, or action. In this context, the expression means that God acted toward Nehemiah in a positive and favorable manner. Alternate translation: “because God’s favor was upon me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	2	8	ac17	grammar-connect-logic-result	כְּ⁠יַד־אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֥ה עָלָֽ⁠י	1	according to the good hand of my God upon me	If it would be clearer in your language, you can give this explanation (the reason) before the result that it accounts for, using a connecting word like “so.” Alternate translation: “God’s favor was upon me, and so the king agreed to all of my requests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	2	9	ac19		וָֽ⁠אָב֗וֹא אֶֽל־פַּֽחֲווֹת֙ עֵ֣בֶר הַ⁠נָּהָ֔ר	1	And I came to the governors of Beyond-the-River	Alternate translation: “When I reached the province Beyond the River, I went to see its governors”
NEH	2	9	ac21	translate-names	עֵ֣בֶר הַ⁠נָּהָ֔ר	1	Beyond-the-River	This is the name of a Persian province. See how you translated it in [2:7](../02/07.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	9	ac23		וָ⁠אֶתְּנָ֣⁠ה לָ⁠הֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת אִגְּר֣וֹת הַ⁠מֶּ֑לֶךְ	1	I gave to them the letters of the king	Alternate translation: “I showed them the letters the king had given me.”
NEH	2	9	ac25	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אֶתְּנָ֣⁠ה לָ⁠הֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת אִגְּר֣וֹת הַ⁠מֶּ֑לֶךְ	1	I gave to them the letters of the king	The implication is that when the governors saw the letters from the king, they allowed Nehemiah safe passage. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “and they gave me safe passage” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	9	ac27	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יִּשְׁלַ֤ח עִמִּ⁠י֙ הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ שָׂ֥רֵי חַ֖יִל וּ⁠פָרָשִֽׁים	1	And the king sent with me officers of the army and horsemen	The implication is that the king did this when Nehemiah left for Judah, and that the purpose was to protect him on his journey. If it would make things clearer for your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “When I left to travel to Judah, the king sent along some army officers and soldiers riding on horses to protect me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	9	ac29	figs-events	וַ⁠יִּשְׁלַ֤ח עִמִּ⁠י֙ הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ שָׂ֥רֵי חַ֖יִל וּ⁠פָרָשִֽׁים	1	And the king sent with me officers of the army and horsemen	You can put this information first because it happened before Nehemiah showed his letters to the governors. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]])
NEH	2	10	ac31	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יִּשְׁמַ֞ע סַנְבַלַּ֣ט הַ⁠חֹרֹנִ֗י וְ⁠טֽוֹבִיָּה֙ הָ⁠עֶ֣בֶד הָֽ⁠עַמֹּנִ֔י	1	Then Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah, the servant, the Ammonite, heard	Sanballat was the governor of Samaria, the area right next to Judah. So he was one of the people Nehemiah would have shown a letter from the king authorizing his trip. If it would make things clearer for your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “This was how Sanballat the Horonite and his deputy Tobiah the Ammonite learned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	10	yz8p	translate-names	סַנְבַלַּ֣ט הַ⁠חֹרֹנִ֗י	1	Sanballat the Horonite	Sanballat is the name of a man, and Horonite is the name of his people group. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	10	eh4c	translate-names	וְ⁠טֽוֹבִיָּה֙…הָֽ⁠עַמֹּנִ֔י	1	and Tobiah … the Ammonite	Tobiah is the name of a man, and Ammonite is the name of his people group. Tobiah’s name occurs over a dozen times in the book of Nehemiah. It will be helpful to your readers if you translate it consistently each time. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	10	vb3p		וְ⁠טֽוֹבִיָּה֙ הָ⁠עֶ֣בֶד	1	and Tobiah, the servant	From the role that Tobiah plays in the book, this phrase seems to indicate that he was the official who served directly under Sanballat. Alternate translation: “Tobiah, his deputy”
NEH	2	10	ac33	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יֵּ֥רַע לָ⁠הֶ֖ם רָעָ֣ה גְדֹלָ֑ה אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֥א אָדָ֔ם לְ⁠בַקֵּ֥שׁ טוֹבָ֖ה לִ⁠בְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל	1	And it was evil to them, a great evil, that someone had come to seek good for the sons of Israel	The implication is that Sanballat and Tobiah did not want to see Judah become strong again because that would be a threat to the power and influence of Samaria. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	10	ac35	figs-idiom	וַ⁠יֵּ֥רַע לָ⁠הֶ֖ם רָעָ֣ה גְדֹלָ֑ה	1	And it was evil to them, a great evil	Here **evil** means “bad,” so this expression is the opposite of “if it is good to you” in [2:5](../02/05.md) and [2:7](../02/07.md). Alternate translation: “They thought it was a bad thing, a very bad thing” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	2	10	ac37	figs-doublet	וַ⁠יֵּ֥רַע לָ⁠הֶ֖ם רָעָ֣ה גְדֹלָ֑ה	1	And it was evil to them, a great evil	These two short phrases mean almost the same thing. Nehemiah uses them together for emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “they became very upset” or “they did not like it at all” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	2	10	ac39	figs-idiom	אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֥א אָדָ֔ם לְ⁠בַקֵּ֥שׁ טוֹבָ֖ה לִ⁠בְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל	1	that someone had come to seek good for the sons of Israel	**To seek good for** means “to help.” Alternate translation: “that someone had come to help the people of Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	2	10	ac41	figs-gendernotations	לִ⁠בְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל	1	for the sons of Israel	As in [1:6](../01/06.md), **sons** means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
NEH	2	11	ac43	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אָב֖וֹא אֶל־יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם	1	And I came to Jerusalem	Here the text might be implying that Nehemiah made it safely to Jerusalem anyway, despite the opposition of Sanballat and Tobiah. Alternate translation: “But I made it safely to Jerusalem despite their opposition.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	11	ac45		וָ⁠אֱהִי־שָׁ֖ם יָמִ֥ים שְׁלֹשָֽׁה	1	and I was there three days	This phrase seems to look ahead to the next verse, and you could translate it that way and make it the start of the next sentence. Alternate translation: “After I had been there for three days”
NEH	2	12	ac47	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אָק֣וּם ׀ לַ֗יְלָה	1	Then I arose in the night	The implication is that Nehemiah went out to inspect the city walls, as described in 1:13–15(../01/13.md). The implication is also that he did this at night so that no one would know he was doing it. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I got up secretly in the night to inspect the city walls.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	12	ac49	figs-gendernotations	אֲנִי֮ וַ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֣ים ׀ מְעַט֮ עִמִּ⁠י֒	1	myself and a few men with me	The word **men** here could conceivably include both men and women. However, for a nighttime mission through the ruins of the city walls, it’s likely that Nehemiah brought along only other men. So in this context you could use a word that indicates that. Alternate translation: “I brought only a few other men with me.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
NEH	2	12	ac51	figs-hyperbole	וְ⁠לֹא־הִגַּ֣דְתִּי לְ⁠אָדָ֔ם מָ֗ה אֱלֹהַ⁠י֙ נֹתֵ֣ן אֶל־לִבִּ֔⁠י לַ⁠עֲשׂ֖וֹת לִ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם	1	and I did not tell anyone what my God had been giving to my heart to do for Jerusalem	Probably Nehemiah told at least some people, since he brought a few men with him when he went out to inspect the walls. So “not … anyone” might be an exaggeration that emphasizes the secrecy Nehemiah maintained. Alternate translation: “I did not say publicly what God had led me to do for Jerusalem.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH	2	12	ac53	grammar-connect-logic-result	וְ⁠לֹא־הִגַּ֣דְתִּי לְ⁠אָדָ֔ם מָ֗ה אֱלֹהַ⁠י֙ נֹתֵ֣ן אֶל־לִבִּ֔⁠י לַ⁠עֲשׂ֖וֹת לִ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם	1	and I did not tell anyone	If it would be clearer in your language, you can give this explanation before describing Nehemiah’s nighttime mission, because it is the reason that explains the result of him maintaining so much secrecy. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	2	12	s72w	figs-metaphor	מָ֗ה אֱלֹהַ⁠י֙ נֹתֵ֣ן אֶל־לִבִּ֔⁠י לַ⁠עֲשׂ֖וֹת	1	had put into my heart	Here, Nehemiah’s **heart** figuratively represents his thoughts and will. Alternate translation: “what God had inspired me to do” or “what God had led me to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	2	12	wd63	figs-explicit	וּ⁠בְהֵמָה֙ אֵ֣ין עִמִּ֔⁠י	1	Now there was no animal with me	The implication is that this was another measure to maintain secrecy. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “To keep things quiet, there were no other animals with me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	13	au61	figs-synecdoche	וָ⁠אֵצְאָ֨⁠ה	1	I went out	Even though he brought a few men with him, Nehemiah says “I” because he was the primary person conducting this inspection. In this narrative, he represents the entire group. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say “we” in your translation to express this meaning. If your language makes this distinction, “we” would not include the addressee. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	2	13	ac55	translate-names	בְ⁠שַֽׁעַר־הַ⁠גַּ֜יא	1	at the gate of the valley	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “at the Valley Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	13	az64	figs-metonymy	וְ⁠אֶל־פְּנֵי֙ עֵ֣ין הַתַּנִּ֔ין	1	even to the face of the spring of the dragon	Here, **face** figuratively means the front of an object. This means that the group passed in front of the well. Alternate translation: “we went past the Dragon Well” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	2	13	pt1h	translate-names	עֵ֣ין הַתַּנִּ֔ין	1	the spring of the dragon	This is the name of a spring-fed well outside Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Dragon Well” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	13	mif3	translate-names	וְ⁠אֶל־שַׁ֖עַר הָ⁠אַשְׁפֹּ֑ת	1	and to the gate of dung	This is the name of another one of the gates of Jerusalem. It seems that rubbish was removed from the city through this gate. Alternate translation: “the Rubbish Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	13	ac59		וָ⁠אֱהִ֨י שֹׂבֵ֜ר בְּ⁠חוֹמֹ֤ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙	1	And I was looking intently at the walls of Jerusalem	Alternate translation: “We made a careful inspection of the walls of Jerusalem”
NEH	2	13	a8u1	figs-activepassive	אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֣ם פְּרוּצִ֔ים וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ אֻכְּל֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ	1	that they were broken down, and its gates had been consumed by fire	You can use active forms to express the meaning of these two passive verbs. Alternate translation: “which our enemies had broken open, and the wooden gates which they had destroyed with fire” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	2	14	ac61	translate-names	שַׁ֣עַר הָ⁠עַ֔יִן	1	the gate of the spring	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Fountain Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	14	ac63	translate-names	בְּרֵכַ֖ת הַ⁠מֶּ֑לֶךְ	1	the pool of the king	This is the name of a pool outside Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Royal Pool” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	14	ac65		וְ⁠אֵין־מָק֥וֹם לַ⁠בְּהֵמָ֖ה לַ⁠עֲבֹ֥ר תַּחְתָּֽ⁠י	1	but there was no place for the animal under me to pass	Alternate translation: “The opening there was so narrow that the animal I was riding could not get through”
NEH	2	15	l39v	figs-synecdoche	וָ⁠אֱהִ֨י עֹלֶ֤ה בַ⁠נַּ֨חַל֙ לַ֔יְלָה וָ⁠אֱהִ֥י שֹׂבֵ֖ר בַּ⁠חוֹמָ֑ה וָ⁠אָשׁ֗וּב וָ⁠אָב֛וֹא בְּ⁠שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠גַּ֖יְא וָ⁠אָשֽׁוּב	1	Then I crossed to	Nehemiah continues to speak of himself as representative of the whole group. Alternate translation: “Then we came to” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	2	15	ac67	grammar-connect-logic-result	וָ⁠אֱהִ֨י עֹלֶ֤ה בַ⁠נַּ֨חַל֙ לַ֔יְלָה וָ⁠אֱהִ֥י שֹׂבֵ֖ר בַּ⁠חוֹמָ֑ה וָ⁠אָשׁ֗וּב וָ⁠אָב֛וֹא בְּ⁠שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠גַּ֖יְא וָ⁠אָשֽׁוּב	1	And I was going up by the wadi at night	Nehemiah is saying that because they could not continue going along the wall, they had to take a different route. You could use an introductory word like “so” to indicate this. Alternate translation: “So we followed the path of the Kidron Brook” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	2	15	ac69	figs-synecdoche	וָ⁠אֱהִ֨י עֹלֶ֤ה	1	And I was going up	Nehemiah continues to speak of himself as representative of the whole group. Alternate translation: “So we followed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	2	15	ac71	translate-unknown	בַ⁠נַּ֨חַל֙	1	by the wadi	This refers to the Kidron Brook, which runs along the eastern side of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Kidron Brook” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	2	15	ac73	figs-explicit	לַ֔יְלָה	1	at night	The implication may be “even though it was night.” The slippery, uneven ground of the path along the brook would have been more dangerous in the dark. (Nehemiah is writing a chronicle of all the things he did to help the Jews, and he records specific things that required risk or sacrifice.) Alternate translation: “even though it was night.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	15	ac75	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אֱהִ֥י שֹׂבֵ֖ר בַּ⁠חוֹמָ֑ה	1	and I was looking intently at the wall	The implication is that from the brook they were able to look up at the wall and see its condition. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “From there we were able to look up at the wall and see its condition.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	15	ac77		וָ⁠אָשׁ֗וּב	1	Then I turned back	This likely means not that Nehemiah turned around, but that this route brought him and the other men back to where they started. So they were able to go all the way around the city and inspect the entire wall. Alternate translation: “This route brought us back to where we started.”
NEH	2	15	ac79	figs-synecdoche	וָ⁠אָשׁ֗וּב	1	Then I turned back	The other men with Nehemiah also followed him. Alternate translation: “This route brought us back to where we started.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	2	15	b637		וָ⁠אָב֛וֹא בְּ⁠שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠גַּ֖יְא	1	and I came in at the gate of the valley	Alternate translation: “We re-entered the city through the Valley Gate”
NEH	2	15	ac81	translate-names	בְּ⁠שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠גַּ֖יְא	1	at the gate of the valley	See how you translated the name of this gate in [2:13](../02/13.md). Alternate translation: “the Valley Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	15	ac83	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אָשֽׁוּב	1	and I returned	Here the expression probably means “and I went back home.” The implication is that no one had seen him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “and I went back home without being seen.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	16	ac85		וְ⁠הַ⁠סְּגָנִ֗ים	1	Now the prefects	Alternate translation: “the city officials”
NEH	2	16	ac87	figs-explicit	עַד־כֵּ֖ן לֹ֥א הִגַּֽדְתִּי	1	until this time I had not yet told	The implication is that Nehemiah had not yet told anyone that he was planning to repair the walls. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “had not yet told … that I was planning to repair the walls.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	16	ac89	figs-explicit	וְ⁠לַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֨ים וְ⁠לַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֜ים וְ⁠לַ⁠חֹרִ֣ים וְ⁠לַ⁠סְּגָנִ֗ים	1	the Jews, the priests, or the nobles, or the perfects	The implication seems to be that Nehemiah had not said anything privately about his plans to any particular group of leaders. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “I had not even said anything about it privately to the Jewish leaders, the priests, the leading citizens, or the city officials” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	16	ac91	figs-synecdoche	וְ⁠לַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֨ים	1	the Jews	While this expression means “the Jewish people” in most of the book, in the contexts here and in [5:17](../05/17.md) it seems to mean “the Jewish leaders.” Nehemiah is describing some members of this people group, its leaders, as if they were the whole group. Alternate translation: “the Jewish leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	2	16	xd75	figs-explicit	וּ⁠לְ⁠יֶ֨תֶר֙ עֹשֵׂ֣ה הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֔ה	1	the rest who were about to do the work	This seems to refer to the people who would later rebuild the walls. Alternate translation: “the others who would later do the work of rebuilding the walls” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	17	ac93	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אוֹמַ֣ר אֲלֵ⁠הֶ֗ם	1	Then I said to them	This might imply a contrast between what Nehemiah did previously (kept quiet) and what he did now (told everyone). You could use a word like “but” to indicate this. Alternate translation: “But now I said to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	17	ac95	figs-abstractnouns	אַתֶּ֤ם רֹאִים֙ הָ⁠רָעָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲנַ֣חְנוּ בָ֔⁠הּ	1	You see the evil that we are in	As in [1:3](../01/03.md), here the abstract noun **evil** does not refer to something morally bad, but to a difficult situation. You can translate this idea with an adjective such as “desperate.” Alternate translation: “You see what a desperate situation we are in” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	2	17	we6m	figs-you	אַתֶּ֤ם רֹאִים֙ הָ⁠רָעָה֙	1	You see the evil	Here **you** is plural, referring to all the people mentioned in [2:16](../02/16.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
NEH	2	17	ac97	figs-activepassive	יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ חֲרֵבָ֔ה וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ נִצְּת֣וּ בָ⁠אֵ֑שׁ	1	Jerusalem is desolate and its gates have been burned by fire	If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the meaning here using active forms. Alternate translation: “Jerusalem lies in ruins, and our enemies have burned down its gates” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	2	17	f468	figs-explicit	יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ חֲרֵבָ֔ה וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ נִצְּת֣וּ בָ⁠אֵ֑שׁ	1	Jerusalem is desolate and its gates have been burned by fire	The implication is, “We need to do something about this!” If it would be clearer in your language, you could add something like that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	17	ac99		לְכ֗וּ וְ⁠נִבְנֶה֙ אֶת־חוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם	1	Come, and let us build the wall of Jerusalem	**Come** does not mean “come over to this place” but “come on, let’s do this!” Nehemiah is issuing both an invitation and a public challenge to everyone who is listening. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could translate his words in a way that reflects this. Alternate translation: “I challenge all of you to join me in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem.”
NEH	2	17	ll6y	figs-abstractnouns	וְ⁠לֹא־נִהְיֶ֥ה ע֖וֹד חֶרְפָּֽה	1	and we will no longer be a reproach	You can translate the idea behind the abstract noun “reproach” with an adjective such as “ashamed.” Alternate translation: “so we will no longer be ashamed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	2	18	twi7	figs-metaphor	יַ֣ד אֱלֹהַ֗⁠י אֲשֶׁר־הִיא֙ טוֹבָ֣ה עָלַ֔⁠י	1	the hand of my God, that it was good upon me	Here hand is a metaphor meaning strength, power, control, or action. In this context, it means that God had been acting toward Nehemiah in a positive and favorable manner. See how you translated the similar expression in [2:8](../02/08.md). Alternate translation: “God’s favor had been upon me” or “God had been helping me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	2	18	a11c		דִּבְרֵ֥י הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָֽמַר־לִ֑⁠י	1	the words of the king that he had spoken to me	Alternate translation: “I also told them how the king had given me permission to come.”
NEH	2	18	a13c	figs-explicit	נָק֣וּם וּ⁠בָנִ֔ינוּ	1	We will rise up and build	The implication is that the people responded this way after they heard all that God had done for Nehemiah. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “When they heard this, they said, ‘Let’s get going and begin building!’” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	18	a15c	figs-idiom	נָק֣וּם וּ⁠בָנִ֔ינוּ	1	We will rise up and build	In this context, **rise up** means to begin something. This was an enthusiastic response. Alternate translation: “Let’s get going and start building!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	2	18	y6ui	figs-idiom	וַ⁠יְחַזְּק֥וּ יְדֵי⁠הֶ֖ם לַ⁠טּוֹבָֽה	1	And they strengthened their hands for good	The phrase “strengthened their hands” means that they encouraged one another. “For good” refers to the rebuilding project, which they recognized would be a great benefit. Alternate translation: “So they prepared themselves to do this good work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	2	18	a14c	figs-metaphor	יְדֵי⁠הֶ֖ם	1	their hands	**Hand** in this context represents a person’s strength or power. Alternate translation: “they prepared themselves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	2	19	et87	translate-names	סַנְבַלַּ֨ט הַ⁠חֹרֹנִ֜י	1	Sanballat the Horonite	Sanballat is the name of a man, and Horonite is the name of his people group. See how you translated this in [2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	19	a19c	translate-names	וְ⁠טֹבִיָּ֣ה…הָֽ⁠עַמּוֹנִ֗י	1	and Tobiah … the Ammonite	Tobiah is the name of a man, and Ammonite is the name of his people group. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	19	a21c		וְ⁠טֹבִיָּ֣ה ׀ הָ⁠עֶ֣בֶד	1	and Tobiah, the servant	See how you translated this in [2:10](../02/10.md). Alternate translation: “Tobiah, his deputy”
NEH	2	19	cxe8	translate-names	וְ⁠גֶ֨שֶׁם֙ הָֽ⁠עַרְבִ֔י	1	and Geshem the Arabian	Geshem is the name of a man, and Arabian is the name of his people group. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	2	19	a23c	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יִּשְׁמַע֩	1	Then … heard	The implication is that these men learned that the Jews in Jerusalem had started to rebuild the city walls. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “learned that we had started to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	19	a25c	figs-parallelism	וַ⁠יַּלְעִ֣גוּ לָ֔⁠נוּ וַ⁠יִּבְז֖וּ עָלֵ֑י⁠נוּ	1	and they mocked us, and they despised us	These two statements mean similar things. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize how contemptuous and dismissive these enemies were being. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “they ridiculed us mercilessly,” otherwise “they made fun of us and ridiculed us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	2	19	ww1k	figs-rquestion	מָֽה־הַ⁠דָּבָ֤ר הַ⁠זֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים הַ⁠עַ֥ל הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ אַתֶּ֥ם מֹרְדִֽים	1	What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?	These enemies are not asking questions that they expect Nehemiah to answer. They are using the question form to mock him. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could translate their words as statements. Alternate translation: “What you are doing is not going to amount to anything! But you should not be rebelling against the king!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	2	19	u8ri	figs-explicit	מָֽה־הַ⁠דָּבָ֤ר הַ⁠זֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים	1	What is this thing that you are doing?	The implication is that this **thing** is really “nothing” at all. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “What you are doing is not going to amount to anything!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	20	a27c	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אָשִׁ֨יב אוֹתָ֜⁠ם דָּבָ֗ר וָ⁠אוֹמַ֤ר לָ⁠הֶם֙	1	Then I returned them a word, and I said to them	This might imply a contrast between the intimidation his enemies wanted him to feel and the courage that God gave him. You could use a word like “but” to indicate this contrast. Alternate translation: “But in response I said” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	2	20	a29c	figs-parallelism	וָ⁠אָשִׁ֨יב אוֹתָ֜⁠ם דָּבָ֗ר וָ⁠אוֹמַ֤ר לָ⁠הֶם֙	1	Then I returned them a word, and I said to them	These two statements mean similar things. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize how firmly he responded to these enemies. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “But I answered them firmly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	2	20	a31c		אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֔יִם ה֚וּא יַצְלִ֣יחַֽ לָ֔⁠נוּ	1	The God of heaven, he will cause us to succeed	Alternate translation: “The God who is in heaven will enable us to complete this project.”
NEH	2	20	a33c	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠אֲנַ֥חְנוּ עֲבָדָ֖י⁠ו נָק֣וּם וּ⁠בָנִ֑ינוּ	1	we ourselves, his servants, will rise up and build	As in [1:6](../01/06.md), the word **servants** refers to the special role that the people of Israel had in the world as a model community of God’s followers. Alternate translation: “we are his chosen people, and we are going to begin rebuilding” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	2	20	iv9x	figs-idiom	נָק֣וּם וּ⁠בָנִ֑ינוּ	1	will arise and build	As in [2:18](../02/18.md), **rise up** means to begin something. Alternate translation: “going to begin rebuilding” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	2	20	a4e6	figs-doublet	וְ⁠לָ⁠כֶ֗ם אֵֽין־חֵ֧לֶק וּ⁠צְדָקָ֛ה וְ⁠זִכָּר֖וֹן בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָֽם	1	But you have no share, no right, and no historic claim in Jerusalem	The terms **share**, **right**, and **memorial** all mean something similar. Nehemiah uses them together for emphasis. The meanings are not entirely certain. “Share” may suggest that the Samaritans are not part of the community. “Right” may mean that they have no legal basis to say what should happen in Jerusalem. “Memorial” could mean that they had have no role in the city’s history, or that there is no record of their Israelite ancestry. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these terms. Alternate translation: “But you have absolutely nothing to do with what happens in Jerusalem.” (Note: A doublet can involve the use of more than two terms.) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	2	20	a35c	figs-abstractnouns	וְ⁠לָ⁠כֶ֗ם אֵֽין־חֵ֧לֶק וּ⁠צְדָקָ֛ה וְ⁠זִכָּר֖וֹן בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָֽם	1	But you have no share, no right, and no historic claim in Jerusalem	Depending on their meaning, the terms “share,” “right,” and “memorial” may be abstract nouns. If so, you could translate the idea behind them with a phrase that expresses their overall meaning. Alternate translation: “But you have absolutely nothing to do with what happens in Jerusalem.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	3	intro	dfw6			0		# Nehemiah 3 General Notes<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Priests<br>The priests worked on rebuilding the city. Normally, the priests were exempt from this type of work. Because they helped, it emphasizes that this is a holy work and something done for Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/priest]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/holy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])<br><br>### Cooperation<br>Everyone worked on this project. Many names are mentioned to emphasize the cooperation between the different families. Each was given a section of the wall to rebuild.
NEH	3	1	ald8	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יָּ֡קָם אֶלְיָשִׁיב֩ הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֨ן הַ⁠גָּד֜וֹל	1	And Eliashib the high priest rose up	This chapter records the names of the people who repaired the wall of Jerusalem, and it describes what parts of the wall they worked on. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly at the start of the chapter. (In this book Nehemiah records everything he did to help the people of Judah, and he prays that God will remember him and bless him for what he did. We see in this chapter that he also wants God to remember and bless everyone else who helped.) Alternate translation: “These are the names of the people who helped to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. Now Eliashib the high priest rose up” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	3	1	a37c	figs-idiom	וַ⁠יָּ֡קָם	1	And … rose up	As in [2:18](../02/18.md), **rise up** here means to begin something. Alternate translation: “began to” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	3	1	g9az	translate-names	אֶלְיָשִׁיב֩	1	Eliashib	This is the name of a man. It occurs about a dozen times in the book of Nehemiah. It will be helpful to your readers if you translate it consistently each time. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	1	a39c	translate-unknown	הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֨ן הַ⁠גָּד֜וֹל	1	the high priest	This means that Eliashib was the leader of the priests who conducted worship in the temple and performed many other religious and community functions. Alternate translation: “the priest who was in charge in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	3	1	a40c	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠אֶחָ֣י⁠ו הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֗ים	1	with his brothers the priests	Here, **brother** could mean Eliashib’s biological brothers, but more likely it figuratively refers to the rest of the priests. Alternate translation: “with his fellow priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	3	1	a43c	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יִּבְנוּ֙	1	and they built	It is clear from the context that they were not building something brand new. Rather, they were rebuilding the walls that had been knocked down. This expression occurs several times in this chapter. It would be helpful to your readers to translate it consistently. Alternate translation: “rebuilt.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	3	1	a45c	translate-names	שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠צֹּ֔אן	1	the gate of the sheep	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Sheep Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	1	a47c	translate-symaction	הֵ֣מָּה קִדְּשׁ֔וּ⁠הוּ	1	They themselves consecrated it	**Consecrate** means to set something apart for a special purpose. The Sheep Gate was the gate closest to the temple. By dedicating it to God, the priests were symbolically dedicating the entire wall to God. The rebuilt wall would define and protect the city of Jerusalem as the place from which God had chosen to start making himself famous throughout the world, as described in [1:9](../01/09.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	3	1	a49c	figs-explicit	הֵ֣מָּה קִדְּשׁ֔וּ⁠הוּ	1	They themselves consecrated it	If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say explicitly that by dedicating the Sheep Gate to God, the priests were symbolically dedicating the entire wall to God. Alternate translation: “They dedicated this gate to God as a symbolic way of dedicating the entire wall.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	3	1	a51c		וַֽ⁠יַּעֲמִ֖ידוּ דַּלְתֹתָ֑י⁠ו	1	and erected its doors	**Its** refers to the Sheep Gate. **Erected** means “set up” or “set in place.” This expression occurs several times in this chapter. It would be helpful to your readers to translate it consistently. Alternate translation: “set the doors in place.”
NEH	3	1	a7k9	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠עַד־מִגְדַּ֤ל הַ⁠מֵּאָה֙ קִדְּשׁ֔וּ⁠הוּ עַ֖ד מִגְדַּ֥ל חֲנַנְאֵֽל	1	And they consecrated it as far as the tower of the Hundred and as far as the tower of Hananel	In this record of people who helped rebuild the wall, Nehemiah is writing more of a list than a narrative, so he often leaves out one or more words that a sentence normally would have in order to be complete. This sentence seems to mean, “They rebuilt the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and beyond that to the Tower of Hananel. Then they dedicated that part of the wall to God as well.” You could say something like that if it would be helpful to your readers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	3	1	e1th	translate-names	מִגְדַּ֤ל הַ⁠מֵּאָה֙…מִגְדַּ֥ל חֲנַנְאֵֽל	1	the tower of the Hundred … the tower of Hananel	These are the names of two of the towers on the Jerusalem wall. Alternate translation: “the Tower of the Hundred … the Tower of Hananel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	1	r9wn	translate-unknown	מִגְדַּ֤ל הַ⁠מֵּאָה֙	1	the tower of the Hundred	It is not clear why this tower had this name. The tower could have been 100 cubits high (about 150 feet or about 45 meters), or 100 soldiers may have been stationed there. Since the reason is unknown, it might be best just to call this the “Tower of the Hundred.” However, if it would be confusing to your readers not to explain the meaning of the number, you suggest one of these possibilities. Alternate translation: “The Tower of the Hundred Soldiers” or “The Hundred-Cubit Tower.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	3	2	xtj9	figs-idiom	וְ⁠עַל־יָד֥⁠וֹ בָנ֖וּ	1	And … built at his hand	Here, **at his hand** is a figurative way of saying “beside him” or “next to him.” This expression occurs several times in this chapter. It would be helpful to your readers to translate it consistently. Alternate translation: “next to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	3	2	qf25	figs-gendernotations	אַנְשֵׁ֣י יְרֵח֑וֹ	1	men of Jericho	The word **men** here can include women, and it does seem to include them in this context. Elsewhere in this chapter, [3:12](../03/12.md) tells us that “Shallum and his daughters repaired part of the wall.” So we know that both men and women worked on this project. Alternate translation: “people from Jericho” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
NEH	3	2	u2s6	translate-names	יְרֵח֑וֹ	1	Jericho	Jericho is the name of one of the cities in Judah. We see from this chapter that several cities and towns sent work parties to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	2	q84s	translate-names	זַכּ֖וּר בֶּן־אִמְרִֽי	1	Zaccur, the son of Imri	Zaccur is the name of a man, and Imri is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	3	bbm9	translate-names	הַ⁠סְּנָאָ֑ה	1	Hassenaah	Hassenaah is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	3	if44	translate-names	שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠דָּגִ֔ים	1	the gate of fish	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Fish Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	3	kxd6		וַֽ⁠יַּעֲמִ֨ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔י⁠ו מַנְעוּלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָֽי⁠ו	1	They themselves laid its beams and erected its doors, its bolts, and its bars	This expression occurs several times in this chapter. It would be helpful to your readers to translate it consistently. Alternate translation: “They framed it with wooden beams, they set its doors in place, and they installed bolts and bars”
NEH	3	3	kc48	figs-explicit	מַנְעוּלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָֽי⁠ו	1	its bolts, and its bars	Bolts and bars locked the gates securely. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “bolts and bars for locking the gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	3	4	nn6j	figs-ellipsis	הֶחֱזִ֗יק…הֶחֱזִ֔יק…הֶֽחֱזִ֔יק	1	strengthened … strengthened	**Strengthened** means “repaired.” It refers to repairing the wall, although Nehemiah does not specify this. This expression occurs several times in this chapter. It would be helpful to your readers to translate it consistently. Alternate translation: “repaired the next section of of the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	3	4	c8hi	translate-names	מְרֵמ֤וֹת בֶּן־אוּרִיָּה֙ בֶּן־הַקּ֔וֹץ	1	Meremoth, the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz	Meremoth is the name of a man, Uriah is the name of his father, and Hakkoz is the name of his grandfather. Alternate translation: “Meremoth, the son of Uriah and grandson of Hakkoz” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	4	inh2	translate-names	מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם בֶּן־בֶּרֶכְיָ֖ה בֶּן־מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֑ל	1	Meshullam, the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel	Meshullam is the name of a man, Berechiah is the name of his father, and Meshezabel is the name of his grandfather. Alternate translation: “Meshullam, the son of Berekiah and grandson of Meshezabel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	4	xn3i	translate-names	צָד֖וֹק בֶּֽן־בַּעֲנָֽא	1	Zadok, the son of Baana	Zadok is the name of a man, and Baana is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	5	d8sa	figs-ellipsis	הֶחֱזִ֣יקוּ הַ⁠תְּקוֹעִ֑ים	1	Tekoites repaired	These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Tekoites repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	3	5	j3k4	translate-names	הַ⁠תְּקוֹעִ֑ים	1	the Tekoites	Tekoa is the name of one of the cities in Judah that sent a work party to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The Tekoites are the people who came from this city. Alternate translation: “some people from Tekoa” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	5	x484	grammar-connect-logic-contrast	וְ⁠אַדִּֽירֵי⁠הֶם֙	1	but their nobles	Here Nehemiah is indicating a contrast between what these people should have done and what they actually did. You can use a word like “but” to indicate this. Alternate translation: “But the leading citizens of Tekoa” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH	3	5	l7zc	figs-explicit	לֹא־הֵבִ֣יאוּ צַוָּרָ֔⁠ם בַּ⁠עֲבֹדַ֖ת אֲדֹנֵי⁠הֶֽם	1	did not bring their necks to the service of their lords	Nehemiah does not state the reason why the nobles did not do the work, but it is implied. Alternate translation: “were too proud to do the work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	3	5	nsg3	figs-metonymy	לֹא־הֵבִ֣יאוּ צַוָּרָ֔⁠ם בַּ⁠עֲבֹדַ֖ת אֲדֹנֵי⁠הֶֽם	1	did not bring their necks to the service of their lords	Here, the **neck** represents the entire person, and specifically the person at work. The neck is likely associated with work because in this agrarian culture, draft animals would put their necks into yokes so that they could pull plows and drag loads. Alternate translation: “were too proud to do the work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	3	5	r94d	translate-unknown	בַּ⁠עֲבֹדַ֖ת אֲדֹנֵי⁠הֶֽם	1	to the service of their lords	**Lords** here most likely refers to the leaders of Judah, who had asked all the surrounding cities and towns to send work parties to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Another possibility is that the plural form of the word “lord” actually refers to God. Alternate translation: “the work that the leaders of Judah had asked them to do” or “the service of their Lord” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	3	5	d3h9	figs-abstractnouns	בַּ⁠עֲבֹדַ֖ת	1	to … service of	**Service** is an abstract noun that refers to the work of rebuilding the wall. You can translate the idea behind it with a concrete noun such as “work.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	3	6	ykz8	translate-names	שַׁ֨עַר הַיְשָׁנָ֜ה	1	the gate of old	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Old Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	6	i43m	translate-names	יֽוֹיָדָע֙ בֶּן־פָּסֵ֔חַ	1	Joiada, the son of Paseah	Joiada is the name of a man, and Paseah is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	6	n1wi	translate-names	וּ⁠מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם בֶּן־בְּסֽוֹדְיָ֑ה	1	and Meshullam, the son of Besodeiah	Meshullam is the name of a man, and Besodeiah is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	7	hu9u	translate-names	מְלַטְיָ֣ה הַ⁠גִּבְעֹנִ֗י	1	Melatiah the Gibeonite	Melatiah is the name of a man. “Gibeonite” means that he was from the city of Gibeon. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	7	ipe7	translate-names	וְ⁠יָדוֹן֙ הַ⁠מֵּרֹ֣נֹתִ֔י	1	Jadon the Meronothite	Jadon is the name of a man. “Meronothite” probably means that he was from the town of Meronoth. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	7	n6xg	translate-names	אַנְשֵׁ֥י גִבְע֖וֹן וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּצְפָּ֑ה	1	the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah	Gibeon and Mizpah were two of the cities in Judah that sent work parties to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “other people from Gibeon and from the city of Mizpah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	7	mj92	translate-unknown	לְ⁠כִסֵּ֕א פַּחַ֖ת עֵ֥בֶר הַ⁠נָּהָֽר	1	to the seat of authority of the governor of Beyond-the-River	This is where the governor would have stayed when visiting Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “as far as the residence of the governor of the province Beyond the River” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	3	8	b2yh	translate-names	עֻזִּיאֵ֤ל בֶּֽן־חַרְהֲיָה֙	1	Uzziel, the son of Harbaiah	Uzziel is the name of a man, and Harhaiah is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	8	f4p5	translate-unknown	צֽוֹרְפִ֔ים	1	of the goldsmiths	This means that Uzziel was one of the goldsmiths who worked in Jerusalem. A goldsmith is a person who makes jewelry and other objects from gold. The term “goldsmith” occurs several more times in the chapter, and if you include both the name and the definition here, that would help your readers understand it in its later occurrences. Alternate translation: “He was one of the goldsmiths, the workers who made jewelry and other objects from gold.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	3	8	mx88	translate-names	חֲנַנְיָ֖ה	1	Hananiah	Hananiah is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	8	mm1q	figs-metaphor	בֶּן־הָ⁠רַקָּחִ֑ים	1	a son of the perfumers	**Son of** here is a figurative expression that indicates that a person shares the qualities of something. In this case, the book is describing someone who shares the quality of being a maker of perfume. Alternate translation: “one of the perfumers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	3	8	y25y	translate-names	וַ⁠יַּֽעַזְבוּ֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם עַ֖ד הַ⁠חוֹמָ֥ה הָ⁠רְחָבָֽה	1	And they restored Jerusalem as far as the broad wall	This is the name of one of the features of the Jerusalem wall. This may have been a place where the wall had been built thicker and stronger for strategic purposes. Alternate translation: “They rebuilt the wall of Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	9	m5at		וְ⁠עַל־יָדָ֤⁠ם הֶחֱזִיק֙ רְפָיָ֣ה בֶן־ח֔וּר שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֥לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם	1	And Rephaiah, the son of Hur, the administrator for half of the district of Jerusalem, strengthened at their hand.	In this chapter, when Nehemiah names a person, then names their father, and then describes a role, it is the first person, not their father, who was in that role. It will be helpful to your readers if you make this clear. Alternate translation: “Next to them, Rephaiah the son of Hur repaired part of the wall. Rephaiah ruled half of the district of Jerusalem”
NEH	3	9	avu2	translate-names	רְפָיָ֣ה בֶן־ח֔וּר	1	Rephaiah, the son of Hur	Rephaiah is the name of a man, and Hur is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	9	rd4i	translate-fraction	חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֥לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם	1	half of the district of Jerusalem	The city of Jerusalem and the surrounding area seem to have been divided into districts for administration. This is the name of one of those districts. Apparently it was so large and populous that it had been further divided into two parts, each with its own administrator. Alternate translation: “ruled half the district of Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH	3	10	k6g1	translate-names	יְדָיָ֥ה בֶן־חֲרוּמַ֖ף	1	Jedaiah, the son of Harumaph	Jedaiah is the name of a man, and Harumaph is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	10	v3be		וְ⁠עַל־יָדָ֧⁠ם הֶחֱזִ֛יק…וְ⁠נֶ֣גֶד בֵּית֑⁠וֹ	1	And … at their hand, even in fron of his house	Alternate translation: “repaired the next part of the wall, which was in front his house”
NEH	3	10	ek5q	translate-names	חַטּ֖וּשׁ בֶּן־חֲשַׁבְנְיָֽה	1	And Hattush, the son of Hashabneiah	Hattush is the name of a man, and Hashabneiah is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	11	b6fx	translate-ordinal	מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֗ית	1	a second section	This expression occurs six times in the chapter. Two of those times, someone who has been named earlier is said to have repaired “a second section,” suggesting, “in addition to the one they did previously.” But the other four times, the people have not been named earlier. So in those cases it might mean “a further section of the wall,” beyond the one just described that someone else worked on. Both of these likely meanings could be accommodated by saying something like “another section of the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	3	11	g61e	translate-names	מַלְכִּיָּ֣ה בֶן־חָרִ֔ם	1	Malkijah, the son of Harim	Malkijah is the name of a man, and Malkijah is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	11	jy16	translate-names	וְ⁠חַשּׁ֖וּב בֶּן־פַּחַ֣ת מוֹאָ֑ב	1	and Hasshub, the son of Pahath-Moab	Hasshub is the name of a man, and Pahath-Moab is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	11	l1db	translate-names	מִגְדַּ֥ל הַ⁠תַּנּוּרִֽים	1	the tower of ovens	This is the name of one of the towers of the Jerusalem wall. Alternate translation: “the Tower of the Ovens” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	12	e9p4	translate-names	שַׁלּוּם֙ בֶּן־הַלּוֹחֵ֔שׁ	1	Shallum, the son of Hallohesh	Shallum is the name of a man, and Hallohesh is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	12	wml3	translate-names	שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֣לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם	1	the administrator for half of the district of Jerusalem	This is the name of one of the districts into which the city and the surrounding area were divided. Since the first half has already been named, you could say as an alternate translation: “Shallum ruled the other half of the district of Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	12	b7iq		ה֖וּא וּ⁠בְנוֹתָֽי⁠ו	1	he and his daughters	Alternate translation: “along with his daughters”
NEH	3	13	i9v2	translate-names	שַׁ֨עַר הַ⁠גַּ֜יְא	1	the gate of the valley	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Valley Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	13	itt7	translate-names	חָנוּן֮	1	Hanun	This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	13	w5le	translate-names	וְ⁠יֹשְׁבֵ֣י זָנוֹחַ֒	1	the inhabitants of Zanoah	Zanoah is the name of one of the cities in Judah that sent a work party to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the people from Zanoah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	13	kw6h	translate-bdistance	וְ⁠אֶ֤לֶף אַמָּה֙	1	a thousand cubits	Depending on what would be most helpful to your readers, you could express this either in ancient or modern measurements, “1000 cubits” or “460 meters” or “1500 feet.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance]])
NEH	3	13	r9e4	translate-names	שַׁ֥עַר הָ⁠שֲׁפֽוֹת	1	the gate of dung	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Dung Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	14	d9dt	translate-names	שַׁ֣עַר הָ⁠אַשְׁפּ֗וֹת	1	the gate of dung	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Dung Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	14	w494	translate-names	מַלְכִּיָּ֣ה בֶן־רֵכָ֔ב	1	Malkijah, the son of Rechab	Malkijah is the name of a man, and Recab is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	14	u2dk	translate-names	פֶּ֣לֶךְ בֵּית־הַכָּ֑רֶם	1	the district of Beth-Hakkerem	This is the name of one of the districts into which the city and the surrounding area were divided. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	15	shf9	translate-names	שַׁ֨עַר הָ⁠עַ֜יִן	1	the gate of the spring	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Fountain Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	15	l7wu	translate-names	שַׁלּ֣וּן בֶּן־כָּל־חֹזֶה֮	1	Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh	Shallun is the name of a man, and Kol-Hozeh is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	15	bd9j	translate-names	פֶּ֣לֶךְ הַ⁠מִּצְפָּה֒	1	the district of Mizpah	This is the name of one of the districts into which the city and the surrounding area were divided. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	15	l3hf		ה֤וּא יִבְנֶ֨⁠נּוּ֙ וִ⁠יטַֽלְלֶ֔⁠נּוּ	1	He himself was building it and covering it	Alternate translation: “He rebuilt the gate and put a roof over it”
NEH	3	15	c8rt		חוֹמַ֞ת בְּרֵכַ֤ת הַ⁠שֶּׁ֨לַח֙	1	the wall of the pool of Siloam	Alternate translation: “the wall that surrounded the Pool of Siloam”
NEH	3	15	kmx6		לְ⁠גַן־הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ וְ⁠עַד־הַֽ⁠מַּעֲל֔וֹת הַ⁠יּוֹרְד֖וֹת מֵ⁠עִ֥יר דָּוִֽיד	1	at the garden of the king even as far as the stairs descending from the city of David	Alternate translation: “next to the royal garden, as far as the steps that went down from the City of David.”
NEH	3	15	c5bs	translate-names	מֵ⁠עִ֥יר דָּוִֽיד	1	from the city of David	This was one part of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the City of David” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	16	x774	translate-names	נְחֶמְיָ֣ה בֶן־עַזְבּ֔וּק	1	Nehemiah, the son of Azbuk	Nehemiah is the name of a man, and Azbuk is the name of his father. (This is not the same Nehemiah who wrote this book.) (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	16	sc4c	translate-names	פֶּ֣לֶךְ בֵּֽית־צ֑וּר	1	the district of Beth-Zur	This is the name of one of the districts into which the city and the surrounding area were divided. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	16	ngr2		עַד־נֶ֨גֶד֙ קִבְרֵ֣י דָוִ֔יד וְ⁠עַד־הַ⁠בְּרֵכָה֙ הָ⁠עֲשׂוּיָ֔ה וְ⁠עַ֖ד בֵּ֥ית הַ⁠גִּבֹּרִֽים	1	as far as in front of the graves of David, and as far as the pool that was made, and as far as the house of the mighty men	Alternate translation: “as far as the place opposite the tombs in the City of David, to the reservoir that the people had made and the army barracks”
NEH	3	17	str7	translate-names	אַחֲרָ֛י⁠ו הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם	1	After him, the Levites strengthened	The Levites were descendants of Levi. They had the special assignment of helping the priests. Alternate translation: “Next to him, some Levites repaired parts of the wall.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	17	l6vw	translate-names	רְח֣וּם בֶּן־בָּנִ֑י	1	Rehum, the son of Bani	Rehum is the name of a man, and Bani is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	17	yt87	figs-explicit	רְח֣וּם בֶּן־בָּנִ֑י	1	Rehum, the son of Bani	It seems clear from the context that Rehum was a Levite. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “One of them was Rehum the son of Bani.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	3	17	a88s	translate-names	חֲשַׁבְיָ֛ה	1	Hashabiah	Hashabiah is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	17	yh3z		עַל־יָד֣⁠וֹ הֶחֱזִ֗יק חֲשַׁבְיָ֛ה…לְ⁠פִלְכּֽ⁠וֹ	1	at his hand, Hashabiah … strengthened for his district	This does not mean that Hashabiah repaired this part of the wall for the benefit of his district, but rather that he did it leading a work party from his district. Alternate translation: “led a work party from his district that repaired the next section of the wall”
NEH	3	17	y3tu	translate-names	חֲצִי־פֶ֥לֶךְ קְעִילָ֖ה	1	half the district of Keilah	This is the name of one of the districts into which the city and the surrounding area were divided. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	18	h5qz	figs-metaphor	הֶחֱזִ֣יקוּ אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֔ם	1	their brothers repaired	As in [3:1](../03/01.md), **brother** could mean the biological brothers of the Levites mentioned in [3:17](../03/17.md). However, more likely it figuratively means other Levites. Alternate translation: “some other Levites repaired more of the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	3	18	b6sj	figs-ellipsis	בַּוַּ֖י בֶּן־חֵנָדָ֑ד שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֥לֶךְ קְעִילָֽה	1	Binnui, the son of Henadad, the administrator for half the district of Keilah	Here Nehemiah does not say “at their hand” (next to them) or “strengthened” (repaired another section of the wall). Once again he is leaving out some of what a complete sentence would be expected to contain. You can fill in this information. Alternate translation: “Next to them, Binnui the son of Henadad, who ruled the other half of the district of Keilah, repaired more of the wall.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	3	18	gc2h	translate-names	בַּוַּ֖י בֶּן־חֵנָדָ֑ד	1	Binnui, the son of Henadad	Binnui is the name of a man, and Henadad is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	18	ca6t	translate-names	שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֥לֶךְ קְעִילָֽה	1	the administrator for half the district of Keilah	This is the name of one of the districts into which the city and the surrounding area were divided. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	19	f6if	translate-names	עֵ֧זֶר בֶּן־יֵשׁ֛וּעַ	1	Ezer, the son of Jeshua	Ezer is the name of a man, and Jeshua is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	19	g2y6	translate-names	שַׂ֥ר הַ⁠מִּצְפָּ֖ה	1	the administrator for Mizpah	Since the district of Mizpah is mentioned in [3:15](../03/15.md), this probably means the city of Mizpah. Alternate translation: “Ezer ruled the city of Mizpah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	19	gcc6	translate-ordinal	וַ⁠יְחַזֵּ֨ק…מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית	1	And … was strengthening a second section	Alternate translation: “repaired another section” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	3	19	c8s5		מִ⁠נֶּ֕גֶד עֲלֹ֥ת הַ⁠נֶּ֖שֶׁק הַ⁠מִּקְצֹֽעַ	1	opposite the ascent to the armory at the angle	Alternate translation: “He started from the place in front of the steps that went up to the armory, and he finished at the place where the wall bends slightly.”
NEH	3	20	r638	translate-names	בָּר֥וּךְ בֶּן־זבי	1	Baruch, the son of Zabbai	Baruch is the name of a man, and Zabbai is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	20	i7kj	figs-metaphor	הֶחֱרָ֧ה	1	burned	Here, **burned** is probably a figurative way of saying that Baruch worked with great enthusiasm. You could say that as an alternate translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	3	20	a53c	translate-ordinal	הֶחֱזִ֛יק…מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית	1	strengthened a second section	Alternate translation: “repaired another section” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	3	20	a55c		מִן־הַ֨⁠מִּקְצ֔וֹעַ עַד־פֶּ֨תַח֙ בֵּ֣ית אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֖ן הַ⁠גָּדֽוֹל	1	from the angle as far as the opening of the house of Eliashib the high priest	Alternate translation: “from the bend in the wall as far as the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest”
NEH	3	21	z4b7	translate-names	מְרֵמ֧וֹת בֶּן־אוּרִיָּ֛ה בֶּן־הַקּ֖וֹץ	1	Meremoth, the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz	Meremoth is the name of a man, Uriah is the name of his father, and Hakkoz is the name of his grandfather. See how you translated these names in [3:4](../03/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	21	a57c	translate-ordinal	הֶחֱזִ֗יק…מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית	1	strengthened a section section	Alternate translation: “repaired another section” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	3	21	a59c		מִ⁠פֶּ֨תַח֙ בֵּ֣ית אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב וְ⁠עַד־תַּכְלִ֖ית בֵּ֥ית אֶלְיָשִֽׁיב	1	from the opening of the house of Eliashib even as far as the end of the house of Eliashib	Alternate translation: “from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of his house”
NEH	3	22	m3ey		הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֖ים אַנְשֵׁ֥י הַ⁠כִּכָּֽר	1	the priests, the men of the valley	Jerusalem is up on a mountain, so the area around it would be “the valley.” Alternate translation: “some priests from the area around Jerusalem”
NEH	3	23	q2zh		הֶחֱזִ֧יק בִּנְיָמִ֛ן וְ⁠חַשּׁ֖וּב נֶ֣גֶד בֵּיתָ֑⁠ם	1	strengthened in front of their house	Alternate translation: “repaired a section opposite their house”
NEH	3	23	v3fr	translate-names	בִּנְיָמִ֛ן וְ⁠חַשּׁ֖וּב	1	Benjamin and Hasshub	Benjamin and Hasshub are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	23	z8p6		הֶחֱזִ֗יק…אֵ֥צֶל בֵּיתֽ⁠וֹ	1	strengthened beside his house	Alternate translation: “repaired the next section, beside his house”
NEH	3	23	gv74	translate-names	עֲזַרְיָ֧ה בֶן־מַעֲשֵׂיָ֛ה בֶּן־עֲנָֽנְיָ֖ה	1	Azariah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah	Azariah is the name of a man, Maaseiah is the name of his father, and Ananiah is the name of his grandfather. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	24	c3eh	translate-ordinal	הֶחֱזִ֗יק…מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית	1	strengthened a second section	Alternate translation: “repaired another section” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	3	24	ajs6	translate-names	בִּנּ֛וּי בֶּן־חֵנָדָ֖ד	1	Binnui, the son of Henadad	Binnui is the name of a man, and Henadad is the name of his father. See how you translated these names in [3:18](../03/18.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	24	k7tj		מִ⁠בֵּ֣ית עֲזַרְיָ֔ה עַד־הַ⁠מִּקְצ֖וֹעַ וְ⁠עַד־הַ⁠פִּנָּֽה	1	from the house of Azariah to the bend in the wall as far as the corner	Alternate translation: “from the house of Azariah to the bend in the wall as far as the bulwark”
NEH	3	24	a61c	translate-names	עֲזַרְיָ֔ה	1	Azariah	Azariah is a man, the same one mentioned in verse 23. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	25	q3r3	translate-names	פָּלָ֣ל בֶּן־אוּזַי֮	1	Palal, the son of Uzai	Palal is the name of a man, and Uzai is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	25	dae6	figs-ellipsis	מִ⁠נֶּ֣גֶד הַ⁠מִּקְצוֹעַ֒ וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּגְדָּ֗ל הַ⁠יּוֹצֵא֙	1	from opposite the angle and the tower projecting	Here again, Nehemiah leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “He began at the place opposite the bend in the wall where the watchtower is taller than” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	3	25	pt6e	figs-metonymy	מִ⁠בֵּ֤ית הַ⁠מֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ הָֽ⁠עֶלְי֔וֹן	1	from the upper house of the king	Here, it is likely that **house** figuratively means palace, referring to where the king had lived. Alternate translation: “the upper palace of the king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	3	25	isu9		אֲשֶׁ֖ר לַ⁠חֲצַ֣ר הַ⁠מַּטָּרָ֑ה	1	which is by the court of the guard	Alternate translation: “That is near the place where the guards stayed”
NEH	3	25	a63c	translate-names	פְּדָיָ֥ה בֶן־פַּרְעֹֽשׁ	1	Pedaiah, the son of Parosh	Pedaiah is the name of a man, and Parosh is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	25	d1jm	figs-ellipsis	פְּדָיָ֥ה בֶן־פַּרְעֹֽשׁ	1	Pedaiah, the son of Parosh	Once again Nehemiah leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “Next to him, Pedaiah the son of Parosh repaired a section” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	3	26	b53g	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠הַ֨⁠נְּתִינִ֔ים הָי֥וּ יֹשְׁבִ֖ים בָּ⁠עֹ֑פֶל עַ֠ד נֶ֜גֶד שַׁ֤עַר הַ⁠מַּ֨יִם֙ לַ⁠מִּזְרָ֔ח וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּגְדָּ֖ל הַ⁠יּוֹצֵֽא	1	And the Nethinim were living in the Ophel, as far as in front of the gate of water and the projecting tower	Yet again Nehemiah leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “The temple servants who lived on Ophel Hill repaired the wall as far as the eastern side of the Water Gate where there is a tall tower” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	3	26	ah1b	translate-names	וְ⁠הַ֨⁠נְּתִינִ֔ים	1	Now the temple servants	The term **Nethinim** describes servants who worked in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple servants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	26	mz47	translate-unknown	בָּ⁠עֹ֑פֶל	1	in the Ophel	This is probably the name of a geographic feature, a fortified extension of the hill that the Jerusalem temple was located on. Alternate translation: “Ophel Hill” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	3	26	s2s5	translate-names	שַׁ֤עַר הַ⁠מַּ֨יִם֙	1	the gate of water	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Water Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	26	rvu2		וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּגְדָּ֖ל הַ⁠יּוֹצֵֽא	1	and the projecting tower	The phrase refers to a tall tower that juts out from the wall. Alternate translation: “a tall tower”
NEH	3	27	d719	translate-ordinal	הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ…מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית	1	strengthened a second section	Alternate translation: “repaired another section of the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	3	27	mgm7	translate-names	הַ⁠תְּקֹעִ֖ים	1	the Tekoites	Tekoa is the name of one of the cities in Judah that sent a work party to help rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The Tekoites were the people who lived there. See how you translated this name in verse [3:5](../03/05.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	27	j6gz		מִ⁠נֶּ֜גֶד הַ⁠מִּגְדָּ֤ל הַ⁠גָּדוֹל֙ הַ⁠יּוֹצֵ֔א וְ⁠עַ֖ד חוֹמַ֥ת הָ⁠עֹֽפֶל	1	from in front of the high projecting tower even as far as the wall of the Ophel	Alternate translation: “from opposite the very tall watchtower as far as the wall at Ophel Hill”
NEH	3	28	wt87	figs-synecdoche	הַ⁠כֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים	1	The priests	This does not mean all the priests. Nehemiah is using the name of the whole group to refer to part of it. Alternate translation: “a group of priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	3	28	d5qa		מֵ⁠עַ֣ל ׀ שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠סּוּסִ֗ים	1	from above the gate of horses	The word **above** is used here because the houses of the priests were likely to have been located at a higher elevation than the Horse Gate. Alternate translation: “starting at the Horse Gate”
NEH	3	28	q9qb	translate-names	שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠סּוּסִ֗ים	1	the gate of horses	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Horse Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	28	d5uv	figs-idiom	אִ֖ישׁ לְ⁠נֶ֥גֶד בֵּיתֽ⁠וֹ	1	a man to the front of his house	Here **a man** means “each one.” Alternate translation: “Each one repaired the section in front of his own house.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	3	29	n271	translate-names	צָד֥וֹק בֶּן־אִמֵּ֖ר	1	Zadok, the son of Immer	Zadok is the name of a man, and Immer is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	29	f74e	translate-names	שְׁמַֽעְיָ֣ה בֶן־שְׁכַנְיָ֔ה	1	Shemaiah, the son of Shecaniah	Shemaiah is the name of a man, and Shecaniah is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	29	e9mh		שֹׁמֵ֖ר שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠מִּזְרָֽח	1	the keeper of the gate of the east	Alternate translation: “the person who looked after the East Gate” or “the person who opened and closed the East Gate”
NEH	3	29	x9q4	translate-names	שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠מִּזְרָֽח	1	the gate of the east	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the East Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	30	a65c	translate-ordinal	הֶחֱזִ֜יק…מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑י	1	strengthened a second section	Alternate translation: “repaired another section” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	3	30	r5y4	translate-names	חֲנַנְיָ֣ה בֶן־שֶׁלֶמְיָ֗ה	1	Hananiah, the son of Shelemiah	Hananiah is the name of a man, and Shelemiah is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	30	a67c	translate-names	וְ⁠חָנ֧וּן בֶּן־צָלָ֛ף הַ⁠שִּׁשִּׁ֖י	1	and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph	Hanun is the name of a man, and Zalaph is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	30	nn44	translate-ordinal	הַ⁠שִּׁשִּׁ֖י	1	sixth	Alternate translation: “son number six” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	3	30	ifp5	translate-names	מְשֻׁלָּם֙ בֶּן־בֶּ֣רֶכְיָ֔ה	1	Meshullam, the son of Berechiah	Meshullam is the name of a man, and Berechiah is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	30	bv3t		נֶ֖גֶד נִשְׁכָּתֽ⁠וֹ	1	in front of his chamber	Alternate translation: “in front of the rooms where he stayed”
NEH	3	31	d33p	translate-names	מַלְכִּיָּה֙	1	Malkijah	Malkijah is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	31	uuc7	figs-metaphor	בֶּן־הַ⁠צֹּ֣רְפִ֔י	1	a son of the goldsmiths	As in [3:8](../03/08.md), this is a figurative way of saying that Malkijah was one of the goldsmiths. In this figure of speech, the “son of” something shares its qualities. Since the goldsmiths have been mentioned previously (in [3:8](../03/08.md), where their work is described), you could say as an alternate translation: “who was another one of the goldsmiths” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	3	31	lb9z		עַד־בֵּ֥ית הַ⁠נְּתִינִ֖ים וְ⁠הָ⁠רֹכְלִ֑ים	1	as far as the house of the Nethinim and the merchants	Alternate translation: “as far as the building used by the temple servants and the merchants”
NEH	3	31	ye2u	translate-names	שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠מִּפְקָ֔ד	1	the gate of mustering	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. “Mustering” refers to soldiers assembling to go out to battle. Alternate translation: “the Mobilization Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	3	31	r6sv		וְ⁠עַ֖ד עֲלִיַּ֥ת הַ⁠פִּנָּֽה	1	even as far as the upper chamber of the corner	Alternate translation: “He built as far as the upper apartments of this building, which were on the corner.”
NEH	3	32	x1tq	figs-explicit	וּ⁠בֵ֨ין עֲלִיַּ֤ת הַ⁠פִּנָּה֙ לְ⁠שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠צֹּ֔אן הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ	1	strengthened between the upper chamber of the corner to the gate of sheep	This brings the description of the repairs back around to where they started. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this explicitly by saying “the last section.” Alternate translation: “repaired the last section of the wall, from the corner apartments to the Sheep Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	3	32	p1kr	figs-synecdoche	הַ⁠צֹּרְפִ֖ים וְ⁠הָ⁠רֹכְלִֽים	1	the goldsmiths and the merchants	This does not mean all the goldsmiths and all the merchants. Nehemiah is once again using the names of whole groups to refer to parts of them. Alternate translation: “some of the other goldsmiths, along with some traders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	3	32	a69c	translate-names	לְ⁠שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠צֹּ֔אן	1	the gate of sheep	This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Sheep Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	4	intro	tlj9			0		# Nehemiah 4 General Notes<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Dedication<br>The people were so dedicated to rebuilding the walls that they worked with their weapons ready for battle right next to them. Even when they were threatened with an attack, they continued to trust in Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/trust]])<br><br>## Important figures of speech in this chapter<br><br>### Rhetorical Questions<br><br>Sanballat uses a series of rhetorical questions. These are intended to show his intense anger against the Israelites. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	4	1	rnw3	writing-newevent	וַ⁠יְהִ֞י	1	And it happened that	Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
NEH	4	1	vfu4	translate-names	סַנְבַלַּ֗ט	1	Sanballat	This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	4	1	a71c	figs-parallelism	וַ⁠יִּ֣חַר ל֔⁠וֹ וַ⁠יִּכְעַ֖ס הַרְבֵּ֑ה	1	And it burned him, and he was very angry	These two phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize how angry Sanballat was. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases and say something like “he became furiously angry” or “he became very angry” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	4	1	s6td	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יִּ֣חַר ל֔⁠וֹ וַ⁠יִּכְעַ֖ס	1	it burned him, and he was very angry	Here Nehemiah says that Sanballat’s anger was a fire that burned inside of him. Alternate translation: “he became furious” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	4	2	v3qv	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י	1	And he spoke before the face of	Here, **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. The expression means that Sanballat was speaking personally to the other people who are named. Alternate translation: “He said to” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	4	2	a73c	figs-metaphor	אֶחָ֗י⁠ו	1	his brothers	Here, **brother** likely refers figuratively to Sanballat’s fellow officials. Alternate translation: “the other provincial officials” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	4	2	a75c	figs-synecdoche	וְ⁠חֵיל֙ שֹֽׁמְר֔וֹן	1	and the army of Samaria	Sanballat was not speaking to the entire army. Nehemiah is figuratively using all of something to mean part of it. He is referring to the officers of the army by the name of the entire army. Alternate translation: “the army officers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	4	2	d5n2	figs-rquestion	מָ֛ה הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֥ים הָ⁠אֲמֵלָלִ֖ים עֹשִׂ֑ים הֲ⁠יַעַזְב֨וּ לָ⁠הֶ֤ם הֲ⁠יִזְבָּ֨חוּ֙ הַ⁠יְכַלּ֣וּ בַ⁠יּ֔וֹם	1	What are the feeble Jews doing? Will they restore for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish in a day?	Sanballat actually is making a series of statements, not asking a series of questions. He does not expect the officials and officers to tell him what the Jews are doing and whether they will succeed. Instead, he is using the question form to mock the Jews. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the ideas in his questions as a series of statements. Alternate translation: “These feeble Jews can accomplish nothing. They will never restore the city for themselves. They will not offer sacrifices. They will not finish the work any time soon.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	4	2	r9lb		הֲ⁠יִזְבָּ֨חוּ֙	1	Will they sacrifice?	The meaning of this phrase is not entirely clear. It could be that Sanballat is speaking of the Jews offering sacrifices to try to entice God to make their project successful. Alternate translation: “They will not get their God to help them”
NEH	4	2	uk3w	figs-idiom	הַ⁠יְכַלּ֣וּ בַ⁠יּ֔וֹם	1	Will they finish in a day?	In this context, the expression “day” means “a short time.” Alternate translation: “any time soon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	4	2	hr7v	figs-personification	הַ⁠יְחַיּ֧וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אֲבָנִ֛ים מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת	1	Will they bring to life the stones from the piles of rubble after they were burned?	Here Sanballat is speaking of stones as if they could come to life and stand up straight to form the wall. Alternate translation: “They will not be able to rebuild the city walls from useless stones that were burned and turned into rubble” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	4	2	b96n	figs-activepassive	מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת	1	from the piles of rubble after they were burned	If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “useless stones that someone has burned and turned into rubble” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	4	3	alw5	translate-names	וְ⁠טוֹבִיָּ֥ה הָ⁠עַמֹּנִ֖י	1	And Tobiah the Ammonite	This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	4	3	b24b		גַּ֚ם	1	Yes	This word indicates that Tobiah agrees with Sanballat and that he is going to say something to support him. Alternate translation: “That’s right!”
NEH	4	3	da2t	figs-hyperbole	אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֣ם בּוֹנִ֔ים אִם־יַעֲלֶ֣ה שׁוּעָ֔ל וּ⁠פָרַ֖ץ חוֹמַ֥ת אַבְנֵי⁠הֶֽם	1	If only a fox went up on what they are building, then he would break down their wall of stones	Tobiah probably does not believe that the wall would really fall down if a fox walked along the top of it. He is exaggerating to mock the work the Jews are doing. You could use a non-figurative expression in your translation instead, such as, “It wouldn’t take much to make that wall fall over.” However, Tobiah’s expression is so colorful that you may want to retain it, but be sure that your readers understand he is exaggerating. Alternate translation: “Tobiah made fun of the Jews by saying, ‘That wall they are building is so weak that if a fox climbed up on it, the stones would fall to the ground’” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH	4	4	buk3	figs-explicit	שְׁמַ֤ע אֱלֹהֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙	1	Hear, our God	Nehemiah starts talking directly to God at this point in the book. The implication is that he heard about what Sanballat and Tobiah were saying, and in response, he prayed the prayer that is recorded here in 2:4-5. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “When I heard about what they were saying, I prayed and said, ‘Listen, our God’” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	4	4	a77c	figs-aside	שְׁמַ֤ע אֱלֹהֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙	1	Hear, our God	Nehemiah’s prayer here is a particular type of aside. In an aside, someone who is speaking to or about one person or group will pause and speak confidentially to somebody else about them. Often an aside is spoken to the audience of a work about someone who is being addressed within the work. But in this case, Nehemiah pauses from addressing the audience that is hearing his story; he speaks confidentially to God in prayer about two of the characters in the story. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this is a prayer is distinct from the story by making it a direct quotation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-aside]])
NEH	4	4	ae62	figs-abstractnouns	הָיִ֣ינוּ בוּזָ֔ה	1	we are a contempt	The abstract noun **contempt** refers to the way Sanballat and Tobiah regarded the Jews, which led them to make fun of the Jews. You can translate the idea behind this term with a verb like “mocking.” Alternate translation: “our enemies are mocking us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	4	4	z6nz	figs-idiom	וְ⁠הָשֵׁ֥ב חֶרְפָּתָ֖⁠ם אֶל־רֹאשָׁ֑⁠ם	1	and cause their taunts to return on their heads!	**Return on his head** is an idiom that means that what a person expected to happen to someone else happens to them instead. Alternate translation: “Make them people whom others will mock” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	4	4	pgh8	figs-abstractnouns	וּ⁠תְנֵ֥⁠ם לְ⁠בִזָּ֖ה בְּ⁠אֶ֥רֶץ שִׁבְיָֽה	1	And give them for plunder in a land of captivity	As in [1:2](../01/02.md), the abstract noun **captivity** refers to a conquering army forcing all or some of a captured population to move to a different place. You can translate the idea behind it with verbs such as “capture” and “force.” Alternate translation: “Allow their enemies to capture them and force them to go to a foreign land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	4	5	mc9p	figs-parallelism	וְ⁠אַל־תְּכַס֙ עַל־עֲוֺנָ֔⁠ם וְ⁠חַטָּאתָ֖⁠ם מִ⁠לְּ⁠פָנֶ֣י⁠ךָ אַל־תִּמָּחֶ֑ה	1	And do not cover over their iniquity, and do not wipe out their sin from before your face	These two phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize how guilty Sanballat and Tobiah are for opposing the work that God has sent him to do. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “do not ever forgive them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	4	5	zz8h	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠אַל־תְּכַס֙ עַל־עֲוֺנָ֔⁠ם	1	Do not cover over their iniquity	Nehemiah speaks of a person’s sins as if they were an object that could be physically hidden. Alternate translation: “do not forgive their sins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	4	5	k9rw	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠חַטָּאתָ֖⁠ם…אַל־תִּמָּחֶ֑ה	1	and do not wipe out their sin	Nehemiah speaks of a person’s sins as if they were something written that could be erased. Alternate translation: “do not forget their sins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	4	5	a79c	figs-metaphor	מִ⁠לְּ⁠פָנֶ֣י⁠ךָ	1	from before your face	Here, **face** figuratively means the action of seeing or a person’s notice or attention. A person can see what is in front of their face, so in this case the expression means, “from where you can see it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	4	5	mbi1		כִּ֥י הִכְעִ֖יסוּ לְ⁠נֶ֥גֶד הַ⁠בּוֹנִֽים	1	for they have provoked anger before the front of the builders	This expression could mean one of the following three things: (1) It could mean that they have made God angry by opposing the work he has commanded Nehemiah to do. Alternate translation: “they have made you become angry.” This possibility seems the most likely, since Nehemiah is praying that what these men are trying to do to others will happen to them. (2) It could mean that they have caused others to be angry at the people who are rebuilding the wall. Alternate translation: “they have caused others to be angry at the people who are rebuilding the wall.” (3) It could mean that Sanballat and Tobiah have made the builders angry by mocking them. Alternate translation: “they have made the builders become angry”
NEH	4	6	r475		וַ⁠נִּבְנֶה֙ אֶת־הַ֣⁠חוֹמָ֔ה	1	So we built the wall	As in chapter 3, it might be helpful to say “rebuilt.” The Jews were not building something brand new. See the note to [3:1](../03/01.md).
NEH	4	6	mhm5	figs-activepassive	וַ⁠תִּקָּשֵׁ֥ר כָּל־הַ⁠חוֹמָ֖ה עַד־חֶצְיָ֑⁠הּ	1	and all the wall was joined together to half its height	You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “we filled in the breaks as high as halfway up the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	4	6	a81c	figs-explicit	וַ⁠תִּקָּשֵׁ֥ר כָּל־הַ⁠חוֹמָ֖ה עַד־חֶצְיָ֑⁠הּ	1	and all the wall was joined together	It appears from the context that this likely took some time and perseverance after Sanballat and Tobiah began to mock and oppose the project. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “after some time, we filled in the breaks” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	4	6	ef8p	translate-fraction	עַד־חֶצְיָ֑⁠הּ	1	half its height	“Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH	4	6	a83c	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יְהִ֧י לֵ֦ב לָ⁠עָ֖ם לַ⁠עֲשֽׂוֹת	1	And the heart of the people was for working	Here the **heart** figuratively represents the thoughts and the will of the people. Alternate translation: “Everyone was determined to accomplish this.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	4	7	a85c	writing-newevent	וַ⁠יְהִ֣י	1	Then it happened	Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
NEH	4	7	a87c	translate-names	סַנְבַלַּ֡ט וְ֠⁠טוֹבִיָּה	1	Sanballat, and Tobiah	This are the names of men. See how you translated them in [2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	4	7	a89c	translate-names	וְ⁠הָ⁠עַרְבִ֨ים וְ⁠הָ⁠עַמֹּנִ֜ים וְ⁠הָ⁠אַשְׁדּוֹדִ֗ים	1	and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites	These are the names of people groups. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	4	7	a91c	figs-personification	עָלְתָ֤ה אֲרוּכָה֙ לְ⁠חֹמ֣וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם	1	the health of the walls of Jerusalem was going up	Here Nehemiah is speaking of the wall around Jerusalem as if it were a living thing that was sick because it was broken down. Nehemiah speaks of the repairs to the wall as if the wall is becoming healthy again. Alternate translation: “we were continuing to repair the walls of Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	4	7	a93c		עָלְתָ֤ה	1	was going up	Alternate translation: “was increasing”
NEH	4	7	a95c	figs-activepassive	כִּי־הֵחֵ֥לּוּ הַ⁠פְּרֻצִ֖ים לְ⁠הִסָּתֵ֑ם	1	and the breaks were beginning to be closed	You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “we were continuing to … fill in the gaps” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	4	7	gsb7	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יִּ֥חַר לָ⁠הֶ֖ם מְאֹֽד	1	that … it burned them exceedingly	Here Nehemiah says that the anger of these enemies was a fire that burned inside of them. Alternate translation: “they became very angry” or “they became enraged” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	4	8	b6im	figs-metonymy	לְ⁠הִלָּחֵ֣ם בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם	1	to fight against Jerusalem	Here, **Jerusalem** refers to the people who live there. These enemies were not coming to fight against the walls and buildings. Nehemiah is describing the people of Jerusalem figuratively by reference to something associated with them, the city where they live. Alternate translation: “to fight against the people of Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	4	8	a97c	figs-abstractnouns	וְ⁠לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת ל֖⁠וֹ תּוֹעָֽה	1	and to make confusion for it	The abstract noun **confusion** refers to the way these enemies hoped that their attack would make the people of Jerusalem not know what to do. The people might disagree among themselves about whether they should keep working on the wall or whether they should discontinue the work to appease the attackers. They might also disagree about how to defend themselves. You can translate the idea behind the term “confusion” with adjectives such as “confused” and “divided.” Alternate translation: “They wanted to make the people inside the city confused and divided.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	4	9	vz1d		וַ⁠נַּעֲמִ֨יד מִשְׁמָ֧ר עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֛ם	1	and we set up a guard on account of them	“and we put men around the wall to guard the city”
NEH	4	9	a99c	figs-merism	יוֹמָ֥ם וָ⁠לַ֖יְלָה	1	by day and by night	This does not mean that some people went up on the walls to look around at various parts of the day, and others went up at certain times of night. Nehemiah is describing how he maintained a constant guard by speaking of two times when people were on duty, the day and the night, in order to include all the time in between. Alternate translation: “at all times,” otherwise “throughout the day and night” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
NEH	4	9	ad11	figs-metaphor	מִ⁠פְּנֵי⁠הֶֽם	1	from their faces	This term could mean two different things: (1) Here, probably **Their faces** figuratively means the front of a group. This likely means that the lookouts would see the front ranks of the army as they approached. Alternate translation: “to spot them as they approached” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]). (2) Here, “their faces” could also be a figurative way of referring to the enemies and their hostile intentions toward the people doing the work. Alternate translations: “against them”
NEH	4	10	ad13	figs-metonymy	וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוּדָ֗ה	1	And Judah said	Nehemiah is describing the people of Judah figuratively by reference to something associated with them, the name of their province. Alternate translation: “Then the people of Judah started saying” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	4	10	ad15		כָּשַׁל֙ כֹּ֣חַ הַ⁠סַּבָּ֔ל	1	the strength of the burden-bearers is failing	Alternate translation: “The people who are carrying the stones are getting worn out”
NEH	4	10	vc8h		וְ⁠הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר	1	and … rubble	Alternate translation: “and … burned stone” or “and … broken rock” or “and … unusable stone”
NEH	4	10	ad17		וַ⁠אֲנַ֨חְנוּ֙ לֹ֣א נוּכַ֔ל לִ⁠בְנ֖וֹת בַּ⁠חוֹמָֽה	1	And as for us, we are not able to build the wall.	Alternate translation: “We are not going to be able to finish rebuilding the wall”
NEH	4	11	yuc9	figs-parallelism	לֹ֤א יֵדְעוּ֙ וְ⁠לֹ֣א יִרְא֔וּ עַ֛ד אֲשֶׁר־נָב֥וֹא אֶל־תּוֹכָ֖⁠ם	1	They will not know, and they will not see until when we come into their midst	These two phrases mean similar things. The enemies use the repetition to emphasize how confident they are of launching a surprise attack. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “They will not be expecting an attack until we are right there,” otherwise “before they see us and know we are coming, we will rush down on them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	4	11	ad19	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠לֹ֣א יִרְא֔וּ	1	and they will not see	While the enemies could be referring to the Jews literally not seeing them approach, “seeing” could also be a figuratively way of describing knowledge, notice, or attention. In that case this expression would mean the same thing as “they will not know.” Alternate translation: “they will not be expecting” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	4	12	ad21	figs-explicit	בָּ֣אוּ	1	came	The implication is that they came to Jerusalem to speak with the Jewish leaders there. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “came to Jerusalem to speak with us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	4	12	t8f2	figs-synecdoche	הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֔ים הַ⁠יֹּשְׁבִ֖ים אֶצְלָ֑⁠ם	1	the Jews dwelling beside them	**Them** means the enemies Nehemiah has been talking about, so this expression likely refers to the Jews who lived near Nehemiah and those helping him. But it does not mean all of these Jews, just some who came to Jerusalem. Nehemiah is describing part of this group as if it were the whole group. Alternate translation: “some of the Jews who lived near our enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	4	12	b3zk	figs-idiom	וַ⁠יֹּ֤אמְרוּ לָ֨⁠נוּ֙ עֶ֣שֶׂר פְּעָמִ֔ים	1	spoke to us ten times	Here the number 10 is used to represent “many.” Alternate translation: “spoke to us many times” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	4	12	ad23	figs-explicit	מִ⁠כָּל־הַ⁠מְּקֹמ֖וֹת אֲשֶׁר־תָּשׁ֥וּבוּ עָלֵֽי⁠נוּ	1	From all the places where you turn, they are on us	The meaning of this Hebrew phrase is uncertain. However, one explanation that would fit the context is that these exposed Jewish communities sent representatives to Jerusalem to tell Nehemiah that they were afraid of being attacked in their villages. The “places where you return” could mean “anywhere we live,” referring to the villages, and “they are on us” could mean that the enemies could attack these undefended towns at any time. Perhaps these representatives were asking Nehemiah to release their able-bodied men from work duty and send them home so they could help defend their families and neighbors. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say something like this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Our enemies could attack us anywhere we live, so let our men return home so they can defend us!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	4	12	q1mv	figs-hyperbole	מִ⁠כָּל־הַ⁠מְּקֹמ֖וֹת	1	From all the places where you turn	This phrase likely indicates “in every direction.” The word “all” is an exaggeration for emphasis. Alternate translation: “anywhere we live” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH	4	13	ad25		וָֽ⁠אַעֲמִ֞יד	1	So I stationed	If you follow the suggestion in the previous note for translating the last phrase in [4:12](../04/12.md), then you could show here that Nehemiah is indicating a contrast between what the representatives wanted him to do and what he actually did. Instead of scattering his forces by sending the men from other towns home, he concentrated them visibly in Jerusalem, expecting that the main attack would come there. Alternate translation: “But” or “Instead”
NEH	4	13	xc8b		וָֽ⁠אַעֲמִ֞יד מִֽ⁠תַּחְתִּיּ֧וֹת לַ⁠מָּק֛וֹם מֵ⁠אַחֲרֵ֥י לַ⁠חוֹמָ֖ה בַּצְּחִיחִ֑ים	1	So I stationed from the lowest of places behind the wall, in the bare places	Alternate translation: “I put guards behind the wall at the places where it was low or where there were gaps in it.”
NEH	4	13	mj33	figs-synecdoche	וָֽ⁠אַעֲמִ֤יד אֶת־הָ⁠עָם֙ לְ⁠מִשְׁפָּח֔וֹת	1	I stationed the people by families	This does not mean all the people, and it does not mean every member of every family. Nehemiah is figuratively describing part of the people as if they were all of them, and part of each family as if it were the whole family. Chapter 3 describes how Nehemiah organized the work on the wall by family and community groups. He seems to have organized the defense of the city the same way. Alternate translation: “I positioned people from each family” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	4	13	ad27	translate-unknown	וְ⁠קַשְּׁתֹתֵי⁠הֶֽם	1	and their bows	This means not just bows, but bows and arrows. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	4	14	l4uz		וָ⁠אֵ֣רֶא	1		This likely means that Nehemiah literally looked over all the defenses he had put in place. Alternate translation: “After I had inspected everything”
NEH	4	14	h68n	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אָק֗וּם וָ⁠אֹמַ֞ר	1		Since Nehemiah immediately addresses a group of people, the implication is that he gathered them together to speak to them. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I summoned … and I told them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	4	14	f9hq	figs-idiom	וָ⁠אָק֗וּם	1		In this context, the expression “rose up” likely is a way of saying that Nehemiah took public action, not that he had been sitting or lying down and got up. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	4	14	iy4j		אֶל־הַ⁠חֹרִ֤ים וְ⁠אֶל־הַ⁠סְּגָנִים֙	1		See how you translated these terms in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “to the leading citizens and the city officials”
NEH	4	14	mza7	figs-synecdoche	יֶ֣תֶר הָ⁠עָ֔ם	1		This does not mean all of the other people who lived in Jerusalem, but rather many of them who came to hear Nehemiah speak on this occasion. He is figuratively describing part of the people as if they were all of them. Alternate translation: “many of the other people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	4	14	ic4q	figs-synecdoche	אַל־תִּֽירְא֖וּ מִ⁠פְּנֵי⁠הֶ֑ם	1		Here, **face** figuratively describes an entire person by reference to one part, the “face,” likely because the face shows what the person is thinking and feeling. Alternate translation: “Do not be afraid of our enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	4	14	xyjh	figs-idiom	זְכֹ֔רוּ	1		In this context, **remember** does not refer to a person recalling something they have forgotten. Rather, it means, “keep in mind.” Alternate translation: “keep in mind” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	4	14	xgdm	figs-synecdoche	אֲדֹנָ֞⁠י הַ⁠גָּד֤וֹל וְ⁠הַ⁠נּוֹרָא֙	1		Nehemiah is referring here to Yahweh, the God who promised to bless and protect the Jews as his chosen people. When he says **my**, he is using himself to represent the entire community. Alternate translation: “our great and awesome God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	4	14	x0ri	figs-doublet	הַ⁠גָּד֤וֹל וְ⁠הַ⁠נּוֹרָא֙	1		Nehemiah uses this same expression in [1:5](../01/05.md). See how you translated it there. Review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “great and glorious” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	4	14	c8s7	figs-metaphor	אֲחֵי⁠כֶם֙	1		Here, **brother** could mean biological brothers, but it is more likely that it refers figuratively to a person’s relatives, that is, their whole family. Alternate translation: “your families” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	4	15	puc1	writing-newevent	וַ⁠יְהִ֞י כַּֽ⁠אֲשֶׁר	1		Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
NEH	4	15	qxa7	figs-activepassive	נ֣וֹדַֽע לָ֔⁠נוּ	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “we found out about their plans” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	4	15	lgih	figs-explicit	נ֣וֹדַֽע לָ֔⁠נוּ	1		**It** means the plan of these enemies to launch a surprise attack, as described in [4:11](../04/11.md). If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “we found out about their plans to launch a surprise attack” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	4	15	e4mc		וַ⁠יָּ֥פֶר הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־עֲצָתָ֑⁠ם	1		Alternate translation: “and God had kept them from doing what they planned.”
NEH	4	15	f236	figs-metonymy	וַנָּ֤שָׁב כֻּלָּ֨⁠נוּ֙ אֶל־הַ֣⁠חוֹמָ֔ה אִ֖ישׁ אֶל־מְלַאכְתּֽ⁠וֹ	1		Here, **the wall** means the work on the wall. Nehemiah is describing this work figuratively by referring to something associated with it, the wall that was the object of the work. Alternate translation: “we all went back to working on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	4	15	g1de	figs-explicit	וַנָּ֤שָׁב כֻּלָּ֨⁠נוּ֙ אֶל־הַ֣⁠חוֹמָ֔ה אִ֖ישׁ אֶל־מְלַאכְתּֽ⁠וֹ	1		The implication is that when the enemies realized the Jews knew about their plans, they decided not to attack. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “They decided not to attack us, and we all went back to working on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	4	15	doov	figs-idiom	אִ֖ישׁ אֶל־מְלַאכְתּֽ⁠וֹ	1		In this context, **a man** means “each person.” It does not refer only to an adult male. Alternate translation: “Each person continued doing the same work as before” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	4	16	rtac	figs-idiom	מִן־הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠ה֗וּא	1		In this context, **day** may not refer to one specific day, but rather to a more general time. Alternate translation: “from that time on” or “after that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	4	16	gh9g	figs-idiom	נְעָרַ⁠י֮ עֹשִׂ֣ים בַּ⁠מְּלָאכָה֒	1		This expression refers to the servants who worked for Nehemiah. While they probably were young adult males, the expression is specifically envisioning their role and status. Alternate translation: “my servants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	4	16	rgab	figs-explicit	עֹשִׂ֣ים בַּ⁠מְּלָאכָה֒	1		This refers to the work on the wall. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “worked on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	4	16	f9in	translate-fraction	חֲצִ֣י נְעָרַ⁠י֮	1		**Half** means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH	4	16	nf2h	translate-unknown	וְ⁠הַ⁠קְּשָׁת֖וֹת	1		As in [4:13](../04/13.md), this means not just bows, but bows and arrows. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	4	16	i7wi		וְ⁠הַ֨⁠שָּׂרִ֔ים אַחֲרֵ֖י כָּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה	1		This likely means that certain officials literally stood behind the workers and the guards. That is, they were inside the wall and close to it, while the guards stood right at the wall and the workers worked on it. Alternate translation: “Officers stood behind all the workers and guards”
NEH	4	16	gl4t	figs-explicit	וְ⁠הַ֨⁠שָּׂרִ֔ים אַחֲרֵ֖י כָּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה	1		The implication is that the leaders were there to give orders in case there was an attack. But it is likely that Nehemiah also wanted them to offer encouragement and maintain good morale. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Officers stood behind all the workers and guards to encourage everyone and to give orders in case there was an attack” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	4	16	ijcj		וְ⁠הַ֨⁠שָּׂרִ֔ים	1		From the context here and the use of this term in [7:2](../07/02.md), it appears that these “officials” were responsible for giving commands in military situations. Alternate translation: “and officers”
NEH	4	16	d9r4	figs-metaphor	כָּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה	1		Here, the word **house** describes all the people descended from a particular person. All of the descendants of Judah are being described figuratively as if they were one household living together. So this would ordinarily mean “the people of Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	4	16	p1dv	figs-synecdoche	כָּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה	1		However, in this context, the expression is not referring to all the people of Judah. Nehemiah is figuratively describing part of the people as if they were all of them. He means all of the workers and guards. The expression helps clarify that Nehemiah is no longer speaking just of his own servants, whom had divided into two groups to serve as workers and guards. Alternate translation: “all the workers and guards” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	4	17	hgfd	figs-doublet	וְ⁠הַ⁠נֹּשְׂאִ֥ים בַּ⁠סֶּ֖בֶל עֹמְשִׂ֑ים	1		These two short phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together for clarity and emphasis. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “and those who carried the heavy loads” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	4	17	uya2	figs-hyperbole	עֹמְשִׂ֑ים בְּ⁠אַחַ֤ת יָד⁠וֹ֙ עֹשֶׂ֣ה בַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֔ה וְ⁠אַחַ֖ת מַחֲזֶ֥קֶת הַ⁠שָּֽׁלַח	1		Here **his hands** means “their hands.” This is an exaggeration. The builders and porters did not always work with only one hand. Rather, this means that they always had their weapons with them so that they would be prepared to fight off an attack. Alternate translation: “they always had their weapons with them while they were working on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH	4	18	g8tq	figs-idiom	וְ⁠הַ֨⁠בּוֹנִ֔ים אִ֥ישׁ חַרְבּ֛⁠וֹ אֲסוּרִ֥ים עַל־מָתְנָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בוֹנִ֑ים	1		In this context, **a man** means “each person.” Alternate translation: “each builder worked with his sword strapped to his side” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	4	18	vur2	figs-explicit	וְ⁠הַ⁠תּוֹקֵ֥עַ בַּ⁠שּׁוֹפָ֖ר אֶצְלִֽ⁠י	1		The implication is that Nehemiah stationed this person next to him so that he could sound a signal if needed. (This becomes clear in [4:20](../04/20.md).) If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly here. Alternate translation: “And I stationed someone next to me who would blow a ram’s horn if we needed a signal” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	4	19	yn7h		וָ⁠אֹמַ֞ר	1		See how you translated these terms in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “the leading citizens … the city officials”
NEH	4	19	xi9g	figs-synecdoche	הַ⁠חֹרִ֤ים…הַ⁠סְּגָנִים֙	1		As in [4:14](../04/14.md), this does not mean all of the other people who lived in Jerusalem, but rather many of them who came to hear Nehemiah speak on this occasion. He is figuratively describing part of the people as if they were all of them. Alternate translation: “many of the other people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	4	19	agy3	figs-doublet	הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֥ה הַרְבֵּ֖ה וּ⁠רְחָבָ֑ה	1		**Great** and **vast** mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together to emphasize the scope of the rebuilding project. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “large-scale” or “huge” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	4	19	p5fh	figs-idiom	וַ⁠אֲנַ֗חְנוּ נִפְרָדִים֙ עַל־הַ֣⁠חוֹמָ֔ה רְחוֹקִ֖ים אִ֥ישׁ מֵ⁠אָחִֽי⁠ו	1		In this context, **a man** means “each person,” and **brother** means “fellow Jew.” Alternate translation: “each of us is far apart from our fellow Jews along the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	4	20	tm9s	figs-explicit	אֶת־ק֣וֹל הַ⁠שּׁוֹפָ֔ר	1		The implication is that the workers and guards would need to gather together to fight off an attack. The implication is also that while the people were widely scattered, they would all be able to hear the ram’s horn even from a distance, and so it would be an effective signal. If it would make things clearer for your readers, you could say these things explicitly. Alternate translation: “So if we all need to gather in one place to fight off an attack, I will have someone blow a ram’s horn there. You will be able to hear this signal from anywhere along the wall.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	4	20	i5t4	translate-unknown	הַ⁠שּׁוֹפָ֔ר	1		See how you translated this in [4:18](../04/18.md). Review the explanation there if that would be helpful. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	4	20	qml6		אֱלֹהֵ֖י⁠נוּ יִלָּ֥חֶם לָֽ⁠נוּ	1		This does not mean that God will fight instead of the Jews, but that God will take their side and help them win. Alternate translation: “God will help us defeat our enemies”
NEH	4	21	opos	figs-explicit	וַ⁠אֲנַ֖חְנוּ עֹשִׂ֣ים בַּ⁠מְּלָאכָ֑ה	1		This means the **work** of rebuilding the wall. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “So we continued to work on rebuilding the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	4	21	xvrl	figs-synecdoche	וְ⁠חֶצְיָ֗⁠ם מַחֲזִיקִים֙ בָּֽ⁠רְמָחִ֔ים	1		“Them” means the men who would otherwise have been working as builders or carrying loads, but who were serving as guards instead. As verses [4:13](../04/13.md) and [4:16](../04/16.md) make clear, the weaponry included not just spears, but also shields and bows and arrows. So Nehemiah is using “spears” here to refer figuratively to all of the weaponry. Alternate translation: “half of the men served as guards and kept their weapons ready” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	4	21	ca45	translate-fraction	וְ⁠חֶצְיָ֗⁠ם	1		Here **half** means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH	4	21	w4uu	figs-merism	מֵ⁠עֲל֣וֹת הַ⁠שַּׁ֔חַר עַ֖ד צֵ֥את הַ⁠כּוֹכָבִֽים	1		Nehemiah is referring to the entire day by speaking of two extreme parts of it, the time when first light of morning appears and the time when it becomes dark enough to see the stars, in order to include everything in between. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this meaning with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “at all times,” otherwise “from the time when the light of dawn appeared in the morning until the time when the stars appeared at night” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
NEH	4	21	jl3h		מֵ⁠עֲל֣וֹת הַ⁠שַּׁ֔חַר	1		This phrase refers to the daily appearance of light rising in the east in the early morning hours prior to the sun rising above the horizon. Alternate translation: “the first light of day”
NEH	4	21	ww7q	figs-metaphor	צֵ֥את הַ⁠כּוֹכָבִֽים	1		Here Nehemiah describes the appearing of the stars as if they **came out** of an enclosed container. Alternate translation: “the very beginning of the night” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	4	22	j1fu	figs-idiom	אִ֣ישׁ	1		In this context, **a man** means “each person” and more specifically “each worker.” As in 4:16, “young man” means servant. Alternate translation: “each worker and his servant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	4	22	r87p	figs-explicit	בְּ⁠ת֣וֹךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם	1		This could be referring to workers who had come from nearby cities and towns to help rebuild the wall. It could also include people who lived in the Jerusalem area but whose homes were outside the city, such as local farmers. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “spend the night inside Jerusalem and not go home if they live outside the city” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	4	22	gjm3		וְ⁠הָֽיוּ־לָ֧⁠נוּ הַ⁠לַּ֛יְלָה מִשְׁמָ֖ר וְ⁠הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם מְלָאכָֽה	1		The idea is not that these men would be on guard duty all night and then work all day on the wall. Rather, their presence in the city would mean that a large number of defenders would be ready on short notice if needed. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “That way the city will have plenty of defenders even at night, and they can still work on the wall during the daytime”
NEH	4	23	llry	grammar-connect-time-simultaneous	וְ⁠אֵ֨ין	1		In this verse Nehemiah is describing something else that was also true of the conditions in Jerusalem during the time period he is describing. You can make this clear in your translation with an appropriate connecting word or phrase. Alternate translation: “At that time, neither” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH	4	23	g8mf	figs-metonymy	וְ⁠אַחַ֣⁠י	1		Here **brother** likely refers to Nehemiah’s close relatives. Elsewhere in the book he indicates that his brother Hanani lived in the city and that his relatives ate with him at the governor’s table ([1:2](../01/02.md), [5:14](../05/14.md), [7:2](../07/02.md)). Alternate translation: “nor my relatives” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	4	23	vfv3	figs-idiom	וּ⁠נְעָרַ֗⁠י	1		As in [4:16](../04/16.md), this means “my servants.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	4	23	flyg	translate-unknown	וְ⁠אַנְשֵׁ֤י הַ⁠מִּשְׁמָר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַחֲרַ֔⁠י	1		This likely refers to the personal bodyguard that the king would have assigned to Nehemiah when he appointed him to be the governor of Judah. (Nehemiah describes this appointment in [5:14](../05/14.md).) Alternate translation: “my personal bodyguard” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	4	23	upc5	figs-ellipsis	אִ֖ישׁ שִׁלְח֥⁠וֹ הַ⁠מָּֽיִם	1		Here the specific meaning of the Hebrew text is unknown, but Nehemiah is almost certainly leaving out some of the words that a sentence would normally have to have in order to be complete. He says that he and his relatives, servants, and bodyguards did not take off their clothes, **or anyone his weapon at the water.** This could mean that “no one took his weapon off even when he was washing himself” or that “no one took his weapon off even when going to get water.” If it would be clearer in your language if you explained what “at the water” might mean, you could choose one of these possibilities. Alternate translation: “Each of us always had our weapons with us, even when we were washing ourselves.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	4	23	v2e1	figs-idiom	פֹשְׁטִ֖ים בְּגָדֵ֑י⁠נוּ אִ֖ישׁ שִׁלְח֥⁠וֹ	1		In this context, **a man** means **anyone.** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	5	intro	k7pb			0		# Nehemiah 5 General Notes<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Equality<br><br>The rich made money from the poor. The rich oppressed the poor by charging interest on loans. Because Nehemiah wanted to treat everyone fairly, he did not collect any taxes from them. This chapter also emphasizes that it was wrong to enslave a fellow Jew. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/oppress]])<br><br>### Governor<br>Nehemiah was a governmental leader in Jerusalem, but he was not a king. Jerusalem had a great deal of independence, but it was under the authority of the Persian king. The term “governor” reflects this idea, but a different term may be used in translation.
NEH	5	1	za4u	grammar-connect-time-simultaneous	וַ⁠תְּהִ֨י	1		Nehemiah now relates something else that was happening even while the Jews were trying to rebuild the wall and defend themselves against their enemies. You can make this clear in your translation with an appropriate connecting word or phrase. Alternate translation: “Around this same time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH	5	1	zmb8	figs-abstractnouns	צַעֲקַ֥ת הָ⁠עָ֛ם וּ⁠נְשֵׁי⁠הֶ֖ם גְּדוֹלָ֑ה	1		**Outcry** is an abstract noun that refers to the complaints that the poorer Jews made to Nehemiah about how the wealthier and more powerful Jews were treating them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a verb such as “complain.” Since Nehemiah says this was a “great” outcry, involving many serious grievances, you could intensify the verb with an adverb such as “bitterly.” Alternate translation: “many of the men and their wives complained bitterly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	5	1	czx5		הָ⁠עָ֛ם וּ⁠נְשֵׁי⁠הֶ֖ם	1		Here, **the people** seems to indicate certain men who lived in Jerusalem, since Nehemiah also mentions their wives. Alternate translation: “many of the men and their wives”
NEH	5	1	uqlp	figs-metaphor	אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֖ם	1		Here, **brother** does not seem to mean biological brothers, but to refer figuratively to other members of the same people group. Alternate translation: “their fellow Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	5	1	c3po	figs-doublet	אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֖ם הַ⁠יְּהוּדִֽים	1		These two short phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together to emphasize how inappropriate it was for people to treat members of their own group in the ways described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “their fellow Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	5	2	u19u		וְ⁠יֵשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֹמְרִ֔ים	1		Verses 2, 3, 4, and 5 do not seem to be different complaints that people brought to Nehemiah separately. Rather, the whole group seems to be complaining that because they need to get food for their families, wealthier and more powerful Jews are exploiting them. They are forcing them to take mortgages and loans and even sell their children into slavery. Nehemiah is probably depicting one speaker after another in the crowd adding details to this picture. You could suggest this to the readers of your translation by introducing these comments with a translation such as, “some of them began to say”
NEH	5	2	i9kn		בָּנֵ֥י⁠נוּ וּ⁠בְנֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ רַבִּ֑ים	1		Alternate translation: “We have many children”
NEH	5	2	i5cb	figs-synecdoche	וְ⁠נִקְחָ֥ה דָגָ֖ן	1		This does not mean only grain. The people complaining to Nehemiah are using one kind of food, grain, the staple of their diet, to refer figuratively to all the foods they would need to eat. Alternate translation: “we need food” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	5	2	i7bq	figs-explicit	וְ⁠נִקְחָ֥ה דָגָ֖ן	1		The implication is that because the families are large, a lot of food is needed. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “we need to get a lot of food” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	2	ojue	figs-doublet	וְ⁠נֹאכְלָ֥ה וְ⁠נִחְיֶֽה	1		These two short phrases mean similar things. The people use them together to emphasize the urgency and importance of having food. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “to get enough food to stay alive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	5	3	hwfh	figs-explicit	וְ⁠יֵשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֹמְרִ֔ים	1		Alternate translation: “Others added” (See the applicable note to [2:2](../02/02.md) and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	3	dt2m	translate-unknown	שְׂדֹתֵ֛י⁠נוּ וּ⁠כְרָמֵ֥י⁠נוּ וּ⁠בָתֵּ֖י⁠נוּ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ עֹרְבִ֑ים וְ⁠נִקְחָ֥ה דָגָ֖ן בָּ⁠רָעָֽב	1		It might be helpful to explain to your readers what a **mortgage** is, if you think they might not know. Alternate translation: “We have had to promise to give someone our fields, vineyards, and houses if we do not pay back the money we borrowed. We had to borrow the money to buy food during this time when food is scarce.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	5	4	r14f		וְ⁠יֵשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֹמְרִ֔ים	1		Different people in the crowd apparently continue to add details to the complaint. Alternate translation: “Still others said”
NEH	5	4	zurg	figs-metonymy	לָוִ֥ינוּ כֶ֖סֶף	1		**Silver** here means “money.” Nehemiah is describing money figuratively by reference to the commodity that is being used as a means of exchange, silver. Alternate translation: “We have had to borrow money” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	5	4	wi16	translate-unknown	לְ⁠מִדַּ֣ת הַ⁠מֶּ֑לֶךְ שְׂדֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ וּ⁠כְרָמֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		**Tribute** means “taxes” here. Alternate translation: “the taxes that the king commanded us to pay on our fields and our vineyards” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	5	5	zami	grammar-connect-words-phrases	וְ⁠עַתָּ֗ה	1		This term indicates that the sentence that follows is a further development of the thought from the previous sentence. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]])
NEH	5	5	z4ru	figs-explicit	כִּ⁠בְשַׂ֤ר אַחֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ בְּשָׂרֵ֔⁠נוּ כִּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֖ם בָּנֵ֑י⁠נוּ	1		Here the Jews are insisting that they are of the same Jewish descent as the other Jews and that they of the same importance as the others. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Yet our families are Jews just like the other Jews’ families, and our children are just as important to us as their children are to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	5	ff7r	figs-abstractnouns	כִּ⁠בְשַׂ֤ר אַחֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ בְּשָׂרֵ֔⁠נוּ כִּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֖ם בָּנֵ֑י⁠נוּ	1		These two phrases mean similar things. The people complaining to Nehemiah are using the repetition to emphasize how shameful it is for the wealthy and powerful to sell their own fellow Jews into slavery. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “And we are Jews, just like the people who are doing these things to us!” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	5	5	pcwk		כִּ⁠בְשַׂ֤ר אַחֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ בְּשָׂרֵ֔⁠נוּ כִּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֖ם בָּנֵ֑י⁠נוּ	1		You could move this sentence to the end of the verse, since it is the culmination of the argument.
NEH	5	5	w1ot	figs-metaphor	אַחֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙	1		Here, **brother** figuratively describes the Jews who are exploiting their poor and vulnerable fellow Jews. Alternate translation: “And we are Jews, just like the people who are doing these things to us!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	5	5	oguf		וְ⁠הִנֵּ֣ה	1		**Behold** is a term meant to focus the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use some emphatic term or expression in your language that would have this same effect.
NEH	5	5	rdp9	figs-explicit	אֲנַ֣חְנוּ כֹ֠בְשִׁים אֶת־בָּנֵ֨י⁠נוּ וְ⁠אֶת־בְּנֹתֵ֜י⁠נוּ לַ⁠עֲבָדִ֗ים וְ⁠יֵ֨שׁ מִ⁠בְּנֹתֵ֤י⁠נוּ נִכְבָּשׁוֹת֙	1		In this context, the construction **are putting** likely indicates that the poor are on the verge of selling their children into slavery. The next sentence shows that they have already done this in some instances. It appears that in this culture, in dire situations, girls were sold before boys, perhaps because they could become either domestic servants or concubines. A concubine was a woman who was both a slave and a secondary wife to her master. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this statement that way. Alternate translation: “We are on the verge of selling our children into slavery. In fact, we have already sold some of our daughters as servants and concubines.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	5	z783	grammar-connect-logic-result	וְ⁠אֵ֣ין לְ⁠אֵ֣ל יָדֵ֔⁠נוּ וּ⁠שְׂדֹתֵ֥י⁠נוּ וּ⁠כְרָמֵ֖י⁠נוּ לַ⁠אֲחֵרִֽים	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases because the second phrase gives the reason why the first phrase is true. Alternate translation: “because our creditors took the fields and vineyards we pledged as security for loans, there is nothing else we can do in this situation.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	5	5	y2mq	figs-idiom	וְ⁠אֵ֣ין לְ⁠אֵ֣ל יָדֵ֔⁠נוּ	1		**There is nothing to God in our hand** is an idiom that means that the speaker does not have the power to do what they are describing. Alternate translation: “there is nothing else we can do in this situation” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	5	5	jr7j	figs-explicit	וּ⁠שְׂדֹתֵ֥י⁠נוּ וּ⁠כְרָמֵ֖י⁠נוּ לַ⁠אֲחֵרִֽים	1		The implication is that when the poor could not pay back their loans, their creditors took the fields and vineyards they had pledged as collateral. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “because our creditors took the fields and vineyards we pledged as security for loans.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	6	xcm3	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יִּ֥חַר לִ֖⁠י מְאֹ֑ד	1		Here Nehemiah says that his anger was a fire that burned inside of him. Alternate translation: “I got very angry” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	5	6	ryx1	figs-abstractnouns	כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֤ר שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי֙ אֶת־זַֽעֲקָתָ֔⁠ם וְ⁠אֵ֖ת הַ⁠דְּבָרִ֥ים הָ⁠אֵֽלֶּה	1		**Outcry** is an abstract noun that refers to complaints that the poorer Jews made to Nehemiah about how the wealthier and more powerful Jews were treating them. You can translate the idea behind this word with a verb such as “complain.” Alternate translation: “when I heard how they were complaining” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	5	6	some	figs-doublet	אֶת־זַֽעֲקָתָ֔⁠ם וְ⁠אֵ֖ת הַ⁠דְּבָרִ֥ים הָ⁠אֵֽלֶּה	1		These two short phrases mean similar things. They are used together to emphasize the urgency and severity of these complaints. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “everything that they were complaining about” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	5	7	zk8g	figs-personification	וַ⁠יִּמָּלֵ֨ךְ לִבִּ֜⁠י עָלַ֗⁠י	1		Here Nehemiah is speaking about his heart as if it were a living thing that could act like a king and rule over him. However, he is not saying that his feelings commanded his actions. (He says in the previous verse that he became very angry, but in the next verse he describes acting in a careful and deliberate manner.) Instead, this means that his heart “took counsel” with him, the way a king would take counsel with advisors. In effect, Nehemiah is saying that he talked the matter over with himself. Alternate translation: “I thought hard about what to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	5	7	wxyz	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יִּמָּלֵ֨ךְ לִבִּ֜⁠י עָלַ֗⁠י	1		Here, the **heart** figuratively represents the thoughts and the will. Alternate translation: “I thought hard about what to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	5	7	jawz		וָ⁠אָרִ֨יבָ⁠ה֙	1		**Contended** is a technical term that means “to bring charges.” It means to initiate a lawsuit that would require the defendants to answer for themselves publicly, in the presence of their fellow citizens. Alternate translation: “Then I brought charges”
NEH	5	7	o23t		הַ⁠חֹרִ֣ים…הַ⁠סְּגָנִ֔ים	1		See how you translated these terms in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “the leading citizens and the city officials”
NEH	5	7	dy73	figs-idiom	מַשָּׁ֥א…אַתֶּ֣ם נֹשִׁ֑ים	1		This expression means to charge interest when loaning money to another person. Alternate translation: “You are charging interest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	5	7	sn56	figs-explicit	מַשָּׁ֥א אִישׁ־בְּ⁠אָחִ֖י⁠ו	1		The Law of Moses specifically forbade charging interest on a loan to a fellow Jew. So this was not just an exploitive business practice, it was a violation of God’s Law. The rich and powerful Jews would certainly have been expected to know this. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “You are charging interest on loans to your fellow Jews. You know that is forbidden in the Law of Moses.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	7	f66g	figs-idiom	אִישׁ־בְּ⁠אָחִ֖י⁠ו	1		In this context, “a man” means “each person.” It does not mean only an adult male. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	5	7	yibe	figs-metaphor	אִישׁ־בְּ⁠אָחִ֖י⁠ו	1		Here, **brother** could conceivably include even biological brothers, but in context it likely refers figuratively to fellow Jews. Alternate translation: “to your fellow Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	5	7	r7yl	translate-unknown	וָ⁠אֶתֵּ֥ן עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם קְהִלָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה	1		This means that, as part of conducting the lawsuit against these wealthy and powerful Jews, Nehemiah brought together a large group of their fellow citizens to hear the charges against them. This group was the “assembly.” Alternate translation: “I put them on trial in front of their fellow citizens” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	5	7	u9u2	figs-events	וָ⁠אֶתֵּ֥ן עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם קְהִלָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה	1		To present the events in chronological order, if that would be helpful to your readers, you could put this before the previous sentence, which describes the first charge that Nehemiah brought at this trial. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]])
NEH	5	8	o7o9	figs-explicit	אֲנַ֣חְנוּ קָ֠נִינוּ	1		**We** likely means Nehemiah and his relatives, as in 4:23. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “My relatives and I have bought back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	8	a1b2	figs-events	קָ֠נִינוּ אֶת־אַחֵ֨י⁠נוּ הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֜ים הַ⁠נִּמְכָּרִ֤ים לַ⁠גּוֹיִם֙	1		To present the events in chronological order, if that would be helpful to your readers, you could put the information that some Jews had to sell themselves into slavery before the information that Nehemiah and his relatives bought their freedom. Alternate translation: “Whenever our Jewish relatives have had to sell themselves into slavery to people from other nations … we have been buying them back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]])
NEH	5	8	o6o8		כְּ⁠דֵ֣י בָ֔⁠נוּ	1		Alternate translation: “to the best of our ability”
NEH	5	8	q123	figs-doublet	אַחֵ֨י⁠נוּ הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֜ים	1		These two short phrases mean similar things. They are used together to emphasize that buying them back was an honorable and expected action. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “our Jewish relatives” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	5	8	bszc	figs-metaphor	אַחֵ֨י⁠נוּ	1		Here, **brother** likely refers figuratively to fellow Jews. Alternate translation: “our fellow Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	5	8	t5y7	figs-activepassive	הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֜ים הַ⁠נִּמְכָּרִ֤ים	1		You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “our fellow Jews have had to sell themselves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	5	8	pzy8	figs-explicit	וְ⁠גַם־אַתֶּ֛ם תִּמְכְּר֥וּ אֶת־אֲחֵי⁠כֶ֖ם וְ⁠נִמְכְּרוּ־לָ֑⁠נוּ	1		This means that they are selling their family members, both men and women, as slaves to their fellow Jews. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “Now you are selling your own people to be slaves of your fellow Jews, so that they might later sell them back to us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	8	kn82	figs-activepassive	הַ⁠נִּמְכָּרִ֤ים לַ⁠גּוֹיִם֙	1		This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “who people had sold as slaves to the nations” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	5	8	b1a1		וְ⁠גַם־אַתֶּ֛ם	1	Malkijah	This is an emphatic expression. Nehemiah uses it to show how serious the offense is. If it would be clearer in your language, you could indicate this emphasis in some way in your translation. Alternate translation: “you are actually”
NEH	5	8	b1a3	figs-explicit	תִּמְכְּר֥וּ אֶת־אֲחֵי⁠כֶ֖ם	1		This means that the creditors were selling the debtors into slavery to recover the money they owed. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “you are actually selling your fellow Jews into slavery to get back the money they owe you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	8	b1a5	figs-metaphor	אֲחֵי⁠כֶ֖ם	1		Here, **brother** likely refers figuratively to fellow Jews. Alternate translation: “your fellow Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	5	8	b1a7	figs-activepassive	וְ⁠נִמְכְּרוּ־לָ֑⁠נוּ	1		You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “They are some of the very people we have been buying back!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	5	8	b1a9	figs-explicit	וַֽ⁠יַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ וְ⁠לֹ֥א מָצְא֖וּ דָּבָֽר	1		The implication is that the accused said nothing because they knew that Nehemiah’s charges were true. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “They knew that these charges were true, so they were silent. They could not answer a single word.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	8	ecd1	figs-parallelism	וַֽ⁠יַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ וְ⁠לֹ֥א מָצְא֖וּ דָּבָֽר	1		These two phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize how completely guilty the accused people were. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “there was absolutely nothing they could say in response.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	5	9	lm7c		לֹא־ט֥וֹב הַ⁠דָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֑ים	1		In this context, **good** does have a moral connotation. Nehemiah is saying more than that this is not a good idea. Alternate translation: “What you are doing is wrong!”
NEH	5	9	kr1t	figs-rquestion	הֲ⁠ל֞וֹא בְּ⁠יִרְאַ֤ת אֱלֹהֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ תֵּלֵ֔כוּ מֵ⁠חֶרְפַּ֖ת הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect the accused to give him reasons why they should not obey God. Instead, he is using the question form to emphasize how important it is for these wealthy and powerful Jews to stop doing these wrong things. Alternate translation: “You really ought to live your life in a way that honors God!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	5	9	v6ux	figs-idiom	הֲ⁠ל֞וֹא בְּ⁠יִרְאַ֤ת אֱלֹהֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ תֵּלֵ֔כוּ	1		In this context, **fear** does not mean to be afraid. It means to show respect and reverence, specifically by obeying instead of disobeying. Alternate translation: “live your life in a way that honors God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	5	9	b1b1	figs-idiom	תֵּלֵ֔כוּ	1		Here, **walk** is an idiom that describes a person’s conduct in life. Alternate translation: “live your life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	5	9	b1b3		מֵ⁠חֶרְפַּ֖ת הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		This may be a reference to the way the enemies of the Jews were already mocking them, or to the way they would mock them if they learned of what was happening. It could mean both things. Alternate translation: “Otherwise, our enemies will mock us even more”
NEH	5	9	s7qt	figs-abstractnouns	מֵ⁠חֶרְפַּ֖ת הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		**Reproach** is an abstract noun that refers to the way the enemies of the Jews were mocking them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the same idea with a verb such as “mock.” Alternate translation: “to keep the nations who are our enemies from mocking us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	5	9	b1b5	figs-doublet	הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		These two short phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together to emphasize the identity and hostility of the people who are opposing the Jews. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “our enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	5	10	b1b7	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠גַם־אֲנִי֙ אַחַ֣⁠י וּ⁠נְעָרַ֔⁠י	1		As in [4:23](../04/23.md), this means, “I myself, my relatives, and my servants.” The term “brother” here likely includes one or more of Nehemiah’s biological brothers, but more generally it refers figuratively to his close relatives. Alternate translation: “I myself, my relatives, and my servants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	5	10	xbp5	figs-explicit	נֹשִׁ֥ים בָּ⁠הֶ֖ם כֶּ֣סֶף וְ⁠דָגָ֑ן	1		The implication is that Nehemiah and his companions are lending without charging any interest. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “have been lending money and grain to those in need without charging interest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	10	b1b9	figs-metonymy	כֶּ֣סֶף	1		**Silver** here means “money.” Nehemiah is describing money figuratively by reference to the commodity that is being used as a means of exchange, silver. Alternate translation: “money” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	5	10	j3dq		נַֽעַזְבָה־נָּ֖א אֶת־הַ⁠מַּשָּׁ֥א הַ⁠זֶּֽה	1		It is clear from the context that **us** in this sentence does not mean Nehemiah and his companions, but rather the entire Jewish community, of which they are a part. Nehemiah could say to the defendants, accusingly, “You must stop charging interest!” But he includes himself and the entire community as a way of being encouraging rather than condemning. (This would be a use of “we/us” that includes the addressees. You should make this clear in your translation if your language makes that distinction.) Alternate translation: “All of us should stop charging interest on loans.”
NEH	5	11	vkz7		הָשִׁיבוּ֩ נָ֨א לָ⁠הֶ֜ם	1		This is worded as a polite request, but it is really a demand. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express it with an imperative. “Give them back”
NEH	5	11	dim5	figs-idiom	כְּ⁠הַ⁠יּ֗וֹם	1		This does not necessarily mean on this same day, but without waiting. Alternate translation: “Do it right away!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	5	11	b1c1	translate-fraction	וּ⁠מְאַ֨ת	1		In this context, this expression means “the hundredth part,” or one per cent. In this culture, this was likely charged monthly, so it would have amounted to 12% annual interest. In an economy that was based more on commodities than on cash, this would have been an exorbitant amount. If your culture typically calculates interest at an annual rate, you could express it that way here to help your readers understand the likely meaning. Alternate translation: “the 12% annual interest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH	5	11	e9y2	figs-metonymy	הַ⁠כֶּ֤סֶף	1		**Silver** means “money” here, as in verse 10. Alternate translation: “money” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	5	11	b1c3	figs-idiom	נֹשִׁ֥ים בָּ⁠הֶֽם	1		Alternate translation: “charging them” or “making them pay” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	5	12	b1c5		וַ⁠יֹּאמְר֣וּ	1		**They** means the leading citizens and the city officials. Alternate translation: “These leaders replied”
NEH	5	12	q7t5	figs-explicit	נָשִׁ֗יב	1		The implication is that they will return the fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and houses that they took from the poor, as Nehemiah demanded in [5:11](../05/11.md). If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “We will give back their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and houses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	12	i1gi		וּ⁠מֵ⁠הֶם֙ לֹ֣א נְבַקֵּ֔שׁ	1		Alternate translation: “And we will stop charging them interest”
NEH	5	12	e2yv	grammar-connect-logic-result	נַעֲשֶׂ֔ה כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֖ר אַתָּ֣ה אוֹמֵ֑ר	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could put this statement first, since it is the reason for the results that follow, the return of property and the cancelling of interest. Alternate translation: “Yes, we will do what you say” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	5	12	b1c7	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אֶקְרָא֙ אֶת־הַ⁠כֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים וָֽ⁠אַשְׁבִּיעֵ֔⁠ם לַ⁠עֲשׂ֖וֹת כַּ⁠דָּבָ֥ר הַ⁠זֶּֽה	1		The implication is that the priests would have these leaders swear an oath before God. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Then I called the priests, and I made the leaders swear to God in front of them that they would do what they had promised.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	13	b1c9	figs-metonymy	חָצְנִ֣⁠י נָעַ֗רְתִּי	1		**Bosom** here refers figuratively to Nehemiah’s robe. It refers specifically by association to the part that he could gather together in front of him to form a pouch. Alternate translation: “I shook out the folds of my robe” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	5	13	neg1	translate-symaction	חָצְנִ֣⁠י נָעַ֗רְתִּי	1		Nehemiah gathered his robe together in front of him, the way someone would if they wanted to carry something in its folds. Then he flung the robe open and shook it, so that anything that was in it would have scattered. By doing this, he demonstrated symbolically to the Jewish leaders what would happen to them if they broke the promise they made. Alternate translation: “I shook out the folds of my robe” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	5	13	f5p4		כָּ֣כָה יְנַעֵ֪ר הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִ֟ים אֶת־כָּל־הָ⁠אִישׁ֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־יָקִ֜ים אֶת־הַ⁠דָּבָ֣ר הַ⁠זֶּ֗ה מִ⁠בֵּית⁠וֹ֙ וּ⁠מִ֣⁠יגִיע֔⁠וֹ וְ⁠כָ֛כָה יִהְיֶ֥ה נָע֖וּר וָ⁠רֵ֑ק	1		Alternate translation: “In the same way, may God take away the home and all the possessions of anyone who does not keep this promise”
NEH	5	13	b1d1	figs-gendernotations	כָּל־הָ⁠אִישׁ֩	1		In this context, this expression means “anyone.” It could include women as well as men. Alternate translation: “anyone” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
NEH	5	13	b1d3	figs-personification	יָקִ֜ים אֶת־הַ⁠דָּבָ֣ר הַ⁠זֶּ֗ה	1		The **word** means the promise that the leaders have made and the oath they have taken to confirm it. Nehemiah is speaking of this promise figuratively as if it were a living thing that could stand, that is, stay in place rather than go away. Alternate translation: “keep this oath” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	5	13	b1d5	figs-doublet	מִ⁠בֵּית⁠וֹ֙ וּ⁠מִ֣⁠יגִיע֔⁠וֹ	1		These two short phrases mean similar things. They are used together to express the totality of what a person owns. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “everything he owns” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	5	13	b1d7		וּ⁠מִ֣⁠יגִיע֔⁠וֹ	1		**Labor** here figuratively refers to the “fruits of labor,” that is, the possessions that a person acquires through labor. Alternate translation: “all his possessions”
NEH	5	13	b1d9	figs-parallelism	וְ⁠כָ֛כָה יִהְיֶ֥ה נָע֖וּר וָ⁠רֵ֑ק	1		This sentence repeats the meaning of the previous one. Nehemiah uses the repetition for emphasis. You would not need to use the same repetition in your translation if it were already clear that Nehemiah is speaking emphatically in the first sentence. However, you could also rephrase the meaning. Alternate translation: “Yes, may that person be separated from everything he owns” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	5	13	b1e1	figs-doublet	נָע֖וּר וָ⁠רֵ֑ק	1		These two short phrases mean similar things. They are used together to emphasize how completely Nehemiah wants God to punish anyone who breaks the oath. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “be separated from everything he owns” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	5	13	b1e3		כָֽל־הַ⁠קָּהָ֜ל	1		This means everyone who was there, both the leaders who were the defendants and the citizens Nehemiah had gathered to hear the charges against them. Alternate translation: “everyone who was there”
NEH	5	13	b1e5	figs-idiom	אָמֵ֗ן	1		This is an expression that means, “Truly, it is so.” It expresses agreement with what someone has just said. You could express the meaning with a phrase such as, “We agree!” Or you could use the Hebrew term and explain its meaning: “Amen! It is true.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	5	13	b1e7		וַֽ⁠יְהַלְלוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה	1		Alternate translation: “they worshipped God”
NEH	5	13	b1e9		וַ⁠יַּ֥עַשׂ הָ⁠עָ֖ם כַּ⁠דָּבָ֥ר הַ⁠זֶּֽה	1		**The people** means “the Jews.” “This word” means the promises they made. Alternate translation: “After that, none of the Jews took houses or fields to guarantee loans, and none of them charged interest”
NEH	5	14	zur1	figs-explicit	גַּ֞ם	1		As explained in the note to [3:1](../03/01.md), in this book, Nehemiah is recording everything that he did to help the people of Judah. He hopes and prays that God will bless him for what he did. He has just described how he rescued the poor from foreclosures and interest. Now he is going to describe something further that he did to help them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Here is something else I did to help the people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	14	b1f1		מִ⁠יּ֣וֹם ׀ אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה אֹתִ֗⁠י לִ⁠הְי֣וֹת פֶּחָ⁠ם֮ בְּ⁠אֶ֣רֶץ יְהוּדָה֒ מִ⁠שְּׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֗ים…לְ⁠אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ	1		This is background information that helps explain what Nehemiah will say next. Alternate translation: “Artaxerxes, the king of Persia, had appointed me to be the governor of the province of Judah during the twentieth year of his reign”
NEH	5	14	b1f3		מִ⁠יּ֣וֹם…וְ֠⁠עַד שְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּ⁠שְׁתַּ֨יִם֙ לְ⁠אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ	1		Alternate translation: “During the twelve years from that time until the thirty-second year of his reign”
NEH	5	14	b1f5	figs-idiom	מִ⁠יּ֣וֹם	1		This is an idiom that means “from the time.” Alternate translation: “from that time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	5	14	ri8l	translate-ordinal	מִ⁠שְּׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֗ים וְ֠⁠עַד שְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּ⁠שְׁתַּ֨יִם֙	1		Alternate translation: “from the 20th year until the 32nd year of the reign of Artaxerxes as king” or “from year 20 until year 32 in the reign of Artaxerxes as king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	5	14	ga6u	translate-numbers	שָׁנִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֣ים עֶשְׂרֵ֑ה	1		Alternate translation: “12 years” or “during those 12 years” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH	5	14	b1f7		אֲנִ֣י וְ⁠אַחַ֔⁠י לֶ֥חֶם הַ⁠פֶּ֖חָה לֹ֥א אָכַֽלְתִּי	1		As Nehemiah explains in the next verse, he recognized that the people were poor and could not afford to provide very much for the expenses of the governor. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly here. Alternate translation: “Because I knew that the people were poor and could not afford to pay for it, I did not accept the governor’s food allowance, and I did not use it to feed my relatives”
NEH	5	14	i31d		אֲנִ֣י…לֹ֥א אָכַֽלְתִּי	1		Alternate translation: “I did not accept”
NEH	5	14	b1f9	figs-synecdoche	לֶ֥חֶם הַ⁠פֶּ֖חָה	1		Nehemiah is using bread to refer figuratively to the entire food allowance that he was entitled to as the governor of Judah. He is describing all the food by the name of one part of it, the bread. Alternate translation: “the food that the people provided for the governor” or “the governor’s food allowance” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	5	14	nqt2	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠אַחַ֔⁠י	1		As in [4:23](../04/23.md), **brother** here likely refers to Nehemiah’s actual brother Hanani and the other close relatives who were with him. Alternate translation: “and I did not use it to feed my relatives” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	5	15	uu9k	figs-doublet	וְ⁠הַ⁠פַּחוֹת֩ הָ⁠רִאשֹׁנִ֨ים אֲשֶׁר־לְ⁠פָנַ֜⁠י	1		**Former** and **before my face** mean similar things. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “The men who were governors before me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	5	15	b1g1	figs-synecdoche	לְ⁠פָנַ֜⁠י	1		Here **face** figuratively describes an entire person by reference to one part of them, the “face.” Alternate translation: “before me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	5	15	b1g3	figs-metaphor	הִכְבִּ֣ידוּ עַל־הָ⁠עָ֗ם	1		Here Nehemiah speaks figuratively as if these governors had been a great burden that the people were carrying, making their lives very difficult. Alternate translation: “made life very difficult for the people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	5	15	b1g5	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יִּקְח֨וּ מֵ⁠הֶ֜ם בְּ⁠לֶ֤חֶם וָ⁠יַ֨יִן֙ אַחַר֙ כֶּֽסֶף־שְׁקָלִ֣ים אַרְבָּעִ֔ים	1		**After** indicates that the supplies of bread and wine were in addition to the money. Nehemiah is likely describing what the former governors required of the people each day. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “They demanded that they supply them with bread and wine and forty silver shekels every day.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	15	w4zk	translate-bmoney	כֶּֽסֶף־שְׁקָלִ֣ים אַרְבָּעִ֔ים	1		In ancient times, a silver shekel weighed about 11 grams or about a third of an ounce. You could try to express this in terms of modern money values, but if you did, that could cause your Bible translation to become outdated and inaccurate over time, since those values can change from year to year. Instead, you could say something general like “40 silver coins,” or give the equivalent weight, or use the biblical term in the text and give the weight in a note. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])
NEH	5	15	b1g7	translate-numbers	כֶּֽסֶף־שְׁקָלִ֣ים אַרְבָּעִ֔ים	1		Alternate translation: “forty silver shekels” or “40 pieces of silver” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH	5	15	b1g9		גַּ֥ם נַעֲרֵי⁠הֶ֖ם שָׁלְט֣וּ עַל־הָ⁠עָ֑ם	1		Alternate translation: “Even their servants oppressed the people.”
NEH	5	15	egg7	grammar-connect-logic-result	וַ⁠אֲנִי֙ לֹא־עָשִׂ֣יתִי כֵ֔ן מִ⁠פְּנֵ֖י יִרְאַ֥ת אֱלֹהִֽים	1		In this sentence, if it would be clearer in your language, you can put the reason before the result. Alternate translation: “But because of my fear of God, I did not take the food” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	5	15	b1h1	figs-metaphor	מִ⁠פְּנֵ֖י יִרְאַ֥ת אֱלֹהִֽים	1		Here, **face** figuratively represents Nehemiah’s personal perception. “Fearing” God does not mean being afraid of God, but recognizing that God deserves respect and honor. Nehemiah is speaking of this perception figuratively, as if this recognition was always directly in front of him in a place where he could see it. He means that he was always aware of it. Alternate translation: “because I knew I needed to respect God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	5	16	gx42	figs-metaphor	בִּ⁠מְלֶ֜אכֶת הַ⁠חוֹמָ֤ה הַ⁠זֹּאת֙ הֶחֱזַ֔קְתִּי	1		Nehemiah describes himself figuratively as **holding fast to**, meaning “holding onto,” the work of rebuilding the wall. This means that he was devoted to it, and he did not pursue other interests, including ones that could have made money for him. Alternate translation: “I devoted myself to the work of rebuilding of the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	5	16	lm7t		וְ⁠שָׂדֶ֖ה לֹ֣א קָנִ֑ינוּ	1		**We** likely refers to Nehemiah and his relatives, since he mentions his servants next.
NEH	5	16	b1h3	figs-synecdoche	וְ⁠שָׂדֶ֖ה לֹ֣א קָנִ֑ינוּ	1		Nehemiah is using the term **field** figuratively to describe any kind of real property that he and his relatives might have bought. Verse 11 shows that this could have included not just fields but also things like vineyards, olive orchards, and houses. He is describing all real property by reference to one kind, a field. Alternate translation: “My relatives and I did not buy any property” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	5	16	m3s9	figs-explicit	וְ⁠שָׂדֶ֖ה לֹ֣א קָנִ֑ינוּ	1		The implication is that they could have bought property cheaply because the poor were so desperate. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “My relatives and I did not buy any property, even though we could have gotten it cheaply because the poor were so desperate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	16	xpb3	figs-activepassive	וְ⁠כָל־נְעָרַ֔⁠י קְבוּצִ֥ים שָׁ֖ם עַל־הַ⁠מְּלָאכָֽה	1		**There** means at the wall, and **for the work** means the work of rebuilding the wall. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “I gathered all of my servants there to work on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	5	17	j2af	figs-synecdoche	וְ⁠הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֨ים	1		While this expression means “the Jewish people” in most of the book, in the context here and in 2:16 it seems to mean “Jewish leaders.” Nehemiah is describing some members of this people group, its leaders, as if they were the whole group. Alternate translation: “the Jewish leaders” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	5	17	a1g4	translate-unknown	וְ⁠הַ⁠סְּגָנִ֜ים	1		See how you translated this term in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “city officials” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	5	17	q9x7	figs-metonymy	מֵאָ֧ה וַ⁠חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ…עַל־שֻׁלְחָנִֽ⁠י	1		Nehemiah is using the word **table** to refer to the act of feeding people. He is describing that act figuratively by reference to something associated with it, the table that the food was served on. Alternate translation: “every day I was responsible to feed 150 Jewish leaders and officials” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	5	17	w7i4	figs-explicit	וְ⁠הַ⁠בָּאִ֥ים אֵלֵ֛י⁠נוּ מִן־הַ⁠גּוֹיִ֥ם אֲשֶׁר־סְבִיבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ	1		This likely refers to Jews who lived in other countries but who came to Jerusalem. Their own communities may have sent them as representatives, or they may have come on their own for business or personal reasons. Alternate translation: “and we also fed the Jewish visitors who came from other countries around us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	5	18	fa32	figs-ellipsis	וַ⁠אֲשֶׁר֩ הָיָ֨ה נַעֲשֶׂ֜ה לְ⁠י֣וֹם אֶחָ֗ד שׁ֣וֹר אֶחָ֞ד צֹ֠אן שֵׁשׁ־בְּרֻר֤וֹת וְ⁠צִפֳּרִים֙ נַֽעֲשׂוּ־לִ֔⁠י	1		Nehemiah seems once again to be leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. He probably means something like, “What was prepared for one day is as follows: One bull, six choice sheep, and birds; that is what was prepared for me.” You could simplify the sentence for your readers by not including “were prepared for me” again at the end. Alternate translation: “Each day I told my servants to prepare one ox, six good sheep, and various kinds of poultry” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	5	18	gqe2	figs-activepassive	וַ⁠אֲשֶׁר֩ הָיָ֨ה נַעֲשֶׂ֜ה לְ⁠י֣וֹם אֶחָ֗ד	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “Each day I told my servants to prepare” or “Each day I told my servants to serve us the meat from” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	5	18	sp6n	translate-unknown	וְ⁠צִפֳּרִים֙	1		It is likely that the birds were domesticated rather than wild, and if it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term that indicates this. Alternate translation: “and various kinds of poultry” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	5	18	b1h5	figs-ellipsis	וּ⁠בֵ֨ין עֲשֶׂ֧רֶת יָמִ֛ים בְּ⁠כָל־יַ֖יִן לְ⁠הַרְבֵּ֑ה	1		Nehemiah is once again leaving out some words that a sentence would ordinarily need to be complete. To make things clearer for your readers, you express the meaning more fully. Alternate translation: “Every ten days I also had my servants bring in an abundant supply of various kinds of wine” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	5	18	mil3	figs-idiom	וּ⁠בֵ֨ין עֲשֶׂ֧רֶת יָמִ֛ים	1		This expression means “every ten days.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	5	18	b1h7		יַ֖יִן לְ⁠הַרְבֵּ֑ה	1		Alternate translation: “enough wine for everyone”
NEH	5	18	b1h9		וְ⁠עִם־זֶ֗ה לֶ֤חֶם הַ⁠פֶּחָה֙ לֹ֣א בִקַּ֔שְׁתִּי	1		As in [5:14](../05/14.md), “the bread of the governor” means “the governor’s food allowance.” The implication is that, at his own expense, Nehemiah paid for all of the things he has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “I paid for all of these things at my own expense. I did not accept the governor’s food allowance”
NEH	5	18	b1i1	figs-abstractnouns	כָֽבְדָ֥ה הָ⁠עֲבֹדָ֖ה עַל־הָ⁠עָ֥ם הַ⁠זֶּֽה	1		The abstract noun **bondage** refers to the way the people were struggling to survive in difficult times. If it would be clearer in your language, you can translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “struggle.” Alternate translation: “I knew that the people were struggling to survive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	5	18	b1i3	figs-metaphor	כָֽבְדָ֥ה הָ⁠עֲבֹדָ֖ה עַל־הָ⁠עָ֥ם הַ⁠זֶּֽה	1		Here Nehemiah is speaking of bondage or struggle as if it were a great burden that the people were carrying, making their lives very difficult. Alternate translation: “I knew that the people were struggling to survive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	5	18	b1i5	grammar-connect-logic-result	כָֽבְדָ֥ה הָ⁠עֲבֹדָ֖ה עַל־הָ⁠עָ֥ם הַ⁠זֶּֽה	1		You can put this before Nehemiah’s statement that he did not accept the governor’s food allowance, because it gives the reason why he refused it. Alternate translation: “I knew that the people were struggling to survive, so I did not accept the governor’s food allowance.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	5	19	b1i7	figs-aside	זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י לְ⁠טוֹבָ֑ה	1		As in [4:4](../04/04.md), here Nehemiah speaks directly to God. You could indicate this by putting this verse in quotation marks. Review the note at 4:4 about asides like this if that would be helpful. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-aside]])
NEH	5	19	b1i9	figs-idiom	זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י…לְ⁠טוֹבָ֑ה	1		To remember someone **for good** is an idiom that means to reward someone with good things for the good that they have done. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	5	19	b1j1	figs-idiom	זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י לְ⁠טוֹבָ֑ה	1		In this context, **remember** means to think about someone and consider what action you can take on their behalf. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten him. Alternate translation: “think of me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	5	19	b1j3		כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֖יתִי עַל־הָ⁠עָ֥ם הַ⁠זֶּֽה	1		Nehemiah is once again leaving out some words that a sentence would ordinarily need. He is asking God to do good things for him because of all the good things he has done for the people of Judah as their governor. Alternate translation: “reward me because of all the good that I have done for the people of Judah”
NEH	6	intro	k4df			0		# Nehemiah 6 General Notes<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>The building of the wall is completed in this chapter.<br><br>The ULT sets the lines in 6:6-7 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because they are part of a long quotation.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Miracle<br><br>Completing this city wall in only 52 days was considered proof that God had helped the Jews, especially given the opposition that they had experienced from the people in surrounding areas.
NEH	6	1	c1a1	writing-newevent	וַ⁠יְהִ֣י	1		Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
NEH	6	1	c1a3	figs-synecdoche	נִשְׁמַ֣ע	1		This means that these enemies learned somehow that the wall was finished. Perhaps someone came and told them, or perhaps they received a written report. Nehemiah figuratively uses hearing, one means of discovering things, to describe these men learning this. Alternate translation: “when our enemies learned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	6	1	c1a5	figs-activepassive	כַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִשְׁמַ֣ע…וּ⁠לְ⁠יֶ֣תֶר אֹֽיְבֵ֗י⁠נוּ	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “when our enemies learned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	6	1	gd7c	translate-names	לְ⁠סַנְבַלַּ֣ט וְ֠⁠טוֹבִיָּה	1		These are the names of men. See how you translated them in [2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	6	1	bxn2	translate-names	וּ⁠לְ⁠גֶ֨שֶׁם	1		This is the name of a man and his people group. See how you translated these names in [2:19](../02/19.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	6	1	vi6v	figs-synecdoche	בָנִ֨יתִי֙ אֶת־הַ֣⁠חוֹמָ֔ה	1		As in [4:14](../04/14.md), Nehemiah is using himself to represent the entire community that he is a part of. Alternate translation: “that we had finished rebuilding the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	6	1	ap2q	grammar-connect-logic-contrast	גַּ֚ם	1		This term expresses a weak contrast between the sentence that comes before and the sentence that comes after. There was no break in the wall except for the spaces where the doors had not yet been hung in the gates. Alternate translation: “however” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH	6	1	c1a7	figs-synecdoche	עַד־הָ⁠עֵ֣ת הַ⁠הִ֔יא דְּלָת֖וֹת לֹא־הֶעֱמַ֥דְתִּי בַ⁠שְּׁעָרִֽים	1		Once again Nehemiah is using himself to represent the entire community that he is a part of. Alternate translation: “we had not yet put the doors in the gates” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	6	2	n5nu		וַ⁠יִּשְׁלַ֨ח…אֵלַ֣⁠י	1		Alternate translation: “sent me a messenger to me”
NEH	6	2	c1a9		לְכָ֞⁠ה וְ⁠נִֽוָּעֲדָ֥ה יַחְדָּ֛ו	1		These enemies use the word **come** to encourage Nehemiah to accept their invitation. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the word as something other than an imperative to make the message sound inviting. Alternate translation: “We would like to arrange to meet with you”
NEH	6	2	rbv9	translate-names	בַּ⁠כְּפִירִ֖ים בְּ⁠בִקְעַ֣ת אוֹנ֑וֹ	1		Ono is the name of a place about twenty miles from Jerusalem. It is down from the mountains towards the Mediterranean coast, so it can be described as a “valley” or “plain.” Alternate translation: “in one of the villages in the plain of Ono” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	6	2	c1b1	figs-idiom	וְ⁠הֵ֨מָּה֙ חֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת לִ֖⁠י רָעָֽה	1		In this context, **evil** means “harm.” Alternate translation: “they wanted to harm me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	6	2	c1b3	figs-explicit	וְ⁠הֵ֨מָּה֙ חֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת לִ֖⁠י רָעָֽה	1		The implication is that Nehemiah figured this out even though in their invitation these enemies pretended to be sincere. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “But I recognized that they were saying this because they wanted to harm me.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	3	d84v	figs-synecdoche	מְלָאכָ֤ה גְדוֹלָה֙ אֲנִ֣י עֹשֶׂ֔ה	1		Nehemiah is once again using himself to represent the whole community and its work of rebuilding of the wall. Alternate translation: “We are doing a great work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	6	3	c1b5		וְ⁠לֹ֥א אוּכַ֖ל לָ⁠רֶ֑דֶת	1		Nehemiah does not mean that he is physically unable to travel to Ono. He means that he cannot leave his supervision of the work for the several days it would take to travel there and back. Alternate translation: “I am not able to travel while it is going on”
NEH	6	3	c1b7		לָ⁠רֶ֑דֶת	1		Nehemiah uses the word **down** because the plain of Ono is at a lower elevation than Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “meet with you”
NEH	6	3	ee8i	figs-rquestion	לָ֣⁠מָּה תִשְׁבַּ֤ת הַ⁠מְּלָאכָה֙ כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַרְפֶּ֔⁠הָ וְ⁠יָרַדְתִּ֖י אֲלֵי⁠כֶֽם	1		Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect Sanballat and Geshem to give him reasons why the work should stop as he travels to meet with them. Instead, Nehemiah is using the question form to emphasize how important it is for the work of rebuilding the walls to continue. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate his question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I cannot let the work stop and come down to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	6	3	t9gf		וְ⁠יָרַדְתִּ֖י אֲלֵי⁠כֶֽם	1	down to you	The word **down** is used here because the plain of Ono where they were requesting Nehemiah to come is at a lower elevation than Jerusalem.
NEH	6	4	c1b9		וַ⁠יִּשְׁלְח֥וּ אֵלַ֛⁠י כַּ⁠דָּבָ֥ר הַ⁠זֶּ֖ה אַרְבַּ֣ע פְּעָמִ֑ים	1		Alternate translation: “They sent me the same message four times”
NEH	6	4	c1c1	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אָשִׁ֥יב אוֹתָ֖⁠ם	1		**Turned them back** means **refused them** The implication is that Nehemiah did this each time. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “and each time I refused them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	4	c1c3		כַּ⁠דָּבָ֥ר הַ⁠זֶּֽה	1		Alternate translation: “for this same reason”
NEH	6	5	r8xc	translate-ordinal	וַ⁠יִּשְׁלַח֩ אֵלַ֨⁠י סַנְבַלַּ֜ט כַּ⁠דָּבָ֥ר הַ⁠זֶּ֛ה פַּ֥עַם חֲמִישִׁ֖ית אֶֽת־נַעֲר֑⁠וֹ	1		Alternate translation: “Sanballat sent his servant to me with this same message for a fifth time” or “this was time number five that Sanballat sent his servant to me with this same message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	6	5	s6ag		וְ⁠אִגֶּ֥רֶת פְּתוּחָ֖ה בְּ⁠יָדֽ⁠וֹ	1		This means that this fifth message was written in a letter, but the letter was unsealed. Alternate translation: “This time the message was written, but it was not sealed”
NEH	6	5	c1c5	figs-explicit	וְ⁠אִגֶּ֥רֶת פְּתוּחָ֖ה בְּ⁠יָדֽ⁠וֹ	1		As a diplomatic communication, the letter should have been sealed. Because it was not, others could read it and spread its contents among the people of the region. It appears that Sanballat deliberately left the letter unsealed to pressure Nehemiah to meet with him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Sanballat left the letter unsealed so that others would find out what it said, because he wanted to pressure me to meet with him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	6	rx5j	figs-activepassive	כָּת֣וּב בָּ֗⁠הּ	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “The letter said” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	6	6	wy84	figs-activepassive	בַּ⁠גּוֹיִ֤ם נִשְׁמָע֙	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “The rumor in the region is” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	6	6	c1c7	figs-explicit	וְ⁠גַשְׁמ֣וּ אֹמֵ֔ר	1		The claim appears to be that Geshem has investigated these rumors and told Sanballat that they are true. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “and Geshem confirms that it is true” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	6	c1c9	translate-names	וְ⁠גַשְׁמ֣וּ	1		**Gashmu** here is an alternate form of the name **Geshem** found in [6:1](../06/01.md). To make things clearer for your readers, you can translate the name as **Geshem** here as well. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	6	6	z81q	figs-explicit	אַתָּ֤ה וְ⁠הַ⁠יְּהוּדִים֙ חֹשְׁבִ֣ים לִ⁠מְר֔וֹד עַל־כֵּ֛ן אַתָּ֥ה בוֹנֶ֖ה הַ⁠חוֹמָ֑ה	1		This means specifically that the Jews would rebel against Artaxerxes, the Persian king, who was currently ruling them. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “you and the Jewish people are rebuilding the wall because you are planning to rebel against King Artaxerxes” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	6	c1d1		וְ⁠הַ⁠יְּהוּדִים֙	1		Here this expression means **the Jewish people** specifically the ones living in Judah and Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Jewish people”
NEH	6	6	c1d3		וְ⁠אַתָּ֗ה הֹוֶ֤ה לָ⁠הֶם֙ לְ⁠מֶ֔לֶךְ	1		Alternate translation: “They are also saying that you intend to make yourself the king of the Jews”
NEH	6	7	n1rj	grammar-connect-words-phrases	וְ⁠גַם	1		This phrase indicates that what follows is more of the report that Sanballat claims he is hearing from the people in the surrounding countries. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could put something in your translation to indicate this. Alternate translation: “These people are also saying that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-words-phrases]])
NEH	6	7	u185		נְבִיאִ֡ים הֶעֱמַ֣דְתָּ לִ⁠קְרֹא֩ עָלֶ֨י⁠ךָ בִֽ⁠ירוּשָׁלִַ֜ם	1		Alternate translation: “you have appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem”
NEH	6	7	c1d5		לֵ⁠אמֹ֗ר מֶ֚לֶךְ בִּֽ⁠יהוּדָ֔ה	1		The proclamation can be presented as a direct quotation. “Saying” can be represented by the quotation marks and whatever punctuation your language uses to introduce a quotation. Alternate translation: “The Jews now have a king of their own”
NEH	6	7	c1d7		וְ⁠עַתָּה֙	1		This is not a reference to time. Sanballat is using this expression to introduce a further inference. Alternate translation: “certainly”
NEH	6	7	c1d9	figs-activepassive	יִשָּׁמַ֣ע לַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ כַּ⁠דְּבָרִ֣ים הָ⁠אֵ֑לֶּה	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “King Artaxerxes will certainly hear these reports” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	6	7	c1e1	figs-explicit	יִשָּׁמַ֣ע לַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ כַּ⁠דְּבָרִ֣ים הָ⁠אֵ֑לֶּה	1		The implication is that when Artaxerxes hears these reports, he will be very angry with Nehemiah. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “King Artaxerxes will certainly hear these reports, and when he does, he will be very angry with you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	7	c1e3	grammar-connect-logic-result	וְ⁠עַתָּה֙	1		This is not a reference to time. Sanballat is using this expression to introduce his conclusion. This term expresses that the sentences that came before provide the reason for the sentence that comes after. Alternate translation: “Therefore” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	6	7	c1e5		לְכָ֔⁠ה וְ⁠נִֽוָּעֲצָ֖ה יַחְדָּֽו	1		As in [6:2](../06/02.md), “come” is a word of encouragement rather than a command. Alternate translation: “So we really should meet together and talk about this”
NEH	6	8	ei6j		וָ⁠אֶשְׁלְחָ֤⁠ה אֵלָי⁠ו֙	1		Alternate translation: “I sent a message back to him”
NEH	6	8	ab7x	figs-activepassive	לֹ֤א נִֽהְיָה֙ כַּ⁠דְּבָרִ֣ים הָ⁠אֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֖ר אַתָּ֣ה אוֹמֵ֑ר	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “I have not done any of the things you have written” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	6	8	ds1y	figs-metaphor	כִּ֥י מִֽ⁠לִּבְּ⁠ךָ֖ אַתָּ֥ה בוֹדָֽא⁠ם	1		Here, the **heart** figuratively represents someone’s thoughts and feelings. Sanballat’s thoughts and feelings, in turn, represent him as a person. Alternate translation: “you have made all this up in your own imagination” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	6	8	c1e7	grammar-connect-logic-contrast	כִּ֥י	1		This term expresses a contrast between the clause that comes before and the clause that comes after. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH	6	9	p45k	figs-explicit	כִּ֣י כֻלָּ֗⁠ם מְיָֽרְאִ֤ים אוֹתָ֨⁠נוּ֙	1		This likely means, “they were all trying to frighten us.” The implication is that Nehemiah recognized that this was the motive behind the letters. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “I knew that they were all just trying to frighten us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	9	c1e9		לֵ⁠אמֹ֔ר	1		Alternate translation: “They were thinking”
NEH	6	9	b5ij	figs-metaphor	יִרְפּ֧וּ יְדֵי⁠הֶ֛ם מִן־הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֖ה	1		Here, **hand** figuratively represents strength, power, control, or action. Alternate translation: “The workers will stop doing the work on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	6	9	c1f1	figs-explicit	יִרְפּ֧וּ יְדֵי⁠הֶ֛ם מִן־הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֖ה	1		The implication is that the enemies expected the Jews to become so afraid of being accused of rebelling for rebuilding the wall that they would stop doing that. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The Jews will become so afraid that they will stop working on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	9	c1f3	figs-explicit	מִן־הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֖ה	1		This means specifically the work on the wall. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “working on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	9	c1f5	figs-activepassive	וְ⁠לֹ֣א תֵעָשֶׂ֑ה	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form, and you can say who will do the action. Alternate translation: “they will never finish rebuilding it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	6	9	j1dj	figs-aside	וְ⁠עַתָּ֖ה חַזֵּ֥ק אֶת־יָדָֽ⁠י	1		Nehemiah speaks directly to God once again here. This instance is like the one in [4:4](../04/04.md), where Nehemiah records what he prayed at the time of the events he is describing. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this by introducing the prayer with a phrase such as “so I prayed,” by presenting the prayer as a direct quotation, and by having Nehemiah address God directly at the beginning. Alternate translation: “So I prayed, ‘O God, give me courage’” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-aside]])
NEH	6	9	c1f7	figs-metaphor	חַזֵּ֥ק אֶת־יָדָֽ⁠י	1		Here the strength of a person’s hands figuratively stands for the courage they are feeling inside. Alternate translation: “strengthen me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	6	10	c1f9	grammar-connect-time-simultaneous	וַ⁠אֲנִי	1		Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce something else that happened around this same time. Alternate translation: “Around this time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH	6	10	c1g1		בָ֗אתִי בֵּ֣ית	1		Alternate translation: “I went to visit”
NEH	6	10	ybj6	translate-names	שְֽׁמַֽעְיָ֧ה בֶן־דְּלָיָ֛ה בֶּן־מְהֵֽיטַבְאֵ֖ל	1		Shemaiah is the name of a man, Delaiah is the name of his father, and Mehetabel is the name of his grandfather. Alternate translation: “Shemaiah, the son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	6	10	k8xd	figs-activepassive	וְ⁠ה֣וּא עָצ֑וּר	1		You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “he was not leaving his house.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	6	10	c1g3	translate-symaction	וְ⁠ה֣וּא עָצ֑וּר	1		Nehemiah does not say why Shemaiah was not leaving his house. He could have been sick or he could have been ceremonially unclean, so you might choose not to specify any reason. However, the context suggests that Shemaiah may have been trying to symbolize that it was not safe for Jewish leaders to go around in public. A man by the name of Shemaiah is listed in [10:8](../10/08.md) as one of the priests who signed the community agreement. This could be the same person since he has access to the temple and is therefore likely a priest. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could suggest this reason explicitly. Alternate translation: “He was a priest, and he was trying to show that it was not safe for Jewish leaders to go out in public, so he was not leaving his house” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	6	10	c1g5	figs-explicit	נִוָּעֵד֩ אֶל־בֵּ֨ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶל־תּ֣וֹךְ הַֽ⁠הֵיכָ֗ל	1		Shemaiah seems to be proposing that he and Nehemiah move their meeting to the temple, suggesting that they are not even safe in his house. Alternate translation: “We are not safe even here. We need to go into the temple, to the sacred place inside the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	10	c1g7	figs-parallelism	אֶל־בֵּ֨ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶל־תּ֣וֹךְ הַֽ⁠הֵיכָ֗ל	1		These two phrases mean similar things. Shemaiah uses the repetition to emphasize the danger he is suggesting they are in. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “into the temple” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	6	10	c1g9	figs-metaphor	בֵּ֨ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֜ים	1		Shemaiah is referring to the temple figuratively as the “house of God,” as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	6	10	c1h1		וְ⁠נִסְגְּרָה֙ דַּלְת֣וֹת הַ⁠הֵיכָ֔ל	1		This means to not just close the doors but lock them. Alternate translation: “and lock the doors”
NEH	6	10	c1h3		כִּ֚י בָּאִ֣ים לְ⁠הָרְגֶ֔⁠ךָ	1		Shemaiah does not say who these people are. It would be possible to say something based on what can reasonably be inferred. For example, “Your enemies have hired people to kill you.” However, the vagueness seems to be part of Shemaiah’s strategy to frighten Nehemiah. So it might be more effective to leave this indefinite. Alternate translation: “because people are trying to kill you”
NEH	6	10	c1h5		וְ⁠לַ֖יְלָה בָּאִ֥ים לְ⁠הָרְגֶֽ⁠ךָ	1		Shemaiah’s confidence in the detail of “at night” seems designed to make Nehemiah even more afraid because this means that the killers will come in the dark when he is asleep, so he won’t be able to protect himself. It could be helpful to your readers for your translation to reflect this confidence. Alternate translation: “I know that one night they are going to come and kill you”
NEH	6	11	c1h7		וָ⁠אֹמְרָ֗⁠ה	1		Alternate translation: “I responded”
NEH	6	11	syw3	figs-rquestion	הַ⁠אִ֤ישׁ כָּמ֨וֹ⁠נִי֙ יִבְרָ֔ח	1		Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect Shemiah to tell him whether or not he should run away. Instead, Nehemiah is using the question form to emphasize that he is not going to do what Shemaiah has suggested. If it would be clearer in your language, you can translate this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “A man like me would not run away.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	6	11	c1h8	figs-rquestion	וּ⁠מִ֥י כָמ֛וֹ⁠נִי אֲשֶׁר־יָב֥וֹא אֶל־הַ⁠הֵיכָ֖ל וָ⁠חָ֑י	1		Once again Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect Shemiah to tell him whether going into the temple would save his life. Alternate translation: “A man like me would not go into the temple just to hide to stay alive.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	6	11	c1i0	figs-explicit	וּ⁠מִ֥י כָמ֛וֹ⁠נִי אֲשֶׁר־יָב֥וֹא אֶל־הַ⁠הֵיכָ֖ל וָ⁠חָ֑י	1		It is not entirely clear what Nehemiah means by this. He could be saying that he should not go into the temple because he is not a priest. However, the Bible records instances of other people who were not priests going into the temple to seek sanctuary. So Nehemiah may be saying instead that because he is the governor he is too well known to escape from assassins by hiding in the temple. You could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Besides, I am the governor, and everyone knows me, so I could not save my life by trying to hide in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	11	c1i3		לֹ֖א אָבֽוֹא	1		Alternate translation: “I refuse to do it!”
NEH	6	12	c1i5		וָ⁠אַכִּ֕ירָ⁠ה וְ⁠הִנֵּ֥ה	1		The term “behold” is used to focus attention on the words that follow. Within this episode as a whole, it creates the impression of Nehemiah suddenly realizing something that had not been clear to him before. Alternate translation: “All of a sudden I realized”
NEH	6	12	c1i7	figs-explicit	לֹֽא־אֱלֹהִ֖ים שְׁלָח֑⁠וֹ	1		Shemaiah seems to have been pretending that God had revealed to him prophetically that people would be coming secretly at night to kill Nehemiah. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “God had not given Shemaiah a prophetic message for me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	12	s2sf		כִּ֤י הַ⁠נְּבוּאָה֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר עָלַ֔⁠י וְ⁠טוֹבִיָּ֥ה וְ⁠סַנְבַלַּ֖ט שְׂכָרֽ⁠וֹ	1		Alternate translation: “Instead, he was saying these things to hinder my work because Tobiah and Sanballat had paid him to say them”
NEH	6	13	c1i9	grammar-connect-logic-result	לְמַ֤עַן שָׂכוּר֙ ה֔וּא לְמַֽעַן־אִירָ֥א	1		This is the reason why Nehemiah’s enemies had hired Shemaiah; because they wanted to cause Nehemiah to be afraid. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The reason they had hired him was to scare me. They hoped that as a result” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	6	13	c1j1	grammar-connect-logic-goal	לְמַ֤עַן	1		This term introduces the purpose for the sentence contained in the verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]])
NEH	6	13	c1j3	grammar-connect-logic-goal	וְ⁠אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־כֵּ֖ן וְ⁠חָטָ֑אתִי	1		This phrase expresses the goal for the sentence contained in the verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]])
NEH	6	13	b27k	figs-explicit	וְ⁠אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־כֵּ֖ן וְ⁠חָטָ֑אתִי	1		It is not entirely clear why Nehemiah says it would have been a sin for him to hide in the temple since it was a time-honored tradition in Israel to allow people to seek sanctuary there. Perhaps the explanation is that Nehemiah knew God had sent him to Judah on a special mission to help and protect the Jewish community there. And so, if he had abandoned that mission to save his life, he would have been disobeying God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say something like that explicitly. Alternate translation: “They were hoping they could make me sin by abandoning my responsibilities and hiding in the temple.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	13	ji1g	figs-metonymy	וְ⁠הָיָ֤ה לָ⁠הֶם֙ לְ⁠שֵׁ֣ם רָ֔ע לְמַ֖עַן יְחָֽרְפֽוּ⁠נִי	1		Here, **name** is a figurative way of referring to the fame or reputation of a person. If he hid in the temple to save his own life, Nehemiah would get a bad reputation as a coward who was concerned only for himself. Alternate translation: “this would give me a bad reputation, and they could say bad things about me to everyone” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	6	13	c1j5	grammar-connect-logic-goal	לְמַ֖עַן	1		This term expresses that the clause that comes after is the goal for the clause that comes before. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]])
NEH	6	14	c1j7		אֱלֹהַ֛⁠י	1		As in [4:4](../04/04.md) and [6:9](../06/09.md), Nehemiah records here what he prayed at the time of the events he is describing. You can indicate this by introducing these words as a prayer and presenting the prayer as a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “So I prayed, ‘My God…’”
NEH	6	14	nau4	figs-idiom	זָכְרָ֧⁠ה…לְ⁠טוֹבִיָּ֥ה וּ⁠לְ⁠סַנְבַלַּ֖ט כְּ⁠מַעֲשָׂ֣י⁠ו אֵ֑לֶּה	1		**His** refers to both Sanballat and Tobiah. In this context, “remember” means to think about someone and consider what action you should take in their regard. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten about Tobiah and Sanballat. Alternate translation: “treat Tobiah and Sanballat the way they deserve for what they have done” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	6	14	c1j9		וְ⁠גַ֨ם לְ⁠נוֹעַדְיָ֤ה הַ⁠נְּבִיאָה֙ וּ⁠לְ⁠יֶ֣תֶר הַ⁠נְּבִיאִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ מְיָֽרְאִ֥ים אוֹתִֽ⁠י	1		Alternate translation: “Do the same for the female prophet Noadiah and all the other prophets who are trying to make me afraid”
NEH	6	14	g3ch	translate-names	לְ⁠נוֹעַדְיָ֤ה	1		This is the name of a woman. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	6	15	m52s	figs-activepassive	וַ⁠תִּשְׁלַם֙ הַֽ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה	1		You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “We finished rebuilding the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	6	15	g17x	translate-hebrewmonths	בְּ⁠עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וַ⁠חֲמִשָּׁ֖ה לֶ⁠אֱל֑וּל	1		Elul is the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar. Alternate translation: “on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]])
NEH	6	15	c1k1	translate-ordinal	בְּ⁠עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וַ⁠חֲמִשָּׁ֖ה לֶ⁠אֱל֑וּל	1		Alternate translation: “on day 25 of the month of Elul” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	6	15	ara3	translate-numbers	לַ⁠חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁנַ֖יִם יֽוֹם	1		Alternate translation: “after working on it for 52 days” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH	6	16	c1k3	writing-newevent	וַ⁠יְהִ֗י	1		Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
NEH	6	16	c1k5	figs-synecdoche	כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֤ר שָֽׁמְעוּ֙ כָּל־א֣וֹיְבֵ֔י⁠נוּ	1		This means that these enemies learned by some means that work had been completed. Nehemiah figuratively uses hearing, one means of discovering things, to describe the enemies learning this. Alternate translation: “when all of our enemies learned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	6	16	c1k7	figs-explicit	כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֤ר שָֽׁמְעוּ֙ כָּל־א֣וֹיְבֵ֔י⁠נוּ	1		This means specifically, “When all our enemies learned that we had completed the rebuilding in such a short time.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	16	c1k9	figs-parallelism	וַ⁠יִּֽרְא֗וּ כָּל־הַ⁠גּוֹיִם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר סְבִֽיבֹתֵ֔י⁠נוּ וַ⁠יִּפְּל֥וּ מְאֹ֖ד בְּ⁠עֵינֵי⁠הֶ֑ם	1		These two phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize how intimidated the people in the surrounding countries felt. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “they thought much less of themselves” or “they lost confidence in themselves,” otherwise “they became afraid and felt humiliated” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	6	16	t54c	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יִּפְּל֥וּ מְאֹ֖ד בְּ⁠עֵינֵי⁠הֶ֑ם	1		Here, **fell** is a figurative way of saying “become less.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	6	16	c1l1	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יִּפְּל֥וּ מְאֹ֖ד בְּ⁠עֵינֵי⁠הֶ֑ם	1		Here, **eyes** stand for “seeing,” and “seeing” figuratively means judgment. This means that these people were no longer so great or powerful in their own estimation. Alternate translation: “they lost confidence in themselves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	6	16	py4c	grammar-connect-logic-result	וַ⁠יֵּ֣דְע֔וּ כִּ֚י מֵ⁠אֵ֣ת אֱלֹהֵ֔י⁠נוּ נֶעֶשְׂתָ֖ה הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּֽאת	1		You can put this right before the statement that the enemies were afraid and thought less of themselves, because it it is the reason that explains that result. Alternate translation: “They realized that our God had helped us complete this work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	6	16	c1l3	figs-activepassive	מֵ⁠אֵ֣ת אֱלֹהֵ֔י⁠נוּ נֶעֶשְׂתָ֖ה הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֥ה הַ⁠זֹּֽאת	1		You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “our God had helped us complete this work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	6	17	c1l5	grammar-connect-time-simultaneous	גַּ֣ם ׀ בַּ⁠יָּמִ֣ים הָ⁠הֵ֗ם	1		Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce something else that was happening at the same time as the other events he has just described. Alternate translation: “During this time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH	6	17	c1l7	figs-idiom	בַּ⁠יָּמִ֣ים הָ⁠הֵ֗ם	1		The term **days** is used figuratively here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “at this time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	6	17	c1l9		חֹרֵ֤י יְהוּדָה֙	1		See how you translated this term in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “the leading citizens of Judah”
NEH	6	17	zw37	figs-explicit	מַרְבִּ֞ים…אִגְּרֹ֣תֵי⁠הֶ֔ם	1		The implication is these citizens were sending information to Tobiah about Nehemiah. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “sent many messengers with letters to Tobiah to give him information about me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	17	rx81	figs-personification	וַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְ⁠טוֹבִיָּ֖ה בָּא֥וֹת אֲלֵי⁠הֶֽם	1		Here Nehemiah speaks of Tobiah’s letters as if they could come on their own to the people he was answering. Alternate translation: “Tobiah sent letters” or “Tobiah sent many messengers with letters” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	6	17	c1m1	figs-explicit	וַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְ⁠טוֹבִיָּ֖ה בָּא֥וֹת אֲלֵי⁠הֶֽם	1		The implication is that Tobiah was sending back instructions to his allies. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Tobiah sent many messengers with letters back to them with instructions” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	17	rcx8	translate-names	טוֹבִיָּ֑ה	1		This is the name of a man. See how you translated it in [2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	6	18	z2uq	figs-idiom	כִּי־רַבִּ֣ים בִּֽ⁠יהוּדָ֗ה בַּעֲלֵ֤י שְׁבוּעָה֙ ל֔⁠וֹ	1		This means that many Judeans were “owners of oaths” to Tobiah. That is, they had sworn oaths to be loyal to him. Alternate translation: “Many people in Judah had sworn an oath to be loyal to him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	6	18	c1m3	grammar-connect-logic-result	כִּי־רַבִּ֣ים בִּֽ⁠יהוּדָ֗ה בַּעֲלֵ֤י שְׁבוּעָה֙ ל֔⁠וֹ	1		You can put this information last in the verse because it is a result, and the rest of the verse gives the reason why the people swore these oaths. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	6	18	c1m5	figs-explicit	כִּי־חָתָ֥ן ה֖וּא לִ⁠שְׁכַנְיָ֣ה בֶן־אָרַ֑ח	1		This statement means that Tobiah was married to the daughter of Shecaniah. The implication is that Shecaniah was a powerful and influential member of the community. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Tobiah was married to the daughter of a powerful and influential member of the community, Shecaniah the son of Arah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	18	rn1q	translate-names	לִ⁠שְׁכַנְיָ֣ה בֶן־אָרַ֑ח	1		Shecaniah is the name of a man, and Arah is the name of his father. This is probably the same Shecaniah who is mentioned in 3:29. See how you translated his name there. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	6	18	c1m7	figs-explicit	וִֽ⁠יהוֹחָנָ֣ן בְּנ֔⁠וֹ לָקַ֕ח אֶת־בַּת־מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם בֶּ֥ן בֶּֽרֶכְיָֽה	1		The implication is that Meshullam was another powerful and influential member of the community. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Tobiah’s son Jehohanan was married to the daughter of another powerful and influential man, Meshullam the son of Berechiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	6	18	id1x	translate-names	וִֽ⁠יהוֹחָנָ֣ן	1		This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	6	18	c1m9		בְּנ֔⁠וֹ	1		**His** means that Jehohanan was the son of Tobiah.
NEH	6	18	c1n1		לָקַ֕ח אֶת־בַּת	1		Alternate translation: “was married to the daughter of”
NEH	6	18	y3lg	translate-names	מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם בֶּ֥ן בֶּֽרֶכְיָֽה	1		Meshullam is the name of a man, and Berechiah is the name of his father. He is mentioned in [3:4](../03/04.md) and [3:30](../03/30.md). See how you translated his name there. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	6	19	mj72	figs-metaphor	טוֹבֹתָ֗י⁠ו הָי֤וּ אֹמְרִים֙ לְ⁠פָנַ֔⁠י	1		Here, **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. Alternate translation: “told me personally about Tobiah’s good deeds” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	6	19	c1n3		הָי֤וּ	1		**They** means the people who were loyal to Tobiah.
NEH	6	19	e3zt	figs-idiom	וּ⁠דְבָרַ֕⁠י הָי֥וּ מוֹצִיאִ֖ים ל֑⁠וֹ	1		**Taking out** here is an idiom that means these people were “reporting” Nehemiah’s responses to Tobiah. Alternate translation: “and then told him about my responses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	7	intro	qk4v			0		# Nehemiah 7 General Notes<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Genealogy<br><br>The people who returned from Persia were counted according to their families. Nehemiah ensured that those who lived in Jerusalem had a completely Jewish ancestry.<br><br>### Different lists<br>This list is paralleled in [Ezra 2](../../ezr/02/01.md). The lists do contain some differences in numbers. This is probably due to the timing of their counting. They were likely counted at different times.
NEH	7	1	d1a1	writing-newevent	וַ⁠יְהִ֗י	1		This expression introduces a new event in the story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
NEH	7	1	g3zz	figs-activepassive	כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֤ר נִבְנְתָה֙ הַ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה	1		You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “when we had finished the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	7	1	fk6l	figs-synecdoche	וָ⁠אַעֲמִ֖יד הַ⁠דְּלָת֑וֹת	1		As in [4:14](../04/14.md) and [6:1,](../06/01.md), Nehemiah is using himself to represent the entire community that he is a part of. Alternate translation: “and we had put the doors in the gates” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	7	1	wkp3	figs-activepassive	וַ⁠יִּפָּֽקְד֛וּ הַ⁠שּׁוֹעֲרִ֥ים וְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּֽם	1		You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Nehemiah may have done this personally, or the people in charge of each of these groups may have done it. Because of the uncertainly, a good approach might be to say “we” to indicate the community. Alternate translation: “we assigned the gatekeepers and singers and Levites to their tasks” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	7	1	lk9v	translate-unknown	הַ⁠שּׁוֹעֲרִ֥ים	1		These were people who were assigned to each gate of Jerusalem. They were responsible for controlling access to the city. They would open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the city administrators. For example, Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah is named in 3:29 as the keeper of the East Gate. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	1	f8ks	translate-unknown	וְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים	1		This means vocal musicians who led in worship, in processions, and ceremonies, producing music and chants that emphasized and enhanced the occasion. Alternate translation: “singers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	2	d1a2		וָ⁠אֲצַוֶּ֞ה אֶת־חֲנָ֣נִי אָחִ֗⁠י וְ⁠אֶת־חֲנַנְיָ֛ה…עַל־יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם	1		Alternate translation: “I appointed two men to help me govern Jerusalem, my brother Hanani and Hananiah”
NEH	7	2	wf26		חֲנָ֣נִי אָחִ֗⁠י	1		As in [1:2](../01/02.md), **brother** here most likely indicates that Hanani was Nehemiah’s biological brother. Alternate translation: “my brother Hanani”
NEH	7	2	ykr9	translate-names	חֲנָ֣נִי	1		This is the name of a man. See how you translated it in [1:2](../01/02.md)(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	2	zy5q	translate-names	חֲנַנְיָ֛ה	1		This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	2	iqf3		שַׂ֥ר הַ⁠בִּירָ֖ה	1		Alternate translation: “who was in charge of the fortress”
NEH	7	2	he4e		כִּי־הוּא֙ כְּ⁠אִ֣ישׁ אֱמֶ֔ת	1		**He** means Hananiah. “He was as a faithful man” is a way of saying “he was such as only a faithful man would be.” Alternate translation: “I appointed Hananiah because he was trustworthy”
NEH	7	2	dx6d	figs-idiom	וְ⁠יָרֵ֥א אֶת־הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֖ים מֵ⁠רַבִּֽים	1		Here, **fear** does not mean to be afraid of God, but to show God reverence and respect. Alternate translation: “because he showed God more reverence and respect than most people do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	7	3	y2jk	figs-activepassive	לֹ֣א יִפָּֽתְח֞וּ שַׁעֲרֵ֤י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “Do not order the gates of Jerusalem to be opened” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	7	3	n55g	figs-explicit	לֹ֣א יִפָּֽתְח֞וּ שַׁעֲרֵ֤י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙	1		Hanani and Hananiah would not have opened the gates physically themselves. Rather, they would have ordered this to be done. Alternate translation: “Do not order the gates of Jerusalem to be opened” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	7	3	w3hi	figs-metonymy	עַד־חֹ֣ם הַ⁠שֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ	1		Here Nehemiah probably uses the heat of the sun to represent the light of the sun. His intent is to open the gates some time after the sun rises regardless of how hot the sun shines on any particular day. Alternate translation: “until broad daylight” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	7	3	ed9m	figs-explicit	עַד־חֹ֣ם הַ⁠שֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ	1		The implication is that the gatekeepers should not open the gates at sunrise, as would have been customary, because the enemies of the Jews could launch a surprise attack in the dim light before most of the city was up and ready for the day. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “until broad daylight. That way we will be able to see anything our enemies are doing” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	7	3	b2es		וְ⁠עַ֨ד הֵ֥ם עֹמְדִ֛ים יָגִ֥יפוּ הַ⁠דְּלָת֖וֹת וֶ⁠אֱחֹ֑זוּ	1		**They** means the gatekeepers, and “standing” means keeping guard. Alternate translation: “Order the doors to be shut and locked while the gatekeepers are still on guard”
NEH	7	3	mir9	figs-idiom	וְ⁠הַעֲמֵ֗יד מִשְׁמְרוֹת֙ יֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם אִ֚ישׁ בְּ⁠מִשְׁמָר֔⁠וֹ וְ⁠אִ֖ישׁ נֶ֥גֶד בֵּיתֽ⁠וֹ	1		In this context, **a man** means **each man.** It is likely that adult males were intended for this dangerous night duty. “A man in his watch” means that each man should take a turn, and “a man in front of his house” means that each man should keep watch in his own neighborhood. Alternate translation: “Have the men who live in Jerusalem take turns keeping watch in their own neighborhoods” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	7	4	d1a5	figs-doublet	וְ⁠הָ⁠עִ֞יר רַחֲבַ֤ת יָדַ֨יִם֙ וּ⁠גְדוֹלָ֔ה	1		These two short phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together to emphasize how large Jerusalem was. If it would be clearer in your language, you can combine them. Alternate translation: “The city of Jerusalem covered a large area” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	7	4	d1a7	figs-idiom	רַחֲבַ֤ת יָדַ֨יִם֙	1		Here, **hand** figuratively means “side.” The image is that if you stood in the city, there would be a lot of it on both sides of you. Alternate translation: “covered a large area” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	7	4	d1a9		וְ⁠הָ⁠עָ֥ם מְעַ֖ט בְּ⁠תוֹכָ֑⁠הּ	1		Alternate translation: “but not many people lived there”
NEH	7	4	y6y8	figs-activepassive	וְ⁠אֵ֥ין בָּתִּ֖ים בְּנוּיִֽם	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “the people had not yet rebuilt the houses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	7	5	d1b1	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יִּתֵּ֤ן אֱלֹהַ⁠י֙ אֶל־לִבִּ֔⁠י	1		The implication is that registering the people was a first step toward filling Jerusalem with people again, a process that Nehemiah will describe in chapter 11. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “as a first step towards filling Jerusalem with people again, God led me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	7	5	wjd3	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יִּתֵּ֤ן אֱלֹהַ⁠י֙ אֶל־לִבִּ֔⁠י	1		As in [2:12](../02/12.md), Nehemiah’s **heart** figuratively represents his thoughts and will. Alternate translation: “God inspired me” or “led me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	5	d1b3	grammar-connect-logic-result	וָ⁠אֶקְבְּצָ֞⁠ה	1		This word indicates that what Nehemiah did was in response to the situation just described. Alternate translation: “so I gathered together” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	7	5	d1b5	translate-unknown	אֶת־הַ⁠חֹרִ֧ים וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠סְּגָנִ֛ים	1		See how you translated these terms in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “the leading citizens and the city officials” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	5	d1b7		וְ⁠אֶת־הָ⁠עָ֖ם	1		In context, this likely means “the other people living in the city.”
NEH	7	5	pzu6	figs-activepassive	לְ⁠הִתְיַחֵ֑שׂ	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “and to register them by genealogies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	7	5	d1b9		לְ⁠הִתְיַחֵ֑שׂ	1		Alternate translation: “to be enrolled according to their family histories”
NEH	7	5	avw2	translate-unknown	וָֽ⁠אֶמְצָ֗א סֵ֤פֶר הַ⁠יַּ֨חַשׂ֙ הָ⁠עוֹלִ֣ים בָּ⁠רִאשׁוֹנָ֔ה	1		This means a list of the first group of Jews who had returned from exile, about a hundred years earlier. Alternate translation: “I also found a book containing the records of the first group of people who had returned to Jerusalem from the exile.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	5	bz2p	figs-activepassive	וָ⁠אֶמְצָ֖א כָּת֥וּב בּֽ⁠וֹ	1		You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “I found that those people had written the following in it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	7	6	ud5m	figs-personification	בְּנֵ֣י הַ⁠מְּדִינָ֗ה	1		The document speaks here of the province of Judah as if it were the ancestor of all the Jews who lived there. Alternate translation: “the people from the province of Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	7	6	vx13	figs-metonymy	הַ⁠מְּדִינָ֗ה	1		**The province** means the province of Judah. The document is referring to Judah by something associated with it, its status as a province. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	7	6	r578	figs-idiom	הָ⁠עֹלִים֙	1		**Went up** means “traveled from Babylon back to Judah,” since that involves going from a river valley up into the mountains. Alternate translation: “returned to Judah from Babylon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	7	6	hb7v	figs-abstractnouns	מִ⁠שְּׁבִ֣י הַ⁠גּוֹלָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶגְלָ֔ה נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר מֶ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֑ל	1		**Captivity** and **exile** are abstract nouns. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind them with verbs. Alternate translation: “Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, captured their ancestors and took them away” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	7	6	d1c1	figs-doublet	מִ⁠שְּׁבִ֣י הַ⁠גּוֹלָ֔ה	1		**Captivity** and **exile** mean basically the same thing. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “after being taken away” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	7	6	d1c3		אִ֥ישׁ לְ⁠עִירֽ⁠וֹ	1		Here, **a man** means “each one” or “each person” Alternate translation: “They went to live in the same towns where their families had lived before.”
NEH	7	7	d1c5		הַ⁠בָּאִ֣ים עִם	1		This phrase introduces a list of the men who led this group back to Judah. Alternate translation: “The leaders of this group were”
NEH	7	7	mu5h	translate-names	זְרֻבָּבֶ֗ל יֵשׁ֡וּעַ נְחֶמְיָ֡ה עֲ֠זַרְיָה רַֽעַמְיָ֨ה נַחֲמָ֜נִי מָרְדֳּכַ֥י בִּלְשָׁ֛ן מִסְפֶּ֥רֶת בִּגְוַ֖י נְח֣וּם בַּעֲנָ֑ה	1	Zerubbabel … Jeshua … Nehemiah … Azariah … Raamiah … Nahamani … Mordecai … Bilshan … Mispereth … Bigvai … Nehum … Baanah	These are the names of twelve men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	7	fz51		מִסְפַּ֕ר אַנְשֵׁ֖י עַ֥ם יִשְׂרָאֵֽל	1		In keeping with the practices of the time, the totals in the list that follows likely include just the men and not also the women and children. While all of these people were from Judah, they were from the Israelite people group. Alternate translation: “This is how many men came back from each Israelite clan and town”
NEH	7	8	r3xa		בְּנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔שׁ אַלְפַּ֕יִם מֵאָ֖ה וְ⁠שִׁבְעִ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁנָֽיִם	1		This means, “From the descendants of Parosh, 2,172 returned.” To help make this clear for your readers, you could say something like “returned” throughout verses 8–45, after the name of each group and the number that is given.
NEH	7	8	d1c7	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י פַרְעֹ֔שׁ	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Parosh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	8	l98v	translate-names	פַרְעֹ֔שׁ	1	Parosh	Parosh is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	9	jc4a	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י שְׁפַטְיָ֔ה	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Shephatiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	9	gy8k	translate-names	שְׁפַטְיָ֔ה	1	Shephatiah	Shephatiah is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	10	d1c9	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י אָרַ֔ח	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Arah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	10	nq9e	translate-names	אָרַ֔ח	1	Arah	Arah is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	11	my8s	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵֽי־פַחַ֥ת מוֹאָ֛ב לִ⁠בְנֵ֥י יֵשׁ֖וּעַ וְ⁠יוֹאָ֑ב	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Pahath-Moab who were descendants of Jeshua and Joab” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	11	v6jn	translate-names	פַחַ֥ת מוֹאָ֛ב…יֵשׁ֖וּעַ וְ⁠יוֹאָ֑ב	1	Pahath-Moab … Jeshua … Joab	Pahath-Moab is the name of a man, and Jeshua and Joab are the names of two of his descendants. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	12	d1d1	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י עֵילָ֔ם	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Elam” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	12	d7wf	translate-names	עֵילָ֔ם	1	Elam	Elam is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	13	d1d3	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י זַתּ֔וּא	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Zattu” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	13	sbz7	translate-names	זַתּ֔וּא	1	Zattu	Zattu is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	14	d1d5	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י זַכָּ֔י	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Zakkai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	14	v5zr	translate-names	זַכָּ֔י	1	Zakkai	Zakkai is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	15	a26a	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י בִנּ֔וּי	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Binnui” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	15	x1bd	translate-names	בִנּ֔וּי	1	Binnui	Binnui is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	16	d1d7	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י בֵבָ֔י	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Bebai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	16	ay45	translate-names	בֵבָ֔י	1	Bebai	Bebai is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	17	d1d9	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י עַזְגָּ֔ד	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Azgad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	17	h84y	translate-names	עַזְגָּ֔ד	1	Azgad	Azgad is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	18	d1e1	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי֙ אֲדֹ֣נִיקָ֔ם	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Adonikam” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	18	b95k	translate-names	אֲדֹ֣נִיקָ֔ם	1	Adonikam	Adonikam is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	19	lhq4	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י בִגְוָ֔י	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Bigvai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	19	iy74	translate-names	בִגְוָ֔י	1	Bigvai	Bigvai is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	20	d1e3	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י עָדִ֔ין	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Adin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	20	d5wk	translate-names	עָדִ֔ין	1	Adin	Adin is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	21	l797	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵֽי־אָטֵ֥ר לְ⁠חִזְקִיָּ֖ה	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Ater who were descendants of Hezekiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	21	mxg1	translate-names	אָטֵ֥ר	1	Ater	Ater is the name of a man, and Hezekiah is the name of one of his descendants. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	22	d1e5	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י חָשֻׁ֔ם	1		**Sons** figuratively means **descendants.** Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Hashum” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	22	r3ee	translate-names	חָשֻׁ֔ם	1	Hashum	Hashum is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	23	yyf7	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י בֵצָ֔י	1		**Sons** figuratively means **descendants.** Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Bezai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	23	v6eh	translate-names	בֵצָ֔י	1	Bezai	Bezai is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	24	i39d	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י חָרִ֔יף	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Hariph” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	24	j9rb	translate-names	חָרִ֔יף	1	Hariph	Hariph is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	25	xmr1	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֥י גִבְע֖וֹן	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Gibeon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	25	sj6p	translate-names	גִבְע֖וֹן	1	Gibeon	Gibeon is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	26	sde6	translate-names	בֵֽית־לֶ֨חֶם֙ וּ⁠נְטֹפָ֔ה	1	Bethlehem and Netophah	Bethlehem and Netophah are the names of towns. Alternate translation: “from the towns of Bethlehem and Netophah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	27	v2tb	translate-names	עֲנָת֔וֹת	1	Anathoth	Anathoth is the name of a town. Alternate translation: “from the town of Anathoth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	28	b1sd	translate-names	בֵית־עַזְמָ֖וֶת	1	Beth Azmaveth	Beth Azmaveth is the name of a town. Alternate translation: “from the town of Beth Azmaveth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	29	y9ek	translate-names	קִרְיַ֤ת יְעָרִים֙ כְּפִירָ֣ה וּ⁠בְאֵר֔וֹת	1	Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth	Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth are the names of towns. Alternate translation: “from the towns of Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	30	ncc2	translate-names	הָֽ⁠רָמָה֙ וָ⁠גָ֔בַע	1	Ramah and Geba	Ramah and Geba are the names of towns. Alternate translation: “from the towns of Ramah and Geba” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	31	ty2q	translate-names	מִכְמָ֔ס	1	Michmas	Michmas is the name of a town. Alternate translation: “from the town of Michmas” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	32	b4qw	translate-names	בֵֽית־אֵל֙ וְ⁠הָ⁠עָ֔י	1	Bethel and Ai	Bethel and Ai are the names of towns. Alternate translation: “from the towns of Bethel and Ai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	33	dbu1	translate-names	נְב֛וֹ	1	Nebo	Nebo is the name of a town. Alternate translation: “from another town called Nebo” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	34	wz53	translate-names	עֵילָ֣ם אַחֵ֔ר	1		Elam is the name of a town. Alternate translation: “from another town called Elam” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	34	d1vy	figs-personification	עֵילָ֣ם	1	Elam	The document speaks here of the town of Elam as if it were the ancestor of all the people who lived there. It is saying figuratively that these men were from families that had originally lived in that town. Alternate translation: “from another town called Elam” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	7	35	d1e7	figs-personification	בְּנֵ֣י חָרִ֔ם	1		The document speaks here of the town of Harim as if it were the ancestor of all the people who lived there. It is saying figuratively that these men were from families that had originally lived in that town. Alternate translation: “from the town of Harim” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	7	35	s9ek	translate-names	חָרִ֔ם	1	Harim	Harim is the name of a town. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	36	d1e9	figs-personification	בְּנֵ֣י יְרֵח֔וֹ	1		The document speaks here of the city of Jericho as if it were the ancestor of all the people who lived there. It is saying figuratively that these men were from families that had originally lived in that city. Alternate translation: “from the city of Jericho” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	7	36	avk6	translate-names	יְרֵח֔וֹ	1	Jericho	Jericho is the name of a city. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	37	d1f1	figs-personification	בְּנֵי־לֹד֙ חָדִ֣יד וְ⁠אוֹנ֔וֹ	1		The document speaks here of the towns of Lod, Hadid, and Ono as if they were the ancestors of all the people who lived in them. It is saying figuratively that these men were from families that had originally lived in those towns. Alternate translation: “from towns of Lod, Hadid, and Ono” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	7	37	b9f2	translate-names	לֹד֙ חָדִ֣יד וְ⁠אוֹנ֔וֹ	1	Lod, Hadid, and Ono	Lod, Hadid, and Ono are the names of towns. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	38	d1f3	figs-personification	בְּנֵ֣י סְנָאָ֔ה	1		The document speaks here of the town of Senaah as if it were the ancestor of all the people who lived there. It is saying figuratively that these men were from families that had originally lived in that town. Alternate translation: “from the town of Senaah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	7	38	rla1	translate-names	סְנָאָ֔ה	1	Senaah	Senaah is the name of a town. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	39	x7hb		הַֽ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֑ים	1		Alternate translation: “This is how many men returned from each family of priests”
NEH	7	39	xwy8	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֤י יְדַֽעְיָה֙ לְ⁠בֵ֣ית יֵשׁ֔וּעַ	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Jedaiah who were descendants of Jeshua” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	39	d1f5	translate-names	יְדַֽעְיָה֙…יֵשׁ֔וּעַ	1		Jedaiah is the name of a man, and Jeshua is the name of one of his descendants. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	39	mk8g	figs-metonymy	לְ⁠בֵ֣ית יֵשׁ֔וּעַ	1		Here, the word **house** describes all the people descended from a particular person. The document is describing all of the descendants of Jeshua figuratively as if they were one household living together. Alternate translation: “who were descendants of Jeshua” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	7	40	d1f7	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י אִמֵּ֔ר	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Immer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	40	kd29	translate-names	אִמֵּ֔ר	1	Immer	Immer is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	41	d1f9	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י פַשְׁח֔וּר	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Pashhur” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	41	xd2z	translate-names	פַשְׁח֔וּר	1	Pashhur	Pashhur is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	42	zi06	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י חָרִ֔ם	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Harim” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	42	ias1	translate-names	חָרִ֔ם	1	Harim	Harim is the name of a man. Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Harim” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	43	h37e		הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֑ם	1		Alternate translation: “Some of the descendants of Levi also returned.”
NEH	7	43	d1g3	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵֽי־יֵשׁ֧וּעַ לְ⁠קַדְמִיאֵ֛ל לִ⁠בְנֵ֥י לְ⁠הוֹדְוָ֖ה	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Jeshua and Kadmiel, who were descended from Hodevah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	43	v5s3	translate-names	יֵשׁ֧וּעַ לְ⁠קַדְמִיאֵ֛ל…לְ⁠הוֹדְוָ֖ה	1		Jeshua and Kadmiel are men’s names, and Hodevah is the name of their ancestor. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	44	v68g	translate-unknown	הַֽ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים	1		As in [7:1](../07/01.md), this refers to vocal musicians who led in worship, in processions, and ceremonies, producing music and chants that emphasized and enhanced the occasion. Alternate translation: “singers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	44	d1g5		הַֽ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים	1		Alternate translation: “Some of the descendants of the singers also returned.”
NEH	7	44	d1g7	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י אָסָ֔ף	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Asaph” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	44	ht7l	translate-names	אָסָ֔ף	1	Asaph	Asaph is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	45	b7ne		הַ⁠שֹּֽׁעֲרִ֗ים	1		See how you translated this term in [7:1](../07/01.md). Alternate translation: “Some of the descendants of the gatekeepers also returned”
NEH	7	45	h78b	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵֽי־שַׁלּ֤וּם בְּנֵֽי־אָטֵר֙ בְּנֵֽי־טַלְמֹ֣ן בְּנֵֽי־עַקּ֔וּב בְּנֵ֥י חֲטִיטָ֖א בְּנֵ֣י שֹׁבָ֑י	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	45	wy4p	translate-names	שַׁלּ֤וּם…אָטֵר֙…טַלְמֹ֣ן…עַקּ֔וּב…חֲטִיטָ֖א…שֹׁבָ֑י	1	Shallum … Ater … Talmon … Akkub … Hatita … Shobai	These are the names of six men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	46	t2j5	translate-unknown	הַ⁠נְּתִינִ֑ים	1		As in [3:26](../03/26.md), the term “Nethinim” describes servants who worked in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple servants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	46	cd4k		הַ⁠נְּתִינִ֑ים	1		Alternate translation: “Some of the descendants of the temple servants also returned”
NEH	7	46	d6np	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־צִחָ֥א בְנֵי־חֲשֻׂפָ֖א בְּנֵ֥י טַבָּעֽוֹת	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “from the descendants of Shallum, Ater, Talmon, Akkub, Hatita, and Shobai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	46	st75	translate-names	צִחָ֥א…חֲשֻׂפָ֖א…טַבָּעֽוֹת	1	Ziha … Hasupha … Tabbaoth	These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	47	mn22	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־קֵירֹ֥ס בְּנֵי־סִיעָ֖א בְּנֵ֥י פָדֽוֹן	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from [7:46](../07/46.md), you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Keros, Sia, Padon,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	48	ln8l	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־לְבָנָ֥ה בְנֵי־חֲגָבָ֖ה בְּנֵ֥י שַׁלְמָֽי	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from [7:46](../07/46.md), you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Lebana, Hagaba, Shalmai,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	49	zpn7	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־חָנָ֥ן בְּנֵי־גִדֵּ֖ל בְּנֵי־גָֽחַר	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from [7:46](../07/46.md), you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Hanan, Giddel, Gahar,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	50	s8hz	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־רְאָיָ֥ה בְנֵי־רְצִ֖ין בְּנֵ֥י נְקוֹדָֽא	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from [7:46](../07/46.md), you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Reaiah, Rezin, Nekoda,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	51	u8ea	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־גַזָּ֥ם בְּנֵי־עֻזָּ֖א בְּנֵ֥י פָסֵֽחַ	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from [7:46](../07/46.md), you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Gazzam, Uzza, Paseah,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	52	i1dd	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־בֵסַ֥י בְּנֵי־מְעוּנִ֖ים בְּנֵ֥י נפושסים	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from [7:46](../07/46.md), you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Besai, Meunim, Nephushesim,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	53	u7qn	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־בַקְבּ֥וּק בְּנֵֽי־חֲקוּפָ֖א בְּנֵ֥י חַרְחֽוּר	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from [7:46](../07/46.md), you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Bakbuk, Hakupha, Harhur,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	54	jat5	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־בַצְלִ֥ית בְּנֵֽי־מְחִידָ֖א בְּנֵ֥י חַרְשָֽׁא	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from [7:46](../07/46.md), you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Bazluth, Mehida, Harsha,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	55	w15p	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־בַרְק֥וֹס בְּֽנֵי־סִֽיסְרָ֖א בְּנֵי־תָֽמַח	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from [7:46](../07/46.md), you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Barkos, Sisera, Temah,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	56	i1b4	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֥י נְצִ֖יחַ בְּנֵ֥י חֲטִיפָֽא	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from [7:46](../07/46.md), you can just list the names of these two men, and end the series in this verse. Alternate translation: “Neziah, and Hatipha.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	57	w9sx	translate-unknown	בְּנֵ֖י עַבְדֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה	1		By **servants of Solomon**, this document does not mean officials who served in Solomon’s court. Rather, this phrase refers to people whom Solomon first conscripted as laborers. They were descendants of the groups that were living in the land of Canaan before the Israelites occupied it. They and their descendants remained conscripted laborers under later kings. You could call these people “the laborers that King Solomon first conscripted.” Alternate translation: “laborers who had worked for the kingdom” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	57	ei9x	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֖י עַבְדֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “Some of the descendants of the laborers who had worked for the kingdom also returned.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	57	xb5j	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־סוֹטַ֥י בְּנֵי־סוֹפֶ֖רֶת בְּנֵ֥י פְרִידָֽא	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “They were from the descendants of Sotai, Sophereth, Perida” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	57	ma7v	translate-names	סוֹטַ֥י…סוֹפֶ֖רֶת…פְרִידָֽא	1	Sotai … Sophereth … Perida	These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	58	y1jl	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־יַעְלָ֥א בְנֵי־דַרְק֖וֹן בְּנֵ֥י גִדֵּֽל	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from [7:57](../07/57.md), you can just list the names of these three men. Alternate translation: “Jaala, Darkon, Giddel,” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	59	vwg5	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֧י שְׁפַטְיָ֣ה בְנֵֽי־חַטִּ֗יל בְּנֵ֛י פֹּכֶ֥רֶת הַצְּבָיִ֖ים בְּנֵ֥י אָמֽוֹן	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” If you continue the sentence from [7:57](../07/57.md), you can just list the names of these four men and end the series in this verse. Alternate translation: “Shephatiah, Hattil, Pochereth Hazzebaim, and Amon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	60	a15h		כָּל־הַ֨⁠נְּתִינִ֔ים וּ⁠בְנֵ֖י עַבְדֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת תִּשְׁעִ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁנָֽיִם	1		Alternate translation: “Altogether 392 men returned who were descendants of temple servants or of laborers who had worked for the kingdom”
NEH	7	61	bgx3	figs-idiom	וְ⁠אֵ֗לֶּה הָֽ⁠עוֹלִים֙	1		As in [7:6](../07/06.md), “went up” means “traveled from Babylon back to Judah,” since that involves going from a river valley up into the mountains. Alternate translation: “Some others returned to Judah from Babylon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	7	61	c7ta	translate-names	מִ⁠תֵּ֥ל מֶ֨לַח֙ תֵּ֣ל חַרְשָׁ֔א כְּר֥וּב אַדּ֖וֹן וְ⁠אִמֵּ֑ר	1		These are the names of five towns in Babylonia. Alternate translation: “who had been living in the towns of Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Kerub, Addon, and Immer.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	61	d1g9		וְ⁠לֹ֣א יָכְל֗וּ לְ⁠הַגִּ֤יד	1		Alternate translation: “They had no records to prove”
NEH	7	61	d1h1	figs-parallelism	בֵּית־אֲבוֹתָ⁠ם֙ וְ⁠זַרְעָ֔⁠ם אִ֥ם מִ⁠יִּשְׂרָאֵ֖ל הֵֽם	1		These two longer phrases mean similar things. The second phrase explains the meaning of the first for clarity and emphasis. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “that their ancestors had been Israelites,” otherwise “what clan they were from or who their ancestors were, whether they were really Israelites” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	7	61	d1h3	figs-doublet	בֵּית־אֲבוֹתָ⁠ם֙ וְ⁠זַרְעָ֔⁠ם	1		These two short phrases mean similar things. They are used together to emphasize that accurate records would be required to prove a person’s lineage. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “what their lineage was” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	7	61	d1h5	figs-metaphor	בֵּית־אֲבוֹתָ⁠ם֙ וְ⁠זַרְעָ֔⁠ם	1		Among the Israelites, the expression **father’s house** or **house of the father** originally described an extended clan. It later came to be used more generally to refer to a larger clan within a tribe. (For example, the two expressions are used interchangeably in Exodus 6:14, “These were the heads of their fathers’ houses: The sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, were Hanok, Pallu, Hezron, and Karmi. These were the clan ancestors of Reuben.”) In this expression, the word **house** figuratively describes all the people descended from a particular person. The term views all of those descendants as if they were one household living together. Alternate translation: “what clan they were from” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	61	d1h7	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠זַרְעָ֔⁠ם	1		Here, **seed** is a metaphor meaning “offspring.” It is a comparison: Just as plants produce seeds that grow into many more plants, so people can have many offspring. In the Bible, the term refers most often to a person’s descendants. But here it is describing the ancestors of these people, that is, “whose seed they were.” Alternate translation: “who their ancestors were” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	62	d1h9		בְּנֵי־דְלָיָ֥ה בְנֵֽי־טוֹבִיָּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י נְקוֹדָ֑א שֵׁ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת וְ⁠אַרְבָּעִ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁנָֽיִם	1		Alternate translation: “Altogether 642 men returned who were from the descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda”
NEH	7	62	d1i1	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־דְלָיָ֥ה בְנֵֽי־טוֹבִיָּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י נְקוֹדָ֑א	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “They were from the descendants of Delaiah, Tobiah, and Nekoda” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	62	np4h	translate-names	דְלָיָ֥ה…טוֹבִיָּ֖ה…נְקוֹדָ֑א	1	Delaiah … Tobiah … Nekoda	These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	63	d1i3		וּ⁠מִן־הַ⁠כֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים	1		Alternate translation: “Some of the men who returned from those towns were descendants of the priests”
NEH	7	63	d1i5	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֥י חֳבַיָּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י הַקּ֑וֹץ בְּנֵ֣י בַרְזִלַּ֗י	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “They were from the descendants of Habaiah, Hakkoz, and Barzillai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	63	i59a	translate-names	חֳבַיָּ֖ה…הַקּ֑וֹץ…בַרְזִלַּ֗י	1	Habaiah … Hakkoz … Barzillai	These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	63	d1i7	translate-names	בַּרְזִלַּ֤י הַ⁠גִּלְעָדִי֙	1		Barzillai is the name of a man, and Gileadite means that he was from the region of Gilead. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	7	63	d1i9		אֲשֶׁ֣ר לָ֠קַח מִ⁠בְּנ֞וֹת בַּרְזִלַּ֤י הַ⁠גִּלְעָדִי֙ אִשָּׁ֔ה	1		Alternate translation: “Barzillai married a woman who was one of the descendants of Barzillai the Gileadite”
NEH	7	63	iyy1	figs-metaphor	מִ⁠בְּנ֞וֹת בַּרְזִלַּ֤י הַ⁠גִּלְעָדִי֙	1		**Daughters** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “the descendants of Barzillai the Gileadite” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	63	bl4n		וַ⁠יִּקָּרֵ֖א עַל־שְׁמָֽ⁠ם	1		Alternate translation: “and he took the name of her clan as his own name”
NEH	7	64	m2qd		אֵ֗לֶּה בִּקְשׁ֧וּ כְתָבָ֛⁠ם הַ⁠מִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים וְ⁠לֹ֣א נִמְצָ֑א	1		Alternate translation: “They were not able to find any mention of their names in the lists of people who were descendants of the priests”
NEH	7	64	n9vy		וַ⁠יְגֹֽאֲל֖וּ מִן־הַ⁠כְּהֻנָּֽה	1		Alternate translation: “So they were not allowed to serve as priests.”
NEH	7	65	av51	translate-unknown	הַ⁠תִּרְשָׁ֨תָא֙	1		This was the formal Persian title of the governor. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the title and then explain it. Alternate translation: “The Tirshatha, that is, the governor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	65	j9fe	translate-unknown	וַ⁠יֹּ֤אמֶר הַ⁠תִּרְשָׁ֨תָא֙ לָ⁠הֶ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־יֹאכְל֖וּ מִ⁠קֹּ֣דֶשׁ הַ⁠קֳּדָשִׁ֑ים	1		In this case, **the holy of holies** does not refer to the inmost part of the Temple. Rather, it refers to the most sacred part of the food offerings, which was reserved for the priests. Alternate translation: “told them that they would not be allowed to eat the most sacred food” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	65	qnn2	figs-metaphor	עַ֛ד עֲמֹ֥ד הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֖ן לְ⁠אוּרִ֥ים וְ⁠תוּמִּֽים	1		Here, **stand** is a figurative way of saying that a person has assumed the duties of their office. The priest means specifically the high priest, since he had the objects described. Alternate translation: “Until the high priest was once again on duty” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	65	cij9	translate-unknown	לְ⁠אוּרִ֥ים וְ⁠תוּמִּֽים	1		This was a pair of objects that the high priest kept in the breastpiece of his robe. It is unknown exactly what type of objects they were, but they were used to answer yes-or-no questions and to decide between two alternatives. If the priest, without looking, pulled out the Urim, that meant one answer, while if he pulled out the Thummim, that meant the other answer. If it would be clearer in your language, you could describe these objects by their function rather than by their names. Alternate translation: “and could use the sacred objects to decide their cases.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	66	t4xj		כָּל־הַ⁠קָּהָ֖ל כְּ⁠אֶחָ֑ד אַרְבַּ֣ע רִבּ֔וֹא אַלְפַּ֖יִם שְׁלֹשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת וְ⁠שִׁשִּֽׁים	1		Alternate translation: “The total number of men who returned was 42,360”
NEH	7	67	se3x		מִ֠⁠לְּ⁠בַד עַבְדֵי⁠הֶ֤ם וְ⁠אַמְהֹֽתֵי⁠הֶם֙ אֵ֔לֶּה שִׁבְעַ֣ת אֲלָפִ֔ים שְׁלֹ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וְ⁠שִׁבְעָ֑ה	1		Alternate translation: “not counting their 7,337 male and female servants”
NEH	7	67	d1j1	translate-unknown	וְ⁠לָ⁠הֶ֗ם מְשֹֽׁרֲרִים֙ וּ⁠מְשֹׁ֣רֲר֔וֹת מָאתַ֖יִם וְ⁠אַרְבָּעִ֥ים וַ⁠חֲמִשָּֽׁה	1		This is a different group from “the ones who sang” in [7:44](../07/44.md). Those were Levites who sang in connection with Israel’s worship. The group here is a class of servants who were employed to provide music for public and private events. Alternate translation: “and the 245 male and female singers they employed.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	68	d1j3		סוּסֵי⁠הֶ֕ם שְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וְ⁠שִׁשָּׁ֑ה פִּרְדֵי⁠הֶ֕ם מָאתַ֖יִם אַרְבָּעִ֥ים וַ⁠חֲמִשָּֽׁה	1		Alternate translation: “The group also brought back with them 736 horses, 245 mules”
NEH	7	69	d72q		גְּמַלִּ֕ים אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים וַ⁠חֲמִשָּׁ֑ה ס חֲמֹרִ֕ים שֵׁ֣שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֔ים שְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת וְ⁠עֶשְׂרִֽים	1		Alternate translation: “435 camels, and 6,720 donkeys.”
NEH	7	70	zio7	figs-ellipsis	רָאשֵׁ֣י הָֽ⁠אָב֔וֹת	1		This seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” The full expression “father’s house” or “house of the father” is used in verse 61. See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpfull. Alternate translation: “some of the clan leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	7	70	gdj2	figs-metaphor	רָאשֵׁ֣י	1		**Head** here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “the leaders of” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	70	le3g	translate-unknown	נָתַ֣ן לָ⁠אוֹצָ֗ר	1		Even though in the book of Nehemiah **the work** typically means the work of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, in this document it refers to the work of re-establishing the temple. That was the project that Zerubbabel and the group that returned under his leadership worked on. Alternate translation: “gave gifts towards the costs of re-establishing the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	70	b1s5		הַ⁠תִּרְשָׁ֜תָא נָתַ֣ן לָ⁠אוֹצָ֗ר זָהָ֞ב דַּרְכְּמֹנִ֥ים אֶ֨לֶף֙ מִזְרָק֣וֹת חֲמִשִּׁ֔ים כָּתְנוֹת֙ כֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים שְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים וַ⁠חֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת	1		Alternate translation: “The Tirshatha, that is, the governor, donated to the temple treasury 1,000 gold coins, 50 bowls to be used in the temple, and 530 garments for the priests to wear”
NEH	7	70	c7ug	translate-unknown	הַ⁠תִּרְשָׁ֜תָא	1		As in [7:65](../07/65.md), this was the formal Persian title of the governor. Alternate translation: “The Tirshatha, that is, the governor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	70	wf3a	translate-bmoney	זָהָ֞ב דַּרְכְּמֹנִ֥ים אֶ֨לֶף֙	1		In ancient times, a gold daric weighed about 8 or 8.5 grams or about a quarter of an ounce. You could try to express this in terms of modern money values, but if you did, that could cause your Bible translation to become outdated and inaccurate over time, since those values can change from year to year. Instead, you could say something general like “1,000 gold coins,” or give the equivalent weight, or use the biblical term in the text and give the weight in a note. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])
NEH	7	70	bu8p	translate-unknown	מִזְרָק֣וֹת חֲמִשִּׁ֔ים	1		These were large, flat bowls that were used in the temple to collect the blood of sacrifices. When the Law called for some of this blood to be sprinkled on the altar, in the air, or on a person or a garment, that would be done from one of these bowls. Alternate translation: “50 bowls to be used in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	70	bu22	translate-unknown	כָּתְנוֹת֙ כֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים שְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים וַ⁠חֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת	1		These were the special garments that priests would wear while performing their duties in the temple. Alternate translation: “530 garments for the priests to wear” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	71	znc4	figs-ellipsis	וּ⁠מֵֽ⁠רָאשֵׁ֣י הָֽ⁠אָב֗וֹת נָֽתְנוּ֙ לְ⁠אוֹצַ֣ר הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֔ה	1		As in [7:70](../07/70.md), **the heads of the fathers** seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” See how you translated that expression in [7:61](../07/61.md), and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “Some of the clan leaders donated to the temple treasury” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	7	71	g529	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠מֵֽ⁠רָאשֵׁ֣י	1		**Head** here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	7	71	kzg2	translate-bmoney	זָהָ֕ב דַּרְכְּמוֹנִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֣י רִבּ֑וֹת	1		See the note about **darics** in verse [7:70](../07/70.md). Alternate translation: “20,000 gold coins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])
NEH	7	71	jxn7	translate-bmoney	וְ⁠כֶ֕סֶף מָנִ֖ים אַלְפַּ֥יִם וּ⁠מָאתָֽיִם	1		In ancient times, a silver mina weighed about half a kilogram or about 1.25 pounds. However, as in the case of darics, it would probably be best to say something general like “2,200 silver bars,” or give the equivalent weight, or use the biblical term and give the equivalent weight in a note. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])
NEH	7	72	zg2v	translate-bmoney	וַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר נָתְנוּ֮ שְׁאֵרִ֣ית הָ⁠עָם֒ זָהָ֗ב דַּרְכְּמוֹנִים֙ שְׁתֵּ֣י רִבּ֔וֹא וְ⁠כֶ֖סֶף מָנִ֣ים אַלְפָּ֑יִם וְ⁠כָתְנֹ֥ת כֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וְ⁠שִׁבְעָֽה	1		See the notes in [7:70](../07/70.md) and [7:71](../07/71.md) about “darics,” “minas,” and “tunics.” Alternate translation: “The rest of the people donated 20,000 gold coins, 2,000 silver bars, and 67 garments for the priests to wear” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])
NEH	7	73	jaj3	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וַ⁠יֵּשְׁב֣וּ	1		At the end of [7:72](../07/72.md), Nehemiah stops quoting from the document about the first group of people who returned to Judah. The story now goes on to tell what happened next. You could introduce this verse with a word or phrase that indicates this. Alternate translation: “And so … dwelt” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	7	73	e7np	translate-unknown	הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֣ים וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֡ם וְ⁠הַ⁠שּׁוֹעֲרִים֩ וְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֨ים וּ⁠מִן־הָ⁠עָ֧ם וְ⁠הַ⁠נְּתִינִ֛ים וְ⁠כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל	1		Five of the groups in this list are also named in the document about the people who returned from exile: the priests (verses 39–43), the Levites (verse 43), the gatekeepers (verse 45), the singers (verse 44), and the temple servants (verses 46–56). You can use those same names for these groups here. It is not immediately clear who “some from the people” are, and why they are not included in “all Israel.” You could just say “many ordinary people.” However, there is very similar list in [10:28](../10/28.md) that names these same five groups and also describes people who dedicated themselves to following the law of God. That would unfortunately not have included all of Israel at this point, so that may be the distinction that is in view here. Alternate translation: “the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, the temple servants, some people who dedicated themselves to follow the law, and the rest of the Israelites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	7	73	a2ub	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יֵּשְׁב֣וּ…בְּ⁠עָרֵי⁠הֶ֑ם וַ⁠יִּגַּע֙ הַ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִ֔י וּ⁠בְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּ⁠עָרֵי⁠הֶֽם	1		The rebuilding of the wall was completed that year near the end of Elul, the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar. The implication is that everyone who had come to Jerusalem to work on the wall was then allowed to return home. Within about a week, by the beginning of the seventh month, they were all back home. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “So … returned to their homes, because the rebuilding of the wall had been completed. By the beginning of the next month, they were all back home.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	7	73	n26r	translate-ordinal	הַ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִ֔י	1		Alternate translation: “month seven” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	8	intro	w38v			0		# Nehemiah 8 General Notes<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Reading of the law<br><br>During the exile, the Hebrew language was no longer spoken. Only the priests and Levites still understood it. Ezra read the book of the law to the people in Hebrew and the Levites walked among the crowd translating it into Aramaic for the people to understand. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/priest]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])<br><br>### Festival of Shelters<br><br>After they heard Ezra read the law of Moses, the people obeyed it by making temporary shelters for themselves with tree branches. They did this to remember that their ancestors slept in shelters when they came out of slavery in Egypt.
NEH	8	1	q5ih	figs-hyperbole	כָל־הָ⁠עָם֙	1		The word **all** is a generalization that indicates that everyone who was able and available came to Jerusalem for this occasion. By “the people,” Nehemiah means the groups he described in the previous verse who had come back to live in Judah and Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “The people of Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH	8	1	e1a1	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יֵּאָסְפ֤וּ…כְּ⁠אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֔ד	1		Verses 8 and 9 explain that the people had gathered for a festival, and [8:2](../08/02.md) states that this was the first day of the seventh month, which means that the people had gathered in Jerusalem for the Festival of Trumpets. In the Law of Moses, Yahweh had commanded the people to observe this celebration on this date. If it would be helpful to your readers to know why the people came together on this day, you could say that specifically. Alternate translation: “gathered in Jerusalem in a huge crowd for a special celebration known as the Festival of Trumpets.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	1	e1a3	figs-idiom	כְּ⁠אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֔ד	1		**As one man** is an idiom that means “as if they were a single person,” that is, all in once place at the same time. Alternate translation: “gathered in a huge crowd” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	8	1	e1a5	translate-unknown	אֶל־הָ֣⁠רְח֔וֹב	1		This means a “plaza” or “square” in the city where there were no buildings and so where public events like this could be held. Alternate translation: “in the square” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	8	1	f6t8	figs-metonymy	לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י שַֽׁעַר־הַ⁠מָּ֑יִם	1		Here, **face** figuratively means the front of an object. Alternate translation: “in front of the Water Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	8	1	e1a7	translate-names	שַֽׁעַר־הַ⁠מָּ֑יִם	1		This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. See how you translated it in [3:26](../03/26.md). Alternate translation: “the Water Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	8	1	e1a9	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ לְ⁠עֶזְרָ֣א הַ⁠סֹּפֵ֔ר לְ⁠הָבִ֗יא אֶת־סֵ֨פֶר֙ תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֔ה	1		**They** means the crowd, though they likely made this request to Ezra through their leaders. The implication is that they wanted him not just to bring the book forward, but to read to them from it out loud (as [8:3](../08/03.md) indicates he did). This was because they wanted to learn what was in it. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The crowd had asked Ezra the scribe to read to them from a scroll that contained the Law of Moses because they wanted to know what it commanded.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	1	e1b1	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ לְ⁠עֶזְרָ֣א   	1		Since the rest of the chapter describes arrangements that the leaders must have made in advance, the crowd, once it gathered, did not start shouting spontaneously for Ezra to come forward and read. Rather, they had made this request in advance. Alternate translation: “And the crowd had asked Ezra” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	1	e1b3	writing-participants	לְ⁠עֶזְרָ֣א הַ⁠סֹּפֵ֔ר	1		This introduces Ezra as a new character in the story. The expression “the scribe” identifies him as a teacher who had carefully studied the Law of Moses. Since he is a new participant, if it would be helpful to your readers, you could call him something like “a man named Ezra, who was a teacher of the Law of Moses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-participants]])
NEH	8	1	e1b5	figs-explicit	לְ⁠עֶזְרָ֣א הַ⁠סֹּפֵ֔ר	1		The biblical book of Ezra indicates that this man returned to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon 13 years before Nehemiah did. He led many reforms in the community. But in this book, Nehemiah does not say whether Ezra had remained in the city all that time, or whether he had gone back to Babylon and had recently returned to Jerusalem again. Even if your language, in telling a story, ordinarily accounts for how a person came to be on the scene, it might be best not to try to address that question here in your translation. Even though Nehemiah seems to expect that his readers will know where Ezra had been, Nehemiah does not say specifically where he was, and so the answer is unknown. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	1	fdh4	translate-unknown	אֶת־סֵ֨פֶר֙ תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֔ה	1		This **book** was most likely a scroll, and it most likely contained what is now known as the Torah or the “five books of Moses.” Alternate translation: “a scroll that contained the law of Moses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	8	1	e1b7		אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֥ה יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל	1		Alternate translation: “These were the commandments that Yahweh had told Israel to follow”
NEH	8	2	e1b9	figs-explicit	עֶזְרָ֣א הַ֠⁠כֹּהֵן	1		This information serves to introduce Ezra further. In addition to being a teacher and learned student of the Law of Moses, he was also a priest whose duties would have included offering sacrifices in the temple and helping people make sure they were following the law in everyday matters. It might be helpful to your readers to explain that here because it shows why Ezra would have been such an effective teacher for everyone on this occasion. Alternate translation: “Ezra was also a priest who served in the temple and helped people follow the law” (See: Introduction of New and Old Participants and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	2	e1c1	figs-metonymy	וַ⁠יָּבִ֣יא…אֶֽת־הַ⁠תּוֹרָ֞ה לִ⁠פְנֵ֤י הַ⁠קָּהָל֙	1		Here, **face** figuratively means the front of a group. Alternate translation: “He read the law out loud in front of the whole crowd.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	8	2	j8yl	figs-idiom	מֵ⁠אִ֣ישׁ וְ⁠עַד־אִשָּׁ֔ה וְ⁠כֹ֖ל מֵבִ֣ין לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֑עַ	1		**All who were understanding to hear** is an idiom that means “everyone who could hear with understanding,” that is, “who understood what they were hearing.” This phrase likely refers to children and it would mean “children who were old enough to understand.” Alternate translation: “for the men, the women, and the children who were old enough to understand.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	8	2	e89a	figs-explicit	בְּ⁠י֥וֹם אֶחָ֖ד לַ⁠חֹ֥דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי	1		Since Nehemiah does not say otherwise, the implication is that this happened in the same year that the wall was rebuilt. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “He did this on the first day of the seventh month of that same year.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	2	id7q	translate-hebrewmonths	בְּ⁠י֥וֹם אֶחָ֖ד לַ⁠חֹ֥דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי	1		Alternate translation: “On day 1 of month 7” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]])
NEH	8	3	pkz7		וַ⁠יִּקְרָא־ב⁠וֹ֩	1		Here, **it** means the book of the Law of Moses.
NEH	8	3	iv9y	figs-metonymy	לִ⁠פְנֵ֨י הָ⁠רְח֜וֹב אֲשֶׁ֣ר ׀ לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י שַֽׁעַר־הַ⁠מַּ֗יִם	1		Here, **face** figuratively means the front of both places, the square and the gate. Alternate translation: “from the front of the square that is in front of the Water Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	8	3	e1c3	translate-names	שַֽׁעַר־הַ⁠מַּ֗יִם	1		This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. See how you translated it in [3:26](../03/26.md) and [8:1](../08/01.md). Alternate translation: “the Water Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	8	3	e1c5	translate-unknown	מִן־הָ⁠אוֹר֙ עַד־מַחֲצִ֣ית הַ⁠יּ֔וֹם	1		**The light** means sunrise, that is, the time of morning when the sun itself becomes visible above the horizon. “The middle of the day” means noon. Alternate translation: “from sunrise until noon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	8	3	e1c7	figs-merism	מִן־הָ⁠אוֹר֙ עַד־מַחֲצִ֣ית הַ⁠יּ֔וֹם	1		Verse [8:7](../08/07.md) explains that other teachers circulated within the crowd to answer questions that people had about what Ezra was reading. It is unlikely that they did this while he was still talking. Instead, he probably paused from time to time to allow this. So this expression is actually referring to a whole time period by describing its beginning and ending, but it does not mean that the activity took place without interruption the whole time. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this meaning with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “throughout the morning” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
NEH	8	3	e1c9		נֶ֛גֶד הָ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֥ים וְ⁠הַ⁠נָּשִׁ֖ים וְ⁠הַ⁠מְּבִינִ֑ים	1		This is the same group that was described in [8:2](../08/02.md). Many of the phrases here in verse 3 echo similar phrases in verse 2. The repetition emphasizes the importance and solemnity of this occasion. However, you do not need to repeat this phrase a second time in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers.
NEH	8	3	e1d1	figs-synecdoche	וְ⁠אָזְנֵ֥י כָל־הָ⁠עָ֖ם	1		Here, Nehemiah uses the **ears** of the people to represent the people themselves, in the act of listening. Alternate translation: “all the people listened carefully” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	8	4	e1d3	figs-explicit	עַֽל־מִגְדַּל־עֵץ֮	1		As [8:5](../08/05.md) explains, this was a raised platform that allowed the large crowd to see and hear Ezra as he read. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly here. Alternate translation: “a raised wooden platform” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	4	e1d5	figs-explicit	אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשׂ֣וּ לַ⁠דָּבָר֒	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say who built this platform, and what the purpose was. Alternate translation: “that the people had built so that they could see and hear Ezra as he read” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	4	e1d7	figs-metonymy	אֶצְל֡⁠וֹ…עַל־יְמִינ֑⁠וֹ	1		Here, **hand** is a metonym that means “side.” Alternate translation: “next to him, on his right side” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	8	4	lk8k	translate-names	מַתִּתְיָ֡ה וְ⁠שֶׁ֡מַע וַ֠⁠עֲנָיָה וְ⁠אוּרִיָּ֧ה וְ⁠חִלְקִיָּ֛ה וּ⁠מַעֲשֵׂיָ֖ה	1		These are the names of six men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	8	4	e1d9		וּ⁠מִ⁠שְּׂמֹאל֗⁠וֹ	1		Alternate translation: “and next to him, on his left side”
NEH	8	4	e1e1	translate-names	פְּ֠דָיָה וּ⁠מִֽישָׁאֵ֧ל וּ⁠מַלְכִּיָּ֛ה וְ⁠חָשֻׁ֥ם וְ⁠חַשְׁבַּדָּ֖נָה זְכַרְיָ֥ה מְשֻׁלָּֽם	1		These are the names of seven men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	8	5	t5lf	grammar-connect-logic-result	וַ⁠יִּפְתַּ֨ח עֶזְרָ֤א הַ⁠סֵּ֨פֶר֙ לְ⁠עֵינֵ֣י כָל־הָ⁠עָ֔ם כִּֽי־מֵ⁠עַ֥ל כָּל־הָ⁠עָ֖ם	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, since the first phrase gives the reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “Ezra was up on the platform above the people, so they were able to see him when he opened the book.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	8	5	yv2u	figs-synecdoche	לְ⁠עֵינֵ֣י כָל־הָ⁠עָ֔ם	1		Here, Nehemiah uses the **eyes** of the people to represent the people themselves, in the act of observing. Alternate translation: “where all the people could see” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	8	5	wqg8	translate-symaction	עָֽמְד֥וּ כָל־הָ⁠עָֽם	1		The people stood up as a symbolic way of showing respect for Yahweh and his law. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the people stood up to show their respect for Yahweh and his law” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	8	5	ln1z		כָל־הָ⁠עָֽם	1		In this verse, **all** is not a generalization as it is in verse 1. Rather, it means **all the people who were there.** Alternate translation: “the people”
NEH	8	6	x9v8	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יְבָ֣רֶךְ עֶזְרָ֔א אֶת־יְהוָ֥ה הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֖ים הַ⁠גָּד֑וֹל	1		This means that before Ezra read from the law, he prayed out loud. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Before he read from the law, Ezra prayed to Yahweh, the great God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	6	e1e3	figs-events	וַ⁠יַּֽעֲנ֨וּ כָל־הָ⁠עָ֜ם אָמֵ֤ן ׀ אָמֵן֙	1		Since the people lifted their hands to show that they were joining Nehemiah in prayer, they would have done this before they said “Amen” at the end of his prayer. If it would be clearer in your language, you could describe the events in that order. Alternate translation: “The people lifted their hands to show that they were praying with Ezra, and when he finished praying, they shouted, ‘Amen! Amen!’” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]])
NEH	8	6	e1e5	figs-idiom	אָמֵ֤ן ׀ אָמֵן֙	1		As in [5:13](../05/13.md), **Amen** is a Hebrew word that means, “Truly, it is so.” The word expresses agreement with what someone has just said. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express that meaning with a phrase such as, “We agree!” Or you could use the Hebrew term and explain what it means in this context: “Amen! Yahweh is truly great!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	8	6	e1e7	translate-symaction	בְּ⁠מֹ֣עַל יְדֵי⁠הֶ֔ם	1		In ancient Israel, lifted hands were the posture of prayer. By this gesture, the people showed that they were joining Nehemiah in prayer before he read from the law. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	8	6	e1e9	figs-synecdoche	וַ⁠יִּקְּד֧וּ וַ⁠יִּשְׁתַּחֲוֻּ֛ לַ⁠יהוָ֖ה אַפַּ֥יִם אָֽרְצָ⁠ה	1		**Nostrils** here represent the nose, and the nose represents all of the face. Alternate translation: “they knelt down and then lay down with their faces on the ground to worship Yahweh.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	8	7	e1f1	translate-names	וְ⁠יֵשׁ֡וּעַ וּ⁠בָנִ֡י וְ⁠שֵׁרֵ֥בְיָ֣ה ׀ יָמִ֡ין עַקּ֡וּב שַׁבְּתַ֣י ׀ הֽוֹדִיָּ֡ה מַעֲשֵׂיָ֡ה קְלִיטָ֣א עֲזַרְיָה֩ יוֹזָבָ֨ד חָנָ֤ן פְּלָאיָה֙	1		These are the names of thirteen men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	8	7	e1f3		וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֔ם	1		This expression could mean something like, “yes, the Levites,” indicating that all of these men were Levites. That means that they were descendants of Levi and had a special assignment, helping the priests. Alternate translation: “who were Levites.”
NEH	8	7	e1f5	figs-explicit	מְבִינִ֥ים אֶת־הָ⁠עָ֖ם לַ⁠תּוֹרָ֑ה וְ⁠הָ⁠עָ֖ם עַל־עָמְדָֽ⁠ם	1		The implication is that Ezra paused regularly throughout the morning to allow this. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “explained the meaning of the Law to the people as they stood in their places in the crowd. Ezra paused regularly to allow this.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	8	s5er		וַֽ⁠יִּקְרְא֥וּ בַ⁠סֵּ֛פֶר בְּ⁠תוֹרַ֥ת הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֖ים מְפֹרָ֑שׁ	1		This probably indicates that each of the Levites who circulated among the crowd likely had his own written copy of the Law of Moses and used that to teach the people. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Each of these Levites had his own the scroll of the law of God and read aloud from it”
NEH	8	8	e1f7		מְפֹרָ֑שׁ	1		The exact meaning of this Hebrew term is unknown. This expression could mean that the Levites read loudly and clearly so that the groups they were talking to within the crowd could hear and understand them. It could also mean that they went over one section at a time with the people, after Ezra had read that section to everyone. It might also imply that the people could not understand the language in which the book of the Law was written, so the Levites needed to interpret it into the language that the people could understand. However, none of these possibilities are certain. Alternate translation: “clearly” or “one section at a time”
NEH	8	8	e1f9	figs-doublet	בַ⁠סֵּ֛פֶר בְּ⁠תוֹרַ֥ת הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֖ים	1		These two phrases mean similar things. You do not need to repeat both of them in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “from the Law of Moses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	8	8	e1g1	translate-unknown	וְ⁠שׂ֣וֹם שֶׂ֔כֶל	1		The exact meaning of this phrase in Hebrew is unknown. Most likely, it means either: (1) that the Levites were interpreting from one language into another, because the people could not understand the language in which the book of the Law was written, or (2) that the Levites were explaining the meaning of the Law to the people because it was difficult to understand. Alternate translateion: “and they explained what it meant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	8	8	vsq9	figs-abstractnouns	שֶׂ֔כֶל	1		**Interpretation** is an abstract noun that refers to the meaning of the Law of Moses. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a phrase that uses a verb such as “mean.” Alternate translation: “what it meant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	8	8	e1g3		וַ⁠יָּבִ֖ינוּ בַּ⁠מִּקְרָֽא	1		Here **they** refers to the people in the crowd. Alternate translation: “That way the people in the crowd could understand what Ezra was reading”
NEH	8	9	e1g5	translate-unknown	נְחֶמְיָ֣ה ה֣וּא הַ⁠תִּרְשָׁ֡תָא	1		As in [7:65](../07/65.md) and [7:70](../07/70.md), **Tirshatha** is the formal Persian title of the governor. If it would be clearer in your language, you could simply say “governor,” or you could state the title and then explain it. Alternate translation: “Nehemiah the governor” or “Nehemiah the Tirshatha (that is, the governor)” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	8	9	e1g7	writing-participants	נְחֶמְיָ֣ה ה֣וּא הַ⁠תִּרְשָׁ֡תָא	1		This is the first time that Nehemiah appears as a character while someone else is telling the story. Previously in the book, he has been the one telling the story, and so he has referred to himself as “I.” To give him more of an introduction here, you could say something like, “Nehemiah, who was the governor” or “Nehemiah, who was the Tirshatha (that is, the governor).” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-participants]])
NEH	8	9	e1g9	figs-distinguish	וְ⁠עֶזְרָ֣א הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֣ן ׀ הַ⁠סֹּפֵ֡ר	1		Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who Ezra was. Alternate translation: “Ezra, who was a priest and a scribe” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	8	9	e1h1		וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּם֩ הַ⁠מְּבִינִ֨ים אֶת־הָ⁠עָ֜ם	1		See how you translated this phrase in [8:7](../08/07.md). Alternate translation: “The Levites who were explaining the meaning of the Law to the people.”
NEH	8	9	e1h3	figs-explicit	הַ⁠יּ֤וֹם קָדֹֽשׁ־הוּא֙ לַ⁠יהוָ֣ה	1		As a note to verse [8:1](../08/01.md) explains, this particular holiday was the Festival of Trumpets. If it would make things clearer for your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “This is a holy day, set apart to worship Yahweh. It is the Festival of Trumpets.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	9	e1h5	figs-doublet	הַ⁠יּ֤וֹם קָדֹֽשׁ־הוּא֙ לַ⁠יהוָ֣ה	1		These two phrases mean similar things. The leaders were reminding the people that this was one of the festival days that Yahweh had told them to set apart as special times of worship and celebration. If it would be clearer in your language you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “This is a special day for worshiping Yahweh.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	8	9	e1h7	grammar-connect-logic-result	אַל־תִּֽתְאַבְּל֖וּ וְ⁠אַל־תִּבְכּ֑וּ	1		The leaders are saying that since this is a day for celebration, it is not appropriate for the people to be weeping. If it would be clearer in your language, you can show this connection by beginning this sentence with a word such as “so.” Alternate translation: “So do not mourn or cry.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	8	9	e1h9	figs-doublet	אַל־תִּֽתְאַבְּל֖וּ וְ⁠אַל־תִּבְכּ֑וּ	1		**Mourn** and **weep** mean the same thing. The leaders use both words together to emphasize that the people should be cheerful, not sad, on a festival day. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these words in a single expression. Alternate translation: “So you should not be crying” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	8	9	e1i1	grammar-connect-logic-result	בוֹכִים֙ כָּל־הָ⁠עָ֔ם כְּ⁠שָׁמְעָ֖⁠ם אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַ⁠תּוֹרָֽה	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could put this sentence first in the verse, since it gives the reason for the results that are described in the rest of the verse. Alternate translation: “The people in the crowd began to weep when they heard what was in the Law of Moses.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	8	9	e1i3	figs-explicit	בוֹכִים֙ כָּל־הָ⁠עָ֔ם כְּ⁠שָׁמְעָ֖⁠ם אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַ⁠תּוֹרָֽה	1		The implication is that the people began to weep because they recognized that they had not been obeying what God had commanded them in the Law of Moses. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people in the crowd began to weep when they heard what was in the Law of Moses, because they recognized that they had not been obeying what it commanded.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	9	wky3	figs-hyperbole	כָּל־הָ⁠עָ֔ם	1		This is a generalization that indicates there was great weeping among the people. Alternate translation: “the people in the crowd” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH	8	10	e1i5	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר לָ⁠הֶ֡ם	1		The story does not specify who said this. However, it is probably either Nehemiah or Ezra, since they are named at the beginning of the previous verse. And since what follow are instructions for how to observe a religious occasion, it is most likely Ezra. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could suggest that. Alternate translation: “Ezra told them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	10	e1i7	figs-metaphor	לְכוּ֩ אִכְל֨וּ מַשְׁמַנִּ֜ים וּ⁠שְׁת֣וּ מַֽמְתַקִּ֗ים	1		This could mean, “Go home” and do this, since the people would likely have their holiday meals at home. Or it could figuratively mean, “Go ahead” and do this, even though you are feeling sad. Alternate translation: “Go home and celebrate with a good meal” or “Go ahead, celebrate with a good meal.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	8	10	smq2	figs-metonymy	אִכְל֨וּ מַשְׁמַנִּ֜ים וּ⁠שְׁת֣וּ מַֽמְתַקִּ֗ים	1		**The fat** and **the sweet** are figurative ways of referring to food and drink that is particularly tasty and shared in celebrations. The speaker is describing this food and drink by things associated with it, the fatness and the sweetness. Alternate translation: “Celebrate with a good meal.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	8	10	e1i9	figs-doublet	אִכְל֨וּ מַשְׁמַנִּ֜ים וּ⁠שְׁת֣וּ מַֽמְתַקִּ֗ים	1		Eating and drinking are used together here to convey a single idea, celebrating. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them into a single phrase. Alternate translation: “Celebrate with a good meal.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	8	10	e1j1	figs-activepassive	וְ⁠שִׁלְח֤וּ מָנוֹת֙ לְ⁠אֵ֣ין נָכ֣וֹן ל֔⁠וֹ	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “Share some of your meal with those who have not prepared anything for themselves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	8	10	e1j3	figs-explicit	וְ⁠שִׁלְח֤וּ מָנוֹת֙ לְ⁠אֵ֣ין נָכ֣וֹן ל֔⁠וֹ	1		This may actually refer to the poor and indicate that they would not be able to afford rich food and drink. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “share some of your meal with the poor, who cannot afford rich food and drink.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	10	e1j5	figs-doublet	כִּֽי־קָד֥וֹשׁ הַ⁠יּ֖וֹם לַ⁠אֲדֹנֵ֑י⁠נוּ	1		These two phrases mean similar things. As in [8:9](../08/09.md), together they mean, “This is a special day for worshiping our Lord.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases like that. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	8	10	e1j7	grammar-connect-logic-result	כִּֽי־קָד֥וֹשׁ הַ⁠יּ֖וֹם לַ⁠אֲדֹנֵ֑י⁠נוּ	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could move this phrase to the beginning of the quotation because it gives the reason for the resulting actions that are described in the rest of the quotation. You could also connect this phrase to the ones that would then follow with a word like “so,” to show the connection. Alternate translation: “Today is a holy day set apart to worship our Lord. So…” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	8	10	ach1	figs-activepassive	וְ⁠אַל־תֵּ֣עָצֵ֔בוּ	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this same idea with an active form, and you can say what is causing the action. Alternate translation: “You have recognized that you have not obeyed the Law of Moses, but do not let that make you sad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	8	10	e1j9	figs-explicit	כִּֽי־חֶדְוַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה הִ֥יא מָֽעֻזְּ⁠כֶֽם	1		The implication is that if a person is truly sorry for disobeying, Yahweh does not want that person to fear punishment or to grieve for the way they have offended. Instead, Yahweh wants them to be encouraged that they can live in a new way and to be happy about that. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “because Yahweh wants you to be happy and encouraged about living in a new way” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	10	sni7	figs-abstractnouns	חֶדְוַ֥ת…מָֽעֻזְּ⁠כֶֽם	1	for the joy of Yahweh is your strength	If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the ideas behind the abstract nouns **joy** and **strength** with adjectives. Alternate translation: “happy … encouraged” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	8	11	e1k1	figs-hyperbole	מַחְשִׁ֤ים לְ⁠כָל־הָ⁠עָם֙	1		These are two overstatements that emphasize how encouraging the Levites were trying to be. **All the people** does not mean everyone in the crowd, but those who were crying. **Be silent** does not mean “say nothing” or “make no noise,” but “stop crying.” (Certainly the Levites hoped that these people would soon be talking and laughing with others at celebration meals.) Alternate translation: “encouraged the people who were weeping to stop crying” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH	8	11	e1k3	grammar-connect-logic-result	הַ֔סּוּ כִּ֥י הַ⁠יּ֖וֹם קָדֹ֑שׁ וְ⁠אַל־תֵּעָצֵֽבוּ	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could put your translation of “for today is holy” first since it gives the reason for the resulting actions in the other two phrases. You could also show the connection by using a word such as “so.” Alternate translation: “This is a day of celebration, so stop crying now, and do not be sad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	8	11	sxx6		הַ֔סּוּ	1		This is a word that signals to a person that they should be quiet. If your language has a similar expression, you can use it in your translation. You could also give the meaning in this context, if that would be clearer to your readers. Alternate translation: “Shhh” or “Stop crying now”
NEH	8	11	fjz6	figs-activepassive	וְ⁠אַל־תֵּעָצֵֽבוּ	1	Do not be grieved	If you expressed the idea behind this phrase with an active form in [8:10](../08/10.md) and you said there what was causing the action, you would not need to repeat that information here. Alternate translation: “do not be sad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	8	12	e1k5	grammar-connect-logic-result	וַ⁠יֵּלְכ֨וּ כָל־הָ⁠עָ֜ם לֶ⁠אֱכֹ֤ל וְ⁠לִ⁠שְׁתּוֹת֙ וּ⁠לְ⁠שַׁלַּ֣ח מָנ֔וֹת וְ⁠לַ⁠עֲשׂ֖וֹת שִׂמְחָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could put the last phrase at the beginning of the sentence since it gives the reason for the rest of the actions. Alternate translation: “So the people celebrated by eating and drinking and sharing with the poor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	8	12	e1k7	figs-explicit	לֶ⁠אֱכֹ֤ל וְ⁠לִ⁠שְׁתּוֹת֙	1		The implication is that they enjoyed the special food and drink described in [8:10](.//08/10.md). If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “eating rich foods and drinking sweet drinks” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	12	e1k9	figs-doublet	לֶ⁠אֱכֹ֤ל וְ⁠לִ⁠שְׁתּוֹת֙	1		Eating and drinking are used together here to convey a single idea, celebrating. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them into a single phrase. Alternate translation: “celebrating with festive meals” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	8	12	e1l3	figs-explicit	וּ⁠לְ⁠שַׁלַּ֣ח מָנ֔וֹת	1		The implication is that they sent these portions to the poor, who would not have been able to afford rich food and drink, as described in [8:10](../08/10.md). If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “sharing with the poor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	12	z1gc	figs-abstractnouns	וְ⁠לַ⁠עֲשׂ֖וֹת שִׂמְחָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה	1		The abstract noun **rejoicing** can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “and to rejoice greatly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	8	12	e1l5	figs-explicit	כִּ֤י הֵבִ֨ינוּ֙ בַּ⁠דְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹדִ֖יעוּ לָ⁠הֶֽם	1		The implication is that the leaders helped the people recognize that being able to understand Yahweh’s law should be a source of joy and encouragement to them. They should not be sad or discouraged because they had disobeyed in the past, because now they would know how to obey. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “because now that they were able to understand God’s law, they would be able to obey it in the future” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	12	e1l7	grammar-connect-logic-result	כִּ֤י הֵבִ֨ינוּ֙ בַּ⁠דְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹדִ֖יעוּ לָ⁠הֶֽם	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could put this phrase at the beginning of the verse since it gives the reason for the rest of the actions that the verse describes. You could show the connection by using a word like “so” after this phrase. Alternate translation: “the people realized that they would be able to obey God’s law in the future because now they were able to understand it. So…” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	8	12	e1l9	figs-activepassive	הֵבִ֨ינוּ֙ בַּ⁠דְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹדִ֖יעוּ לָ⁠הֶֽם	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “they understood God’s law when Ezra and the Levites explained it to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	8	13	uj5j	translate-ordinal	וּ⁠בַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠שֵּׁנִ֡י	1	On the second day	Alternate translations: “On day 2” or “On the next day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	8	13	e1m1	figs-activepassive	נֶאֶסְפוּ֩…אֶל	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “gathered to meet with” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	8	13	e1m3	figs-ellipsis	רָאשֵׁ֨י הָ⁠אָב֜וֹת לְ⁠כָל־הָ⁠עָ֗ם	1		As in [7:70](../07/70.md), this seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” The full expression “father’s house” or “house of the father” is used in [7:61](../07/61.md). See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “some clan leaders from throughout Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	8	13	e1m5	figs-metaphor	רָאשֵׁ֨י	1		**Head** here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	8	13	e1m7	figs-distinguish	עֶזְרָ֖א הַ⁠סֹּפֵ֑ר	1		Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who Ezra was. Alternate translation: “Ezra, who was a scribe” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	8	13	e1m9	grammar-connect-logic-result	וּ⁠לְ⁠הַשְׂכִּ֖יל אֶל־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַ⁠תּוֹרָֽה	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could put this phrase at the beginning of the verse, since it gives the reason for the rest of the actions that the verse describes. You could show the connection by using a word like “so” after this phrase. Alternate translation: “the people realized that they needed to understand God’s law much better. So…” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	8	13	e1n1	figs-explicit	וּ⁠לְ⁠הַשְׂכִּ֖יל אֶל־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַ⁠תּוֹרָֽה	1		The implication is that while the people realized this, they also realized it would not be practical for large crowds to gather in Jerusalem every day so that all the people could receive Ezra’s teaching at once. Instead, they asked the family and religious leaders in Judah to meet with Ezra and learn from him so that they could then pass the teachings along. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people realized that they needed to understand God’s law much better, so they asked their family and religious leaders to meet with Ezra and learn more things from him that they could then pass along.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	14	e1n3	figs-idiom	וַֽ⁠יִּמְצְא֖וּ כָּת֣וּב בַּ⁠תּוֹרָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ בְּ⁠יַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה	1		**Found** does not mean that these leaders were looking for something, but that they learned this as they were studying with Ezra. Alternate translation: “they learned that in the Law, Yahweh had commanded through Moses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	8	14	e1n5	figs-explicit	וַֽ⁠יִּמְצְא֖וּ כָּת֣וּב בַּ⁠תּוֹרָ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֤ה יְהוָה֙ בְּ⁠יַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה	1		Because it was already the seventh month, it seems likely that Ezra showed this passage to the leaders intentionally because it was something they could and should obey immediately. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Ezra showed them something that Yahweh had commanded through Moses that they could do right away” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	14	e1n7	figs-metaphor	בְּ⁠יַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה	1		Here, **hand** figuratively represents control and action. Alternate translation: “through Moses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	8	14	e1n9		אֲשֶׁר֩ יֵשְׁב֨וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל בַּ⁠סֻּכּ֛וֹת בֶּ⁠חָ֖ג בַּ⁠חֹ֥דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי	1		This refers to the commandment establishing the Festival of Tabernacles. The purpose of this festival was to remind the Israelites that their ancestors had lived in temporary shelters when they traveled through the wilderness from Egypt to Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people of Israel should live in temporary shelters during the Festival of Tabernacles to remind them that their ancestors lived in shelters when they traveled through the wilderness from Egypt to Canaan”
NEH	8	14	e1o1	figs-metaphor	בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל	1		**Sons** here figuratively means **descendants.** In this context it includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	8	14	ur1h		יֵשְׁב֨וּ…בַּ⁠סֻּכּ֛וֹת	1		As [8:15](../08/15.md) explains, these **huts** or temporary shelters were to be made from leafy tree branches. The people were supposed to live in these shelters as their home for a week. This was a way of remembering and celebrating the way Yahweh had protected their ancestors when they had only temporary shelters to live in. Alternate translation: “stay in temporary shelters”
NEH	8	14	e1o3	translate-unknown	בֶּ⁠חָ֖ג בַּ⁠חֹ֥דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי	1		This means the Festival of Tabernacles, which Yahweh commanded the people to celebrate in the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	8	14	efg4	translate-ordinal	בַּ⁠חֹ֥דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי	1		This means the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. Alternate translation: “month 7” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	8	15	rq6z	figs-parallelism	וַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַשְׁמִ֗יעוּ וְ⁠יַעֲבִ֨ירוּ ק֥וֹל	1		These two phrases mean similar things. They describe how the family and religious leaders were supposed to send a message to everyone in Judah. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “they should publicly proclaim” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	8	15	es8r	figs-merism	בְּ⁠כָל־עָרֵי⁠הֶם֮ וּ⁠בִ⁠ירוּשָׁלִַ֣ם	1		Here the story describes the whole population of the province of Judah by referring to its smaller cities and towns and to its large capital city of Jerusalem. The expression includes everything in between these two extremes. Alternate translation: “to everyone in Judah,” otherwise “both in Jerusalem and in all the towns” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
NEH	8	15	e1o5		צְא֣וּ הָ⁠הָ֗ר וְ⁠הָבִ֨יאוּ֙ עֲלֵי־זַ֨יִת֙ וַ⁠עֲלֵי־עֵ֣ץ שֶׁ֔מֶן וַ⁠עֲלֵ֤י הֲדַס֙ וַ⁠עֲלֵ֣י תְמָרִ֔ים וַ⁠עֲלֵ֖י עֵ֣ץ עָבֹ֑ת לַ⁠עֲשֹׂ֥ת סֻכֹּ֖ת כַּ⁠כָּתֽוּב	1		This is the content of the message that the leaders sent out to the people of Judah. Alternate translation: “The Law of Moses commands us to go out into the hill country and get branches from olive, wild olive, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make shelters”
NEH	8	15	f9c2	figs-synecdoche	הָ⁠הָ֗ר	1		The phrase can refer either to a single mountain or to a range of mountains and hills, which seems to be the meaning here. In this case one mountain would be used figuratively to represent the entire range. Alternate translation: “into the hill country” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	8	15	jb2s	figs-activepassive	כַּ⁠כָּתֽוּב	1	as it is written	If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you can say what is doing the action. Alternate translation: “as the Law of Moses commands us to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	8	16	e1o7	figs-ellipsis	וַ⁠יֵּצְא֣וּ הָ⁠עָם֮ וַ⁠יָּבִיאוּ֒	1		Here the story is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning is clear from the context. Alternate translation: “the people went out and got branches” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	8	16	dl2y	figs-idiom	וַ⁠יַּעֲשׂוּ֩ לָ⁠הֶ֨ם סֻכּ֜וֹת אִ֤ישׁ עַל־גַּגּ⁠וֹ֙	1		In this context, **a man** is an idiom that means “each person” and likely “each family.” It does not mean only an adult male. Alternate translation: “and each family built shelters on their roofs” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	8	16	e1o9	figs-explicit	עַל־גַּגּ⁠וֹ֙	1		In this culture, roofs were flat and were reached by stairs that led up to them from outside the house. So a shelter could stand on the flat roof and the family could use it as a temporary home. Alternate translation: “on their flat roofs” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	16	e1p1	figs-explicit	וּ⁠בְ⁠חַצְרֹ֣תֵי⁠הֶ֔ם	1		In this culture, houses were built around an open courtyard. So a shelter could be set up there, within the walls of the house. Alternate translation: “and in the courtyards within the walls of their homes” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	16	krx4	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠בְ⁠חַצְר֖וֹת בֵּ֣ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים	1		As in [6:10](../06/10.md), here the book speaks of the temple figuratively as the “house of God,” as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “and in the temple courtyards” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	8	16	b74m	figs-ellipsis	וּ⁠בִ⁠רְחוֹב֙ שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠מַּ֔יִם	1	and in the open area of the gate of water	Here the story is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning is clear from the context, since this same location is described in [8:1](../08/01.md) and [8:3](../08/03.md). Alternate translation: “and in the square in front of the Water Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	8	16	e1p3	translate-names	שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠מַּ֔יִם	1		This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. See how you translated it in [3:26](../03/26.md), [8:1](../08/01.md), and [8:3](../08/03.md). Alternate translation: “the Water Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	8	16	e1p5	figs-ellipsis	וּ⁠בִ⁠רְח֖וֹב שַׁ֥עַר אֶפְרָֽיִם	1		Here the story is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning is clear from the context. Alternate translation: “and in the square in front of the Ephraim Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	8	16	e1p7	translate-names	שַׁ֥עַר אֶפְרָֽיִם	1		This is the name of another one of the gates of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Ephraim Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	8	17	e1p9	figs-parallelism	כָֽל־הַ֠⁠קָּהָל הַ⁠שָּׁבִ֨ים מִן־הַ⁠שְּׁבִ֥י	1		These two phrases mean similar things. They refer to the people of Judah who had returned to their homeland from the exile. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “all the people of Judah who had returned home from exile” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	8	17	n31n	figs-metaphor	הַ֠⁠קָּהָל	1		The Old Testament often uses this expression to refer figuratively to the main body of the people of Israel. The expression envisions the way God called them out of Egypt and brought them together as a nation. At this point in their history, this main body was the people who had returned to Judah from exile. Alternate translation: “all the people of Judah who had returned home from exile” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	8	17	e1q1		לֹֽא־עָשׂ֡וּ מִ⁠ימֵי֩ יֵשׁ֨וּעַ בִּן־נ֥וּן כֵּן֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠ה֑וּא	1		Alternate translation: “the people of Israel had never before celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles by living in shelters, going all the way back to the time of Joshua the son of Nun”
NEH	8	17	e1q3	figs-explicit	מִ⁠ימֵי֩ יֵשׁ֨וּעַ בִּן־נ֥וּן…עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠ה֑וּא	1		Since it was Joshua who led the people of Israel into the land of Canaan, his time was the earliest time when they could have celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles to commemorate the journey from Egypt to Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “from the time that Joshua the son of Nun had first led them into this land until the present day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	17	e1q5	figs-merism	מִ⁠ימֵי֩ יֵשׁ֨וּעַ בִּן־נ֥וּן…עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠ה֑וּא	1		Here the story is describing an entire time period by speaking of its beginning and ending in order to include everything in between. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this meaning with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “for the entire time they had lived in this land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
NEH	8	17	e1q7	figs-idiom	מִ⁠ימֵי֩ יֵשׁ֨וּעַ בִּן־נ֥וּן	1		The term **day** is used figuratively here to refer to a period of time. Alternate translation: “from the time of Joshua the son of Nun” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	8	17	e32u	translate-names	יֵשׁ֨וּעַ בִּן־נ֥וּן	1		Joshua is the name of a man, and Nun is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	8	17	cey3	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל	1		**Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” In this context it includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	8	17	wyd6	figs-abstractnouns	וַ⁠תְּהִ֥י שִׂמְחָ֖ה גְּדוֹלָ֥ה מְאֹֽד	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could express the idea behind the abstract noun **rejoicing** with an adjective. Alternate translation: “the people were very joyful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	8	18	sfx7	figs-explicit	וַ֠⁠יִּקְרָא בְּ⁠סֵ֨פֶר תּוֹרַ֤ת הָ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙	1		**He** means Ezra, as stated explicitly in [8:3](../08/03.md) and [8:13](../-8/13.md). The implication is that Ezra continued to read to the family and religious leaders who had asked him to keep teaching them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Each day throughout the festival, Ezra continued to read to the leaders from the Law of Moses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	18	g9rl	figs-idiom	י֣וֹם ׀ בְּ⁠י֔וֹם	1		This is an idiom that means **each day** or **every single day.** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	8	18	j9aj	figs-merism	מִן־הַ⁠יּוֹם֙ הָֽ⁠רִאשׁ֔וֹן עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֣וֹם הָ⁠אַחֲר֑וֹן	1		The story is describing the entire festival by speaking of two extreme parts of it, its first day and its last day. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this meaning with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “throughout the entire festival” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
NEH	8	18	c1cp	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יַּֽעֲשׂוּ־חָג֙ שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִ֔ים וּ⁠בַ⁠יּ֧וֹם הַ⁠שְּׁמִינִ֛י עֲצֶ֖רֶת כַּ⁠מִּשְׁפָּֽט	1		**They** means the people of Judah. The **ordinance** refers to the command in the Law of Moses to end the Festival of Tabernacles by gathering all of the Israelites together for a closing ceremony after seven days. Alternate translation: “The people of Judah celebrated the Festival of Tabernacles for seven days, and on the eighth day they held a closing ceremony together, as the Law of Moses commanded” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	8	18	er1u	translate-ordinal	וּ⁠בַ⁠יּ֧וֹם הַ⁠שְּׁמִינִ֛י	1		Alternate translation: “on day 8” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	9	intro	sj1h			0		# Nehemiah 9 General Notes<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>This chapter and the next one form a single section.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Prayer to God<br><br>The people prayed and thanked God for his care for them and the blessings he gave to them. They also confessed their sin of disobeying him. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/bless]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/confess]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])<br><br>### Learning from their ancestor’s mistakes<br>This chapter teaches that the Jews learned from the mistakes of their ancestors. They became determined to worship Yahweh alone, to not intermarry with other peoples, and to worship Yahweh as the law of Moses instructed them. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])<br><br>### Recalling the great power of God<br>It was common to recall the great things God did for Israel. This is a reminder to Israel of God’s power. It is intended to bring the people to repentance and proper worship of Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])
NEH	9	1	w8w8	translate-hebrewmonths	וּ⁠בְ⁠יוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְ⁠אַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֗ה	1		**This month** means the seventh month of that year according to the Hebrew calendar, as specified in [8:2](../08/02.md) and [8:14](../08/14.md). The Law of Moses said to observe the Festival of Tabernacles from the fifteenth through the twenty-second days of that month. The implication is that after that joyful celebration, the people were given one full day to rest and prepare for the gathering that this chapter describes. It had a different and more solemn purpose. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “On the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month of that year, two days after the joyful Festival of Tabernacles had ended” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]])
NEH	9	1	f1a1	translate-ordinal	וּ⁠בְ⁠יוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְ⁠אַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַ⁠חֹ֣דֶשׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֗ה	1		Alternate translation: “On day 24 of month 7” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	9	1	lm7m	figs-activepassive	נֶאֶסְפ֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel gathered together” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	9	1	f1a3	figs-explicit	נֶאֶסְפ֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙	1		The implication is that people from all the cities and towns the province of Judah gathered together again in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “people from all over Judah gathered together again in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	1	f1a5	figs-metaphor	בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙	1		**Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” In this context it includes both men and women, and it refers specifically to the Israelites who were now living in Judah. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” or “people from all over Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	1	irv4	translate-symaction	וּ⁠בְ⁠שַׂקִּ֔ים וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֖ה עֲלֵי⁠הֶֽם	1		The people did these things to show symbolically how sorry they were for their sins. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people refrained from eating, wore rough clothing, and put dust on their heads to show that they were sorry for their sins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	9	1	f1a7	figs-synecdoche	וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֖ה עֲלֵי⁠הֶֽם	1		**Them** in this sentence refers to the people, but it does not mean that they covered themselves entirely in dust. The story is using the whole person to refer figuratively to one part of the person, the head, which is where people in this culture put dust to express sorrow. Alternate translation: “the people … put dust on their heads” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	9	2	f1a9	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יִּבָּֽדְלוּ֙ זֶ֣רַע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל מִ⁠כֹּ֖ל בְּנֵ֣י נֵכָ֑ר	1		The Israelites were conducting this ceremony as a special act of repentance for how they and their ancestors had disobeyed God. They were acknowledging how they had failed to fulfill the special assignment God had given them of modeling the blessings of living according to his ways, so it would not have been appropriate for people from other nations to take part in the ceremony. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people of Israel did not allow anyone from any other nation to take part in this ceremony because it was going to be a time of repentance for how they and their ancestors had disobeyed Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	2	xbs1	figs-metaphor	זֶ֣רַע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל	1		Here, **seed** is a metaphor meaning **offspring.** It is a comparison: Just as plants produce seeds that grow into many more plants, so people can have many offspring. So the term refers figuratively to a person’s descendants. Here it means the descendants of Israel. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	2	qx58	figs-metaphor	מִ⁠כֹּ֖ל בְּנֵ֣י נֵכָ֑ר	1		**Sons** here figuratively means **descendants.** Alternate translation: “all people from other nations” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	2	vhc6	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יַּעַמְד֗וּ וַ⁠יִּתְוַדּוּ֙ עַל־חַטֹּ֣אתֵי⁠הֶ֔ם וַ⁠עֲוֺנ֖וֹת אֲבֹתֵי⁠הֶֽם	1		Here, **stood** probably does not mean “standing up,” since the next verse says that they “rose up,” which probably means that they got up from kneeling. As they were showing sorrow for their sins, they would likely have knelt to worship God, as in [8:6](../08/06.md). So **stood** probably means instead that they remained in place, by implication for some time, and made a thorough confession. Alternate translation: “they remained in place as they confessed all the wrong things that they and their ancestors had done” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	2	f1b1	figs-metaphor	אֲבֹתֵי⁠הֶֽם	1		**Fathers** here figuratively means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “their ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	3	q5p1	translate-symaction	וַ⁠יָּק֨וּמוּ֙ עַל־עָמְדָ֔⁠ם	1		**Rose up** here likely means **stood up.** As in [8:5](../08/05.md), the people would have stood up to show respect as they listened to the reading from the Law of Moses. Alternate translation: “Then the people stood up where they were” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	9	3	f1b3		וַֽ⁠יִּקְרְא֗וּ בְּ⁠סֵ֨פֶר	1		The people themselves did not read from the book. **They** here likely means Ezra and the Levites, who read similarly to the crowd that gathered on the occasion described in 8:1–12. Alternate translation: “as their leaders read to them”
NEH	9	3	qe6e	translate-unknown	בְּ⁠סֵ֨פֶר תּוֹרַ֧ת יְהוָ֛ה אֱלֹהֵי⁠הֶ֖ם	1		This is another of the various ways that this story describes a book containing the Law of Moses. Alternate translation: “from the Law of Moses” or “from the law that Yahweh had given through Moses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	9	3	je9t	translate-unknown	רְבִעִ֣ית הַ⁠יּ֑וֹם וּ⁠רְבִעִית֙	1		In this culture the day and the night were each divided into four equal parts of three hours each. So this means that the people listened to a reading of the Law for three hours, and then they spent the next three hours in prayer and confession. Alternate translation: “for three hours, and then for another three hours” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	9	4	bc94	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יָּ֜קָם עַֽל־מַֽעֲלֵ֣ה הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֗ם יֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּ⁠בָנִ֜י קַדְמִיאֵ֧ל שְׁבַנְיָ֛ה בֻּנִּ֥י שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה בָּנִ֣י כְנָ֑נִי	1		The name of the stairs suggests that the men listed were Levites. That is, they were descendants of Levi who had the special assignment of helping the priests. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could suggest this in your translation. Alternate translation: “Eight Levites named Jeshua, Bani, Kadmiel, Shebaniah, Bunni, Sherebiah, Bani, and Kenani climbed up the stairs leading to the platform” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	4	f1b5	translate-unknown	וַ⁠יָּ֜קָם עַֽל־מַֽעֲלֵ֣ה הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֗ם	1		In context, the **stairs of the Levites** seem to be stairs that led up to the platform that was built for the occasion described in chapter 8, or to another platform or platforms similar to it that allowed religious leaders to be seen and heard during large gatherings. The stairs likely had this name because they enabled the Levites to move back and forth from up on the platform to down among the people. Here, they also serve as a raised platform of their own on which the Levites can stand and be seen and heard. Alternate translation: “climbed up onto the stairs to the platform” or “the stairs that had been built for the Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	9	4	f1b7	figs-idiom	וַ⁠יָּ֜קָם עַֽל	1		**Rose up** in this context seems to mean that these men climbed up onto the stairs and stood on them. Alternate translation: “climbed up onto” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	9	4	f1b9	grammar-connect-time-simultaneous	וַ⁠יָּ֜קָם	1		It seems that in this verse the story is describing something that happened during the second three-hour period, at the same time as the people were praying and confessing. You could indicate this with an introductory phrase. Alternate translation: “While the people were doing this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH	9	4	zl5j	translate-names	יֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּ⁠בָנִ֜י קַדְמִיאֵ֧ל שְׁבַנְיָ֛ה בֻּנִּ֥י שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה בָּנִ֣י כְנָ֑נִי	1		These are the names of eight men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	9	4	u4pu	figs-explicit	וַֽ⁠יִּזְעֲקוּ֙ בְּ⁠ק֣וֹל גָּד֔וֹל אֶל־יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵי⁠הֶֽם	1		The implication is that they did this to offer public prayers of confession on behalf of the people, and perhaps also to guide the people to pray themselves on particular topics. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “They prayed to Yahweh their God on behalf of the people, speaking loudly so that everyone could hear them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	5	j96x		הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֡ם	1		This phrase indicates that the eight men listed were Levites. If you said in your translation that the eight men listed in [8:4](../08/04.md) were also Levites, here you could say, “Eight more Levites named.”
NEH	9	5	yk5b	translate-names	יֵשׁ֣וּעַ וְ֠⁠קַדְמִיאֵל בָּנִ֨י חֲשַׁבְנְיָ֜ה שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֤ה הֽוֹדִיָּה֙ שְׁבַנְיָ֣ה פְתַֽחְיָ֔ה	1		These are the names of eight men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	9	5	m3eu	translate-symaction	ק֗וּמוּ	1		Here, **rise up** seems to mean “get up from a kneeling posture.” This would have symbolized that a new part of the ceremony was beginning. The people were to move from sorrowful confession to a resolute and joyful rededication of their community to God. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	9	5	f1c1	figs-idiom	בָּרֲכוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵי⁠כֶ֔ם מִן־הָ⁠עוֹלָ֖ם עַד־הָ⁠עוֹלָ֑ם	1		The Levites speak these words to the people. They are not telling the people to praise God during all the time from eternity past to eternity future. Rather, they are using an idiom, “from eternity to eternity,” to mean that Yahweh is the God who has always existed and will always exist. If it would be clearer in your language, you could put it in those terms. Alternate translation: “Praise Yahweh, your God, who has always existed and will always exist” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	9	5	tve4	figs-aside	וִ⁠יבָֽרְכוּ֙ שֵׁ֣ם כְּבוֹדֶ֔⁠ךָ	1		In this sentence, the Levite who is speaking turns abruptly from addressing the people to addressing God. (**Your** in the previous sentence meant the people, while **your** here refers to God.) This is somewhat like the places earlier in the book where Nehemiah stops addressing his readers and speaks directly to God in prayer. However, here the people are meant to hear and do what is being described. So if it would be clearer in your language, you could express these as words that continue to be directed to the people, as in the previous sentence. Alternate translation: “Praise his glorious name” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-aside]])
NEH	9	5	f1c3	figs-metonymy	וִ⁠יבָֽרְכוּ֙ שֵׁ֣ם כְּבוֹדֶ֔⁠ךָ	1		As in [1:9](../01/09.md), **name** is a figurative way of referring to the fame or reputation of a person. This is described by something associated with it, how well known someone’s name is and how people react to hearing it. God’s reputation, in turn, is based on what he has done and what this reveals about who he is, and so his “name” would also represent that. Alternate translation: “praise you for who you are and what you have done” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	9	5	f1c5	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠מְרוֹמַ֥ם עַל־כָּל־בְּרָכָ֖ה וּ⁠תְהִלָּֽה	1		Here God’s name is described in a spatial metaphor as being higher than or lifted up above blessing and praise. This means figuratively that all of the things that people could do to honor and praise God could never be sufficient to acknowledge how much honor and praise he actually deserves. Alternate translation: “we can never bless you and praise you as much as you deserve” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	5	f1c7	figs-abstractnouns	עַל־כָּל־בְּרָכָ֖ה וּ⁠תְהִלָּֽה	1		**Blessing** and **praise** are abstract nouns that refer to the act of openly honoring someone for their character and actions. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind these words with the verb forms of these words. Alternate translation: “we can never bless you and praise you as much as you deserve” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	9	5	f1c9	figs-doublet	עַל־כָּל־בְּרָכָ֖ה וּ⁠תְהִלָּֽה	1		In this context, **blessing** and **praise** mean basically the same thing. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “we can never acknowledge you sufficiently” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	9	6	f1d1	figs-explicit	אַתָּה־ה֣וּא יְהוָה֮ לְ⁠בַדֶּ⁠ךָ֒	1		At the end of the previous verse, the Levites started speaking to God, but they still meant for the people to hear their words and do what they said. Now the Levites are addressing God directly in prayer. If it would be clearer in your language, you could indicate this with an introductory phrase. Alternate translation: “Then these Levites prayed to God and said, ‘Yahweh, you are the only true God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	6	f1d3	figs-idiom	אַתָּה־ה֣וּא יְהוָה֮ לְ⁠בַדֶּ⁠ךָ֒	1		This means **you alone are the one** or **you are the only one.** Alternate translation: “You, Yahweh, are the only true God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	9	6	f1d5	translate-unknown	הַ⁠שָּׁמַיִם֩ שְׁמֵ֨י הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֜יִם	1		In the ancient Hebrew cosmology, the first phrase likely referred to the sky, which was envisioned as a solid dome above the earth (see the note to [1:9](../01/09.md)). The second phrase likely referred to the realm beyond the sky, which was understood to be the dwelling place of God. Alternate translation: “the sky and everything beyond it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	9	6	k5l3	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠כָל־צְבָאָ֗⁠ם	1		**Host** means army. The “host of heaven” is likely a figurative expression for the stars, which seem like a large army in the sky. However, this phrase might refer to heavenly beings which dwell in heaven with God. Alternate translation: “and all the stars” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	6	f1d7		וְ⁠אַתָּ֖ה מְחַיֶּ֣ה אֶת־כֻּלָּ֑⁠ם	1		**Them** means everything living on the land and in the seas. Alternate translation: “You give life to all of these creatures” or “you are the one who created all of these living things”
NEH	9	6	f1d9	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠צְבָ֥א הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֖יִם לְ⁠ךָ֥ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִֽים	1		Earlier in the sentence, the **host of heaven** was a figurative way of describing the stars as if they were an army. Now here, the stars themselves figuratively represent the angels of heaven. Alternate translation: “all the angels bow down and worship you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	7	id6f		אַתָּה־הוּא֙ יְהוָ֣ה הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֤ר בָּחַ֨רְתָּ֙ בְּ⁠אַבְרָ֔ם	1		Alternate translation: “You, Yahweh, are the God who chose Abram”
NEH	9	7	f1e1	figs-explicit	בָּחַ֨רְתָּ֙ בְּ⁠אַבְרָ֔ם	1		Abram was the ancestor of the Israelites. God chose to make him and his descendants a community that would model for the whole world the blessings of living according to his ways. The Levites mention this first because it is the very beginning of the Israelites’ history as God’s chosen people. They will describe the rest of this history, up to their present day, in the rest of their prayer. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain this. Alternate translation: “chose Abram to be the ancestor of your people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	7	f1e3	translate-names	בְּ⁠אַבְרָ֔ם	1		This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	9	7	us45	figs-explicit	וְ⁠הוֹצֵאת֖⁠וֹ מֵ⁠א֣וּר כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים	1		Throughout their prayer, the Levites assume that the people listening will understand the significance of the details they mention for the Israelites’ history as God’s chosen people. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could give the reason why God brought Abram out of this city. Alternate translation: “He was living among the Chaldean people in the city of Ur, but you told him to leave there and go to a land that you would give to his descendants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	7	f1e5	translate-names	מֵ⁠א֣וּר כַּשְׂדִּ֑ים	1		This is the name of a city and a people group. Alternate translation: “the city of Ur, where the Chaldean people lived” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	9	7	f1e7	figs-explicit	וְ⁠שַׂ֥מְתָּ שְּׁמ֖⁠וֹ אַבְרָהָֽם	1		Once again the Levites assume that their listeners will understand the significance of this detail. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could give the reason why God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. Alternate translation: “You changed his name to Abraham, ‘father of a multitude,’ because he would be like a father to many nations” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	8	f1e9	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠מָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָב⁠וֹ֮ נֶאֱמָ֣ן לְ⁠פָנֶי⁠ךָ֒	1	Also, you found his heart faithful before your face	Here, **found** is an idiom for someone discovering something to be true. It does not mean that God was looking for something he had lost. Alternate translation: “You recognized that he was completely loyal to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	8	f1f1	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠מָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָב⁠וֹ֮ נֶאֱמָ֣ן לְ⁠פָנֶי⁠ךָ֒	1		Here, Abraham’s **heart** figuratively represents his thoughts and will, that is, his inner being. Alternate translation: “You recognized that he was completely loyal to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	8	ej7e	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠מָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָב⁠וֹ֮ נֶאֱמָ֣ן לְ⁠פָנֶי⁠ךָ֒	1		Here, **face** is a metaphor for a person’s perception, referring figuratively to God’s perception of Abraham. Alternate translation: “You recognized that he was completely loyal to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	8	f1f3	figs-idiom	וְ⁠כָר֨וֹת עִמּ֜⁠וֹ הַ⁠בְּרִ֗ית	1		To **cut** a covenant is a Hebrew idiom for making a solemn agreement with a person. The expression comes from the way animals were cut into pieces during covenant ceremonies to show what the parties wanted God to do to anyone who broke the agreement. But the meaning here is idiomatic. It is not a direct reference to such a ceremony, but only to the making of the covenant. Alternate translation: “you made an agreement with him” or “you made a promise to him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	9	8	f1f5	figs-metaphor	לָ⁠תֵ֡ת אֶת־אֶרֶץ֩…לָ⁠תֵ֣ת לְ⁠זַרְע֑⁠וֹ	1		**Seed** is a metaphor meaning **offspring.** Alternate translation: “to give his descendants the land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	8	vbx8	translate-names	הַ⁠כְּנַעֲנִ֨י הַ⁠חִתִּ֜י הָ⁠אֱמֹרִ֧י וְ⁠הַ⁠פְּרִזִּ֛י וְ⁠הַ⁠יְבוּסִ֥י וְ⁠הַ⁠גִּרְגָּשִׁ֖י	1		These are the names of six people groups. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	9	8	f1f7	figs-personification	וַ⁠תָּ֨קֶם֙ אֶת־דְּבָרֶ֔י⁠ךָ	1		As in [5:13](../05/13.md), **words** means the promises that God made to Abraham, and **stand** means stay in place rather than go away. The Levites are speaking of God’s promises figuratively as if they were a living thing that could move around or not. Alternate translation: “you have kept all of your promises” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	9	8	f1f9		כִּ֥י צַדִּ֖יק אָֽתָּה	1		Alternate translation: “because you always do what is right”
NEH	9	9	p3f4	figs-merism	וַ⁠תֵּ֛רֶא אֶת־עֳנִ֥י אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ בְּ⁠מִצְרָ֑יִם וְ⁠אֶת־זַעֲקָתָ֥⁠ם שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ עַל־יַם־סֽוּף	1		Here the Levites are describing how, centuries later, God rescued their ancestors, Abraham’s descendants, from slavery in Egypt. In this verse they describe that entire experience generally by reference to its first episode and its final episode, to include everything in between. (In [9:10](../09/10.md) and [9:11](../09/11.md) they will add further specific details.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could describe the entire experience in a single phrase here. (However, you could also explain these episodes separately. See the next two notes.) Alternate translation: “You rescued our fathers from slavery in Egypt by defeating Pharaoh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
NEH	9	9	vp1y	figs-abstractnouns	וַ⁠תֵּ֛רֶא אֶת־עֳנִ֥י אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ בְּ⁠מִצְרָ֑יִם	1		**Affliction** is an abstract noun that refers to the way the Israelites suffered when Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, forced them to serve him as slaves. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “suffer.” Alternate translation: “you saw how badly our ancestors were suffering as slaves in Egypt” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	9	9	f1g1	figs-explicit	וַ⁠תֵּ֛רֶא אֶת־עֳנִ֥י אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ בְּ⁠מִצְרָ֑יִם	1		The implication is that God not only saw how the Israelites were suffering, but also was moved to action out of compassion for them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “you saw how badly our ancestors were suffering as slaves in Egypt, and so you delivered them from slavery” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	9	f1g3	figs-metaphor	אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ	1		**Fathers** here figuratively means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “our ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	9	j256	figs-explicit	וְ⁠אֶת־זַעֲקָתָ֥⁠ם שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ עַל־יַם־סֽוּף	1		The Levites continue to rehearse the details of Israelite history without explaining their significance because they assume their listeners will already understand this. This is a reference to something that happened after God had freed their ancestors from slavery and they had left Egypt. Pharaoh regretted letting them go and pursued them with his army. Helplessly trapped against the shores of the Red Sea as Pharaoh’s army approached, the Israelites cried out to God for rescue. Alternate translation: “you answered their prayer when they cried to you for help from the shores of the Red Sea” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	9	f1g5	figs-idiom	וְ⁠אֶת־זַעֲקָתָ֥⁠ם שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ	1		**Heard** is an idiom that means that God both heard and answered the Israelites’ prayer in the way described in [9:11](../09/11.md). Alternate translation: “you answered their prayer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	9	9	f1g7	translate-names	יַם־סֽוּף	1		This is the name of a body of water near Egypt. Alternate translation: “the Red Sea” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	9	10	ge61	figs-explicit	וַ֠⁠תִּתֵּן אֹתֹ֨ת וּ⁠מֹֽפְתִ֜ים בְּ⁠פַרְעֹ֤ה וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־עֲבָדָי⁠ו֙ וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־עַ֣ם אַרְצ֔⁠וֹ	1		If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why God did this. Alternate translation: “You did amazing things that were signs to Pharaoh, his officials, and the people of Egypt that you are the one true God and that they should not have enslaved your people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	10	s54a	figs-doublet	וַ֠⁠תִּתֵּן אֹתֹ֨ת וּ⁠מֹֽפְתִ֜ים	1		**Signs** and **wonders** are words that mean similar things. They both describe powerful things that God did. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “you did miracles” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	9	10	i7c3	grammar-connect-logic-result	כִּ֣י יָדַ֔עְתָּ כִּ֥י הֵזִ֖ידוּ עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם	1		**They** means Pharaoh, his officials, and the people of Egypt. **Them** means the Israelites. If it would be clearer in your language, you could put this sentence first in the verse since it gives the reason for the results that are described in the rest of the verse. You could show the connection by using a word like “so” after this sentence. Alternate translation: “You knew that Pharaoh, his officials, and the people of Egypt were oppressing our ancestors, and so” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	9	10	m6zr	figs-metonymy	וַ⁠תַּֽעַשׂ־לְ⁠ךָ֥ שֵׁ֖ם כְּ⁠הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה	1		As in [9:5](../09/05.md), **name** is a figurative way of referring to the fame or reputation of a person. Alternate translation: “When you did this, you won the reputation that you sill have today” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	9	11	n7jm	figs-explicit	וְ⁠הַ⁠יָּם֙ בָּקַ֣עְתָּ לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶ֔ם	1		In [9:10](../09/10.md) the Levites provided more specific details about how God delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. In this verse they focus on the details of the final episode in the deliverance experience. Still, they assume that their readers will be familiar with these details and understand their significance. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain these details more fully. Alternate translation: “When the Israelites left Egypt, Pharaoh pursued them with his army, and they were trapped by the shores of the Red Sea. But you opened up the sea in front of them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	11	d1kp	translate-unknown	וְ⁠הַ⁠יָּם֙	1		As in [9:9](../09/09.md), this refers to the Red Sea, a body of water near Egypt. Alternate translation: “the Red Sea” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	9	11	f1g9	figs-metonymy	לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶ֔ם	1		Here, **face** figuratively refers the front of a group. Alternate translation: “in front of them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	9	11	f1h1		וַ⁠יַּֽעַבְר֥וּ בְ⁠תוֹךְ־הַ⁠יָּ֖ם בַּ⁠יַּבָּשָׁ֑ה	1		**They** refers to the Israelites. Alternate translation: “so that they were able escape through the Red Sea by walking on dry ground”
NEH	9	11	f1h3	figs-metaphor	וְֽ⁠אֶת־רֹ֨דְפֵי⁠הֶ֜ם הִשְׁלַ֧כְתָּ בִ⁠מְצוֹלֹ֛ת	1		This is a figurative way of describing how that God made the waters of the Red Sea come back over the Egyptian army so that all of its soldiers were drowned. It was as if God had thrown them into deep water. Alternate translation: “but you made the waters come back and drown the army that was chasing them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	11	f1h5	translate-unknown	רֹ֨דְפֵי⁠הֶ֜ם	1		Alternate translation: “the soldiers of the Egyptian army, who were chasing them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	9	11	l5ar	figs-simile	כְּמוֹ־אֶ֖בֶן בְּ⁠מַ֥יִם עַזִּֽים	1		In this image, the Levites describe God throwing the Egyptians into the sea the way a person would throw a stone into water. The picture is that, just as a stone would disappear completely under the water, the Egyptian soldiers did the same. Alternate translation: “They disappeared completely, the way a stone would that was thrown into deep water” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
NEH	9	12	n4i2	grammar-connect-logic-result	וּ⁠בְ⁠עַמּ֣וּד עָנָ֔ן הִנְחִיתָ֖⁠ם יוֹמָ֑ם וּ⁠בְ⁠עַמּ֥וּד אֵשׁ֙ לַ֔יְלָה לְ⁠הָאִ֣יר לָ⁠הֶ֔ם אֶת־הַ⁠דֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֵֽלְכוּ־בָֽ⁠הּ	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases since the first phrase gives the reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “To show the people the way that they should go, you sent a pillar of cloud to go ahead of them during the day and a pillar of fire to light up the way at night” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	9	12	m7vx	figs-explicit	וּ⁠בְ⁠עַמּ֣וּד עָנָ֔ן הִנְחִיתָ֖⁠ם יוֹמָ֑ם וּ⁠בְ⁠עַמּ֥וּד אֵשׁ֙ לַ֔יְלָה לְ⁠הָאִ֣יר לָ⁠הֶ֔ם אֶת־הַ⁠דֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֵֽלְכוּ־בָֽ⁠הּ	1		If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why did this. Alternate translation: “To get from Egypt to the land you had promised them, the Israelites had to cross a trackless desert. To show them what way they should go, you went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire by night. The pillar of fire lit up the way ahead” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	13	z2ds	figs-idiom	וְ⁠עַ֤ל הַר־סִינַי֙ יָרַ֔דְתָּ וְ⁠דַבֵּ֥ר עִמָּ⁠הֶ֖ם	1		**Came down** is a way of saying that God appeared to the people. Since God spoke to them from heaven, he did not actually come down from heaven to earth. So this is a figurative expression. Alternate translation: “you appeared to the people of Israel at Mount Sinai, where you spoke to them from heaven” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	9	13	f1h7	translate-names	הַר־סִינַי֙	1		This is the name of a mountain. Alternate translation: “Mount Sinai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	9	13	zut5	figs-doublet	מִשְׁפָּטִ֤ים יְשָׁרִים֙ וְ⁠תוֹר֣וֹת אֱמֶ֔ת חֻקִּ֥ים וּ⁠מִצְוֺ֖ת טוֹבִֽים	1		**Just judgments** and **laws of truth** mean similar things. The expressions **good statutes** and **commandments** also mean something similar to each other and to the first two expressions. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine all of these phrases into one comprehensive phrase. Alternate translation: “many trustworthy instructions about how to live in the right way,” otherwise “instructions and rules that are just and reliable, and laws and commands that are good” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	9	13	f1h9		מִשְׁפָּטִ֤ים	1		This term refers to Yahweh giving the Israelites instructions in the law. It may or may not include a sense of Yahweh passing sentence as a judge. Alternate translation: “instructions”
NEH	9	14	w3q6	figs-explicit	וְ⁠אֶת־שַׁבַּ֥ת קָדְשְׁ⁠ךָ֖ הוֹדַ֣עַתָ לָ⁠הֶ֑ם	1		If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain what the Sabbath was. Alternate translation: “You commanded them to set apart the seventh day of the week as the Sabbath, a special day for rest and worship” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	14	f1i1	translate-names	שַׁבַּ֥ת	1		This is the name of a religious observance. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	9	14	h9f4	figs-doublet	וּ⁠מִצְו֤וֹת וְ⁠חֻקִּים֙ וְ⁠תוֹרָ֔ה צִוִּ֣יתָ לָ⁠הֶ֔ם	1		**Commandments**, **statutes**, and **law** mean similar things. Together they are a comprehensive description of the Law of Moses. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them in a single phrase. Alternate translation: “You told them to obey everything you had commanded,” otherwise “you gave them commands and rules and laws” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	9	14	f1i3	figs-metaphor	בְּ⁠יַ֖ד מֹשֶׁ֥ה	1		Here, **hand** figuratively represents control and action. Alternate translation: “you gave them to Moses to give to the people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	14	f1i5	figs-metaphor	עַבְדֶּֽ⁠ךָ	1		The Old Testament often describes Moses by the title “servant of Yahweh.” While Moses was also God’s servant in a more literal sense, this title is a figurative expression that indicates that God used Moses to give his law to his people, the way a master would have a servant deliver a message. Alternate translation: “your special messenger” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	15	f1i7	grammar-connect-logic-result	וְ֠⁠לֶחֶם מִ⁠שָּׁמַ֜יִם נָתַ֤תָּה לָ⁠הֶם֙ לִ⁠רְעָבָ֔⁠ם	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases since the first phrase gives the reason for the resulting action that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “because they were hungry, you provided a special food for them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	9	15	f1i9	figs-explicit	וְ֠⁠לֶחֶם מִ⁠שָּׁמַ֜יִם נָתַ֤תָּה לָ⁠הֶם֙ לִ⁠רְעָבָ֔⁠ם	1		If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why the people were hungry. Alternate translation: “because they were hungry in the desert where no crops could grow, you provided a special food for them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	15	f1j1	translate-unknown	וְ֠⁠לֶחֶם מִ⁠שָּׁמַ֜יִם	1		This is a figurative way of describing the special food that God provided for the Israelites in the desert. Because it had not grown from the ground, it was as if God had sent it from heaven. The Israelites gave this food the name “manna.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could call it by this name after providing a non-figurative description. Alternate translation: “and a special food, manna.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	9	15	f1j3	figs-synecdoche	וְ֠⁠לֶחֶם מִ⁠שָּׁמַ֜יִם	1		This expression used bread to refer figuratively to food in general. It describes all food by the name of one kind of food, bread. Alternate translation: “special food” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	9	15	f1j5	grammar-connect-logic-result	וּ⁠מַ֗יִם מִ⁠סֶּ֛לַע הוֹצֵ֥אתָ לָ⁠הֶ֖ם לִ⁠צְמָאָ֑⁠ם	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases since the first phrase gives the reason for the resulting action that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “because they were thirsty, you made water flow out of a rock for them to drink” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	9	15	f1j7	figs-explicit	וּ⁠מַ֗יִם מִ⁠סֶּ֛לַע הוֹצֵ֥אתָ לָ⁠הֶ֖ם לִ⁠צְמָאָ֑⁠ם	1		If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why the people were thirsty. Alternate translation: “because they were thirsty in the desert where there was no water, you made water flow out of a rock for them to drink” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	15	f1j9		וַ⁠תֹּ֣אמֶר לָ⁠הֶ֗ם לָ⁠בוֹא֙ לָ⁠רֶ֣שֶׁת	1		Alternate translation: “you commanded them to enter and occupy”
NEH	9	15	f1k1	translate-symaction	הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־נָשָׂ֥אתָ אֶת־יָדְ⁠ךָ֖ לָ⁠תֵ֥ת לָ⁠הֶֽם	1		In this culture, a person would raise their hand when they swore an oath. Here the Levites are describing the action of swearing an oath figuratively by referring to the gesture associated with that action, raising a hand. Alternate translation: “the land that you swore to give them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	9	15	f1k3	figs-explicit	הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־נָשָׂ֥אתָ אֶת־יָדְ⁠ךָ֖ לָ⁠תֵ֥ת לָ⁠הֶֽם	1		The Levites assume that their listeners will understand that this means the land of Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the land of Canaan, which you swore to give them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	16	g6tt		וְ⁠הֵ֥ם וַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ הֵזִ֑ידוּ	1		**They** could mean the Israelites at the time of Moses, and **our fathers** could mean the Israelites after the time of Moses. However, the next verse says that the people who showed this pride and stubbornness disobeyed God’s command to enter Canaan and instead chose a leader to take them back to Egypt. So this expression could also mean “they, yes, our fathers.” Alternate translation: “they, our own ancestors, were arrogant”
NEH	9	16	m753	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ	1		**Fathers** here figuratively means **ancestors.** Alternate translation: “our ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	16	t1he	figs-parallelism	וַ⁠יַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔⁠ם וְ⁠לֹ֥א שָׁמְע֖וּ	1		These two phrases mean similar things. The Levites are using the repetition to acknowledge how serious it was that their own ancestors disobeyed God’s command. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “they stubbornly refused to obey,” otherwise “they were proud and stubborn, so they refused to obey” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	9	16	v9ib	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔⁠ם	1		This is a figurative way of saying that the people stubbornly refused to obey. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	16	f1k5	figs-idiom	וְ⁠לֹ֥א שָׁמְע֖וּ אֶל־מִצְוֺתֶֽי⁠ךָ	1		**Listen** in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear a commandment, but to obey it. Alternate translation: “They refused to obey what you commanded them to do.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	9	17	f1k7		וַ⁠יְמָאֲנ֣וּ לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֗עַ	1		Alternate translation: “And they would not obey”
NEH	9	17	f1k9	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יְמָאֲנ֣וּ לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֗עַ	1		This is a reference to the command that is described in [9:15](../09/15.md). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “they would not obey your command to enter and occupy the land of Canaan” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	17	f1l1	figs-explicit	וְ⁠לֹא־זָכְר֤וּ נִפְלְאֹתֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֣יתָ עִמָּ⁠הֶ֔ם	1		The implication is that if they had done this, they would not have been afraid to go into Canaan and fight to take possession of it. They would have realized that the same God who defeated Pharaoh to deliver them from slavery could also defeat the nations living in Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “They did not remember the miracles that you had done to deliver them from Egypt, and so they were afraid that the nations that lived in Canaan would defeat them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	17	f1l3	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔⁠ם	1		As in [9:16](../09/16.md), this is a metaphor meaning that the people stubbornly refused to obey. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	17	gd2b	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יִּתְּנוּ־רֹ֛אשׁ לָ⁠שׁ֥וּב לְ⁠עַבְדֻתָ֖⁠ם בְּ⁠מִרְיָ֑⁠ם	1		The Israelites would know that this referred to their ancestors wanting to return to Egypt. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “they disobeyed God and appointed a leader to take them back to Egypt, where they had been slaves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	17	f1l5	figs-metaphor	רֹ֛אשׁ	1		**Head** here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “leader” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	17	f1l7	figs-abstractnouns	לָ⁠שׁ֥וּב לְ⁠עַבְדֻתָ֖⁠ם	1		**Servitude** is an abstract noun that refers to the condition of slavery that the Israelites experienced in Egypt. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a concrete noun such as “slave.” Alternate translation: “back to Egypt where they had been slaves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	9	17	f1l9	figs-abstractnouns	אֱל֨וֹהַּ סְלִיח֜וֹת	1		**Forgiveness** is an abstract noun that represents a readiness not to hold a person’s offenses against them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a verb such as “forgive.” Alternate translation: “a God who is always ready to forgive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	9	17	f1m1	figs-doublet	חַנּ֧וּן וְ⁠רַח֛וּם	1		**Gracious** and **compassionate** mean similar things. The Levites use them together to emphasize how merciful God is. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these words into a single expression. Alternate translation: “genuinely merciful,” otherwise “who acts kindly and mercifully toward us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	9	17	f1m3	figs-metaphor	אֶֽרֶךְ־אַפַּ֥יִם	1		This is a figurative way of saying that a person does not lose their temper easily or quickly. Alternate translation: “very patient” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	17	f1m5	figs-abstractnouns	וְ⁠רַב־חֶ֖סֶד	1		**Faithfulness** is an abstract noun that describes the quality of a person who will dependably keep their word and fulfill their responsibilities. **Covenant faithfulness** refers specifically to God keeping all the promises he made to the people of Israel. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with an expression such as “keep promises.” Alternate translation: “you always keep the promises you make to your people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	9	17	c986	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠רַב־חֶ֖סֶד	1		Here the Levites speak of this quality of Yahweh as if it were an abundant food crop that he could share with people. Alternate translation: “who loves his people very much” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	17	ncd6	figs-explicit	וְ⁠לֹ֥א עֲזַבְתָּֽ⁠ם	1		If it would be helpful to your readers, you could elaborate on what this means. Alternate translation: “so you did not abandon them there in the desert” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	18	hw32	figs-explicit	אַ֗ף כִּֽי־עָשׂ֤וּ לָ⁠הֶם֙ עֵ֣גֶל מַסֵּכָ֔ה וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ זֶ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔י⁠ךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶעֶלְ⁠ךָ֖ מִ⁠מִּצְרָ֑יִם	1		The Levites continue to recount details of Israelite history and assume that their listeners will understand the significance of these details. This was a particularly grievous act of disobedience, which is why the Levites say “even when.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain the significance in your translation. Alternate translation: “Even when the Israelites made an idol in the shape of a calf and gave it credit for delivering them from slavery in Egypt, right at Mount Sinai where you were giving Moses the Ten Commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	18	ind6	translate-unknown	וַֽ⁠יַּעֲשׂ֔וּ נֶאָצ֖וֹת גְּדֹלֽוֹת	1		**Blasphemy** means to worship or honor something other than God as divine. The Old Testament stresses repeatedly that this is offensive and insulting to God. Alternate translation: “When they did this, they insulted you horribly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	9	19	eqh4		וְ⁠אַתָּה֙ בְּ⁠רַחֲמֶ֣י⁠ךָ הָֽ⁠רַבִּ֔ים לֹ֥א עֲזַבְתָּ֖⁠ם בַּ⁠מִּדְבָּ֑ר	1		Alternate translation: “Even so, because you are always merciful, you did not abandon them in the desert”
NEH	9	19	x6bf	grammar-connect-logic-result	אֶת־עַמּ֣וּד הֶ֠⁠עָנָן לֹא־סָ֨ר מֵ⁠עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֤ם בְּ⁠יוֹמָם֙ לְ⁠הַנְחֹתָ֣⁠ם בְּ⁠הַ⁠דֶּ֔רֶךְ וְ⁠אֶת־עַמּ֨וּד הָ⁠אֵ֤שׁ בְּ⁠לַ֨יְלָה֙ לְ⁠הָאִ֣יר לָ⁠הֶ֔ם וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠דֶּ֖רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֵֽלְכוּ־בָֽ⁠הּ	1		See how you translated the similar sentence in [10:12](../10/12.md). If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases since the first phrase gives the reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “To show the people the way that they should go, the pillar of cloud continued to go ahead of them during the day, and the pillar of fire continued to light up the way ahead at night” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	9	20	buh1		וְ⁠רוּחֲ⁠ךָ֨ הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֔ה	1		This seems to be a reference to God in person. If your language uses capitalization or some other convention to indicate that a word is referring to God, you could use it here. Alternate translation: “your good Spirit”
NEH	9	20	e7m4	grammar-connect-logic-result	וּ⁠מַנְ⁠ךָ֙ לֹא־מָנַ֣עְתָּ מִ⁠פִּי⁠הֶ֔ם וּ⁠מַ֛יִם נָתַ֥תָּה לָ⁠הֶ֖ם לִ⁠צְמָאָֽ⁠ם	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of the phrases in each clause since in both cases the first phrase gives the reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. Alternate translation: “Because they were hungry, you continued to feed them with manna, and because they were thirsty, you gave them water” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	9	20	f1m7	translate-unknown	וּ⁠מַנְ⁠ךָ֙	1		This was the special food that Yahweh provided for the Israelites in the desert. See the note in [9:15](../09/15.md). Alternate translation: “special food” or “that special food, manna” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	9	20	qka1		לֹא־מָנַ֣עְתָּ מִ⁠פִּי⁠הֶ֔ם	1		Here the Levites describe being nourished by food by referring figuratively to something associated with it, the mouth that eats the food. If it would be clearer in your language, you could describe this more generally. Alternate translation: “you continued to feed them”
NEH	9	20	gyd6	figs-litotes	לֹא־מָנַ֣עְתָּ מִ⁠פִּי⁠הֶ֔ם	1		This is a figure of speech that expresses a strong positive meaning by using a negative word with a word that is the opposite of the intended meaning. Alternate translation: “you generously gave them manna” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]])
NEH	9	21	f1m9	grammar-connect-logic-result	וְ⁠אַרְבָּעִ֥ים שָׁנָ֛ה כִּלְכַּלְתָּ֥⁠ם בַּ⁠מִּדְבָּ֖ר לֹ֣א חָסֵ֑רוּ	1		The first phrase is implicitly giving a reason for the result that is described in the second phrase. If it would be clearer in your language, you could make that explicit. “Because you took care of them for forty years in the desert, they did not lack anything all that time.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	9	21	f1n1	figs-explicit	וְ⁠רַגְלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם לֹ֥א בָצֵֽקוּ	1		If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why the feet of the Israelites would otherwise have swollen as they traveled through the desert. Alternate translation: “their feet did not swell up, even though they were walking all the time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	22	f462		וַ⁠תִּתֵּ֨ן לָ⁠הֶ֤ם מַמְלָכוֹת֙ וַ⁠עֲמָמִ֔ים	1		If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say explicitly how Yahweh did this. Alternate translation: “You helped our ancestors to defeat stronger armies so that they could conquer kingdoms and the people who lived in them”
NEH	9	22	xc6v	figs-doublet	וַ⁠תִּתֵּ֨ן לָ⁠הֶ֤ם מַמְלָכוֹת֙ וַ⁠עֲמָמִ֔ים	1		**Kingdoms** and **peoples** mean similar things. They are two different ways of describing the groups that the Israelites defeated. The repetition emphasizes how remarkable it was for Yahweh to enable the Israelites to defeat these stronger opponents. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these words into a single expression. Alternate translation: “you enabled them to defeat the nations that were living there” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	9	22	kgg1	figs-metaphor	וַֽ⁠תַּחְלְקֵ֖⁠ם לְ⁠פֵאָ֑ה	1		Here the land of Canaan is described figuratively as if it were a regular shape that had defined corners. Alternate translation: “you enabled them to possess every part of the land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	22	zt5p	figs-parallelism	אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ סִיח֗וֹן וְ⁠אֶת־אֶ֨רֶץ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן	1		These two phrases mean the same thing. The repetition is used for clarity. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “the land over which King Sihon ruled from the city of Heshbon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	9	22	f1n3		וְ⁠אֶת־אֶ֖רֶץ ע֥וֹג מֶֽלֶךְ־הַ⁠בָּשָֽׁן	1		Alternate translation: “Bashan, the land where King Og ruled”
NEH	9	22	xf4v	translate-names	סִיח֗וֹן…ע֥וֹג	1		These are the names of two kings. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	9	22	bkk3	translate-names	חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן…הַ⁠בָּשָֽׁן	1		These are names of the places where these two kings ruled. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	9	23	w96j	figs-simile	וּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֣ם הִרְבִּ֔יתָ כְּ⁠כֹכְבֵ֖י הַ⁠שָּׁמָ֑יִם	1		**Their** refers to the Israelites. This is a comparison, a figure of speech that says the number of children the Israelites had was like the number of stars in the sky. Alternate translation: “You enabled them to have as many children as there are stars in the sky” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
NEH	9	23	t5pb	figs-hyperbole	וּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֣ם הִרְבִּ֔יתָ כְּ⁠כֹכְבֵ֖י הַ⁠שָּׁמָ֑יִם	1		This is an exaggeration for emphasis. Alternate translation: “You enabled them to have a very large number of children” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH	9	23	f1n5	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֣ם	1		**Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” In this context it includes both boys and girls. Alternate translation: “and children” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	23	f1n7	figs-explicit	וַ⁠תְּבִיאֵ⁠ם֙ אֶל־הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אָמַ֥רְתָּ לַ⁠אֲבֹתֵי⁠הֶ֖ם לָ⁠ב֥וֹא לָ⁠רָֽשֶׁת	1		This is the same **land** described in verse 15, the land of Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “You brought them back to the land of Canaan, the land that you had commanded the previous generation to enter and occupy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	23	f1n9	figs-gendernotations	לַ⁠אֲבֹתֵי⁠הֶ֖ם	1		While **fathers** figuratively means “ancestors” throughout much of this prayer, in this case the word is intended more literally. It means the previous generation of Israelites, who had disobeyed when God told them the first time to occupy the land. But since both men and women were involved in the disobedience, you could use a term that would not limit the meaning to men, if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “to the previous generation” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
NEH	9	24	f1o1	figs-parallelism	וַ⁠יָּבֹ֤אוּ הַ⁠בָּנִים֙ וַ⁠יִּֽירְשׁ֣וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ וַ⁠תַּכְנַ֨ע לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶ֜ם אֶת־יֹשְׁבֵ֤י הָ⁠אָ֨רֶץ֙ הַ⁠כְּנַ֣עֲנִ֔ים	1		These two phrases mean similar things. The Israelites of the next generation possessing the land is equivalent to Yahweh defeating its inhabitants when the Israelites fought against them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “You enabled the next generation of Israelites to defeat the people who were living in the land of Canaan so that they could occupy the land themselves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	9	24	qpd4	figs-gendernotations	הַ⁠בָּנִים֙	1		This means literally the children of the generation that refused to enter the land. But since both men and women were involved in occupying the land, you could use a term that would not limit the meaning to men, if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “the next generation of Israelites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]])
NEH	9	24	it8a	figs-metonymy	וַ⁠תַּכְנַ֨ע לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶ֜ם אֶת־יֹשְׁבֵ֤י הָ⁠אָ֨רֶץ֙	1		Here, **face** figuratively means the front of a group, in this case the Israelite army that was fighting against the Canaanites. Alternate translation: “when the Israelites opposed them in battle, you defeated the people who were living in the land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	9	24	l77q	figs-doublet	יֹשְׁבֵ֤י הָ⁠אָ֨רֶץ֙ הַ⁠כְּנַ֣עֲנִ֔ים	1		These two phrases mean similar things. The repetition is used for clarity. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “the Canaanites who lived there,” otherwise “the people who lived here in this land, the descendants of Canaan” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	9	24	vz5v	figs-explicit	וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֖⁠ם בְּ⁠יָדָ֑⁠ם וְ⁠אֶת־מַלְכֵי⁠הֶם֙ וְ⁠אֶת־עַֽמְמֵ֣י הָ⁠אָ֔רֶץ לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת בָּ⁠הֶ֖ם כִּ⁠רְצוֹנָֽ⁠ם	1		The Levites continue to recount details of Israelite history and assume that their listeners will understand the significance of these details. This sentence means, “You gave the Canaanites into the hands of the Israelites, that is, you gave their kings and the Canaanite people into the hands of the Israelites.” The implication is that once the Israelites had defeated the armies that the kings were leading, they could then do anything they wanted with the people who were living in the land. In other words, Yahweh gave the kings “into their hands” by defeating them, and as a result, the people were “in their hands” to do with whatever they wanted. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “You enabled them to defeat the armies that the Canaanite kings were leading, and then they could do whatever they wanted with the people of Canaan” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	24	v454	figs-metaphor	וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֖⁠ם בְּ⁠יָדָ֑⁠ם	1		Here, **hand** figuratively represents power and control. To give something into a person’s hand is to give that person control over that thing. Alternate translation: “enabled the Israelites to defeat them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	25	yzu6		וַֽ⁠יִּלְכְּד֞וּ עָרִ֣ים בְּצֻרוֹת֮ וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֣ה שְׁמֵנָה֒	1		**They** means the Israelites who were entering Canaan.
NEH	9	25	gs7a	figs-metonymy	וַ⁠אֲדָמָ֣ה שְׁמֵנָה֒	1		This means land that can produce abundantly and make its inhabitants fat (as described later in this verse). The rich character of the soil is being described figuratively by something associated with it, the well-fed character of the people it sustains. Alternate translation: “fertile land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	9	25	ac3r		וַ⁠יִּֽירְשׁ֡וּ	1		This means that, from people who had already built or planted them, they took possession of the things on the list that follows. Alternate translation: “they took possession of”
NEH	9	25	y6gx	figs-activepassive	בֹּר֨וֹת חֲצוּבִ֜ים	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. (This verse is not saying that the Israelites did three things, captured cities, possessed houses, and dug cisterns.) Alternate translation: “cisterns that someone else had already dug” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	9	25	ke4u	translate-unknown	בֹּר֨וֹת	1		Cisterns are underground reservoirs where people store water. In this area they were typically hewn out of the underlying rock. Alternate translation: “water storage areas” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	9	25	f1o3	translate-unknown	וְ⁠עֵ֥ץ מַאֲכָ֖ל	1		This means trees that grow things that are good to eat. In this area, these would have included both fruit and nut trees. Alternate translation: “and fruit and nut trees” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	9	25	s544	figs-metaphor	וַֽ⁠יִּשְׂבְּעוּ֙	1		It is clear from the context that this was likely true literally, but this statement could also be a figurative way of saying that just as a person who has more than enough to eat stops being concerned, so the Israelites became complacent and stopped thinking about Yahweh. Alternate translation: “and they became complacent” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	26	t19v	figs-doublet	וַ⁠יַּמְר֨וּ וַֽ⁠יִּמְרְד֜וּ בָּ֗⁠ךְ	1		**Disobeyed** and **rebelled** mean similar things. The Levites use them together to emphasize how serious an offense it was for the Israelites to turn against Yahweh after he had blessed them so greatly. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “they turned against you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	9	26	q9sz	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יַּשְׁלִ֤כוּ אֶת־תּוֹרָֽתְ⁠ךָ֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י גַוָּ֔⁠ם	1		The Levites are saying that figuratively the Israelites treated the law as if it were a worthless item that a person would toss away. Alternate translation: “They considered your law worthless and paid no attention to it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	26	vbj5		הֵעִ֥ידוּ בָ֖⁠ם	1		Alternate translation: “warned them about all the wrong things they were doing”
NEH	9	26	rr76	translate-unknown	וַֽ⁠יַּעֲשׂ֔וּ נֶאָצ֖וֹת גְּדוֹלֹֽת	1		As in [9:18](../09/18.md), **blasphemy** means to worship as divine or give honor to something other than God. This is likely a reference to the way the Israelites started worshiping other gods. (That is why the prophets needed to try to “bring them back” to Yahweh.) Alternate translation: “they worshiped other gods” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	9	27	v5lz	figs-metaphor	וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ⁠ם֙ בְּ⁠יַ֣ד צָֽרֵי⁠הֶ֔ם	1		Here, **hand** figuratively represents power and control. Alternate translation: “you allowed their enemies to defeat them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	27	k998		וַ⁠יָּצֵ֖רוּ לָ⁠הֶ֑ם	1		**They** means the enemies, and **them** means the Israelites. Alternate translation: “The enemies of the Israelites made them suffer”
NEH	9	27	tz5a		וּֽ⁠כְ⁠רַחֲמֶ֣י⁠ךָ הָֽ⁠רַבִּ֗ים	1		Alternate translation: “because of your great mercy” or “because you are very merciful”
NEH	9	27	z213	translate-unknown	תִּתֵּ֤ן לָ⁠הֶם֙ מֽוֹשִׁיעִ֔ים	1		This is a reference to the time in Israelite history when God sent the judges to lead the Israelite tribes in fighting back against their enemies. Alternate translation: “you sent the judges to rescue them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	9	27	ku2m	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠יוֹשִׁיע֖וּ⁠ם מִ⁠יַּ֥ד צָרֵי⁠הֶֽם	1		Here, **hand** figuratively represents power and control. Alternate translation: “they rescued them from their enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	28	u77m	grammar-connect-logic-contrast	וּ⁠כְ⁠נ֣וֹחַ לָ⁠הֶ֔ם יָשׁ֕וּבוּ לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת רַ֖ע לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ	1		This sentence draws a contrast between how the Israelites should have responded when God delivered them and how they actually responded. You could begin the sentence with a word like “but” or “however” or “nevertheless” to indicate this contrast. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH	9	28	ds4w	figs-abstractnouns	וּ⁠כְ⁠נ֣וֹחַ לָ⁠הֶ֔ם	1		**Rest** is an abstract noun that indicates that the Israelites had relief from suffering and that there was no more war in the land after they defeated their enemies. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the same idea with a different phrase. Alternate translation: “after they had defeated their enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	9	28	s2tc	figs-metaphor	יָשׁ֕וּבוּ לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת רַ֖ע לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ	1		Here, **face** seems to refer figuratively to a person’s opinion or judgment, by association with the way they use the eyes in their face to see things and the way their facial expression shows what they think of those things. So this would mean that the Israelites did things that Yahweh considered to be wrong. Alternate translation: “they went back to doing things that you consider wrong” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	28	ml8w	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠תַּֽעַזְבֵ֞⁠ם בְּ⁠יַ֤ד אֹֽיְבֵי⁠הֶם֙ וַ⁠יִּרְדּ֣וּ בָ⁠הֶ֔ם	1		Here, **hand** figuratively represents power and control. Alternate translation: “you allowed their enemies to defeat them, and they ruled over them harshly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	28	puz2	grammar-connect-logic-result	וַ⁠תַּֽעַזְבֵ֞⁠ם	1		This phrase indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “and so you left them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	9	28	t9wx	figs-doublet	וַ⁠יָּשׁ֨וּבוּ֙ וַ⁠יִּזְעָק֔וּ⁠ךָ	1		**They** means the Israelites. **Returned** and **cried out** mean similar things. Both terms describe how the Israelites realized that they should have remained loyal to Yahweh and that they desperately needed his help. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use one expression for both terms. Alternate translation: “The Israelites asked you again to help them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	9	28	y9f7		כְּֽ⁠רַחֲמֶ֖י⁠ךָ	1		Alternate translation: “because of your mercy” or “because you are merciful”
NEH	9	29	pm9h	figs-metonymy	וַ⁠תָּ֨עַד בָּ⁠הֶ֜ם	1		Yahweh did not personally tell the Israelites all the wrong things they were doing. Rather, as [9:26](../09/26.md) explains by using the same expression, Yahweh sent prophets to do this. The Levites are describing the prophets figuratively by association with Yahweh, whose message they were bringing. Alternate translation: “you sent prophets to warn the Israelites about all the wrong things they were doing” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	9	29	un5i	figs-metonymy	לַ⁠הֲשִׁיבָ֣⁠ם אֶל־תּוֹרָתֶ֗⁠ךָ	1		The prophets were actually trying to make the people loyal to Yahweh himself once again by calling them to obey Yahweh’s law. The Levites are describing Yahweh by reference to something associated with him, his law. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “to make them loyal to you once again” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	9	29	e4dt	figs-idiom	וְ⁠לֹא־שָׁמְע֤וּ לְ⁠מִצְוֺתֶ֨י⁠ךָ֙	1		As in [9:16](../09/16.md), **listen** in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear a command, but to obey it. If your language has a word for “listen” that also means “obey,” you could use it here. Alternate translation: “did not heed your commands” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	9	29	una2	figs-metonymy	וּ⁠בְ⁠מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣י⁠ךָ חָֽטְאוּ־בָ֔⁠ם	1		The people were actually sinning against Yahweh himself. The Levites are describing Yahweh by reference to something associated with him, his “judgments,” meaning the instructions in his law. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “they sinned against you by disobeying your instructions” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	9	29	gh1m		וּ⁠בְ⁠מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣י⁠ךָ	1		As in [9:13](../09/13.md), this term refers to Yahweh giving the Israelites instructions in the law. It may or may not include a sense of Yahweh passing sentence as a judge. Alternate translation: “And concerning your instructions”
NEH	9	29	x7ep	figs-metaphor	אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֖ם וְ⁠חָיָ֣ה בָ⁠הֶ֑ם	1		**Live** here does not mean physically live or die. Rather, “live” figuratively means to be spiritually alive in relationship with God and to be happy and blessed as a result. The difference between being alive in this way and being separated from God is like the difference between being alive and being dead. Alternate translation: “If a person follows your law, then he is spiritually alive and happy and blessed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	29	k1ew	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יִּתְּנ֤וּ כָתֵף֙ סוֹרֶ֔רֶת וְ⁠עָרְפָּ֥⁠ם הִקְשׁ֖וּ	1		These are images of an ox refusing to allow its owner to put a yoke on its shoulders. Here they are a metaphor that represents the people being stubborn. Alternate translation: “They became stubborn” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	29	n3zk	figs-idiom	וְ⁠לֹ֥א שָׁמֵֽעוּ	1		Like **listen** earlier in this verse, “hear” in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear a command, but to obey it. If your language has a word for “hear” that also means “obey,” you could use it here. Alternate translation: “did not heed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	9	30	sj6k		וַ⁠תִּמְשֹׁ֤ךְ עֲלֵי⁠הֶם֙ שָׁנִ֣ים רַבּ֔וֹת	1		Alternate translation: “you put up with them for a long time”
NEH	9	30	gf8r	figs-metonymy	שָׁנִ֣ים רַבּ֔וֹת	1		This is a figurative expression for “a long time.” The Levites are describing time figuratively by referring to something associated with it, the years in which time is measured. Alternate translation: “for a long time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	9	30	hbe9		וַ⁠תָּ֨עַד בָּ֧⁠ם בְּ⁠רוּחֲ⁠ךָ֛ בְּ⁠יַד־נְבִיאֶ֖י⁠ךָ	1		As in [9:20](../09/20.md), **spirit** here seems to be a reference to God in person. If your language uses capitalization or some other convention to indicate that a word is referring to God, you could use it here. Alternate translation: “you spoke through the prophets by your Spirit to warn the Israelites about all the wrong things they were doing”
NEH	9	30	f3le	figs-metaphor	בְּ⁠יַד־נְבִיאֶ֖י⁠ךָ	1		This is a figurative way of saying that God had the prophets deliver his message to the Israelites the way a servant would carry a message in his hand. Alternate translation: “through the prophets” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	30	k9y7	figs-metonymy	וְ⁠לֹ֣א הֶאֱזִ֑ינוּ	1		The Levites are describing the act of listening figuratively here by reference to something associated with it, the ear that hears. Alternate translation: “but they refused to listen” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	9	30	n169	figs-idiom	וְ⁠לֹ֣א הֶאֱזִ֑ינוּ	1		Listening in this context means not just to hear but to obey. Alternate translation: “but they refused to obey” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	9	30	tqa5	figs-metaphor	וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֔⁠ם בְּ⁠יַ֖ד עַמֵּ֥י הָ⁠אֲרָצֹֽת	1		Here, **hand** represents power and control. See how you translated this expression in verse 27, where it occurs twice. Alternate translation: “you allowed the neighboring peoples to defeat them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	30	ym8i	grammar-connect-logic-result	וַֽ⁠תִּתְּנֵ֔⁠ם	1		This word indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “As a result, you gave them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	9	31	neh8	grammar-connect-logic-result	וּֽ⁠בְ⁠רַחֲמֶ֧י⁠ךָ	1		This sentence draws a contrast between what God could have done to the people, based on what they deserved, and what God actually did in his mercy. You could begin the sentence with a word like “but” or “however” to indicate this contrast. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	9	31	j1rz		וּֽ⁠בְ⁠רַחֲמֶ֧י⁠ךָ הָ⁠רַבִּ֛ים	1		As in [9:27](../09/27.md), alternate translation: “because you are very merciful”
NEH	9	31	cl3n	figs-parallelism	לֹֽא־עֲשִׂיתָ֥⁠ם כָּלָ֖ה וְ⁠לֹ֣א עֲזַבְתָּ֑⁠ם	1		These two phrases do not describe separate things. They mean something similar. They describe what the people deserved for refusing to obey Yahweh. The first phrase describes what the people would have experienced in their lives. They would have been completely destroyed. The second phrase describes what they would have experienced in their relationship with Yahweh. He would have given up on them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “You did not abandon them to complete destruction” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	9	31	l7xw		וְ⁠לֹ֣א עֲזַבְתָּ֑⁠ם	1		Alternate translation: “you did not give up on them”
NEH	9	31	xk1s	figs-doublet	חַנּ֥וּן וְ⁠רַח֖וּם	1		**Gracious** and **merciful** mean similar things. The Levites use them together to emphasize that God did not punish the Israelites the way they deserved. You do not need to repeat both words in your translation if that would make the meaning less clear for your readers. Alternate translation: “very merciful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	9	32	m4l9	grammar-connect-logic-result	וְ⁠עַתָּ֣ה	1		This phrase indicates that the Levites believe that what they are about to ask for should be the results of what they have just described. Specifically, because he is merciful, God helped the Israelites in the past even though they did not deserve it. And so the Levites are praying for God to be merciful and help the Israelites now even though they do not deserve it. Alternate translation: “and that is why we are praying this now” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	9	32	d4hq	figs-doublet	הָ⁠אֵ֨ל הַ⁠גָּד֜וֹל הַ⁠גִּבּ֣וֹר וְ⁠הַ⁠נּוֹרָא֮	1		As in [1:5](../01/05.md), **great** and **fearsome** mean similar things. “Mighty” also means something similar. The Levites use all of these words together to emphasize how much respect God deserves. You do not need to repeat all three words in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. However, there is a slight difference in meaning, and you could also bring that out in your translation. “Great” and “mighty” refer to how powerful God is objectively. “Fearsome” reflects how people should respond to God’s greatness subjectively. They should “fear” God. This does not mean that they should be afraid of him, but that they should show him respect and reverence. Alternate translation: “the God who deserves total respect” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]. A doublet can involve the use of more than two words.)
NEH	9	32	r379	figs-parallelism	שׁוֹמֵ֣ר הַ⁠בְּרִ֣ית וְ⁠הַ⁠חֶסֶד֒	1		As in [1:5](../01/05.md), **covenant** and **covenant faithfulness** mean similar things. The Levites said the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to emphasize how certain it is that God will keep his promises. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. However, there is a slight difference in meaning, and you could bring that out in your translation even if you combine the phrases. The “covenant” is God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants. “Covenant faithfulness” is a character quality of God. He is inwardly disposed to keep all of his promises, and he always does so faithfully. So you could say something like, “you always keep your promises faithfully because of who you are.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	9	32	j5fk	figs-metaphor	אַל־יִמְעַ֣ט לְ⁠פָנֶ֡י⁠ךָ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה	1		Here the Levites speak figuratively of something being small to mean that it is insignificant and not worthy of being noticed and addressed. Alternate translation: “do not regard our sufferings as insignificant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	32	ta8y	figs-metonymy	אַל־יִמְעַ֣ט לְ⁠פָנֶ֡י⁠ךָ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה	1		As in [9:28](../09/28.md), **face** refers figuratively to a person’s opinion or judgment, by association with the way they use the eyes in their face to see things and the way their facial expression shows what they think of those things. So the Levites would be praying that God would not regard their suffering as insignificant. Alternate translation: “do not regard our sufferings as insignificant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	9	32	f7a5	figs-personification	הַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְ⁠נוּ	1		Here the Levites speak of the suffering that the Israelites have experienced as if it were a living thing that has looked for them and found them in order to cause them harm. Alternate translation: “the sufferings we have experienced” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	9	32	q7fm	figs-abstractnouns	הַ⁠תְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְ⁠נוּ	1		**Hardship** is an abstract noun that refers to the suffering that the Israelites have experienced as a result of being conquered and dominated by foreign nations. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “suffer.” Alternate translation: “how much we have suffered” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	9	32	u6i9	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠לַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ	1		**Fathers** here figuratively means **ancestors.** Alternate translation: “our ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	32	pl1f	figs-explicit	מִ⁠ימֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י אַשּׁ֔וּר עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה	1		The implication is that the Levites are talking about the suffering that the Israelites have experienced specifically because foreign nations have conquered them, beginning with the Assyrians who first conquered the northern part of Israel. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “from the time Israel was first conquered by the Assyrian kings until now” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	32	r5ha	figs-merism	מִ⁠ימֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י אַשּׁ֔וּר עַ֖ד הַ⁠יּ֥וֹם הַ⁠זֶּֽה	1		This is a figure of speech in which the Levites are describing an entire time period by reference to its beginning and end, in order to include everything in between. Alternate translation: “the entire time we have been under foreign domination” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
NEH	9	33	ctq5		וְ⁠אַתָּ֣ה צַדִּ֔יק עַ֖ל כָּל־הַ⁠בָּ֣א עָלֵ֑י⁠נוּ	1		Here the word **righteous** refers to God’s actions as being a reflection of his righteous character. Alternate translation: “we acknowledge you have done the right thing in allowing all this to happen to us”
NEH	9	33	ac1s	figs-personification	כָּל־הַ⁠בָּ֣א עָלֵ֑י⁠נוּ	1		Here the Levites speak of the suffering that the Israelites have experienced as if it were a living thing that has come up to them in order to cause them harm. Alternate translation: “everything we have suffered” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	9	33	z3i5	grammar-connect-logic-result	כִּֽי־אֱמֶ֥ת עָשִׂ֖יתָ וַ⁠אֲנַ֥חְנוּ הִרְשָֽׁעְנוּ	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could place this sentence before the previous one since it gives the reason for the results that are described in that other sentence. You could show the connection by using a word like “so” after this sentence. Alternate translation: “You have always done what you said you would do, and you have never abandoned us. But we have done many wrong things. And so” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	9	34	w8h1	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֔י⁠נוּ	1		**Fathers** here figuratively means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “our ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	34	fh22	figs-parallelism	לֹ֥א עָשׂ֖וּ תּוֹרָתֶ֑⁠ךָ וְ⁠לֹ֤א הִקְשִׁ֨יבוּ֙ אֶל־מִצְוֺתֶ֔י⁠ךָ וּ⁠לְ⁠עֵ֣דְוֺתֶ֔י⁠ךָ	1		These two phrases mean similar things. The Levites use the repetition to confess how completely the people have disobeyed what God told them to do. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “have completely disobeyed everything you told them to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	9	34	z9gd	figs-idiom	וְ⁠לֹ֤א הִקְשִׁ֨יבוּ֙ אֶל	1		Not paying attention to a command, like not listening to it, is a figurative way of saying not obeying it. Alternate translation: “have disobeyed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	9	34	x4lc	figs-doublet	מִצְוֺתֶ֔י⁠ךָ וּ⁠לְ⁠עֵ֣דְוֺתֶ֔י⁠ךָ	1		These two terms mean similar things. You do not need to repeat both of them in your translation if that would make the meaning less clear for your readers. Alternate translation: “everything you told them to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	9	34	z9wl		וּ⁠לְ⁠עֵ֣דְוֺתֶ֔י⁠ךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר הַעִידֹ֖תָ בָּ⁠הֶֽם	1		As in [9:26](../09/26.md), [9:29](../09/29.md), and [9:30](../09/30), this expression means to warn someone about what they are doing. So here it is referring to “the warnings that you gave them to warn them.” You do not need to repeat the idea of “warn” twice in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “the many warnings you gave them”
NEH	9	35	af8m	figs-explicit	וְ⁠הֵ֣ם בְּ⁠מַלְכוּתָ⁠ם֩…לֹ֣א עֲבָד֑וּ⁠ךָ	1		**Them** means the people and their leaders, as listed in [9:32](../09/32/.md) and [9:34](../09/34.md). **Serve** is another way of saying “obey.” The implied meaning is that the Israelites did not obey Yahweh even when they had a kingdom of their own, before other nations conquered them. Alternate translation: “They did not obey you even while they had a kingdom of their own” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	35	nxv9	figs-abstractnouns	וּ⁠בְ⁠טוּבְ⁠ךָ֨ הָ⁠רָ֜ב אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֣תָּ לָ⁠הֶ֗ם	1		**Goodness** is an abstract noun that refers to all the good things that God gave to the Israelites. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with an adjective such as “good.” Alternate translation: “even while they enjoyed the good things you gave them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	9	35	ibf9	figs-doublet	וּ⁠בְ⁠אֶ֨רֶץ הָ⁠רְחָבָ֧ה וְ⁠הַ⁠שְּׁמֵנָ֛ה	1		These two terms mean similar things. They both indicate that the land God gave to the Israelites was good for growing crops. There was a lot of room in it, and the soil was good. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these terms. Alternate translation: “the fertile land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	9	35	h9n5	figs-metonymy	וּ⁠בְ⁠אֶ֨רֶץ…וְ⁠הַ⁠שְּׁמֵנָ֛ה	1		As in [9:25](../09/25.md), “fat” means land that can produce abundantly and feed its inhabitants well. The rich character of the soil is being described figuratively by something associated with it, the well-fed character of the people it sustains. Alternate translation: “fertile land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	9	35	z2vd	figs-metaphor	אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּ לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶ֖ם	1		Here, **face** figuratively means the front of a person. This expression is saying that God “put this land right in front of” the Israelites, emphasizing that God enabled them to defeat their enemies to get it. It was a gift from God, not something that the Israelites got for themselves. Alternate translation: “that you freely gave to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	35	gdm7	figs-metaphor	וְֽ⁠לֹא־שָׁ֔בוּ מִ⁠מַּֽעַלְלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם הָ⁠רָעִֽים	1		Here, **turning away from** something is a figurative expression that means giving it up. Alternate translation: “they would not stop doing wrong things” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	36	q7xj		הִנֵּ֛ה	1		**Behold** is a term meant to focus the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use some emphatic term or expression in your language that would have this same effect.
NEH	9	36	qh7f	figs-idiom	הַ⁠יּ֖וֹם	1		This does not necessarily mean on this particular day, but rather at this time. Alternate translation: “This is how things are now” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	9	36	qai2	figs-metaphor	לַ⁠אֲבֹתֵ֗י⁠נוּ	1		**Fathers** here figuratively means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “our ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	9	36	xzc8	figs-doublet	אֶת־פִּרְיָ⁠הּ֙ וְ⁠אֶת־טוּבָ֔⁠הּ	1		These two expressions mean similar things. They both refer to the crops that grow in the land the Israelites were promised. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these expressions. Alternate translation: “all the good things that grow here” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	9	36	bdr6	figs-synecdoche	פִּרְיָ⁠הּ֙	1		This means all the crops of the land, not just the fruit that grew on the trees. The Levites are using one particular food to refer figuratively to all food. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	9	36	g6hs	figs-abstractnouns	טוּבָ֔⁠הּ	1		**Goodness** is an abstract noun that refers to the tasty and nourishing food that grows in the land. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a different phrase. Alternate translation: “the good things that grow here” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	9	36	lw6u		הִנֵּ֛ה	1		**Behold** is a term meant to focus the attention of the listener on what the speaker is about to say. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use some emphatic term or expression in your language that would have this same effect.
NEH	9	37	d5cr	figs-abstractnouns	וּ⁠תְבוּאָתָ֣⁠הּ מַרְבָּ֗ה	1		**Produce** (pró-duce) is an abstract noun that refers to the crops that grow in the land. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “produce” (pro-dúce). Alternate translation: “all that this land produces” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	9	37	q3dz	figs-explicit	לַ⁠מְּלָכִ֛ים אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּה עָלֵ֖י⁠נוּ בְּ⁠חַטֹּאותֵ֑י⁠נוּ	1		The implication is that foreign kings now rule over the Israelites because Yahweh is punishing the Israelites for disobeying him. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the kings who now rule over us because you are punishing us for disobeying you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	37	x15l	figs-parallelism	לַ⁠מְּלָכִ֛ים אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֥תָּה עָלֵ֖י⁠נוּ…וְ⁠עַ֣ל גְּ֠וִיֹּתֵי⁠נוּ מֹשְׁלִ֤ים וּ⁠בִ⁠בְהֶמְתֵּ֨⁠נוּ֙	1		These two phrases mean similar things. In each phrase, the Levites are describing how foreign kings now rule over the Israelites. The second phrase intensifies the first by specifying that the Israelites serve these kings as slaves, and that the Israelites do not even own the animals they work with. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that might be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “You have allowed foreign kings to rule over us as slaves who own nothing” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	9	37	huw8		כִּ⁠רְצוֹנָ֔⁠ם	1		Alternate translation: “as they see fit”
NEH	9	38	g7s3	grammar-connect-logic-result	וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־זֹ֕את	1		This phrase indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the actions that the people are taking in response to everything that the Levites have just said. That is, they are doing this because they and their ancestors had disobeyed and Yahweh had punished them. Alternate translation: “In light of all this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	9	38	t4ag		אֲנַ֛חְנוּ כֹּרְתִ֥ים אֲמָנָ֖ה	1		The word **faithful** here does not mean that the covenant will act in a certain way, but that the people themselves are promising to be faithful to this covenant. Alternate translation: “we are making a covenant that we promise to keep”
NEH	9	38	xee9	figs-idiom	אֲנַ֛חְנוּ כֹּרְתִ֥ים	1		As in [9:8](../09/08.md), to “cut” a covenant is a Hebrew idiom for making a solemn agreement with a person. Review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “we are making a covenant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	9	38	l6qa	figs-explicit	וְ⁠כֹתְבִ֑ים וְ⁠עַל֙ הֶֽ⁠חָת֔וּם שָׂרֵ֥י⁠נוּ לְוִיֵּ֖⁠נוּ כֹּהֲנֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		The implication is that the Israelites had scribes write this covenant on a scroll, the leaders wrote their names on it representing all the people, and then the Israelites sealed the document to make it official and to preserve it. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “We are writing this covenant on a scroll. The community leaders, the Levites, and the priests will sign it. And then we will seal it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	9	38	wj7b		שָׂרֵ֥י⁠נוּ	1		This means the community leaders. From the document itself, it appears that these included both Nehemiah as the governor (10:1) and various tribal and extended-family leaders (10:14–27).
NEH	10	intro	m17y			0		# Nehemiah 10 General Notes<br><br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>This chapter concludes the passage beginning in chapter 9.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### The vow<br><br>By signing this document, the people vowed or agreed to obey God, not to buy things on the Sabbath, and to pay their temple tax. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/vow]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sabbath]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/temple]])
NEH	10	1	ijh7		וְ⁠עַ֖ל הַ⁠חֲתוּמִ֑ים	1		Alternate translation: “These are the names that the leaders signed on the scroll before it was sealed.”
NEH	10	1	jc8x	translate-unknown	נְחֶמְיָ֧ה הַ⁠תִּרְשָׁ֛תָא בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָ֖ה	1		As in [7:65](../07/65.md) and [7:70](../07/70.md), this was the formal Persian title of the governor. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the title and then explain it. Alternate translation: “Nehemiah son of Hakiliah, the Tirshatha (that is, the governor)” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	10	1	j4ny	translate-names	נְחֶמְיָ֧ה…בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָ֖ה וְ⁠צִדְקִיָּֽה	1		As in [1:1](../01/01.md), Nehemiah is the name of a man, and Hakaliah is the name of his father. Zedekiah is also the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	1	mu7u	figs-explicit	וְ⁠צִדְקִיָּֽה	1		This could mean the same man who is called “Zadok the scribe” in [13:13](../13/13.md). That man seems to have been the official secretary for Nehemiah. Other documents from this time suggest that the name of the scribe would have come second in a list like this, right after the government official in charge. Alternate translation: “Zedekiah the scribe” or “Zedekiah the secretary.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	10	2	r4sg	translate-names	שְׂרָיָ֥ה עֲזַרְיָ֖ה יִרְמְיָֽה	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	3	b2lc	translate-names	פַּשְׁח֥וּר אֲמַרְיָ֖ה מַלְכִּיָּֽה	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	4	uqt4	translate-names	חַטּ֥וּשׁ שְׁבַנְיָ֖ה מַלּֽוּךְ	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	5	qbj9	translate-names	חָרִ֥ם מְרֵמ֖וֹת עֹֽבַדְיָֽה	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	6	del4	translate-names	דָּנִיֵּ֥אל גִּנְּת֖וֹן בָּרֽוּךְ	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	7	yd6r	translate-names	מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם אֲבִיָּ֖ה מִיָּמִֽן	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	8	mt1s	translate-names	מַֽעַזְיָ֥ה בִלְגַּ֖י שְׁמַֽעְיָ֑ה	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	8	iv3c		אֵ֖לֶּה הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִֽים	1		Alternate translation: “These are the names of the priests who signed the covenant.”
NEH	10	8	ppp7	grammar-connect-logic-result	אֵ֖לֶּה הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִֽים	1		If it would be helpful to your readers, you could place this sentence at the beginning of verse 2 since it introduces the list of priests. That way the list of priests would be like the list of Levites in verses 9–13 and the list of leaders in verses 14–27. Both of those lists have an introductory phrase like this at the beginning. Alternate translation: “These are the names of the priests who signed the covenant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	10	9	b29e		וְֽ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֑ם	1		Alternate translation: “These are the names of the Levites who signed the covenant.”
NEH	10	9	i6e3	figs-explicit	וְֽ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֑ם	1		From the contexts in which the names of these men appear elsewhere in the book of Nehemiah, it seems that they were leaders of the Levites. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “These are the names of the Levites who signed the covenant. First, their leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	10	9	si66	translate-names	וְ⁠יֵשׁ֨וּעַ֙ בֶּן־אֲזַנְיָ֔ה	1		Jeshua is the name of a man, and Azaniah is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	9	pi28	translate-names	בִּנּ֕וּי…חֵנָדָ֖ד	1		Binnui and Henadad are both names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	9	j952	figs-metaphor	בִּנּ֕וּי מִ⁠בְּנֵ֥י חֵנָדָ֖ד	1		**Sons** here figuratively means **descendants** Alternate translation: “Binnui, one of the descendants of Henadad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	9	km8e	translate-names	קַדְמִיאֵֽל	1		Kadmiel is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	10	yg6h	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֑ם	1		Here, **brother** likely refers figuratively to the rest of the Levites who signed the covenant as fellow Levites of the three leaders. Alternate translation: “Next, their fellow Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	10	cfy7	translate-names	שְׁבַנְיָ֧ה הֽוֹדִיָּ֛ה קְלִיטָ֖א פְּלָאיָ֥ה חָנָֽן	1		These are the names of five men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	11	x5wd	translate-names	מִיכָ֥א רְח֖וֹב חֲשַׁבְיָֽה	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	12	vuf7	translate-names	זַכּ֥וּר שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֖ה שְׁבַנְיָֽה	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	13	t4nx	translate-names	הוֹדִיָּ֥ה בָנִ֖י בְּנִֽינוּ	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	14	uar6		רָאשֵׁ֖י הָ⁠עָ֑ם	1		Alternate translation: “These are the names of the community leaders who signed the covenant”
NEH	10	14	c75b	figs-metaphor	רָאשֵׁ֖י הָ⁠עָ֑ם	1		Here, **head** is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “community leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	14	d729	translate-names	פַּרְעֹשׁ֙ פַּחַ֣ת מוֹאָ֔ב עֵילָ֥ם זַתּ֖וּא בָּנִֽי	1		These are the names of five men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	15	nkt2	translate-names	בֻּנִּ֥י עַזְגָּ֖ד בֵּבָֽי	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	16	dda2	translate-names	אֲדֹנִיָּ֥ה בִגְוַ֖י עָדִֽין	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	17	ybp4	translate-names	אָטֵ֥ר חִזְקִיָּ֖ה עַזּֽוּר	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	18	ssa2	translate-names	הוֹדִיָּ֥ה חָשֻׁ֖ם בֵּצָֽי	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	19	rbs7	translate-names	חָרִ֥יף עֲנָת֖וֹת נֵיבָֽי	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	20	xbs6	translate-names	מַגְפִּיעָ֥שׁ מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם חֵזִֽיר	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	21	bjm2	translate-names	מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֥ל צָד֖וֹק יַדּֽוּעַ	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	22	rm3j	translate-names	פְּלַטְיָ֥ה חָנָ֖ן עֲנָיָֽה	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	23	kcs6	translate-names	הוֹשֵׁ֥עַ חֲנַנְיָ֖ה חַשּֽׁוּב	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	24	p99a	translate-names	הַלּוֹחֵ֥שׁ פִּלְחָ֖א שׁוֹבֵֽק	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	25	t6u9	translate-names	רְח֥וּם חֲשַׁבְנָ֖ה מַעֲשֵׂיָֽה	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	26	ab18	translate-names	וַ⁠אֲחִיָּ֥ה חָנָ֖ן עָנָֽן	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	27	w9x4	translate-names	מַלּ֥וּךְ חָרִ֖ם בַּעֲנָֽה	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	10	28	g1a1	figs-explicit	וּ⁠שְׁאָ֣ר הָ⁠עָ֡ם	1		This means everyone else in the groups that are listed next, even if they did not sign the covenant personally. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “And everyone else in the following groups, whether or not they signed their name on the scroll” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	10	28	w2rt	translate-unknown	הַ⁠שּׁוֹעֲרִ֨ים	1		This means the people who were responsible to open and close the gates that controlled access to the city and the temple. See how you translated this term in 7:1. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	10	28	f1n8	translate-unknown	הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֜ים	1		As in [7:1](../07/01.md), this means vocal musicians who led in worship, in processions, and ceremonies, producing music and chants that emphasized and enhanced the occasion. Alternate translation: “the singers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	10	28	g1a3	translate-unknown	הַ⁠נְּתִינִ֗ים	1		As in [3:26](../03/26.md), the term **Nethinim** describes servants who worked in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple servants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	10	28	qej9	figs-explicit	וְֽ⁠כָל־הַ⁠נִּבְדָּ֞ל מֵ⁠עַמֵּ֤י הָ⁠אֲרָצוֹת֙ אֶל־תּוֹרַ֣ת הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֔ים	1		This could mean one of two things. (1) It could be referring to people from other nations who had converted and become Jews. Alternate translation: “people from other nations who had become Jews and would now obey the law of God” (2) It might not be a reference to a distinct group, but rather a description of something that was true of everyone from any of the previously named groups who agreed to the covenant. As in [9:2](../09/02.md), it would be a description of how the Israelites needed to reject the influence and practices of other people groups in order to follow the law of God faithfully. Alternate translation: “that is, everyone who resolved to reject foreign influences and obey the law of God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]].)
NEH	10	28	g1a5	figs-metaphor	הַ⁠נִּבְדָּ֞ל מֵ⁠עַמֵּ֤י הָ⁠אֲרָצוֹת֙	1		**Separate** is a figurative way of describing the act of rejecting an influence, as if this were a physical separation. In [9:2](../09/02.md) the separation actually was physical (only Israelites could attend that assembly), but here it would be figurative. Alternate translation: “resolved to reject foreign influences” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	28	g1a7	figs-idiom	בְּנֵי⁠הֶ֣ם וּ⁠בְנֹתֵי⁠הֶ֑ם כֹּ֖ל יוֹדֵ֥עַ מֵבִֽין	1		Like the similar phrases in [8:2](../08/02.md) and [8:3](../08/03.md), this is likely an idiom that refers to children who could understand what the covenant was about. Alternate translation: “their children who were old enough to understand the covenant” or “all who were old enough to understand what promising to obey God meant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	10	29	l6ns	figs-metaphor	מַחֲזִיקִ֣ים עַל	1		Here, **clinging to** is a figurative way of describing people who did not actually sign the scroll, as their leaders did, but who agreed with them and joined in the same purpose. Alternate translation: “agreed with” or “joined in the same purpose with” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	29	x6i9	figs-metaphor	אֲחֵי⁠הֶם֮	1		Here, **brother** likely means figuratively that the leaders who signed the scroll were fellow Jews of the rest of the people. Alternate translation: “their fellow Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	29	k971		אַדִּירֵי⁠הֶם֒	1		See how you translated this term in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “the leading citizens”
NEH	10	29	p6ry	figs-metonymy	וּ⁠בָאִ֞ים בְּ⁠אָלָ֣ה וּ⁠בִ⁠שְׁבוּעָ֗ה	1		Here the story describes the covenant figuratively by two things associated with it. As part of the covenant, the people swore an oath to keep its terms, and they also said that anyone who broke its terms should be cursed. (That is, God should punish them.) If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the meaning behind this figure. Alternate translation: “they made a serious agreement” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	10	29	ny6b	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠בָאִ֞ים בְּ⁠אָלָ֣ה וּ⁠בִ⁠שְׁבוּעָ֗ה	1		**Entering** is a figurative way of saying that the people became parties to this agreement with God. The expression speaks as if the covenant were something that the people could physically go inside of, in order to become a part of it. Alternate translation: “they became parties to the covenant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	29	g1a9	figs-idiom	לָ⁠לֶ֨כֶת֙ בְּ⁠תוֹרַ֣ת הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֔ים	1		As in [5:9](../05/09.md), **walk** is an idiom that describes a person’s conduct in life. Alternate translation: “to live their lives in obedience to the law of God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	10	29	t8sp	figs-activepassive	אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִתְּנָ֔ה בְּ⁠יַ֖ד מֹשֶׁ֣ה	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “which Moses gave to the people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	10	29	g1b1	figs-metaphor	בְּ⁠יַ֖ד מֹשֶׁ֣ה	1		Here, as in [9:14](../09/14.md), **hand** figuratively represents control and action. Alternate translation: “Moses gave to the people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	29	g1b3	figs-metaphor	מֹשֶׁ֣ה עֶֽבֶד־הָֽ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים	1		As in [9:14](../09/14.md), Moses is called the **servant** of God. While Moses was also God’s servant in a more literal sense, this title is a figurative expression in the Old Testament that indicates that God used Moses to give his Law to his people the way a master would have a servant deliver a message. Alternate translation: “your special messenger” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	29	g1b5	figs-doublet	וְ⁠לִ⁠שְׁמ֣וֹר וְ⁠לַ⁠עֲשׂ֗וֹת	1		**Keep** and **do** mean similar things. The repetition emphasizes the people’s resolve to keep God’s law. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these terms. Alternate translation: “carefully follow” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	10	29	m39f	figs-doublet	כָּל־מִצְוֺת֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֲדֹנֵ֔י⁠נוּ וּ⁠מִשְׁפָּטָ֖י⁠ו וְ⁠חֻקָּֽי⁠ו	1		As in [1:7](../01/07.md), **commandments**, **judgments**, and **statutes** mean basically the same thing. They refer to provisions in the Law of Moses. Here again the repetition emphasizes the people’s resolve to obey everything in God’s law. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them into a single phrase. Alternate translation: “everything Yahweh our Lord has commanded,” otherwise “the commands, rules, and laws of Yahweh our Lord” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]. A doublet can involve the use of more than two words.)
NEH	10	30	s4sx	figs-parallelism	וַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹא־נִתֵּ֥ן בְּנֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ לְ⁠עַמֵּ֣י הָ⁠אָ֑רֶץ וְ⁠אֶת־בְּנֹ֣תֵי⁠הֶ֔ם לֹ֥א נִקַּ֖ח לְ⁠בָנֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		These two phrases mean similar things. They both indicate that the Jews are promising here not to let their children marry people from the other groups living in the area. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “We promise that we will not allow any one of our children to marry someone from another people group” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH	10	30	lx8c	figs-exclusive	נִתֵּ֥ן	1		Here and through to the end of this chapter, the pronoun “we” includes Nehemiah and the Jewish people, but not the readers of this book. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
NEH	10	30	iqq1	figs-explicit	לְ⁠עַמֵּ֣י הָ⁠אָ֑רֶץ	1		This refers to other people groups who live in the land and who do not worship Yahweh. The implication is that intermarriage with these groups would lead the Israelites to compromise their loyalty to Yahweh. Alternate translation: “the people of this land who do not worship Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	10	31	g1b7	grammar-connect-logic-result	וְ⁠עַמֵּ֣י הָ⁠אָ֡רֶץ הַֽ⁠מְבִיאִים֩ אֶת־הַ⁠מַּקָּח֨וֹת וְ⁠כָל־שֶׁ֜בֶר בְּ⁠י֤וֹם הַ⁠שַּׁבָּת֙ לִ⁠מְכּ֔וֹר לֹא־נִקַּ֥ח מֵ⁠הֶ֛ם בַּ⁠שַּׁבָּ֖ת	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases since the second phrase gives the reason for the result that is described in the first phrase. Alternate translation: “If people from other groups bring goods or grain to sell on the Sabbath, we will not buy any from them.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	10	31	g1b9	figs-explicit	בַּ⁠שַּׁבָּ֖ת	1		The implication is that the Israelites are promising not to buy anything because the Sabbath is a day for rest and worship, not for buying and selling. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “on the Sabbath, we will not buy any from them, because Yahweh has told us not to buy or sell on the Sabbath” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	10	31	g1c1		וּ⁠בְ⁠י֣וֹם קֹ֑דֶשׁ	1		Alternate translation: “on a festival day” or “during a festival”
NEH	10	31	g1c3	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠נִטֹּ֛שׁ אֶת־הַ⁠שָּׁנָ֥ה הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִ֖ית	1		Here the covenant leaves out one or more words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. **Leave alone** means “leave our fields alone,” that is, do not plant or harvest any crops, and **the seventh year** means “in the seventh year.” Alternate translation: “we will not grow anything in our fields every seventh year” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	10	31	bh3h	figs-explicit	וְ⁠נִטֹּ֛שׁ אֶת־הַ⁠שָּׁנָ֥ה הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִ֖ית	1		**The seventh year** refers to the commandment in the Law of Moses to allow fields to rest one year out of every seven. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “We will leave our fields alone and not work them during the seventh year, because the law commands us not to grow any crops then.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	10	31	ek18	translate-ordinal	אֶת־הַ⁠שָּׁנָ֥ה הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִ֖ית	1		Alternate translation: “year seven” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	10	31	hf7z		וְ⁠נִטֹּ֛שׁ…וּ⁠מַשָּׁ֥א כָל־יָֽד	1		This could mean one of several things. (1) As in [5:7–12](../05/07.md), it could be a promise not to charge any interest on loans to fellow Israelites. (2) It could mean that during the seventh year, no loan payments would be collected. (3) It could mean that during the seventh year, all debts would be cancelled. Alternate translation: “we will not charge interest on loans to our fellow Israelites” or “during the seventh year, we will not collect loan payments” or “during the seventh year, we will cancel all the debts of our fellow Israelites.”
NEH	10	31	ur3t	figs-metonymy	וּ⁠מַשָּׁ֥א כָל־יָֽד	1		Here, **hand** seems to refer figuratively to a debt by reference to something associated with it, the way debts were formalized by the borrower grasping the hand of the lender. Alternate translation: “interest on any debt” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	10	32	h9gt	figs-personification	וְ⁠הֶעֱמַ֤דְנוּ עָלֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ מִצְוֺ֔ת	1		As in [5:13](../05/13.md), the covenant speaks figuratively of the commitments the people are making as if they were living things that could **stand**, that is, stay in place rather than go away. The people are saying that they will make sure this commitment does not “go away.” Alternate translation: “we are making a firm commitment” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	10	32	ljm2	figs-idiom	לָ⁠תֵ֥ת עָלֵ֛י⁠נוּ	1		Alternate translation: “each one of us will contribute” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	10	32	ad47	translate-bmoney	שְׁלִשִׁ֥ית הַ⁠שֶּׁ֖קֶל	1		In ancient times, a silver shekel weighed about 11 grams or about a third of an ounce. You could try to express this in terms of modern money values, but if you did, that could cause your Bible translation to become outdated and inaccurate over time since those values can change from year to year. Instead, you could give the equivalent weight or use the biblical term in the text and give the weight in a note. Alternate translation: “a third of a shekel each year” or “four grams of silver each year” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])
NEH	10	32	g1c5	translate-fraction	שְׁלִשִׁ֥ית הַ⁠שֶּׁ֖קֶל	1		A **third** means one part out of three equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH	10	32	pw6w	figs-abstractnouns	לַ⁠עֲבֹדַ֖ת בֵּ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		The abstract noun **service** describes all the things needed for worship in the temple, as listed in the next verse. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “everything that is needed for worship in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	10	32	g1c7	figs-metaphor	בֵּ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		As in [6:10](../06/10.md) and [8:16](../08/16.md), here the covenant speaks of the temple figuratively as the **house of God**, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	33	ehf4	translate-unknown	לְ⁠לֶ֣חֶם הַֽ⁠מַּעֲרֶ֡כֶת	1		This refers to the 12 unleavened cakes made of fine flour that the law required to be set out freshly every Sabbath day in two rows of six on the table in the Holy Place. This is sometimes called the “showbread.” Alternate translation: “the bread that is set out in rows” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	10	33	xu3y	translate-unknown	וּ⁠מִנְחַ֣ת הַ⁠תָּמִ֣יד וּ⁠לְ⁠עוֹלַ֣ת הַ֠⁠תָּמִיד	1		This likely refers to a grain offering and an animal offering that were burned on the temple altar each day. Alternate translation: “the daily grain and animal offerings” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	10	33	g1c9	figs-metonymy	הַ⁠שַּׁבָּת֨וֹת הֶ⁠חֳדָשִׁ֜ים לַ⁠מּוֹעֲדִ֗ים	1		This actually refers to the offerings that would be made at these times. The offerings are being described figuratively by something associated with them, the occasions on which they are offered. Alternate translation: “offerings made on the Sabbath, on the new moon festival, and during other festivals” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	10	33	g1d1	translate-unknown	וְ⁠לַ⁠קֳּדָשִׁים֙	1		This likely refers to offerings that would be dedicated and offered to God on behalf of the people on other occasions. Alternate translation: “and offerings needed for any other occasion” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	10	33	g1d3	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠לַ֣⁠חַטָּא֔וֹת לְ⁠כַפֵּ֖ר עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל	1		As Nehemiah does in [4:5](.//04/05.md), the covenant speaks here of sins as if they were an object that could be physically hidden. Alternate translation: “offerings made to ask God to forgive the sins of Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	33	g1d5	translate-unknown	וְ⁠כֹ֖ל מְלֶ֥אכֶת בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		This seems to refer to the ongoing work of cleaning, maintaining, and repairing all of the furnishings and equipment used in the temple worship. Alternate translation: “and anything else needed to maintain worship in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	10	33	g1d7	figs-metaphor	בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		Here again the covenant speaks of the temple figuratively as the **house of God**, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	34	s6yz		וְ⁠הַ⁠גּוֹרָל֨וֹת הִפַּ֜לְנוּ עַל־קֻרְבַּ֣ן הָ⁠עֵצִ֗ים הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֣ים הַ⁠לְוִיִּם֮ וְ⁠הָ⁠עָם֒ לְ֠⁠הָבִיא לְ⁠בֵ֨ית אֱלֹהֵ֧י⁠נוּ לְ⁠בֵית־אֲבֹתֵ֛י⁠נוּ	1		Alternate translation: “We agree to determine by lot what time each year the various extended families among the priests, the Levites, and the people will be responsible for bringing an offering of wood to the temple.”
NEH	10	34	l42k	translate-unknown	וְ⁠הַ⁠גּוֹרָל֨וֹת הִפַּ֜לְנוּ	1		A **lot** was a physical object that was used in various ways to make a selection among different possibilities. Use the term in your language that would best describe such an object for your readers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	10	34	ph9q	figs-metaphor	לְ⁠בֵ֨ית אֱלֹהֵ֧י⁠נוּ	1		Here again the covenant speaks of the temple figuratively as the “house of God,” as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	34	g1d9	figs-ellipsis	לְ⁠בֵית־אֲבֹתֵ֛י⁠נוּ	1		This seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “our father’s houses.” The full expression “father’s house” or “house of the father” is used in [7:61](..07/61.md). See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “taking turns by clan” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	10	34	g1e1	figs-idiom	שָׁנָ֣ה בְ⁠שָׁנָ֑ה	1		This is an idiom that means “each year” or “every year.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	10	34	g1e3	figs-abstractnouns	לְ⁠בַעֵ֗ר	1		**Burning** is an abstract noun that describes how the wood these families agreed to bring to the temple would be used for fuel for the sacrifices offered on the altar. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “burn.” You could also say who would do the action. Alternate translation: “for the Levites to burn” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	10	34	g1e5	figs-activepassive	כַּ⁠כָּת֖וּב בַּ⁠תּוֹרָֽה	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “as the law commands” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	10	35	vp1p	figs-metonymy	בִּכּוּרֵ֣י אַדְמָתֵ֗⁠נוּ	1		Here the covenant speaks figuratively of the soil of the land as if it were a tree that would bear fruit. Alternate translation: “the first crops that grow in our fields” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	10	35	g1e7	figs-idiom	שָׁנָ֣ה בְ⁠שָׁנָ֑ה	1		This is an idiom that means **each year** or **every year.** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	10	35	g1e9	figs-metaphor	לְ⁠בֵ֖ית יְהוָֽה	1		The covenant continues to speak of the temple figuratively as the **house of God**, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Here the expression is modified slightly and it says **Yahweh** instead of **our God.** Alternate translation: “to the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	36	g1f1	figs-explicit	וְ⁠אֶת־בְּכֹר֤וֹת בָּנֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ וּ⁠בְהֶמְתֵּ֔י⁠נוּ…וְ⁠אֶת־בְּכוֹרֵ֨י בְקָרֵ֜י⁠נוּ וְ⁠צֹאנֵ֗י⁠נוּ לְ⁠הָבִיא֙ לְ⁠בֵ֣ית אֱלֹהֵ֔י⁠נוּ	1		**Firstborn** means specifically the firstborn male offspring in every case, as the law specifies. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain that the law required the Israelites to bring the firstborn males from their families to the temple for a different reason than the reason for which it required them to bring the firstborn males from among their domesticated animals. Alternate translation: “We promise to bring our firstborn sons to the temple to dedicate them to God, and we promise to bring the first male offspring of all of our animals to the temple so that the priests can offer them to God as sacrifices” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	10	36	g1f3	figs-activepassive	כַּ⁠כָּת֖וּב בַּ⁠תּוֹרָ֑ה	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “as the law commands” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	10	36	g1f5	figs-metaphor	לְ⁠בֵ֣ית אֱלֹהֵ֔י⁠נוּ…בְּ⁠בֵ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		The covenant continues to speak of the temple figuratively as the **house of God**, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	36	uc2w	figs-doublet	לַ⁠כֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים הַ⁠מְשָׁרְתִ֖ים בְּ⁠בֵ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		These two phrases mean the same thing. The covenant uses the repetition for clarity. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “the priests who serve in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	10	37	j9sj	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠אֶת־רֵאשִׁ֣ית עֲרִיסֹתֵ֣י⁠נוּ וּ֠⁠תְרוּמֹתֵי⁠נוּ וּ⁠פְרִ֨י כָל־עֵ֜ץ תִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְ⁠יִצְהָ֗ר	1		The words **the first of** at the start of this list apply to every item on the list. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could repeat that idea throughout the list. Alternate translation: “the first of the flour that we make, a first portion of the food offerings we bring to the temple, the first fruit from each of our fruit trees, and the first of the wine and oil that we produce each year” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	10	37	rk7x	translate-unknown	עֲרִיסֹתֵ֣י⁠נוּ	1		Possible meanings are that this refers to: (1) dough made from coarse flour, (2) coarse flour, or (3) ground grain. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	10	37	e92l	translate-unknown	אֶל־לִשְׁכ֣וֹת בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵ֔י⁠נוּ	1		This phrase explains where the people are agreeing to deliver the items on the preceding list, which are special contributions for the priests. Alternate translation: “to the rooms where things are stored in the temple” or “to the storehouses in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	10	37	s7s2	figs-metaphor	בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵ֔י⁠נוּ	1		The covenant continues to speak of the temple figuratively as the “house of God,” as if it were the place where God lived, since God’s presence was in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	37	r776	figs-metonymy	וּ⁠מַעְשַׂ֥ר אַדְמָתֵ֖⁠נוּ	1		Here, the covenant speaks figuratively of the soil as a way of referring to the crops that grow in the soil. Alternate translation: “one tenth of the crops that grow in our fields” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	10	37	g1f7	translate-fraction	וּ⁠מַעְשַׂ֥ר	1		This means a tenth (1/10) or one part out of ten equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH	10	37	g1f9		וְ⁠הֵם֙ הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֔ם הַֽ⁠מְעַשְּׂרִ֔ים בְּ⁠כֹ֖ל עָרֵ֥י עֲבֹדָתֵֽ⁠נוּ	1		This phrase explains where the people are agreeing to deliver this tithe of crops, which is a special contribution for the Levites. Alternate translation: “The Levites can collect this contribution of one tenth of our crops right in the cities where we live and work”
NEH	10	37	g1g1	figs-abstractnouns	בְּ⁠כֹ֖ל עָרֵ֥י עֲבֹדָתֵֽ⁠נוּ	1		The abstract noun **labor** refers to how the people would work the land in order to grow crops. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as **work.** Alternate translation: “the cities where we live and work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	10	38	g1g3	figs-explicit	וְ⁠הָיָ֨ה הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֧ן בֶּֽן־אַהֲרֹ֛ן עִם־הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם בַּ⁠עְשֵׂ֣ר הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֑ם	1		If it would be helpful to your readers, you could explain why a priest will be present. Alternate translation: “a priest will be present to supervise when the people give their tithes to the Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	10	38	g1g5	figs-distinguish	הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֧ן בֶּֽן־אַהֲרֹ֛ן	1		Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who the priests were. Alternate translation: “one of the priests, who are descendants of Aaron” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	10	38	g1g7	figs-metaphor	בֶּֽן־אַהֲרֹ֛ן	1		**Son** here figuratively means “descendant.” Alternate translation: “a descendant of Aaron” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	38	by9z	figs-explicit	בַּ⁠עְשֵׂ֣ר הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֑ם	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could state from whom the Levites will receive these tithes. Alternate translation: “when the people give their tithes to the Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	10	38	eb51	translate-fraction	בַּ⁠עְשֵׂ֣ר…מַעֲשַׂ֤ר הַֽ⁠מַּעֲשֵׂר֙	1		A “tithe” means a tenth (1/10) or one part out of ten equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH	10	38	zl4a	figs-explicit	וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֞ם יַעֲל֨וּ אֶת־מַעֲשַׂ֤ר הַֽ⁠מַּעֲשֵׂר֙ לְ⁠בֵ֣ית אֱלֹהֵ֔י⁠נוּ	1		The implication is that in the way the Levites will help support the priests, in the same way the people will support the priests through the tithes described in verse 37. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the Levites will bring one tenth of the tithes they receive to the temple, to help support the priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	10	38	g1g9	figs-metaphor	לְ⁠בֵ֣ית אֱלֹהֵ֔י⁠נוּ	1		The covenant continues to speak of the temple figuratively as the **house of God**, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	38	g1h1	translate-unknown	אֶל־הַ⁠לְּשָׁכ֖וֹת לְ⁠בֵ֥ית הָ⁠אוֹצָֽר	1		Like the similar phrase in [10:37](../10/37.md), this phrase explains where the Levites are to deliver the ten percent of the tithes that they will contribute. Alternate translation: “to the rooms where things are stored in the temple” or “the rooms in the temple treasury” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	10	39	g1h3	figs-ellipsis	הַ֠⁠לְּשָׁכוֹת	1		This is an abbreviated way of saying “the chambers of the house of the treasury” as in [10:38](../10/38). Alternate translation: “the rooms where things are stored in the temple” or “the rooms in the temple treasury” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	10	39	qzf8	figs-metaphor	בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל וּ⁠בְנֵ֣י הַ⁠לֵּוִ֗י	1		**Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” The term is referring to the groups that were descended from the men named Israel and Levi. Alternate translation: “the Israelites and the Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	10	39	ss5h	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠שָׁם֙ כְּלֵ֣י הַ⁠מִּקְדָּ֔שׁ וְ⁠הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִים֙ הַ⁠מְשָׁ֣רְתִ֔ים וְ⁠הַ⁠שּׁוֹעֲרִ֖ים וְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים	1		**There** means in those same storerooms. The phrase **the vessels for** at the start of this list applies to every item on the list. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could repeat that idea throughout the list. Alternate translation: “In those same rooms we will also store equipment for the temple, equipment that the priests use when they are on duty, tools that the gatekeepers use, and instruments for the musicians” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	10	39	g1h5	figs-synecdoche	כְּלֵ֣י	1		Here the covenant uses one type of equipment that the storerooms would hold, **vessels** or “jars” or “containers,” to refer figuratively to all the different types of equipment on the list in this verse. Alternate translation: “equipment” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	10	39	u1sq	figs-litotes	וְ⁠לֹ֥א נַעֲזֹ֖ב אֶת־בֵּ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		This is a figure of speech that expresses a strong positive meaning by using a negative word together with a word that is the opposite of the intended meaning. Alternate translation: “we will make sure that we provide for the temple” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]])
NEH	10	39	b23h	figs-metaphor	בֵּ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽי⁠נוּ	1		The covenant continues to speak of the temple figuratively as the **house of God**, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	intro	xja1			0		# Nehemiah 11 General Notes<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### The places where the Jews lived<br><br>Some people lived in Jerusalem, but most people lived in villages and towns away from Jerusalem. They lived there in order to farm the land and raise their animals. The city with its walls was there to provide all of the people with protection if enemies attacked them.
NEH	11	1	e2yg	translate-unknown	הִפִּ֨ילוּ גוֹרָל֜וֹת	1		As in [10:34](../10/34.md), a **lot** was a physical object that was used in various ways to make a selection among different possibilities. Use the term in your language that would best describe such an object for your readers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	11	1	beq5	figs-ellipsis	אֶחָ֣ד מִן־הָ⁠עֲשָׂרָ֗ה	1		This means “one out of ten people.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	11	1	h1a1	figs-distinguish	בִּֽ⁠ירוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ עִ֣יר הַ⁠קֹּ֔דֶשׁ	1		Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers about the special status that Jerusalem had, which was why it was so important for that city to be well populated. As in [1:9](../01/09.md), the list is acknowledging Jerusalem as the place from which God chose to start making himself famous throughout the world, and as the city where God chose to put his temple. Alternate translation: “Jerusalem, the special city that God chose” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	11	1	h1a3	figs-synecdoche	וְ⁠תֵ֥שַׁע הַ⁠יָּד֖וֹת בֶּ⁠עָרִֽים	1		Here the list is using the term **hand** to refer figuratively to an entire person. Alternate translation: “the other nine out of ten people remained in the cities and towns where they had been living” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	11	2	h1a5	figs-idiom	לְ⁠כֹל֙ הָֽ⁠אֲנָשִׁ֔ים	1		In this context, **a man** means “everyone.” Alternate translation: “everyone who” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	11	3	h1a7	figs-metaphor	רָאשֵׁ֣י הַ⁠מְּדִינָ֔ה	1		**Head** here is a figurative way of saying **leader.** Alternate translation: “provincial leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	3	h1a9	grammar-connect-logic-contrast	וּ⁠בְ⁠עָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֗ה	1		This sentence explains a contrasting idea before the story goes on to develop the idea that the previous sentence introduces. This chapter is a list of the provincial leaders, priests, Levites, gatekeepers, temple servants, and singers who lived in Jerusalem. The previous sentence introduces the first part of that list, but before the list gives the names of the provincial leaders, it explains that most of the people who had returned to the province of Judah kept on living on their ancestral lands in other cities and towns. You could begin this sentence with a word like “but” to indicate this contrast. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH	11	3	h1b1		וּ⁠בְ⁠עָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֗ה…בְּ⁠עָ֣רֵי⁠הֶ֔ם	1		These two phrases mean the same thing and you do not need to repeat both of them if that would be confusing for your readers.
NEH	11	3	h1b3	figs-idiom	אִ֤ישׁ בַּ⁠אֲחֻזָּת⁠וֹ֙	1		In this context, **a man** means “each person,” and the expression may be understood to indicate “each family.” Alternate translation: “each family on its own property” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	11	3	l7mb	figs-personification	יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל	1		Here the list refers to all of the Israelites figuratively as if they were a single person, their ancestor, Israel. Alternate translation: “the Israelites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	11	3	h1b5	translate-unknown	וְ⁠הַ⁠נְּתִינִ֔ים	1		As in [3:26](../03/26.md), the term **Nethinim** describes servants who worked in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple servants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	11	3	h1b7	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠בְנֵ֖י עַבְדֵ֥י שְׁלֹמֹֽה	1		**Sons** figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “the descendants of the laborers who had worked for the kingdom” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	3	h1b9	translate-unknown	עַבְדֵ֥י שְׁלֹמֹֽה	1		As in [7:57](../07/57.md), this phrase refers to people whom Solomon first conscripted as laborers. They and their descendants remained conscripted laborers under later kings. Review the note to [7:57](../07/57.md) if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “laborers who had worked for the kingdom” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	11	4	h1c1	writing-background	וּ⁠בִֽ⁠ירוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙	1		This sentence provides further information about the situation the book is describing here. In addition to the people who were living in various other cities and towns in the province of Judah, there were other people already living in Jerusalem. So the city was not empty, but it did need to be more fully populated. You could use a word like “moreover” to show that this is further background information. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH	11	4	n2a7	figs-metaphor	מִ⁠בְּנֵ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה וּ⁠מִ⁠בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן	1		**Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “some people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	4	nm8y	figs-metaphor	מִ⁠בְּנֵ֣י יְ֠הוּדָה	1		**Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “those from the tribe of Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	4	wl7r	translate-names	עֲתָיָ֨ה בֶן־עֻזִּיָּ֜ה בֶּן־זְכַרְיָ֧ה בֶן־אֲמַרְיָ֛ה בֶּן־שְׁפַטְיָ֥ה בֶן־מַהֲלַלְאֵ֖ל	1		These are the names of six men. In this context, **son** means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	4	l727	figs-explicit	עֲתָיָ֨ה	1		The implication is that Athaiah was one of the leaders of the people from the tribe of Judah who lived in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Their leader, Athaiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	4	vx6k	figs-metaphor	מִ⁠בְּנֵי־פָֽרֶץ	1		**Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “one of the descendants of Perez” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	5	ml8b	translate-names	וּ⁠מַעֲשֵׂיָ֣ה בֶן־בָּר֣וּךְ בֶּן־כָּל־חֹ֠זֶה בֶּן־חֲזָיָ֨ה בֶן־עֲדָיָ֧ה בֶן־יוֹיָרִ֛יב בֶּן־זְכַרְיָ֖ה	1		These are the names of seven men. In this context, **son** means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	5	h1c3	figs-explicit	וּ⁠מַעֲשֵׂיָ֣ה	1		The implication is that Maaseiah was another leader of the people from the tribe of Judah who lived in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “another leader, Maaseiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	5	dxb8	figs-metaphor	בֶּן־הַ⁠שִּׁלֹנִֽי	1		Most likely, the Shiloni were the clan descended from Judah’s son Shelah. Here the phrase **son of** indicates that Maaseiah shared in the quality of belonging to this clan. Alternate translation: “one of the descendants of Shelah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	6	h1c5		כָּל־בְּנֵי־פֶ֕רֶץ הַ⁠יֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֛וֹת שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָ֖ה אַנְשֵׁי־חָֽיִל	1		Alternate translation: “The total number of the descendants of Perez who settled in Jerusalem who were able to fight in the army was 468”
NEH	11	6	y8t2	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵי־פֶ֕רֶץ הַ⁠יֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם	1		**Sons** here figuratively means **descendants.** Alternate translation: “the descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	6	ej3g	figs-abstractnouns	אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֛וֹת שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָ֖ה אַנְשֵׁי־חָֽיִל	1		The abstract noun **strength** refers to the way these men were able to use weapons and fight to defend the city if necessary. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as *fight.** Alternate translation: “468 men who were able to fight in the army” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	11	6	hcr6	translate-numbers	אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֛וֹת שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָ֖ה	1		Alternate translation: “four hundred and sixty-eight” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH	11	7	m8mp	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן	1		**Sons** here figuratively means **descendants.** Alternate translation: “the people from the tribe of Benjamin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	7	md67	figs-ellipsis	בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן	1		This means specifically the people from the tribe of Benjamin who lived in Jerusalem. The list is speaking in abbreviated form here. Alternate translation: “the people from the tribe of Benjamin who lived in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	11	7	w8c5	translate-names	סַלֻּ֡א בֶּן־מְשֻׁלָּ֡ם בֶּן־יוֹעֵ֡ד בֶּן־פְּדָיָה֩ בֶן־ק֨וֹלָיָ֧ה בֶן־מַעֲשֵׂיָ֛ה בֶּן־אִֽיתִיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־יְשַֽׁעְיָֽה	1		These are the names of eight men. In this context, **son** means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	7	h1c7	figs-explicit	סַלֻּ֡א	1		The implication is that Sallu was one of the leaders of the people from the tribe of Benjamin who lived in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Their main leader was Sallu” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	8	h1c9	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠אַחֲרָ֖י⁠ו גַּבַּ֣י סַלָּ֑י	1		**After** is a figurative way of saying that these two men were also leaders, but they were subordinate to Sallu. Alternate translation: “Two other leaders who assisted him were Gabbai and Sallai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	8	bzh9	translate-names	גַּבַּ֣י סַלָּ֑י	1		These are the names of two men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	8	h1d1	figs-ellipsis	תְּשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָֽה	1		As in [11:6](../11/06.md), the number given represents the total number of men from this tribe who were able to use weapons and fight to defend the city if necessary. The list is speaking in abbreviated form here. Alternate translation: “The total number of the men from the tribe of Benjamin living in Jerusalem who were able to fight in the army was 928.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	11	8	z37g	translate-numbers	תְּשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָֽה	1		Alternate translation: “nine hundred and twenty-eight men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH	11	9	z3xl	translate-names	וְ⁠יוֹאֵ֥ל בֶּן־זִכְרִ֖י	1		Joel is the name of a man, and Zichri is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	9	h1d3	translate-unknown	פָּקִ֣יד עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם	1		This means that when these men from the tribe of Benjamin formed a fighting unit, Joel was their commander. Alternate translation: “the commander of the troops from the tribe of Benjamin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	11	9	h1d5	translate-names	וִ⁠יהוּדָ֧ה בֶן־הַ⁠סְּנוּאָ֛ה	1		Judah is the name of a man, and Hassenuah is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	9	h1d7	figs-metonymy	עַל־הָ⁠עִ֖יר מִשְׁנֶֽה	1		This phrase could mean a number of things. (1) Since this list does not name the person who was first in charge of the city, and it also does not describe other parts of the city and who was responsible for them, this phrase most likely means that Judah was second in command, after Joel, over the forces that would be formed from men living in the city. If that is the meaning, then the list is describing these troops figuratively by reference to something associated with them, the city they would come from. (2) However, it could mean that Judah was something like the deputy mayor of the whole city. (3) It could also mean that Judah was responsible for one part of the city. Alternate translation: “second in command over troops from the city” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	11	10	h1d9	figs-explicit	מִן־הַֽ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֑ים	1		The implication is that this next section of the list will name the men who were leaders of the priests. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Here are the names of the leaders of the priests who settled in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	10	ft7m	translate-names	יְדַֽעְיָ֥ה בֶן־יוֹיָרִ֖יב	1		Jedaiah is the name of a man, and Joiarib is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	10	h1e1	translate-names	יָכִֽין	1		This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	11	d8ph	translate-names	שְׂרָיָ֨ה בֶן־חִלְקִיָּ֜ה בֶּן־מְשֻׁלָּ֣ם בֶּן־צָד֗וֹק בֶּן־מְרָיוֹת֙ בֶּן־אֲחִיט֔וּב	1		These are the names of six men. In this context, **son** means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	11	h1e3	writing-background	נְגִ֖ד בֵּ֥ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִֽים	1		This is background information that helps identify Seraiah further. Alternate translation: “the priest in charge of the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH	11	11	h1e5	figs-metaphor	בֵּ֥ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִֽים	1		Here the list speaks of the temple figuratively as the **house of God** as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	12	j7vp		וַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֗ם עֹשֵׂ֤י הַ⁠מְּלָאכָה֙ לַ⁠בַּ֔יִת שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּ⁠שְׁנָ֑יִם	1		Alternate translation: “The total number of their fellow priests who were serving in the temple was 822”
NEH	11	12	nl7h	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֗ם	1		Here, **brother**, is a figurative way of saying “fellow priest,” although it is possible that some of the biological brothers of Joiarib, Jakin, and Seraiah were included in this group. Alternate translation: “their fellow priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	12	z6pc	figs-ellipsis	עֹשֵׂ֤י הַ⁠מְּלָאכָה֙ לַ⁠בַּ֔יִת	1		Here, **house** is an abbreviated way of saying “house of God,” and that is a figurative way of referring to the temple. Alternate translation: “who served in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	11	12	kq8y	translate-numbers	שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּ⁠שְׁנָ֑יִם	1	822 men	“eight hundred and twenty-two men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH	11	12	h1e7	figs-explicit	וַ֠⁠עֲדָיָה	1		The implication is that Adaiah was another leader of the priests who settled in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Another leader of the priests who settled in Jerusalem was Adaiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	12	h1e9	translate-names	וַ֠⁠עֲדָיָה בֶּן־יְרֹחָ֤ם בֶּן־פְּלַלְיָה֙ בֶּן־אַמְצִ֣י בֶן־זְכַרְיָ֔ה בֶּן־פַּשְׁח֖וּר בֶּן־מַלְכִּיָּֽה	1		These are the names of seven men. In this context, **son** means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	13	wd9q	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠אֶחָי⁠ו֙ רָאשִׁ֣ים לְ⁠אָב֔וֹת	1		In this case, **his brothers** seems to be a figurative way of saying “his fellow leaders,” since the list specifies that these associates of Adaiah were leaders of clans. Alternate translation: “the family leaders who helped him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	13	u4gn	figs-ellipsis	רָאשִׁ֣ים לְ⁠אָב֔וֹת	1		As in [7:70](../07/70.md) and [8:13](../08/13.md), this seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” The full expression “house of the father” or “father’s house” is used in 7:61. See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “clan leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	11	13	h1f1	figs-metaphor	רָאשִׁ֣ים	1		Here, **head** is a figurative way of saying **leader.** Alternate translation: “leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	13	h1f3	figs-explicit	מָאתַ֖יִם אַרְבָּעִ֣ים וּ⁠שְׁנָ֑יִם	1		It seems unlikely that there were 242 family leaders assisting Adaiah. Rather, in context, this seems to be the number of priests that Adaiah and the family leaders who helped him were responsible for. Alternate translation: “they were responsible for 242 priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	13	gd6g	translate-numbers	מָאתַ֖יִם אַרְבָּעִ֣ים וּ⁠שְׁנָ֑יִם	1		“two hundred and forty-two men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH	11	13	h1f5	figs-explicit	וַ⁠עֲמַשְׁסַ֧י	1		The implication is that Amashsai was another leader of the priests who settled in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Another leader of the priests who settled in Jerusalem was Amashsai” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	13	l51b	translate-names	וַ⁠עֲמַשְׁסַ֧י בֶּן־עֲזַרְאֵ֛ל בֶּן־אַחְזַ֥י בֶּן־מְשִׁלֵּמ֖וֹת בֶּן־אִמֵּֽר	1		These are the names of five men. In this context, “son” means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	14	jrq7	figs-explicit	וַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶם֙ גִּבּ֣וֹרֵי חַ֔יִל מֵאָ֖ה עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָ֑ה	1		The implication is that this is the total number of priests that Amashsai was responsible for. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Amashsai was responsible for 128 priests who were capable of working in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	14	h1f7	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶם֙	1		Here, in context, **brothers** is a figurative way of saying “fellow priests” as in [11:12](../11/12.md), althoughit is possible that some of the biological brothers of Amashsai were included in this group. **Their** is plural because it is describing this group in reference to all of the other priests, not just to Amashsai. Alternate translation: “their fellow priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	14	h1f9	figs-abstractnouns	גִּבּ֣וֹרֵי חַ֔יִל	1		In this context, the abstract noun **strength** likely refers to the way these men were physically capable of doing the required work in the temple. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with an adjective such as “capable.” Alternate translation: “men who were capable of working in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	11	14	p9qw	translate-numbers	מֵאָ֖ה עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָ֑ה	1		Alternate translation: “one hundred and twenty-eight” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH	11	14	h1g1	figs-explicit	וּ⁠פָקִ֣יד עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֔ם	1		This appears to mean that while Amashsai was responsible overall for this group of priests, Zabdiel supervised their day-to-day work. Alternate translation: “Zabdiel was their supervisor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	14	h1g3	translate-names	זַבְדִּיאֵ֖ל בֶּן־הַ⁠גְּדוֹלִֽים	1		Zabdiel is the name of a man, and Haggedolim is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	15	h1g5	figs-explicit	וּ⁠מִֽן־הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֑ם	1		The implication is that this next section of the list will name the men who were leaders of the Levites. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Here are the names of the leaders of the Levites who settled in Jerusalem. One of them was” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	15	f71n	translate-names	שְׁמַעְיָ֧ה בֶן־חַשּׁ֛וּב בֶּן־עַזְרִיקָ֥ם בֶּן־חֲשַׁבְיָ֖ה בֶּן־בּוּנִּֽי	1		These are the names of five men. In this context, **son** means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	16	q6zj	translate-names	וְ⁠שַׁבְּתַ֨י וְ⁠יוֹזָבָ֜ד	1		These are the names of two men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	16	if3q	figs-metaphor	מֵ⁠רָאשֵׁ֖י הַ⁠לְוִיִּֽם	1		**Head** here is a figurative way of saying **leader.** Alternate translation: “who were also leaders of the Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	16	h1g7	figs-metaphor	עַל־הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֤ה הַ⁠חִֽיצֹנָה֙ לְ⁠בֵ֣ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֔ים	1		Here the list speaks of the temple figuratively as the **house of God** as if it were God’s dwelling place. **Outside** refers to all of the duties that Levites had that did not involve working inside the temple itself. (For example, collecting offerings, as described in [10:37–38](../10/37.md).) Alternate translation: “supervised all the work that the Levites did outside the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	17	ix77	translate-names	וּ⁠מַתַּנְיָ֣ה בֶן־מִ֠יכָה בֶּן־זַבְדִּ֨י בֶן־אָסָ֜ף	1		These are the names of four men. In this context, **son** means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	17	h1g9	figs-explicit	וּ⁠מַתַּנְיָ֣ה	1		The implication is that Mattaniah was another leader of the Levites who settled in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Another leader of the Levites who settled in Jerusalem was” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	17	sm9t	figs-metaphor	רֹ֗אשׁ הַ⁠תְּחִלָּה֙ יְהוֹדֶ֣ה לַ⁠תְּפִלָּ֔ה	1		**Head** here is a figurative way of saying **leader.** Alternate translation: “the director of the Levite choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	17	h1h1	figs-metonymy	רֹ֗אשׁ הַ⁠תְּחִלָּה֙	1		This expression seems to indicate that Mattaniah told the Levite musicians who sang in the temple when to begin singing; that is, he was the director of their choir. As the choir director, he would have done many other things as well. For example, he would keep the tempo, have the choir sing louder or softer, and tell the choir when to stop singing. Here the list is describing the work of directing the choir figuratively by reference to one aspect of it, starting the singing. Alternate translation: “the director” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	11	17	h1h3	figs-metonymy	יְהוֹדֶ֣ה לַ⁠תְּפִלָּ֔ה	1		Here the book is describing the choir figuratively by reference to one kind of thing it was associated with, the prayers of thanksgiving that it sang. Alternate translation: “of the choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	11	17	h1h5	figs-synecdoche	יְהוֹדֶ֣ה לַ⁠תְּפִלָּ֔ה	1		While the list says that Mattaniah offered this prayer really, the whole choir did so with him as its director. The list is referring to the entire choir figuratively by the name of one member, Mattaniah. Alternate translation: “of the choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	11	17	h1h7	figs-explicit	וּ⁠בַקְבֻּקְיָ֖ה…וְ⁠עַבְדָּא֙	1		The implication is that Bakbukiah and Abda were further leaders of the Levites who settled in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Two other leaders of the priests who settled in Jerusalem were” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	17	djg7	translate-names	וּ⁠בַקְבֻּקְיָ֖ה	1		This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	17	h1h9	figs-metaphor	מִשְׁנֶ֣ה מֵ⁠אֶחָ֑י⁠ו	1		Here, **brother** likely refers figuratively to the other the Levites in this division. The expression means that Bakbukiah was another leader who assisted Mattaniah with the Levite choir. It could also possibly mean that he directed a second group of singers. Alternate translation: “who assisted Mattaniah with the Levite choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	17	dy1v	translate-ordinal	מִשְׁנֶ֣ה	1		Alternate translation: “the next in command” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	11	17	h1i1	translate-names	וְ⁠עַבְדָּא֙ בֶּן־שַׁמּ֔וּעַ בֶּן־גָּלָ֖ל בֶּן־יְדוּתֽוּן	1		These are the names of four men. In this context, **son** means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	18	h1i3		כָּל־הַ⁠לְוִיִּם֙ בְּ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠קֹּ֔דֶשׁ מָאתַ֖יִם שְׁמֹנִ֥ים וְ⁠אַרְבָּעָֽה	1		Alternate translation: “The total number of Levites who settled in Jerusalem was 284”
NEH	11	18	di19	figs-distinguish	בְּ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠קֹּ֔דֶשׁ	1		As in [11:1](../11/01.md), this phrase describes Jerusalem as the place from which God chose to start making himself famous throughout the world, and as the city where God chose to put his temple. Alternate translation: “Jerusalem, the special city that God chose” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	11	18	hk8i	translate-numbers	מָאתַ֖יִם שְׁמֹנִ֥ים וְ⁠אַרְבָּעָֽה	1		Alternate translation: “two hundred and eighty-four” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH	11	19	i92r	figs-explicit	וְ⁠הַ⁠שּֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙	1		The implication is that this next section of the list will name the men who were leaders of the gatekeepers. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Here are the names of the leaders of the gatekeepers who settled in Jerusalem:” followed by the list of names. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	19	h1i5	translate-unknown	וְ⁠הַ⁠שּֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙	1		This means the people who were responsible to open and close the gates that controlled access to the city or perhaps the temple. See how you translated this term in [7:1](../07/01.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	11	19	j7b3	translate-names	עַקּ֣וּב טַלְמ֔וֹן	1		These are the names of two men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	19	h1i7	figs-ellipsis	וַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֖ם הַ⁠שֹּׁמְרִ֣ים בַּ⁠שְּׁעָרִ֑ים מֵאָ֖ה שִׁבְעִ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁנָֽיִם	1		The list is speaking in abbreviated form here. Alternate translation: “These leaders and their fellow gatekeepers amounted to a total of 172 gatekeepers who settled in Jerusalem.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	11	19	h1i9	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֖ם הַ⁠שֹּׁמְרִ֣ים בַּ⁠שְּׁעָרִ֑ים	1		Here, in context, **brother** seems to be a figurative way of saying “fellow gatekeepers,” although it is possible that some of the biological brothers of Akkub and Talmon were included in this group. Alternate translation: “their fellow gatekeepers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	19	kaz4	translate-numbers	מֵאָ֖ה שִׁבְעִ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁנָֽיִם	1		Alternate translation: “one hundred and seventy-two men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH	11	20	h1j1	figs-metonymy	וּ⁠שְׁאָ֨ר יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל	1		Here the list figuratively refers to all of the Israelites by something associated with them, the name of their ancestor, Israel. Alternate translation: “all the other the Israelites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	11	20	h1j3	figs-idiom	בְּ⁠כָל־עָרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה אִ֖ישׁ בְּ⁠נַחֲלָתֽ⁠וֹ	1		In this context, **a man** means “each person,” and as in [11:3](../11/03.md), it may be understood to indicate “each family.” Alternate translation: “continued to live in all the other cities of Judah, each family on its own ancestral land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	11	20	h1j5	figs-abstractnouns	אִ֖ישׁ בְּ⁠נַחֲלָתֽ⁠וֹ	1		The abstract noun **inheritance** refers to the land that was passed down through the generations in each Israelite family. The Levites did not have territory of their own, but they had some towns and surrounding pasturelands as their property. Alternate translation: “each family on its own ancestral land” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	11	21	jh1j	translate-unknown	וְ⁠הַ⁠נְּתִינִ֖ים	1		The term **Nethinim** describes servants who worked in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple servants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	11	21	vct4	translate-unknown	בָּ⁠עֹ֑פֶל	1		This is probably the name of a geographic feature, a fortified extension of the hill that the Jerusalem temple was located on. See how you translated this term in [3:26-27](../03/26.md). Alternate translation: “Ophel Hill” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	11	21	eu4g	translate-names	וְ⁠צִיחָ֥א וְ⁠גִשְׁפָּ֖א	1		These are the names of two men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	21	h1j9	figs-metaphor	עַל־הַ⁠נְּתִינִֽים	1		This is a figurative way of saying that Ziha and Gishpa were the leaders of this group. Alternate translation: “were the leaders of the temple servants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	22	l3ba		וּ⁠פְקִ֤יד הַ⁠לְוִיִּם֙ בִּ⁠יר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם	1		Alternate translation: “the supervisor of the Levites who settled in Jerusalem”
NEH	11	22	rr5e	translate-names	עֻזִּ֤י בֶן־בָּנִי֙ בֶּן־חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה בֶּן־מַתַּנְיָ֖ה בֶּן־מִיכָ֑א	1		These are the names of five men. In this context, **son** means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	22	h1k1	figs-metaphor	מִ⁠בְּנֵ֤י אָסָף֙	1		**Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “who were descendants of Asaph” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	22	h1k3	figs-distinguish	הַ⁠מְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים	1		Here the list supplies some background information that reminds readers what the Levites in the temple were primarily responsible for. Alternate translation: “and who performed music” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	11	22	h1k5	figs-metaphor	לְ⁠נֶ֖גֶד מְלֶ֥אכֶת בֵּית־הָ⁠אֱלֹהִֽים	1		Here the list speaks of the temple figuratively as the **house of God** as if it were God’s dwelling place. By contrast with the Levites described in [11:16](../11/16.md), these Levites were responsible for all the duties that had to be performed inside the temple itself. Alternate translation: “who were responsible for the work that was done inside the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	23	h1k7	writing-background	כִּֽי	1		This word indicates that the information that follows provides further background information about this situation. You could express the same meaning with a word that indicates this in your language. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH	11	23	km8l	figs-personification	מִצְוַ֥ת הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֑ם	1		Here the list speaks figuratively of the commandment as if it rested upon the Levite singers. Alternate translation: “the king had given orders concerning them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	11	23	a9fz	figs-abstractnouns	וַ⁠אֲמָנָ֥ה עַל־הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים	1		The abstract noun **support** refers to an order that the king had given for his own kingdom to pay for the costs of worship in the temple. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the same idea with a verb such as “subsidize.” Alternate translation: “to subsidize the expenses of the Levite singers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	11	23	h1k9	figs-idiom	דְּבַר־י֥וֹם בְּ⁠יוֹמֽ⁠וֹ	1		This is an idiom that means “as each day required.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	11	24	aee9	translate-names	וּ⁠פְתַֽחְיָ֨ה בֶּן־מְשֵֽׁיזַבְאֵ֜ל	1		Pethahiah is the name of a man, and Meshezabel is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	24	h1l1	figs-metaphor	מִ⁠בְּנֵי־זֶ֤רַח	1		**Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “one of the descendants of Zerah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	24	h1l3	translate-names	זֶ֤רַח בֶּן־יְהוּדָה֙	1		Zerah is the name of a man, and Judah is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	24	h1l5	figs-metonymy	לְ⁠יַ֣ד הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ	1		Here, **hand** figuratively means **side** and figuratively describing Zerah as the king’s advisor by reference to something associated with that role, the place that he would usually occupy next to the king. Alternate translation: “was an advisor to the king”  (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	11	24	dqa4	figs-explicit	לְ⁠כָל־דָּבָ֖ר לָ⁠עָֽם	1		**People** here means the Jewish people. Alternate translation: “for all matters concerning the Jewish people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	25	h1l9		וְ⁠אֶל	1		After describing the various groups that settled in Jerusalem and their leaders, the list said in [11:20](../11/20.md) that all the other the Israelites continued to live in the other cities of Judah. In [11:21–24](../11/21-24.md) the list gave additional details about some other things, but it is now returning to speak about those cities and towns outside of Jerusalem. If it would be clearer in your language, you could indicate this with a phrase such as “and as for”
NEH	11	25	h1m1	figs-metaphor	הַ⁠חֲצֵרִ֖ים בִּ⁠שְׂדֹתָ֑⁠ם	1		This refers to settlements and the adjacent agricultural land. It is as if the villages are **in** the fields because the fields surround the villages. Alternate translation: “the towns where there was farmland” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	25	h1m3	figs-explicit	הַ⁠חֲצֵרִ֖ים בִּ⁠שְׂדֹתָ֑⁠ם	1		The implication is that these are the places where people lived who did not settle in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “the towns outside Jerusalem where there was farmland” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	25	h1m5	figs-metaphor	מִ⁠בְּנֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֗ה	1		**Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “some of the descendants of Judah” or “some of the people of Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	25	rg1f	translate-names	בְּ⁠קִרְיַ֤ת הָֽאַרְבַּע֙…וּ⁠בְ⁠דִיבֹן֙…וּ⁠בִֽ⁠יקַּבְצְאֵ֖ל	1		These are the names of three towns. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	25	h1m7	figs-metaphor	בְּ⁠קִרְיַ֤ת הָֽאַרְבַּע֙ וּ⁠בְנֹתֶ֔י⁠הָ וּ⁠בְ⁠דִיבֹן֙ וּ⁠בְנֹתֶ֔י⁠הָ וּ⁠בִֽ⁠יקַּבְצְאֵ֖ל וַ⁠חֲצֵרֶֽי⁠הָ	1		In this context, referring to the **daughters** of a town is a figurative way of describing the small communities that have grown up around it. (These communities were likely started by people from the town, and they depended on the town the way a child depends on a parent.) Here and in verses [27](../11/27.md), [28](../11/28.md), [30](../11/30.md), and [31](../11/31.md), use whatever term would convey this concept most clearly in your language. But be careful to distinguish between this term and the one that is used generally for the places in this part of the list. For example, if you translate “daughters” as “villages,” then use a word like “town” for the places named on the list and other places that the list describes with the same word. Alternate translation: “in Kiriath Arba and its villages, in Dibon and its villages, and in Jekabzeel and the surrounding towns.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	26	d9f4	translate-names	וּ⁠בְ⁠יֵשׁ֥וּעַ וּ⁠בְ⁠מוֹלָדָ֖ה וּ⁠בְ⁠בֵ֥ית פָּֽלֶט	1		These are the names of three towns. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	27	nu5z	translate-names	וּ⁠בַ⁠חֲצַ֥ר שׁוּעָ֛ל וּ⁠בִ⁠בְאֵ֥ר שֶׁ֖בַע	1		These are the names of two towns. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	28	dl5v	translate-names	וּ⁠בְ⁠צִֽקְלַ֥ג וּ⁠בִ⁠מְכֹנָ֖ה	1		These are the names of two towns. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	29	t41a	translate-names	וּ⁠בְ⁠עֵ֥ין רִמּ֛וֹן וּ⁠בְ⁠צָרְעָ֖ה וּ⁠בְ⁠יַרְמֽוּת	1		These are the names of three towns. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	30	vn2z	translate-names	זָנֹ֤חַ עֲדֻלָּם֙ וְ⁠חַצְרֵי⁠הֶ֔ם לָכִישׁ֙ וּ⁠שְׂדֹתֶ֔י⁠הָ עֲזֵקָ֖ה וּ⁠בְנֹתֶ֑י⁠הָ	1		These are the names of cities or towns. Alternate translation: “in Zanoah and Adullam and the nearby towns, in Lachish and the surrounding farmland, and in Azekah and its villages” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	30	h1m9	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠יַּחֲנ֥וּ מִ⁠בְּאֵֽר־שֶׁ֖בַע עַד־גֵּֽיא־הִנֹּֽם	1		**Encamped** is a figurative way of saying that the people of Judah lived throughout this area. They were no longer living in tents, but in permanent houses. Alternate translation: “And so the people of Judah were living throughout the area from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	30	mzq1	grammar-connect-logic-result	וַ⁠יַּחֲנ֥וּ	1		This phrase indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous sentences have described. If the people from the tribe of Judah lived in all these towns, then they were spread out over the whole area that the next phrase indicates. Alternate translation: “and so” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	11	30	h1n1	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יַּחֲנ֥וּ	1		**They** refers to the people of Judah, looking back to the start of this part of the list in [11:25](../11/25.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	11	31	h1n3	grammar-connect-logic-contrast	וּ⁠בְנֵ֥י	1		This phrase indicates that a different group will now be in focus, the people of the tribe of Benjamin. If it would be clearer in your language, you could indicate this contrast with an expression such as “for their part.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH	11	31	n61t	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠בְנֵ֥י בִנְיָמִ֖ן	1		**Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” Alternate translation: “the people of the tribe of Benjamin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	31	h1n5	figs-ellipsis	מִ⁠גָּ֑בַע	1		Here the list is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning is that the people of the tribe of Benjamin lived in different towns, beginning with Geba and including the rest of the towns that the list names afterwards. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “lived in other towns, including Geba” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	11	31	uha3	translate-names	מִ⁠גָּ֑בַע מִכְמָ֣שׂ וְ⁠עַיָּ֔ה וּ⁠בֵֽית־אֵ֖ל	1		These are the names of four towns. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	31	lm1q	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠בֵֽית־אֵ֖ל וּ⁠בְנֹתֶֽי⁠הָ	1		As in [11:25](../11/25.md) (and also in verses [27](../11/27.md), [28](../11/28.md), [30](../11/30.md), and [31](../11/31.d)), **daughters** is a figurative way of speaking of the small communities that grow up around a town. Review the note to [11:25](../11/25.md) if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “Bethel and its villages” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	11	32	ucv8	translate-names	עֲנָת֥וֹת נֹ֖ב עֲנָֽנְיָֽה	1		These are the names of three towns. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	33	jwf8	translate-names	חָצ֥וֹר ׀ רָמָ֖ה גִּתָּֽיִם	1		These are the names of three towns. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	34	zi08	translate-names	חָדִ֥יד צְבֹעִ֖ים נְבַלָּֽט	1		These are the names of three towns. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	35	h1n7	translate-names	לֹ֥ד וְ⁠אוֹנ֖וֹ	1		These are the names of two towns. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	11	35	h1n9	figs-distinguish	גֵּ֥י הַחֲרָשִֽׁים	1		Here the list supplies some background information that reminds readers what the town of Ono was known for. It was a center for craftsmen. Alternate translation: “which was a center for craftsmen” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	11	36	h1o1	grammar-connect-logic-contrast	וּ⁠מִן	1		This phrase indicates that yet another group will now be in focus. If it would be clearer in your language, you could indicate this contrast with an expression such as “finally” (since this is also the last group on the list). Alternate translation: “Finally, from” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH	11	36	h1o3	figs-ellipsis	וּ⁠מִן־הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֔ם מַחְלְק֥וֹת יְהוּדָ֖ה לְ⁠בִנְיָמִֽין	1		Here the list is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning seems to be that certain sections of the Levite community that had previously lived in the territory that had belonged to the tribe of Judah went to live in the territory that had belonged to the tribe of Benjamin rather than returning to their former homeland. Alternate translation: “some of the Levites whose families had lived in the territory of Judah now went to live in the territory of Benjamin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	11	36	y212	figs-explicit	וּ⁠מִן־הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֔ם מַחְלְק֥וֹת יְהוּדָ֖ה לְ⁠בִנְיָמִֽין	1		The book does not say explicitly why these Levites moved to a different area. However, one reasonable inference in light of the overall themes of the book of Nehemiah is that they did this so that there would be people throughout the entire area where the Israelites were living who could explain the law to them. If that would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “some of the Levites whose families had lived in the territory of Judah now went to live in the territory of Benjamin so that they could teach God’s law to the people living there” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	intro	xmt3			0		# Nehemiah 12 General Notes<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Dedication of the wall<br><br>In the ancient Near East, it was common to dedicate an important structure to a god. When it was completed, the wall was dedicated to Yahweh. Long lists of people are present, indicating that “everyone” was present for this and praised Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod]])
NEH	12	1	i1a1		וְ⁠אֵ֨לֶּה֙ הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֣ים וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָל֛וּ עִם־זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל בֶּן־שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵ֖ל וְ⁠יֵשׁ֑וּעַ	1		The implication of the list in verses 1–25 of this chapter is that the priests and Levites had dependable records of their ancestry. So when Nehemiah called them back into service for the dedication of the wall and the collection of offerings, as described in the rest of this chapter, he was employing the people with exactly the lineage that the law required. Throughout this book, Nehemiah stresses how he made sure that the people of Judah were not only organized and well-protected, but also obedient to the law. This is one more example of that latter concern. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Here is a record that shows that the priests and Levites had dependable records of their ancestry. It begins with the priests who first returned to Judah with Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, their governor, and with Joshua the high priest.”
NEH	12	1	ixs5	figs-idiom	עָל֛וּ	1		As in [7:6](../07/06.md) and [7:61](../07/61.md), **went up** means “traveled from Babylon back to Judah,” since that involves going from a river valley up into the mountains. Alternate translation: “returned to Judah from Babylon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	1	b4x7	figs-explicit	עִם־זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל בֶּן־שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵ֖ל	1		This was the man who led the first group of Jews who returned to the province of Judah about a hundred years before the time of Nehemiah. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this more explicitly. Alternate translation: “under the leadership of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, their governor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	1	i1a3	translate-names	עִם־זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל בֶּן־שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵ֖ל	1		Zerubbabel is the name of a man, and Shealtiel is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	1	myj6	figs-explicit	וְ⁠יֵשׁ֑וּעַ	1	Jeshua	This was the other leader of the first group of Jews who returned to the province of Judah. While Zerubbabel was the governor and civil authority, Joshua was the high priest and religious authority. Alternate translation: “and under the leadership of Joshua the high priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	1	b8ry	figs-explicit	שְׂרָיָ֥ה יִרְמְיָ֖ה עֶזְרָֽא	1		The list now names the priests who returned to Judah in this first group. Alternate translation: “The priests were:” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	1	cd2t	translate-names	שְׂרָיָ֥ה יִרְמְיָ֖ה עֶזְרָֽא	1		These are names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	2	p4ml	translate-names	אֲמַרְיָ֥ה מַלּ֖וּךְ חַטּֽוּשׁ	1	Amariah … Malluk … Hattush	These are names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	3	gwk1	translate-names	שְׁכַנְיָ֥ה רְחֻ֖ם מְרֵמֹֽת	1	Shecaniah … Rehum … Meremoth	These are names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	4	qt5n	translate-names	עִדּ֥וֹא גִנְּת֖וֹי אֲבִיָּֽה	1	Iddo … Ginnethon … Abijah	These are names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	5	x3ri	translate-names	מִיָּמִ֥ין מַֽעַדְיָ֖ה בִּלְגָּֽה	1	Mijamin … Moadiah … Bilgah	These are names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	6	udm2	translate-names	שְׁמַֽעְיָ֥ה וְ⁠יוֹיָרִ֖יב יְדַֽעְיָֽה	1	Shemaiah … Joiarib … Jedaiah	These are names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	7	g43p	translate-names	סַלּ֣וּ עָמ֔וֹק חִלְקִיָּ֖ה יְדַֽעְיָ֑ה	1		These are names of four men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	7	i1a5	figs-distinguish	אֵ֣לֶּה רָאשֵׁ֧י הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֛ים וַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֖ם בִּ⁠ימֵ֥י יֵשֽׁוּעַ	1		This is a summary statement about the 22 men who have just been named. Alternate translation: “These men were the leaders of the priests in their own divisions while Joshua was the high priest.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	12	7	i1a7	figs-metaphor	רָאשֵׁ֧י הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֛ים וַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֖ם	1		Here, **heads** is a figurative way of saying “leaders.” Alternate translation: “the leaders of the priests in their own divisions” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	7	i1a9	figs-metaphor	רָאשֵׁ֧י הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֛ים וַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֖ם	1		In this context, **and** means “that is,” so the full expression means, “the leaders of the priests, that is, the ones who were their ‘brothers.’” **Brothers** itself is a figurative way of saying “fellow priests,” and in this context specifically means “the priests in their own divisions.” (King David had divided the priests into divisions so that they could rotate their responsibilities, and the Israelites reconstituted these divisions after the exile.) It is possible that some of the people in each division were the biological brothers of the leaders named, since the divisions were created based on close kinship ties, but the word “brother” is essentially figurative. Alternate translation: “their fellow priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	7	i1b1	figs-idiom	בִּ⁠ימֵ֥י יֵשֽׁוּעַ	1		The term **days** is used figuratively here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “in the time of Joshua” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	8	i1b3	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֗ם	1		Here the list is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “And these were the leaders of the Levites who first returned to Judah with Zerubbabel the governor and with Joshua the high priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	8	xy1h	translate-names	יֵשׁ֧וּעַ בִּנּ֛וּי קַדְמִיאֵ֥ל שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה יְהוּדָ֣ה מַתַּנְיָ֑ה	1		These are the names of six men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	8	i1b5	figs-metaphor	עַֽל־הֻיְּד֖וֹת ה֥וּא וְ⁠אֶחָֽי⁠ו	1		**He** refers to Mattaniah. **Brothers** figuratively means “fellow Levite leaders.” Alternate translation: “Mattaniah and his fellow Levite leaders were responsible for directing the choir.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	8	i1b7	figs-metonymy	עַֽל־הֻיְּד֖וֹת	1		As in [11:17](../11/17.md), here the book is describing the choir figuratively by reference to one kind of thing it was associated with, the songs of thanksgiving that it sang. Alternate translation: “directed the choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	12	8	i1b9	figs-metaphor	עַֽל־הֻיְּד֖וֹת	1		**Over** is a figurative way of saying that Mattaniah and his colleagues were responsible for this group. Alternate translation: “were responsible for directing the choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	8	i1c1	figs-metonymy	הֻיְּד֖וֹת	1		One responsibility of the Levite choir was to sing prayers of thanksgiving. But it sang many other things as well. Here the list is describing figuratively everything the choir sang by reference to one kind of thing it sang, prayers of thanksgiving. Alternate translation: “the choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	12	9	nnn1	translate-names	וּ⁠בַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֨ה וְעֻנִּ֧י	1		These are the names of two men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	9	i1c3	figs-metaphor	אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֛ם	1		**Brothers** here figuratively means **their fellow Levite leaders.** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	9	nhn4	figs-explicit	לְ⁠נֶגְדָּ֖⁠ם לְ⁠מִשְׁמָרֽוֹת	1		This phrase could mean one of two things. (1) It could mean that Mattaniah and his associates directed one choir, and Bakbukiah and Unni directed a second choir that stood opposite to this first one and sang responses to what it sang. (2) It could mean that Bakbukiah and Unni took turns with Mattaniah and his associates in assuming the responsibilities of directing a single Levite choir. Alternate translation: “led a second choir that sang responses” or “took turns with them directing the Levite choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	10	ri33	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠יֵשׁ֖וּעַ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יֽוֹיָקִ֑ים וְ⁠יֽוֹיָקִים֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב וְ⁠אֶלְיָשִׁ֖יב אֶת־יוֹיָדָֽע	1		Here the book is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “Joshua was the father of Joiakim, Joiakim was the father of Eliashib, Eliashib was the father of Joiada” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	10	xd69		וְ⁠יֵשׁ֖וּעַ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יֽוֹיָקִ֑ים וְ⁠יֽוֹיָקִים֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב וְ⁠אֶלְיָשִׁ֖יב אֶת־יוֹיָדָֽע	1		Since this list actually continues into the next verse, for clarity you may wish to end this verse with the punctuation that your language uses to indicate that a series is continuing, rather than with the punctuation it uses to show that a sentence is ending.
NEH	12	10	i1c5	figs-explicit	וְ⁠יֵשׁ֖וּעַ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יֽוֹיָקִ֑ים וְ⁠יֽוֹיָקִים֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב וְ⁠אֶלְיָשִׁ֖יב אֶת־יוֹיָדָֽע	1		This is a record of the succession of the Jewish high priests for several generations beginning with Joshua, the high priest who accompanied the first group that returned to Judah from exile. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “When Joshua died, his son Joiakim succeeded him as high priest. When Joiakim died, his son Eliashib succeeded him as high priest. When Eliashib died, his son Joiada succeeded him as high priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	11	a7yv		וְ⁠יוֹיָדָע֙ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יוֹנָתָ֔ן וְ⁠יוֹנָתָ֖ן הוֹלִ֥יד אֶת־יַדּֽוּעַ	1		Alternate translation, if continuing the sentence from the previous verse: “Joiada was the father of Jonathan, and Jonathan was the father of Jaddua.” Alternate translation, if making explicit that this is the succession of high priests: “When Joiada died, his son Jonathan succeeded him as high priest. When Jonathan died, his son Jaddua succeeded him as high priest”
NEH	12	11	i1c7	translate-names	וְ⁠יוֹיָדָע֙…יוֹנָתָ֔ן…יַדּֽוּעַ	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	12	h3jl	figs-ellipsis	וּ⁠בִ⁠ימֵי֙ יֽוֹיָקִ֔ים הָי֥וּ כֹהֲנִ֖ים רָאשֵׁ֣י הָ⁠אָב֑וֹת	1		Here the book is leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. “Priests were” is an abbreviated way of saying “these are the priests who were.” Alternate translation: “These are the priests who were clan leaders while Joiakim was the high priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	12	pa3k	figs-idiom	וּ⁠בִ⁠ימֵי֙ יֽוֹיָקִ֔ים	1		The term **days** is used figuratively here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “while Joiakim was the high priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	12	uae6	figs-ellipsis	רָאשֵׁ֣י הָ⁠אָב֑וֹת	1		This seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” The full expression “house of the father” or “father’s house” is used in [7:61](../07/61.md). See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “clan leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	12	l4u9	figs-metaphor	רָאשֵׁ֣י	1		**Head** here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	12	j9qv	figs-ellipsis	לִ⁠שְׂרָיָ֣ה מְרָיָ֔ה לְ⁠יִרְמְיָ֖ה חֲנַנְיָֽה	1		In this list the book continues to leave out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “Meraiah was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Saraiah. Hananiah was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Jeremiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	12	vv32	translate-names	יֽוֹיָקִ֔ים…לִ⁠שְׂרָיָ֣ה מְרָיָ֔ה לְ⁠יִרְמְיָ֖ה חֲנַנְיָֽה	1		These are the names of five men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	13	uwn8		לְ⁠עֶזְרָ֣א מְשֻׁלָּ֔ם לַ⁠אֲמַרְיָ֖ה יְהוֹחָנָֽן	1		Alternate translation: “Meshullam was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Ezra. Jehohanan was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Amariah”
NEH	12	13	hm77	translate-names	לְ⁠עֶזְרָ֣א מְשֻׁלָּ֔ם לַ⁠אֲמַרְיָ֖ה יְהוֹחָנָֽן	1		These are the names of four men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	14	vig4		ל⁠מלוכי יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן לִ⁠שְׁבַנְיָ֖ה יוֹסֵֽף	1		Alternate translation: “Jonathan was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Malluk. Joseph was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Shebaniah”
NEH	12	14	tum7	translate-names	ל⁠מלוכי יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן לִ⁠שְׁבַנְיָ֖ה יוֹסֵֽף	1		These are the names of four men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	15	z68b		לְ⁠חָרִ֣ם עַדְנָ֔א לִ⁠מְרָי֖וֹת חֶלְקָֽי	1		Alternate translation: “Adna was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Harim. Helkai was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Meremoth”
NEH	12	15	a64p	translate-names	לְ⁠חָרִ֣ם עַדְנָ֔א לִ⁠מְרָי֖וֹת חֶלְקָֽי	1		These are the names of four men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	16	hb4y		לְעִדּ֥וֹא זְכַרְיָ֖ה לְ⁠גִנְּת֥וֹן מְשֻׁלָּֽם	1		Alternate translation: “Zechariah was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Iddo. Meshullam was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Ginnethon”
NEH	12	16	u64u	translate-names	לְעִדּ֥וֹא זְכַרְיָ֖ה לְ⁠גִנְּת֥וֹן מְשֻׁלָּֽם	1		These are the names of four men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	17	em6c		לַ⁠אֲבִיָּ֖ה זִכְרִ֑י לְ⁠מִ֨נְיָמִ֔ין לְ⁠מוֹעַדְיָ֖ה פִּלְטָֽי	1		It appears that the name of the leader of the Miniamin clan has accidentally been lost from the text. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Zichri was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Abijah. Piltai was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Moadiah. It is no longer known who was the leader at this time of the clan whose ancestor was Miniamin”
NEH	12	17	e7rx	translate-names	לַ⁠אֲבִיָּ֖ה זִכְרִ֑י לְ⁠מִ֨נְיָמִ֔ין לְ⁠מוֹעַדְיָ֖ה פִּלְטָֽי	1		These are the names of five men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	18	zd3p		לְ⁠בִלְגָּ֣ה שַׁמּ֔וּעַ לִֽ⁠שְׁמַעְיָ֖ה יְהוֹנָתָֽן	1		Alternate translation: “Shammua was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Bilgah. Jehonathan was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Shemaiah”
NEH	12	18	t8yy	translate-names	לְ⁠בִלְגָּ֣ה שַׁמּ֔וּעַ לִֽ⁠שְׁמַעְיָ֖ה יְהוֹנָתָֽן	1		These are the names of four men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	19	u373		וּ⁠לְ⁠יוֹיָרִ֣יב מַתְּנַ֔י לִֽ⁠ידַֽעְיָ֖ה עֻזִּֽי	1		Alternate translation: “Mattenai was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Joiarib. Uzzi was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Jedaiah”
NEH	12	19	s8n3	translate-names	וּ⁠לְ⁠יוֹיָרִ֣יב מַתְּנַ֔י לִֽ⁠ידַֽעְיָ֖ה עֻזִּֽי	1		These are the names of four men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	20	y23c		לְ⁠סַלַּ֥י קַלָּ֖י לְ⁠עָמ֥וֹק עֵֽבֶר	1		Alternate translation: “Kallai was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Sallai. Eber was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Amok”
NEH	12	20	p8dg	translate-names	לְ⁠סַלַּ֥י קַלָּ֖י לְ⁠עָמ֥וֹק עֵֽבֶר	1		These are the names of four men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	21	v16d		לְ⁠חִלְקִיָּ֣ה חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה לִֽ⁠ידַֽעְיָ֖ה נְתַנְאֵֽל	1		Alternate translation: “Hashabiah was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Hilkiah. Nethanel was the leader of the clan whose ancestor was Jedaiah”
NEH	12	21	vwp6	translate-names	לְ⁠חִלְקִיָּ֣ה חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה לִֽ⁠ידַֽעְיָ֖ה נְתַנְאֵֽל	1		These are the names of four men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	22	i1c9	figs-ellipsis	הַ⁠לְוִיִּם֩ בִּ⁠ימֵ֨י אֶלְיָשִׁ֜יב יוֹיָדָ֤ע וְ⁠יוֹחָנָן֙ וְ⁠יַדּ֔וּעַ כְּתוּבִ֖ים רָאשֵׁ֣י אָב֑וֹת	1		Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning seems to be, “During the times when Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua served as high priest, the Israelites kept records of which Levites were the clan leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	22	i1d1	figs-idiom	בִּ⁠ימֵ֨י אֶלְיָשִׁ֜יב יוֹיָדָ֤ע וְ⁠יוֹחָנָן֙ וְ⁠יַדּ֔וּעַ	1		The term **days** is used figuratively here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “the times when Eliashib, Joiada, Johanan, and Jaddua served as high priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	22	snj3	translate-names	אֶלְיָשִׁ֜יב יוֹיָדָ֤ע וְ⁠יוֹחָנָן֙ וְ⁠יַדּ֔וּעַ	1		These are the names of four men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	22	i1d3	figs-activepassive	כְּתוּבִ֖ים	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “the Israelites kept records” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	12	22	i1d5	figs-ellipsis	רָאשֵׁ֣י אָב֑וֹת	1		This seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” The full expression “house of the father” or “father’s house” is used in [7:61](../07/61.md). See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “clan leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	22	i1d7	figs-metaphor	רָאשֵׁ֣י	1		**Head** here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	22	cr6d	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠הַ⁠כֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים עַל־מַלְכ֖וּת דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ הַ⁠פָּֽרְסִֽי	1		Here again the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. The meaning seems to be, “The Israelites also made records during the reign of Darius III of which priests were the heads of their clans” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	22	i1d9	figs-explicit	דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ הַ⁠פָּֽרְסִֽי	1		The Persian king named Darius who reigned at the time of Jaddua, the last high priest mentioned in this verse, was Darius III Codomannus. The implication is therefore that the phrase “Darius the Persian” refers to him. (Since he reigned about a hundred years after Nehemiah lived, it is probable that scribes added this information to the book later on to bring it up to date.) If it would be helpful to your readers, you could make this likely identification explicit. Alternate translation: “Darius III” or “Darius Codomannus” or “Darius III Codomannus” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	23	q9hz	figs-activepassive	בְּנֵ֤י לֵוִי֙ רָאשֵׁ֣י הָֽ⁠אָב֔וֹת כְּתוּבִ֕ים	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “Scribes recorded the names of the Levites who were clan leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	12	23	i1e1	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֤י לֵוִי֙ רָאשֵׁ֣י הָֽ⁠אָב֔וֹת כְּתוּבִ֕ים	1		**Sons** here figuratively means “descendants,” so this phrase refers to the descendants of Levi or the Levites. Alternate translation: “the Levites who were clan leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	23	i1e3	figs-ellipsis	רָאשֵׁ֣י הָֽ⁠אָב֔וֹת	1		This seems to be an abbreviated way of saying “the heads of father’s houses.” The full expression “house of the father” or “father’s house” is used in [7:61](../07/61.md). See how you translated it there, and review the note there if that would be helpful. Alternate translation: “clan leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	23	i1e5	figs-metaphor	רָאשֵׁ֣י	1		**Head** here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	23	i1e7	figs-idiom	עַל־סֵ֖פֶר דִּבְרֵ֣י הַ⁠יָּמִ֑ים	1		This is an idiom that describes a regular record of the events. Alternate translation: “in their chronicles” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	23	d2rp	figs-idiom	וְ⁠עַד־יְמֵ֖י יֽוֹחָנָ֥ן	1		The term **days** is used figuratively here to refer to a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “through the time when Johanan was the high priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	23	i1e9	translate-names	יֽוֹחָנָ֥ן	1		**Johanan** is the name of a man. The context indicates that he was a Jewish high priest, and so he seems to be the same man who is called “Jonathan” in verse 11. If you think it would make things clearer for your readers, you could use the same name both here and in verse 11, either “Johanan” or “Jonathan” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	23	i1f1	figs-metaphor	בֶּן־אֶלְיָשִֽׁיב	1		**Eliashib** is the name of a man. Verse [12:10](../12/10.md) shows that Johanan/Jonathan was not actually his son, but his grandson. So **son** here figuratively means “descendant.” Alternate translation: “the grandson of Eliashib” or “the descendant of Eliashib” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	24	kx4z	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠רָאשֵׁ֣י הַ֠⁠לְוִיִּם…לְ⁠הַלֵּ֣ל לְ⁠הוֹד֔וֹת	1		Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This sentence seems to mean “The Levite leaders who directed the choir that sang songs of praise and thanksgiving were…” You could say something like that as an alternate translation if it would be helpful to your readers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	24	d373	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠רָאשֵׁ֣י הַ֠⁠לְוִיִּם	1		**Head** here is a figurative way of saying “leader.” Alternate translation: “the leaders of the Levites” or “the Levite leaders” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	24	i1f3	translate-names	חֲשַׁבְיָ֨ה שֵֽׁרֵבְיָ֜ה	1		These are the names of two men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	24	e1ls	translate-names	וְ⁠יֵשׁ֤וּעַ בֶּן־קַדְמִיאֵל֙	1		Jeshua is the name of a man, and Kadmiel is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	24	i1f5	figs-explicit	וַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֣ם לְ⁠נֶגְדָּ֔⁠ם…מִשְׁמָ֖ר לְ⁠עֻמַּ֥ת מִשְׁמָֽר	1		As in [12:9](../12/09.md), this could mean one of two things. (1) It could mean that Hashabiah, Sherebiah, and Jeshua directed one choir, and other Levite leaders directed a second choir that stood opposite to this first one and sang responses to what it sang. (2) It could mean that other Levite leaders took turns with these three men in assuming the responsibilities of directing a single Levite choir. Alternate translation: “their fellow Levite leaders directed a second choir that sang responses” or “their fellow Levite leaders took turns with them directing the choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	24	i1f7	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֣ם	1		**Brothers** here figuratively means **their fellow Levite leaders.** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	24	i1f9		לְ⁠הַלֵּ֣ל לְ⁠הוֹד֔וֹת	1		Alternate translation: “the choir that sang songs of praise and thanksgiving”
NEH	12	24	j1a1	figs-distinguish	בְּ⁠מִצְוַ֖ת דָּוִ֣יד אִישׁ־הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים	1		Here the book offers some background information to remind readers of the character of David, who had been a great founding king of Israel. Alternate translation: “as King David, that godly man, had commanded” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	12	25	p55l	translate-names	מַתַּנְיָ֧ה וּ⁠בַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֛ה עֹבַדְיָ֥ה מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם טַלְמ֣וֹן עַקּ֑וּב	1	Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub	These are the names of six men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	25	j1a3	translate-unknown	שֹׁמְרִ֤ים שֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙ מִשְׁמָ֔ר בַּ⁠אֲסֻפֵּ֖י הַ⁠שְּׁעָרִֽים	1		Since, in context, these men appear to have been Levites, the **gates** described are likely the gates of the temple. It seems that there were rooms above the temple gateways that were used as storehouses or treasuries, and these men were responsible for overseeing and protecting them. Alternate translation: “guarded the store rooms above the gateways to the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	12	26	j1a5	figs-ellipsis	אֵ֕לֶּה	1		Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This seems to mean, “These are the names of the men who served in this capacity.” You could say something like that if it would be helpful to your readers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	26	j1a7	figs-idiom	בִּ⁠ימֵ֛י יוֹיָקִ֥ים	1		The term **days** is used figuratively here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “during the time when Joiakim … was the high priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	26	wk2z	translate-names	יוֹיָקִ֥ים בֶּן־יֵשׁ֖וּעַ בֶּן־יוֹצָדָ֑ק	1		Joiakim is the name of a man, Joshua is the name of his father, and Jozadak is the name of his grandfather. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	26	k9bk	figs-explicit	וּ⁠בִ⁠ימֵי֙ נְחֶמְיָ֣ה הַ⁠פֶּחָ֔ה	1		This would have been one generation later, since [3:1](../03/01.md) says that Eliashib was the high priest during the time of Nehemiah, and [12:10](../12/10.md) says that Eliashib was the son of Joiakim. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “and also in the next generation, during the time when Nehemiah was the governor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	26	j1a9	figs-idiom	וּ⁠בִ⁠ימֵי֙ נְחֶמְיָ֣ה הַ⁠פֶּחָ֔ה	1		The term **days** is used figuratively here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “and also during the time when Nehemiah was the governor” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	26	j1b1	figs-distinguish	וְ⁠עֶזְרָ֥א הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֖ן הַ⁠סּוֹפֵֽר	1		Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who Ezra was. Alternate translation: “and he worked with Ezra, who was a priest and a scribe” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	12	27	e63y	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וּ⁠בַ⁠חֲנֻכַּ֞ת חוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם	1		In this book, Nehemiah tells his personal story from [1:1](../01/01.md) through [7:5](../07/05.md). In that story, he explains how he was concerned not just to restore the city of Jerusalem physically by rebuilding its wall, but also to restore its population by bringing in people who were genuine Israelites, and to restore worship by making sure that the priests and Levites who were doing assigned tasks had dependable records of their ancestry. He includes the long series of lists from [7:6](../07/06.md) through [12:26](../12/26.md) to document that these priests, Levites, and Israelites had the lineage that the Law of Moses required. Now Nehemiah resumes his personal story, and he tells what he did next. He organized a worship ceremony to dedicate the city wall. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could put some introductory and transitional sentence here to show how the book is progressing. Alternate translation: “once we had brought many more Israelites to live in Jerusalem, and once we had established the priests and Levites in their tasks, we held a ceremony to dedicate the rebuilt wall of Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	12	27	j1b3	figs-abstractnouns	וּ⁠בַ⁠חֲנֻכַּ֞ת חוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם	1		The abstract noun **dedication** refers to the way the wall would be set apart for a special purpose. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a verb such as “set apart.” Alternate translation: “to set apart the wall of Jerusalem for a special purpose” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	12	27	j1b5	translate-symaction	וּ⁠בַ⁠חֲנֻכַּ֞ת חוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם	1		Dedicating the wall was a symbolic way of dedicating, or rather rededicating, the entire city to the special purpose that God had chosen it for. The rebuilt wall now defined Jerusalem once again as a distinct place, the place from which God had chosen to start making himself famous throughout the world. Alternate translation: “to set apart the wall of Jerusalem for a special purpose, to show that God had set apart the city for a special purpose” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	12	27	j1b7	figs-explicit	בִּקְשׁ֤וּ אֶת־הַ⁠לְוִיִּם֙ מִ⁠כָּל־מְק֣וֹמֹתָ֔⁠ם לַ⁠הֲבִיאָ֖⁠ם לִֽ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם לַ⁠עֲשֹׂ֨ת חֲנֻכָּ֤ה	1		**All their places** means all the other places in the province of Judah besides Jerusalem where the Levites were living. As [11:20](../11/20.md) explained, other than the people who agreed to settle in Jerusalem, all of the other Israelites, including the Levites, lived on their family properties in other cities and towns in the province of Judah. Alternate translation: “we brought the Levites back to Jerusalem from all the places where they were living so that they could take part in the dedication ceremony” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	27	j1b9	figs-123person	בִּקְשׁ֤וּ	1		**They** refers to the people who organized the dedication ceremony. Since Nehemiah is resuming his own story here, and since he was one of the organizers, if it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this as “we.” “We” would not include the addressees, if your language makes that distinction. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	12	27	j1c1	figs-doublet	לַ⁠עֲשֹׂ֨ת חֲנֻכָּ֤ה וְ⁠שִׂמְחָה֙ וּ⁠בְ⁠תוֹד֣וֹת	1		**Rejoicing** and **thanksgivings** mean similar things. Together they describe how the Israelites would celebrate as they dedicated the completed wall. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these words. Alternate translation: “to lead a celebration to dedicate the wall,” otherwise “to celebrate the dedication by praising and thanking God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	12	27	zi09		וּ⁠בְ⁠שִׁ֔יר מְצִלְתַּ֖יִם נְבָלִ֥ים וּ⁠בְ⁠כִנֹּרֽוֹת	1		**And with** does not mean “in addition to,” but “by means of.” This next phrase provides further information about how the Levites would conduct the ceremony. Alternate translation: “with songs accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres”
NEH	12	27	s6xv	translate-unknown	מְצִלְתַּ֖יִם	1		These are two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	12	27	j1c5	translate-unknown	נְבָלִ֥ים וּ⁠בְ⁠כִנֹּרֽוֹת	1		These are two different types of stringed instruments. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	12	28	j1c7	figs-ellipsis	וַ⁠יֵּאָ֣סְפ֔וּ	1		Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This seems to mean “gathered together in Jerusalem for the dedication ceremony.” You could say something like that if it would be helpful to your readers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	28	j1c9	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֖י הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים	1		As in [3:8](../03/08.md) and [3:31](../03/31.md), **son of** here is a figurative expression that indicates that a person shares the qualities of something. In this case, the book is describing people who share the quality of being singers. (Verse [12:27](../12/27.md) indicates that these were specifically Levites.) Alternate translation: “the Levite singers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	28	j1d1	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠מִן־הַ⁠כִּכָּר֙ סְבִיב֣וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם	1		This is a figurative way of referring to the towns that the singers had built for themselves all around Jerusalem, as [12:29](../12/29.md) describes. These villages seemed to form a circle around the city. Alternate translation: “from the towns they had built around Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	28	j1d3	translate-names	וּ⁠מִן־חַצְרֵ֖י נְטֹפָתִֽי	1		The **Netophati** means the people who lived in the town of Netophath, and so their villages would be all the towns in that area where they lived. Alternate translation: “from the towns around Netophath” or “from the towns of the Netophathites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	28	j1d5	figs-explicit	וּ⁠מִן־חַצְרֵ֖י נְטֹפָתִֽי	1		Netophath was located southeast of Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “from the towns around Netophath, southeast of Jerusalem.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	29	lnm1	figs-explicit	וּ⁠מִ⁠בֵּית֙ הַגִּלְגָּ֔ל וּ⁠מִ⁠שְּׂד֥וֹת גֶּ֖בַע וְ⁠עַזְמָ֑וֶת	1		The places listed in this verse are northeast of Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “they also came from three places northeast of Jerusalem, the town of Beth-Gilgal and the rural areas around the towns of Geba and Azmaveth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	29	j1d7	translate-names	וּ⁠מִ⁠בֵּית֙ הַגִּלְגָּ֔ל	1		This is the name of a town. Alternate translation: “from the town of Beth-Gilgal” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	29	j1d9	translate-names	וּ⁠מִ⁠שְּׂד֥וֹת גֶּ֖בַע וְ⁠עַזְמָ֑וֶת	1		Geba and Azmaveth are the names of towns. Alternate translation: “from the rural areas around the towns of Geba and Azmaveth” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	29	j1e1	grammar-connect-logic-result	כִּ֣י חֲצֵרִ֗ים בָּנ֤וּ לָ⁠הֶם֙ הַ⁠מְשֹׁ֣רֲרִ֔ים סְבִיב֖וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could put this sentence at the start of [12:28](../12/28.md), since it gives the reason for the results that are described in the rest of [12:28](../12/28.md) and [12:29](../12/29.md). You could show the connection by using a word like “so” after this phrase. Alternate translation: “The singers were living in towns they had built all around Jerusalem. So…” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	12	30	j1e3	grammar-connect-logic-contrast	וַ⁠יִּֽטַּהֲר֔וּ הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֖ים וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֑ם וַֽ⁠יְטַהֲרוּ֙ אֶת־הָ⁠עָ֔ם וְ⁠אֶת־הַ⁠שְּׁעָרִ֖ים וְ⁠אֶֽת־הַ⁠חוֹמָֽה	1		This sentence draws a contrast between the joyful celebration that is about to begin in this part of the story and the solemn ceremony that the priests and Levites performed beforehand. You could begin the sentence with a phrase such as “but first” to indicate this contrast. Alternate translation: “But first the priests and Levites performed a ceremony to make themselves clean, and they did the same thing for the people, the gates, and the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH	12	30	j1e5	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יִּֽטַּהֲר֔וּ	1		Nehemiah expects his readers to know specifically how the priests and Levites did this, but the details are no longer certain. They may have sprinkled themselves, the people, the gates, and the walls with water or with blood, or they may have offered sacrifices. But while the details are uncertain, the purpose of the ceremony is clear. It was to show that the Israelites wanted this place and everyone in it to be acceptable to God. So while it might be best not to suggest how the priests and Levites performed this ceremony, since that is unknown, you could say explicitly what the purpose was if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “And they performed a ceremony to show that they wanted to be clean and acceptable to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	31	j1e7	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וָ⁠אַעֲלֶה֙	1		In this context, the conjunction **and** indicates that the events the story will now describe came after the event it has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as **then.** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	12	31	j1e9	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אַעֲלֶה֙ אֶת־שָׂרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֔ה מֵ⁠עַ֖ל לַ⁠חוֹמָ֑ה וָ⁠אַעֲמִ֡ידָ⁠ה שְׁתֵּ֣י תוֹדֹת֩ גְּדוֹלֹ֨ת וְ⁠תַהֲלֻכֹ֤ת	1		The implication here, which is confirmed in [12:32](../12/32.md) and [12:40](../12/40.md), is that Nehemiah had these leaders of Judah go up onto the wall so that they could accompany two large groups that would “process” or march around the city on top of the wall while giving thanks to God. They would march in opposite directions and meet up on the far side of the city. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say something like that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	31	j1f1	translate-symaction	שְׁתֵּ֣י תוֹדֹת֩ גְּדוֹלֹ֨ת וְ⁠תַהֲלֻכֹ֤ת	1		Having two groups walk on top of the wall in opposite directions all around Jerusalem, while sacred musicians played music was a symbolic way of dedicating the rebuilt wall to God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could also say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	12	31	j1f3	figs-ellipsis	לַ⁠יָּמִין֙ מֵ⁠עַ֣ל לַ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה לְ⁠שַׁ֖עַר הָ⁠אַשְׁפֹּֽת	1		Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This sentence seems to mean “The first group marched to the right on top of the wall in the direction of the Rubbish Gate.” You could say something like that if it would be helpful to your readers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	31	j1f5	figs-idiom	לַ⁠יָּמִין֙	1		Here, **hand** figuratively means **side.** Alternate translation: “turned to their right and marched” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	31	j1f7	figs-idiom	לַ⁠יָּמִין֙	1		Based on the information the book provides, the perspective is of a person facing in towards the city from the top of the wall. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “turned to their right, as they faced the city, and marched” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	31	j1f9	translate-names	לְ⁠שַׁ֖עַר הָ⁠אַשְׁפֹּֽת	1		This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. See how you translated it in [2:13](../02/13.md) and [3:13–14](../03/13.md). Alternate translation: “the Rubbish Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	32	zsj6		וַ⁠יֵּ֤לֶךְ אַחֲרֵי⁠הֶם֙ הוֹשַׁ֣עְיָ֔ה וַ⁠חֲצִ֖י שָׂרֵ֥י יְהוּדָֽה	1		Alternate translation: “Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah marched behind this group”
NEH	12	32	ni9q	translate-names	הוֹשַׁ֣עְיָ֔ה	1		This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	33	j1g1		וַ⁠עֲזַרְיָ֥ה עֶזְרָ֖א וּ⁠מְשֻׁלָּֽם	1		Based on what [12:33–36](../12/33.md) says about the composition of this group, it appears that Ezra walked in front of it ([12:36](../12/36.md)), Hoshaiah and half of the leaders of Judah walked behind it ([12:32](../12/32.md)), and the group itself was made up of a large number of people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, along with the other leaders who are named, and priests playing musical instruments. In that case, the word **and** would be indicating this sentence, which continues through to most of verse [12:36](../12/36.md), will provide further information about the situation the book has been describing. You could indicate that with a phrase such as “within the group itself were…”
NEH	12	33	x16d	translate-names	וַ⁠עֲזַרְיָ֥ה עֶזְרָ֖א וּ⁠מְשֻׁלָּֽם	1		These are the names of three men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	34	q33v	figs-explicit	יְהוּדָה֙ וּ⁠בִנְיָמִ֔ן	1		One possibility is that these were individual leaders named Judah and Benjamin. However, in the context of the book, this most likely means “people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.” Their counterparts in the other group would be the other “half of the people” mentioned in [12:38](../12/38.md). And since [12:31](../12/31.md) says that these were “great” or large processional groups, you could translate this as “large numbers of people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	34	t5un	translate-names	וּֽ⁠שְׁמַֽעְיָ֖ה וְ⁠יִרְמְיָֽה	1		These are the names of two men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	35	cp3q	figs-metaphor	וּ⁠מִ⁠בְּנֵ֥י הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֖ים	1		**Son of** here is a figurative expression that indicates that a person shares the qualities of something. In this case, the book is describing people who share the quality of being priests. Alternate translation: “some from among the priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	35	h1hm	translate-names	זְכַרְיָ֨ה בֶן־יֽוֹנָתָ֜ן בֶּן־שְׁמַֽעְיָ֗ה בֶּן־מַתַּנְיָה֙ בֶּן־מִ֣יכָיָ֔ה בֶּן־זַכּ֖וּר בֶּן־אָסָֽף	1		These are the names of seven men. In this context, **son** means literally that the next man named is the father of the man just named. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	36	j1g3	figs-metaphor	וְֽ⁠אֶחָ֡י⁠ו	1		Here, **brother** is a figurative way of saying “fellow priest,” although it is possible that some of the biological brothers of Zechariah were included in this group. Alternate translation: “his fellow priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	36	kmk3	translate-names	שְֽׁמַעְיָ֡ה וַ⁠עֲזַרְאֵ֡ל מִֽלֲלַ֡י גִּֽלֲלַ֡י מָעַ֞י נְתַנְאֵ֤ל וִֽ⁠יהוּדָה֙ חֲנָ֔נִי	1		These are the names of eight men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	36	j1g4	figs-explicit	בִּ⁠כְלֵי־שִׁ֥יר דָּוִ֖יד אִ֣ישׁ הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים	1		This likely means the cymbals, harps, and lyres mentioned in [12:27](../12/27.md). Those were the instruments that King David had originally instructed the Levite musicians to play. The people honored that religious tradition on this occasion. Alternate translation: “with cymbals, harps, and lyres, the instruments that King David, that godly man, had originally instructed the Levite musicians to play” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	36	j1g7	figs-distinguish	דָּוִ֖יד אִ֣ישׁ הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים	1		Here the book offers some background information to remind readers of the character of David, who had been a great founding king of Israel. Alternate translation: “King David, that godly man” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	12	36	n2tl	figs-metonymy	וְ⁠עֶזְרָ֥א הַ⁠סּוֹפֵ֖ר לִ⁠פְנֵי⁠הֶֽם	1		Here, **face** figuratively means the front of a group of people. Alternate translation: “Ezra the scribe walked in front of this group” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	12	36	j1h1	figs-distinguish	וְ⁠עֶזְרָ֥א הַ⁠סּוֹפֵ֖ר	1		Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who Ezra was. Alternate translation: “Ezra, who was a scribe” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	12	37	c38r	figs-explicit	וְ⁠עַל֩ שַׁ֨עַר הָ⁠עַ֜יִן וְ⁠נֶגְדָּ֗⁠ם עָלוּ֙ עַֽל־מַעֲלוֹת֙ עִ֣יר דָּוִ֔יד בַּֽ⁠מַּעֲלֶ֖ה לַ⁠חוֹמָ֑ה	1		The implication, which the original audience of the book would apparently have understood, is that when this first procession reached the place described, rather than continue walking on the wall, which was about to follow a winding course around a hill, they took these stairs straight up the hill, and they rejoined the wall at the place where it went up to the top of the hill. Alternate translation: “When they reached the Fountain Gate, they left the wall and went up the stairs that were in front of them that led to the City of David. They came back onto the wall at the place where it reached the top of the hill they had just climbed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	37	j1h3	translate-names	שַׁ֨עַר הָ⁠עַ֜יִן	1		This is the name of one of the gates of Jerusalem. See how you translated it in [2:14](../02/14.md) and [3:15](../03/15.md). Alternate translation: “the Fountain Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	37	j1h5	translate-names	עִ֣יר דָּוִ֔יד	1		This was one part of Jerusalem. See how you translated it in [3:15](../03/15.md). Alternate translation: “the City of David” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	37	j1h7	figs-explicit	מֵ⁠עַל֙ לְ⁠בֵ֣ית דָּוִ֔יד	1		This means that as the group walked on the top of the wall once again, at this point they were higher than this palace where David had lived. (In [3:25](../03/25.md) this same building is called “the upper house of the king,” meaning the royal palace that was located in a more elevated part of the city.) Alternate translation: “They walked along the wall, above the palace where David had lived” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	37	j1h9	figs-metaphor	לְ⁠בֵ֣ית דָּוִ֔יד	1		This building is figuratively called a **house** because David had lived in it. Alternate translation: “the palace where David had lived” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	37	j1i1	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠עַ֛ד שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠מַּ֖יִם מִזְרָֽח	1		Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This sentence is indicating that once this group reached the Water Gate, it stopped. This left them just to the east of the temple. As [12:39](../12/39.md) explains, the other group stopped just to the west of the temple, and the two groups joined together in the temple area. Alternate translation: “until they reached the Water Gate, and there they stopped, on the east side of the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	38	fbi3	grammar-connect-time-simultaneous	וְ⁠הַ⁠תּוֹדָ֧ה	1		The conjunction **And** introduces the description in [12:38](../12/38.md) and [12:39](../12/39.md) of what the second group was doing while the first group was following the route described in [12:31–37](../12/31.md). If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a word such as “meanwhile” to indicate this. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH	12	38	zi11	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠הַ⁠תּוֹדָ֧ה הַ⁠שֵּׁנִ֛ית הַ⁠הוֹלֶ֥כֶת לְ⁠מ֖וֹאל	1		Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “Meanwhile, the second group turned to its left and walked on top of the wall in the opposite direction, with musicians playing songs of thanksgiving as they went.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	38	t11k	figs-explicit	וַ⁠אֲנִ֣י אַחֲרֶ֑י⁠הָ	1		**I** refers to Nehemiah here, as in [12:31](../12/31.md). If you think it would be helpful to your readers, you could state his name explicitly. Alternate translation: “I, Nehemiah, walked behind this second group” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	38	zi10	figs-ellipsis	וַ⁠חֲצִ֨י הָ⁠עָ֜ם מֵ⁠עַ֣ל לְ⁠הַ⁠חוֹמָ֗ה	1		Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This seems to be a reference to the counterparts of the people mentioned in [12:34](../12/34.md). Alternate translation: “with the other half of the people from the tribes and Judah and Benjamin who were walking with their leaders on top of the wall to dedicate it to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	38	j2zn	translate-names	מֵ⁠עַל֙ לְ⁠מִגְדַּ֣ל הַ⁠תַּנּוּרִ֔ים	1		This is the name of one of the towers of the Jerusalem wall. See how you translated it in [3:11](../03/11.md). Alternate translation: “They went along the wall above the Tower of the Ovens” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	38	a5ww	translate-names	וְ⁠עַ֖ד הַ⁠חוֹמָ֥ה הָ⁠רְחָבָֽה	1		This is the name of one of the features of the Jerusalem wall. See how you translated it in [3:8](../03/08.md). Alternate translation: “and continued to the Broad Wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	39	zi12	translate-names	וּ⁠מֵ⁠עַ֣ל לְ⁠שַֽׁעַר־אֶ֠פְרַיִם וְ⁠עַל־שַׁ֨עַר הַיְשָׁנָ֜ה וְ⁠עַל־שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠דָּגִ֗ים	1		These are the names of three of the gates of Jerusalem. See how you translated them in [8:16](../08/16.md), [3:6](../03/06.md), and [3:3](../03/03.md). Alternate translation: “they went over the Ephraim Gate, the Old Gate, and the Fish Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	39	v1ni	translate-names	וּ⁠מִגְדַּ֤ל חֲנַנְאֵל֙ וּ⁠מִגְדַּ֣ל הַ⁠מֵּאָ֔ה	1		These are the names of two of the towers on the Jerusalem wall. See how you translated them in [3:1](../03/01.md). Alternate translation: “They walked past the Tower of Hananel and the Tower of the Hundred” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	39	v264	translate-names	וְ⁠עַ֖ד שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠צֹּ֑אן	1		This is the name of one of the gates of the Jerusalem wall. See how you translated it in [3:1](../03/01.md) and [3:32](../03/32.md). Alternate translation: “and continued to the Sheep Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	39	zi13	translate-names	וְ⁠עָ֣מְד֔וּ בְּ⁠שַׁ֖עַר הַ⁠מַּטָּרָֽה	1		This is apparently the name of one of the gates of the Jerusalem temple. Verse [3:25](../03/25.md) describes repairs that were made to the wall near the “court of the guard,” which was in the temple precincts, so presumably this was the gate that led into that court. “Stood” means “stood still,” that is, “stopped moving.” The people were already standing up to walk. Alternate translation: “This second group stopped when it reached the Gate of the Guard” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	40	zi14	figs-explicit	וַֽ⁠תַּעֲמֹ֛דְנָה שְׁתֵּ֥י הַ⁠תּוֹדֹ֖ת בְּ⁠בֵ֣ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים	1		The implication is that both groups followed routes that led them around the city from their common starting point to places on either side of the temple. They then joined together for a concluding ceremony in or near the temple. Alternate translation: “both groups that had walked around the city to dedicate the wall came down from it and stood in an open area in front of the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	40	ai1v	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וַֽ⁠תַּעֲמֹ֛דְנָה	1		This word indicates that the event the story will now describe came after the events it has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as “then.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	12	40	bnz5	writing-background	וַ⁠אֲנִ֕י וַ⁠חֲצִ֥י הַ⁠סְּגָנִ֖ים עִמִּֽ⁠י	1		Nehemiah now provides further details for the second group, which he had accompanied, similar to the details he provided for the first group in verses 32–36. Alternate translation: “My group included the other half of the leaders of Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH	12	41	s4t8	translate-names	אֶלְיָקִ֡ים מַעֲשֵׂיָ֡ה מִ֠נְיָמִין מִיכָיָ֧ה אֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֛י זְכַרְיָ֥ה חֲנַנְיָ֖ה	1		These are the names of seven men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	42	gqe1	translate-names	וּ⁠מַעֲשֵׂיָ֨ה וּֽ⁠שְׁמַֽעְיָ֜ה וְ⁠אֶלְעָזָ֧ר וְ⁠עֻזִּ֛י וִֽ⁠יהוֹחָנָ֥ן וּ⁠מַלְכִּיָּ֖ה וְ⁠עֵילָ֣ם וָ⁠עָ֑זֶר	1		These are the names of eight men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	42	tdc8		וַ⁠יַּשְׁמִ֨יעוּ֙ הַ⁠מְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים וְ⁠יִֽזְרַחְיָ֖ה הַ⁠פָּקִֽיד	1		Alternate translation: “The singers sang loudly, with Jezrahiah directing their choir”
NEH	12	42	y2qj	translate-names	וְ⁠יִֽזְרַחְיָ֖ה	1		This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	43	j1l1	grammar-connect-time-simultaneous	בַ⁠יּוֹם־הַ֠⁠הוּא	1		This is a flexible expression that can mean either **on that same day** or **around that time.** But since this verse continues to describe the celebrations for the dedication of the wall, here it likely means **on that same day.** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH	12	43	jgp9	figs-abstractnouns	כִּ֤י הָ⁠אֱלֹהִים֙ שִׂמְּחָ⁠ם֙ שִׂמְחָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֔ה	1		The abstract noun **rejoicing** describes how happy the people were as they held this celebration to dedicate the wall. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with an adjective such as **happy.** Alternate translation: “God had made them all very happy” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	12	43	p5fe	figs-abstractnouns	וַ⁠תִּשָּׁמַ֛ע שִׂמְחַ֥ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם מֵ⁠רָחֽוֹק	1		In this case the abstract noun **rejoicing** refers to the loud sound that the singers and the people made as they held the ceremony to dedicate the rebuilt wall. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this abstract noun with a concrete noun such as “sound.” Alternate translation: “the sound that the people made as they celebrated in Jerusalem was so loud that even other people who were far away could hear it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	12	43	j1l3	figs-activepassive	וַ⁠תִּשָּׁמַ֛ע שִׂמְחַ֥ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם מֵ⁠רָחֽוֹק	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “the sound that the people made as they celebrated in Jerusalem was so loud that even other people who were far away could hear it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	12	43	j1l5	figs-personification	שִׂמְחַ֥ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם	1		Here the story speaks figuratively of Jerusalem as if it were a living thing that could celebrate. Alternate translation: “the sound that the people made as they celebrated in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	12	44	j1l7	grammar-connect-time-simultaneous	בַ⁠יּוֹם֩ הַ⁠ה֨וּא	1		As noted for [12:43](../12/43.md), this is a flexible expression that can mean either **on that same day** or **around that time.** So here it could mean either that men were appointed to be in charge of the store rooms on the same day as the dedication celebration, or else at around the same time, perhaps shortly afterwards, once all of the activity of the celebration was over. Alternate translation: “on the same day that they held the ceremony to dedicate the rebuilt wall” or “around this same time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH	12	44	fsb6	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יִּפָּקְד֣וּ…אֲנָשִׁ֜ים עַל־הַ⁠נְּשָׁכ֗וֹת לָ⁠א֨וֹצָר֥וֹת	1		This is referring implicitly to the six Levites whose names are listed in [12:25](../12/25.md). The **chambers** are the storerooms above the gateways to the temple. (Review the note to [12:25](../12/25.md) if that would be helpful.) If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “we appointed six Levites to be in charge of the store rooms above the gateways to the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	44	bnw2	figs-activepassive	וַ⁠יִּפָּקְד֣וּ…אֲנָשִׁ֜ים	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. In the context of this episode, saying “we” would indicate Nehemiah and his fellow leaders. (“We” would not include the addressee, if your language makes that distinction.) Alternate translation: “we appointed six Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	12	44	j1l9	figs-explicit	לַ⁠תְּרוּמוֹת֮ לָ⁠רֵאשִׁ֣ית וְ⁠לַ⁠מַּֽעַשְׂרוֹת֒ לִ⁠כְנ֨וֹס בָּ⁠הֶ֜ם לִ⁠שְׂדֵ֤י הֶ⁠עָרִים֙	1		In their covenant, these were the things the people promised to provide in order to support the priests and the Levites. (See [10:36–39](../10/36.md).) If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “so that they could collect the offerings, firstfruits, and tithes that the Israelites would bring in from the fields around their cities, as they had promised to do in their covenant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	44	j1m1	figs-abstractnouns	מְנָא֣וֹת הַ⁠תּוֹרָ֔ה לַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֖ים וְ⁠לַ⁠לְוִיִּ֑ם	1		The abstract noun **portion** refers to the part of each crop that the law commanded the Israelites to give to the temple to support the priests and Levites. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a different phrase. Alternate translation: “these were the things that the law commanded the Israelites to give from their harvests to support the priests and Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	12	44	g347	grammar-connect-logic-result	כִּ֚י שִׂמְחַ֣ת יְהוּדָ֔ה עַל־הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֥ים וְ⁠עַל־הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם הָ⁠עֹמְדִֽים	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could place this sentence first in the verse since it gives the reason for the results that are described in the rest of the verse. You could also show the connection by using a word like “so” after this phrase. Alternate translation: “The people of Judah were very happy that the priests and the Levites were once again serving in the roles that the law had assigned to them. So…” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	12	44	j1m3	figs-metaphor	שִׂמְחַ֣ת…עַל־הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֥ים וְ⁠עַל־הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם	1		In this context, **over** is a spatial metaphor that figuratively indicates **for** or **because of.** Alternate translation: “were very happy that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	44	g9pg	figs-metaphor	הָ⁠עֹמְדִֽים	1		**Standing** means figuratively that the priests and the Levites were serving in the roles that the law had assigned to them. This meaning can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “serving in the roles that the law had assigned to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	45	lm4j	grammar-connect-logic-result	וַֽ⁠יִּשְׁמְר֞וּ	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous verse described. Specifically, the temple personnel were able to perform their duties regularly because the people had organized regular support for them. Alternate translation: “and so” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	12	45	j1m5	figs-abstractnouns	וַֽ⁠יִּשְׁמְר֞וּ מִשְׁמֶ֤רֶת אֱלֹֽהֵי⁠הֶם֙ וּ⁠מִשְׁמֶ֣רֶת הַֽ⁠טָּהֳרָ֔ה	1		**They** means the priests and Levites. The abstract noun **service**, in the phrase **service watch of their God**, refers to the duties that God had commanded the priests and Levites to perform in the law. In the phrase “service of purification,” this abstract noun refers to one of those duties in particular, the duty of performing a ceremony for themselves and for others that expressed a desire to be ceremonially clean, that is, acceptable to God. The story describes in [12:30](../12/30.md) how they performed such a ceremony on this occasion. Alternate translation: “So the priests and Levites were able to perform the duties that God had commanded, including performing ceremonies of purification” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	12	45	j1m7	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים וְ⁠הַ⁠שֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים	1		Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This phrase seems to means **The singers and the gatekeepers were also able to perform their assigned duties.** You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	45	j1m9	writing-background	כְּ⁠מִצְוַ֥ת דָּוִ֖יד שְׁלֹמֹ֥ה בְנֽ⁠וֹ	1		This phrase provides background information that explains that it was King David and King Solomon, his son, who established the duties of the temple singers and gatekeepers. Alternate translation: “as King David and King Solomon, his son, had commanded them to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH	12	46	j1n1	writing-background	כִּֽי	1		This word indicates that this sentence will provide further information about the situation that the book is describing here. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a word or expression in your own language that indicates the same thing. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH	12	46	j1n3	figs-idiom	בִ⁠ימֵ֥י דָוִ֛יד וְ⁠אָסָ֖ף מִ⁠קֶּ֑דֶם	1		The expression **from before** is an idiom that means **ever since a long time ago** Alternate translation: “ever since the time of David and Asaph long ago” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	46	j1n5	figs-idiom	בִ⁠ימֵ֥י דָוִ֛יד וְ⁠אָסָ֖ף	1		The term **days** is used figuratively here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “in the time of David and Asaph” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	46	j1n7	translate-names	דָוִ֛יד וְ⁠אָסָ֖ף	1		These are the names of two men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	46	j1n9	figs-explicit	וְ⁠אָסָ֖ף	1		The book assumes that the original audience would know that Asaph was the man whom David first appointed to be the director of the Levite singers. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “ever since David first appointed Asaph to lead the singers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	46	py1c	figs-metaphor	ראש הַ⁠מְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים	1		**Head** here is a figurative way of saying **leader.** Alternate translation: “the Levite choir has had an appointed director” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	12	46	j1o1	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠שִׁיר־תְּהִלָּ֥ה וְ⁠הֹד֖וֹת לֵֽ⁠אלֹהִֽים	1		Here the book leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Alternate translation: “and they have sung songs of praise and thanksgiving to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	12	47	j1o3	writing-background	וְ⁠כָל	1		This word indicates that this sentence will provide further information about the situation that the book is describing here. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a word or expression in your own language that indicates the same thing. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH	12	47	flz7		בִּ⁠ימֵ֨י זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל וּ⁠בִ⁠ימֵ֣י נְחֶמְיָ֗ה	1		Alternate translation: “just as they had done in the time of Zerubbabel, so now in the time of Nehemiah”
NEH	12	47	mu9s	figs-idiom	בִּ⁠ימֵ֨י זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל וּ⁠בִ⁠ימֵ֣י נְחֶמְיָ֗ה	1		The term **days** is used figuratively here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “the time of Zerubbabel … the time of Nehemiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	47	e72p	figs-explicit	בִּ⁠ימֵ֨י זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל	1		As [12:1](../12/01.md) explains, this was the man who led the first group of Jews who returned to the province of Judah, about a hundred years before the time of Nehemiah. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this more explicitly. Alternate translation: “in the time of Zerubbabel, who led the first group back to the province of Judah from exile” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	12	47	j1o5	translate-names	זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל…נְחֶמְיָ֗ה	1		These are the names of two men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	12	47	j1o7	figs-abstractnouns	וְ⁠כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֩ בִּ⁠ימֵ֨י זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל וּ⁠בִ⁠ימֵ֣י נְחֶמְיָ֗ה נֹֽתְנִ֛ים מְנָי֛וֹת הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֥ים	1		As in [12:44](../12/44.md), the abstract noun **portion** refers to the part of each crop that the Israelites contributed to support the temple personnel. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a different phrase. Alternate translation: “all the Israelites contributed from their harvests to support the singers and the gatekeepers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	12	47	j1o9	figs-idiom	דְּבַר־י֣וֹם בְּ⁠יוֹמ֑⁠וֹ	1		As in [11:23](../11/23.md), this is an idiom that means **as each day required** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	12	47	j1p1	figs-explicit	וּ⁠מַקְדִּשִׁים֙ לַ⁠לְוִיִּ֔ם וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֔ם מַקְדִּשִׁ֖ים לִ⁠בְנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹֽן	1		**They** means the Israelites, as in the previous sentence. **Consecrating** means **setting apart.** This is likely a reference to the tithe or 1/10 of crops that the Israelites promised in their covenant to give to support the Levites, and to the tithe of this tithe that the Levites then contributed to support the priests, as described in [10:37–38](../10/37.md). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The Israelites also gave a tenth of their crops to support the Levites, just as they had promised, and the Levites gave a tenth of this tenth to support the priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	intro	tm5a			0		# Nehemiah 13 General Notes<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem<br><br>Nehemiah was eager to make sure that the Jews kept their promise to obey the law. When he returned from Persia, he found many things wrong: one of the store rooms in the temple had been converted into a guest room for Tobiah, the Levites had not received their portions for working in the temple, people were working on the Sabbath, and many had married heathen wives. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/promise]], [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/temple]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sabbath]])
NEH	13	1	k1a1		בַּ⁠יּ֣וֹם הַ⁠ה֗וּא	1		As noted for [12:43](../12/43.md) and [12:44](../12/44.md), this is a flexible expression that can mean either “on that same day” or “around that time.” Either meaning might fit the context here, so you could choose to say either one in your translation.
NEH	13	1	k1a3	figs-activepassive	נִקְרָ֛א בְּ⁠סֵ֥פֶר מֹשֶׁ֖ה	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “we read from the scroll that contained the Law of Moses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	13	1	k9za	figs-metonymy	בְּ⁠אָזְנֵ֣י הָ⁠עָ֑ם	1		Here, **ears** stand for hearing. Alternate translation: “out loud so that all the people could hear” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	13	1	k1a5	figs-idiom	וְ⁠נִמְצָא֙ כָּת֣וּב בּ֔⁠וֹ	1		**Found** is an idiom that means “could be found there” or “was there.” The expression means that this was something that was in the law. And since Nehemiah and the other leaders were reading this out loud to the people, their purpose was to show them that this was in the law. Alternate translation: “and we showed them that it said” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	1	k1a7	figs-activepassive	וְ⁠נִמְצָא֙ כָּת֣וּב בּ֔⁠וֹ	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “we showed them that it said” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	13	1	k1a9	translate-names	עַמֹּנִ֧י וּ⁠מֹאָבִ֛י	1		These are the names of the members of two people groups. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	13	1	k1b1	figs-idiom	יָב֨וֹא…בִּ⁠קְהַ֥ל הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֖ים	1		The expression **assembly of God** can refer either to the entire Israelite community, as in [7:66](../07/66.md) and [8:17](../08/17.md), or to the community gathered for a legal proceeding, as in [5:7](../05/07.md) and [5:13](../05/13.md), or gathered for a religious ceremony, as in [8:2](../08/02.md) and [8:18](../08/18.md). The last meaning is probably in view here. This statement likely means that Ammonites and Moabites were not allowed to join the Israelites in their worship of Yahweh in the temple or on public occasions. For example, [9:2](../09/02.md) describes how the Israelites did not allow any foreigners to take part in their ceremony of national repentance. (Later in this chapter, in [13:23–27](../13/23.md), Nehemiah will describe how he took the further measure of expelling foreigners from the Israelite community itself.) Alternate translation: “could join with the Israelites when they worshiped Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	1	j6si	figs-idiom	עַד־עוֹלָֽם	1		This expression means that this was a permanent regulation in the Law of Moses. It was not a regulation that applied just to a specific period and that might change afterwards. Alternate translation: “This was a permanent rule.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	2	tf8z	grammar-connect-logic-result	כִּ֣י	1		This word indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the reasons for what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “they could not come into the assembly because” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	13	2	k1b3	figs-explicit	לֹ֧א קִדְּמ֛וּ אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בַּ⁠לֶּ֣חֶם וּ⁠בַ⁠מָּ֑יִם	1		The assumption is that readers will know what historical incident this statement is referring to. It is a reference to the time when the Israelites were traveling from Egypt to Canaan through the desert. They were basically refugees. It could have been expected, as a basic act of compassion, that the Ammonites and Moabites would help provide for their needs as they passed through their territories but they refused to do this. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “they did not help meet the needs of the Israelites when they were refugees traveling through their territories” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	2	k1b5	figs-metaphor	בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל	1		**Sons** here figuratively means “descendants.” The descendants of Israel were the Israelites. Alternate translation: “the Israelites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	2	k1b7	figs-metonymy	קִדְּמ֛וּ…בַּ⁠לֶּ֣חֶם וּ⁠בַ⁠מָּ֑יִם	1		Bread stands for food, and water stands for drink, and together both terms probably represent assistance in general. Alternate translation: “provide food and drink” or “provide the help they needed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	13	2	k1b9	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יִּשְׂכֹּ֨ר עָלָ֤י⁠ו אֶת־בִּלְעָם֙ לְ⁠קַֽלְל֔⁠וֹ וַ⁠יַּהֲפֹ֧ךְ אֱלֹהֵ֛י⁠נוּ הַ⁠קְּלָלָ֖ה לִ⁠בְרָכָֽה	1		The assumption once again is that readers will know what historical incident this is referring to. This is a reference to the way the king of Moab hired a prophet named Balaam to curse the Israelites, but instead God made Balaam speak words of blessing about them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The Moabites also hired a prophet named Balaam to curse the Israelites, but God made him speak words of blessing instead” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	2	k1c1	translate-names	בִּלְעָם֙	1		This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	13	3	j1c3	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וַ⁠יְהִ֖י	1		This phrase indicates that the events the story will now describe came after the things it has just described. You can use an expression in your own language that will indicate this clearly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	13	3	k1c5	figs-idiom	כְּ⁠שָׁמְעָ֣⁠ם אֶת־הַ⁠תּוֹרָ֑ה	1		As in [9:29](../09/29.md), **hear** in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear something audibly, but to understand a command and recognize the need to obey it. Alternate translation: “when they realized that this was what the law commanded” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	3	k1c7	figs-idiom	וַ⁠יַּבְדִּ֥ילוּ כָל־עֵ֖רֶב מִ⁠יִּשְׂרָאֵֽל	1		**Mixed company** is an expression that describes people who were not Israelites. It indicates that if they were present, then the group would be mixed, part Israelite and part non-Israelite. Alternate translation: “They no longer allowed foreigners to worship with the Israelites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	4	k1c9	writing-background	וְ⁠לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י מִ⁠זֶּ֔ה	1		This phrase indicates that the events the story will now relate came before the events it has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “but before all this happened.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH	13	4	k1d1	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י מִ⁠זֶּ֔ה	1		In this book, the expression **face** often refers figuratively to the front of a person, place, or object. Here the expression has the further figurative significance of “in front of” or “before” a certain time. Alternate translation: “before this time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	4	k1d3	translate-names	אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙	1		This is a man’s name. See how you translated it in [3:1](../03/01.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	13	4	k1d5	figs-distinguish	אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֔ן	1		Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who Eliashib was. As we learn in [3:1](../03/01.md), [3:20](../03/20.md), and [12:10](../12/10.md), he was actually the Jewish high priest during the time of Nehemiah. Alternate translation: “the high priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	13	4	bq8k	figs-activepassive	אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֔ן נָת֖וּן	1		If it is clearer in your language, you can translate this in active form. Alternate translation: “they appointed Eliashib the priest” or “the leaders appointed Eliashib the priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	13	4	k1d7	figs-idiom	נָת֖וּן בְּ⁠לִשְׁכַּ֣ת בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵ֑י⁠נוּ	1		This is most likely a figurative way of saying that as high priest, Eliashib had responsibility for and control over all the rooms in the temple. Alternate translation: “since he had control over” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	4	adq9		קָר֖וֹב לְ⁠טוֹבִיָּֽה	1	He was related to Tobiah	Since Tobiah was an Ammonite, Eliashib could not have been his close blood relative. So this expression must refer to a connection by marriage. We learn in [6:18](../06/18.md) that both Tobiah and his son had married Jewish women, and one or both of these women may have been relatives of Eliashib. Alternate translation: “who was related to Tobiah by marriage”
NEH	13	4	c9hf	figs-synecdoche	בְּ⁠לִשְׁכַּ֣ת בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵ֑י⁠נוּ	1		Here one **chamber** or room is used figuratively to mean “every chamber” or room in the temple. Alternate translation: “every room in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	13	4	k1d9	figs-metaphor	בֵּית־אֱלֹהֵ֑י⁠נוּ	1		As often in this book, Nehemiah speaks figuratively of the temple here as the **house of God**, as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	5	xi14	grammar-connect-logic-result	וַ⁠יַּ֨עַשׂ	1		In this context, the conjunction **and** indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the reason for what the previous sentence described, or what made it possible. Alternate translation: “and so” unless you used the word “since” to introduce the last phrase in [13:4](../13/04.md), in which case the connection would already be clear and you would not need to use any connecting phrase here. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	13	5	k1de		ל֜⁠וֹ	1		Verse [13:7](../13/07.md) indicates that **him** refers to Tobiah. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly here. Alternate translation: “he allowed Tobiah to move into a large room in the temple”
NEH	13	5	v2in	figs-explicit	וְ⁠שָׁ֣ם הָי֪וּ לְ⁠פָנִ֟ים נֹ֠תְנִים אֶת־הַ⁠מִּנְחָ֨ה	1		**They** means the Israelites, and **offerings**, if it is a general term (see next note), means the contributions that they gave to support the priests and Levites, as described in [12:44](../12/44.md). If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “This was the room that the Israelites had previously been using to store the offerings they brought to the temple to support the priests and Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	5	k1e3		הַ⁠מִּנְחָ֨ה	1		The word **offerings** could be referring generally to all of the contributions that the Israelites brought, which would then be listed in the rest of this verse, or it could be the first specific item on the list, the daily grain offering, as described in [10:33](../10/33.md). Alternate translation: “the offerings they brought” or “the daily grain offering”
NEH	13	5	k1e5	translate-unknown	הַ⁠לְּבוֹנָ֜ה	1		This term refers to a mixture of fragrant spices that was burned to produce smoke that had a pleasant smell. The law specified a special blend of spices that it said could only be used in the temple by the priests. Alternate translation: “the sacred incense” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	13	5	k1e7	figs-synecdoche	וְ⁠הַ⁠כֵּלִ֗ים	1		As in [10:39](../10/39.md), here Nehemiah uses one type of equipment that the storerooms would hold, **vessels** or “jars” or “containers,” to refer figuratively to all the different types of equipment that the priests and Levites would have used in the temple. Alternate translation: “the temple equipment” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	13	5	k1e9		וּ⁠מַעְשַׂ֤ר הַ⁠דָּגָן֙ הַ⁠תִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְ⁠הַ⁠יִּצְהָ֔ר	1		This means the portion, one tenth, of their crops and produce that the Israelites had promised to contribute to support the temple personnel, as described in [10:37–38](../10/37.md). Alternate translation: “the tenth of their crops and produce”
NEH	13	5	k1f1	translate-fraction	וּ⁠מַעְשַׂ֤ר	1		A **tithe** means a tenth (1/10) or one part out of ten equal parts. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH	13	5	k1f3	figs-ellipsis	מִצְוַת֙ הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֔ם וְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים וְ⁠הַ⁠שֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים	1		Here Nehemiah leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This phrase means “which the law had commanded them to contribute to support the Levites, the singers, and the temple gatekeepers.” You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	13	5	k1f5		וּ⁠תְרוּמַ֖ת הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִֽים	1		This likely refers to the tithe, or one tenth of what they received, that the Levites, in turn contributed to the priests, as described in [10:38](../10/38.md). Alternate translation: “and the contributions to support the priests” or “the tithe of the tithe that the Levites gave to support the priests”
NEH	13	6	k1f7	grammar-connect-time-simultaneous	וּ⁠בְ⁠כָל־זֶ֕ה	1		This expression indicates that the sentence it introduces describes something that was happening at the same time as the events the book has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a phrase such as “while all of this was happening” to indicate this. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH	13	6	dpk4	grammar-connect-logic-result	כִּ֡י	1		This word indicates that the clause it introduces explains the reason for what the previous clause described. That is, Nehemiah is about to give the reason why he was not in Jerusalem while Eliashib was allowing Tobiah to move into the temple. Alternate translation: “because” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	13	6	k1f9	writing-background	בִּ⁠שְׁנַת֩ שְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים וּ⁠שְׁתַּ֜יִם לְ⁠אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֤סְתְּא מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶל֙ בָּ֣אתִי אֶל־הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ	1		Here Nehemiah is providing background information to explain why he was not in Jerusalem. As he indicates in [5:14](../05/14.md), he was governor of Judah for twelve years, from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of the reign of King Artaxerxes. As this verse indicates, he then returned to the royal court. Alternate translation: “I had returned to serve King Artaxerxes in his court in the thirty-second year of his reign” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH	13	6	k1g1	translate-ordinal	בִּ⁠שְׁנַת֩ שְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים וּ⁠שְׁתַּ֜יִם לְ⁠אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֤סְתְּא	1		This expression refers to the number of years that Artaxerxes had been reigning as king. Alternate translation: “in year 32 of the reign of Artaxerxes as king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH	13	6	k1g3	writing-background	מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶל֙	1		Artaxerxes was the king of the Persian Empire, but since the Persians had conquered the Babylonians, he also had the right to use the title “king of Babylon.” The fact that Nehemiah describes him by this title may actually indicate that the royal court was located in the city of Babylon at this time and that he returned to that city to resume his duties in the court. Alternate translation: “the king of Persia, whose court was then in Babylon” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH	13	6	k1g5	figs-idiom	וּ⁠לְ⁠קֵ֥ץ יָמִ֖ים	1		The term **days** is used figuratively here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “after some time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	6	k1g7	figs-explicit	נִשְׁאַ֥לְתִּי מִן־הַ⁠מֶּֽלֶךְ	1		The implication, as shown explicitly in the next verse, is that Nehemiah requested time off from his responsibilities in the court so that he could travel back to Judah and see how the people there were doing, and that the king gave him permission to do this. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I asked the king if I could take some time off and travel back to Judah to help the people there, and he gave me permission to do that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	7	k1g9	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וָ⁠אָב֖וֹא לִֽ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** at the beginning of this phrase indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “and so.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	13	7	k1h1	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וָ⁠אָבִ֣ינָ⁠ה	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** at the beginning of this phrase indicates that this event took place after the event in the previous sentence. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “when I got there, I discovered” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	13	7	k1h3	figs-idiom	וָ⁠אָבִ֣ינָ⁠ה בָ⁠רָעָ֗ה	1		In this context, this phrase means “came to understand the evil” or “discovered the evil” or “realized the evil.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could use any of those phrases or a similar one as an alternate translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	7	k1h5		בָ⁠רָעָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשָׂ֤ה אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ לְ⁠ט֣וֹבִיָּ֔ה לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת ל⁠וֹ֙ נִשְׁכָּ֔ה בְּ⁠חַצְרֵ֖י בֵּ֥ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִֽים	1		While in the book of Nehemiah the word **evil** often means things like “sad” or “harmful,” in this context, the word does describe something that is morally bad and destructive. Eliashib had not done this wrong thing to Tobiah, but on his behalf. Alternate translation: “about the wrong thing that Eliashib had done by allowing Tobiah to move into a storeroom within the temple courts”
NEH	13	7	k1h7	figs-metaphor	בֵּ֥ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִֽים	1		Nehemiah speaks figuratively of the temple as the **house of God** as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	8	k1h9	figs-idiom	וַ⁠יֵּ֥רַֽע לִ֖⁠י מְאֹ֑ד	1		This expression describes Nehemiah’s perspective on the action. It does not mean that Eliashib did a wrong thing to Nehemiah directly. Alternate translation: “I recognized how very wrong this was” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	8	k1i1	figs-metaphor	וָֽ⁠אַשְׁלִ֜יכָ⁠ה אֶֽת־כָּל־כְּלֵ֧י בֵית־טוֹבִיָּ֛ה הַ⁠ח֖וּץ מִן־הַ⁠לִּשְׁכָּֽה	1		Here, the term **house** figuratively represents all the possessions of Tobiah. It does not mean a literal house that Tobiah owned, because the context shows that he was staying in a room within the temple. Rather, **house** is a metaphor for “property,” that is, the things a person owns and would keep in a house. Alternate translation: “I threw everything that Tobiah was keeping in that storeroom right out of the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	9	k1i3	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וָ⁠אֹ֣מְרָ֔⁠ה	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as “then.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	13	9	k1i5	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אֹ֣מְרָ֔⁠ה וַֽ⁠יְטַהֲר֖וּ הַ⁠לְּשָׁכ֑וֹת	1		The implication is that Nehemiah spoke to the priests since they would have been the ones to conduct a ceremony like the one the story describes in [12:30](../12/30.md) to show that the people wanted the rooms in the temple to be ceremonially clean in the hopes that they would once more be acceptable to God. Alternate translation: “I told the priests to conduct a ceremony to purify the rooms in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	9	k1i7		כְּלֵי֙ בֵּ֣ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֶת־הַ⁠מִּנְחָ֖ה וְ⁠הַ⁠לְּבוֹנָֽה	1		See how you translated these expressions in [13:5](../13/05.md). Alternate translation: “the equipment for the temple, the offerings that the people brought, and the sacred incense”
NEH	13	9	k1i9	figs-metaphor	בֵּ֣ית הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֔ים	1		Nehemiah speaks figuratively of the temple as the **house of God** as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	10	k1j1	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וָ⁠אֵ֣דְעָ֔⁠ה	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as **then.** As with “understood” in [13:7](../13/07.md), **knew** here means **came to know** or **discovered** or **realized.** Alternate translation: “Then I discovered that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	13	10	k9k6	figs-activepassive	מְנָי֥וֹת הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם לֹ֣א נִתָּ֑נָה	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “no one had been giving the Levites the support that the law commanded the Israelites to provide for them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	13	10	k1j3	figs-explicit	מְנָי֥וֹת הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם לֹ֣א נִתָּ֑נָה	1		The implication is that no one was giving the Levites their support because there was no longer any place to store the grain, oil, and other supplies in the temple, from where they could be distributed to them. This was because Tobiah had taken over the large storeroom. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “no one had been giving the Levites the support that the law commanded the Israelites to provide for them because there was no place to store the contributions now that Tobiah had taken over the storeroom” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	10	k1j5	figs-abstractnouns	מְנָי֥וֹת הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם	1		As in [12:44](../12/44.md) and [12:47](../12/47.md), the abstract noun **portion** refers to the part of each crop that the law commanded the Israelites to give towards the work of the temple to support the Levites.<br>If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a different phrase. Alternate translation: “the support that the law commanded the Israelites to provide for the Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	13	10	k1j7	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יִּבְרְח֧וּ אִישׁ־לְ⁠שָׂדֵ֛⁠הוּ	1		The implication is that the Levites had had to return to farming their own land because they no longer received from the people the support they needed to be able to serve in the temple. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “all of the Levites had left the temple and returned to farming their own land because they had all stopped receiving the support that enabled them to serve in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	10	f2ng	grammar-connect-logic-result	וַ⁠יִּבְרְח֧וּ	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “as a result” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	13	10	k1j9	figs-idiom	אִישׁ־לְ⁠שָׂדֵ֛⁠הוּ	1		In this context, **a man** means **each one of them** or **every one of them** Alternate translation: “all of the Levites had returned to farming their own land” or “each of the Levites had returned to farming his own land”<br>(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	10	k1k1	figs-distinguish	הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֥ם וְ⁠הַ⁠מְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים עֹשֵׂ֥י הַ⁠מְּלָאכָֽה	1		Here the book repeats some background information to remind readers who the Levites and the singers were. Alternate translation: “the Levites and the singers, who were responsible for the worship in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	13	10	k1k3	figs-ellipsis	עֹשֵׂ֥י הַ⁠מְּלָאכָֽה	1		**The work** is an abbreviated way of saying “the work of the house of our God” as in [10:33](../10/33.md) or “the work of the house of God” as in [11:12](../11/12.md), that is, the work of the temple, meaning specifically everything required to maintain the worship there. Alternate translation: “who were responsible for the worship in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	13	11	k1k5	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וָ⁠אָרִ֨יבָ⁠ה֙	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “and after that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	13	11	k1k7	figs-idiom	וָ⁠אָרִ֨יבָ⁠ה֙ אֶת־הַ⁠סְּגָנִ֔ים	1		As in [5:7](../05/07.md), **contended** is a technical term that describes a public accusation that requires the defendants to answer for themselves in the presence of their fellow citizens. Alternate translation: “Then I called the city officials to account publicly for what they had allowed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	11	k1k9		הַ⁠סְּגָנִ֔ים	1		See how you translated this term in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “the city officials”
NEH	13	11	k1l1	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אֹ֣מְרָ֔⁠ה	1		The implication in context is that what Nehemiah said was an accusation. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a phrase that indicates this. Alternate translation: “I demanded to know” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	11	mx4v	figs-rquestion	מַדּ֖וּעַ נֶעֱזַ֣ב בֵּית־הָ⁠אֱלֹהִ֑ים	1		Nehemiah uses the question form to challenge or even ridicule the officials who have failed in the basic responsibility of making sure that worship continues in the temple. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “Because of you, the temple has been abandoned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	13	11	k1l3		וָֽ⁠אֶ֨קְבְּצֵ֔⁠ם וָֽ⁠אַעֲמִדֵ֖⁠ם עַל־עָמְדָֽ⁠ם	1		Here, **them** refers not to the city officials but to the Levites and singers who had gone back to their farms. Alternate translation: “I brought the Levites and the singers back to the temple and I had them start doing their work again”
NEH	13	11	k1l5	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וָֽ⁠אֶ֨קְבְּצֵ֔⁠ם	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as “then” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	13	12	k1l7	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וְ⁠כָל	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as “then” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	13	12	k1l9	figs-hyperbole	וְ⁠כָל־יְהוּדָ֗ה	1		**All** is a figurative exaggeration that means that people from throughout the province of Judah did this generally. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH	13	12	a9ux	figs-personification	וְ⁠כָל־יְהוּדָ֗ה	1		Here Nehemiah refers to all of the Israelites living in the province of Judah figuratively as if they were a single person, Judah, the ancestor of the tribe by that name that lived in the territory that was now this province. Alternate translation: “the people of Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	13	12	k1m1	translate-unknown	לָ⁠אוֹצָרֽוֹת	1		This means the storerooms in the temple. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	13	13	k1m3	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וָ⁠אוֹצְרָ֣⁠ה	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that this event took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as “then.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	13	13	k1m5	translate-unknown	וָ⁠אוֹצְרָ֣⁠ה עַל־א֠וֹצָרוֹת	1		**Treasurers** means officials who would be responsible for the storerooms in the temple. Alternate translation: “I appointed these men to be responsible for the temple storerooms” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	13	13	mu7f	translate-names	שֶׁלֶמְיָ֨ה הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֜ן וְ⁠צָד֣וֹק הַ⁠סּוֹפֵ֗ר וּ⁠פְדָיָה֙ מִן־הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֔ם	1		Shelmiah, Zadok, and Pedaiah are the names of men. As in [8:1](../08/01.md), where the word refers to Ezra, **scribe** means a teacher who has carefully studied the Law of Moses. **From the Levites** means that Pedaiah was one of the Levites. Alternate translation: “Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah the Levite” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	13	13	k1m7	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠עַל־יָדָ֔⁠ם	1		**At their hand** is a figurative way of saying **assisting them** Alternate translation: “I appointed to be their assistant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	13	k1m9	translate-names	חָנָ֥ן בֶּן־זַכּ֖וּר בֶּן־מַתַּנְיָ֑ה	1		Hanan is the name of a man, Zaccur is the name of his father, and Mattaniah is the name of his grandfather. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	13	13	k1n1	grammar-connect-logic-result	כִּ֤י	1		In this context, the conjunction **For** indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the reason for what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “I appointed them because” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	13	13	e8x3	figs-activepassive	נֶאֱמָנִים֙ נֶחְשָׁ֔בוּ	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “Everyone recognized that they were honest men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	13	13	k1n3	figs-metaphor	וַ⁠עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם לַ⁠חֲלֹ֥ק לַ⁠אֲחֵי⁠הֶֽם	1		In this context, **brother** seems to be a figurative way of saying **fellow priests and Levites,** although it is possible that some of the biological brothers of the men listed were included in this group. **Apportion** means **give the portions,** meaning the support as described in [13:10](../13/10.md). Alternate translation: “their responsibility was to make sure that their fellow priests and Levites received the support that the law commanded the Israelites to provide” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	14	v861	figs-idiom	זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י עַל־זֹ֑את	1		In this context, **remember** means to think about someone and consider what action you can take on their behalf. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten about him. Alternate translation: “please bless me, my God, for doing this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	14	k1n5	figs-aside	זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י עַל־זֹ֑את	1		As in [4:4](../04/04.md), here Nehemiah stops addressing the audience of his story and speaks directly to God. You could indicate this by putting this verse in quotation marks. Review the note at [4:4](../04/04.md) about asides like this if that would be helpful. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-aside]])
NEH	13	14	k1n7	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠אַל־תֶּ֣מַח	1		Nehemiah speaks of his good deeds as if they were something written that could be erased. Alternate translation: “do not overlook” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	14	k1n9	figs-abstractnouns	חֲסָדַ֗⁠י	1		The abstract noun **faithful kindness** here is the same as the term “covenant faithfulness” that Nehemiah applies to God in [1:5](../01/05.md), [9:17](../09/17.md), [9:32](../09/32.md), and [13:22](../13/22.md). It refers to a person consistently and dependably fulfilling the obligations they have accepted. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a phrase that would bring out this meaning. Alternate translation: “the way that I have consistently provided for” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	13	14	k1o1	figs-metaphor	בְּ⁠בֵ֥ית אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י	1		Nehemiah speaks figuratively of the temple as the **house of God** as if it were God’s dwelling place. Alternate translation: “your temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	14	k1o3		וּ⁠בְ⁠מִשְׁמָרָֽי⁠ו	1		As in [12:9](../12/09.md) and [12:24](../12/24.md), the phrase **service watch** refers to the Levite singers. It means either an individual choir or a time on duty for the singers. Alternate translation: “and for the Levite singers”
NEH	13	15	k1o5		בַּ⁠יָּמִ֣ים הָ⁠הֵ֡מָּה	1		This phrase indicates that this event took place at the same time as the event the story has just related. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “around that same time.”
NEH	13	15	k1o7		רָאִ֣יתִי בִֽ⁠יהוּדָ֣ה ׀ דֹּֽרְכִֽים־גִּתּ֣וֹת	1		Alternate translation: “I saw that some of the people of Judah were treading winepresses”
NEH	13	15	k1o9	figs-metonymy	דֹּֽרְכִֽים־גִּתּ֣וֹת	1		The word **winepresses** figuratively represents the grapes that were in the winepresses. The people were treading on the grapes to press the juice out of them so that they could make wine. Alternate translation: “treading on grapes in winepresses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	13	15	z3xh	figs-explicit	בַּ⁠שַּׁבָּ֡ת	1		The implication is that the people of Judah should not have been doing such work on the Sabbath because God had commanded them to set apart that day, the seventh day of the week, as a special day for rest and worship. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “on the Sabbath, when they should not have been doing any work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	15	k1p1	translate-names	בַּ⁠שַּׁבָּ֡ת	1		This is the name of a religious observance. It occurs repeatedly in this part of the story, through [13:22](../13/22.md). It will be helpful to your readers if you translate it consistently. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	13	15	k1p3	figs-explicit	וּ⁠מְבִיאִ֣ים הָ⁠עֲרֵמ֣וֹת וְֽ⁠עֹמְסִ֪ים עַל־הַ⁠חֲמֹרִ֟ים וְ⁠אַף־יַ֜יִן עֲנָבִ֤ים וּ⁠תְאֵנִים֙ וְ⁠כָל־מַשָּׂ֔א וּ⁠מְבִיאִ֥ים יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם בְּ⁠י֣וֹם הַ⁠שַּׁבָּ֑ת	1		These **ones** are not three different groups, but various people of Judah who were collectively doing all these things. The implication is that they were bringing these goods to Jerusalem to sell them even on the Sabbath. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. “Others had loaded their wares, such as sheaves of grain, wine, grapes, figs, and other goods, onto donkeys, and they were bringing these goods into Jerusalem to sell on the Sabbath day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	15	k1p5	figs-idiom	וָ⁠אָעִ֕יד בְּ⁠י֖וֹם מִכְרָ֥⁠ם צָֽיִד	1		The word **day** could be intended literally here and it could mean that Nehemiah protested that the Sabbath itself was not a day for selling goods since that was work. Another possibility is that the word **day** does not refer to a specific day, but rather to a more general time when Nehemiah said this. Alternate translation: “I protested that they should not be doing the work of selling on the Sabbath” or “at the time when they were selling these provisions, I protested against that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	16	k1p7		וְ⁠הַ⁠צֹּרִים֙ יָ֣שְׁבוּ בָ֔⁠הּ	1		Tyrians were people from the city of Tyre. **It** here refers to the city of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “Also, some people from the city of Tyre who were living in Jerusalem”
NEH	13	16	yvh1	translate-names	וְ⁠הַ⁠צֹּרִים֙	1		Tyrians were people who came from from the city of Tyre. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	13	16	k1p9	figs-metaphor	לִ⁠בְנֵ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה	1		**Son of** is a figurative expression that indicates that a person shares the qualities of something. In this case, Nehemiah is describing people who share the quality of being residents of the province of Judah. (In context, this does not seem to be limited to actual descendants of Judah, that is, Israelites from that tribe, since the Tyrians seem to have been eager to sell to anyone living in the area.) Alternate translation: “the people of Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	16	k1q1	figs-explicit	וּ⁠בִ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָֽם	1		The implication is that Jerusalem was the last place where anyone should have broken the Sabbath by doing work and engaging in commerce because it was the place from which God had chosen to start making himself famous throughout the world and the city where God had chosen to put his temple. (The concept is the same here as in [11:1](../11/01.md) and [11:18](../11/18.md), where Nehemiah calls Jerusalem “the holy city.”) If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “even in Jerusalem, the special city that God chose” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	17	k1q3	grammar-connect-logic-result	וָ⁠אָרִ֕יבָ⁠ה	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that the sentence it introduces explains something that happened as a result of what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “So” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	13	17	k1q5	figs-idiom	וָ⁠אָרִ֕יבָ⁠ה אֵ֖ת חֹרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה	1		As in [5:7](.//05/07.md) and [13:11](../13/11.md), **contended** is a technical term that describes a public accusation that requires the defendants to answer for themselves in the presence of their fellow citizens. Alternate translation: “Then I called the leading citizens of Judah to account publicly for what they had allowed” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	17	k1q7		חֹרֵ֣י יְהוּדָ֑ה	1		See how you translated this term in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “the leading citizens of Judah”
NEH	13	17	k1q9	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אֹמְרָ֣⁠ה לָ⁠הֶ֗ם	1		The implication in context is that what Nehemiah said was an accusation. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use a phrase that indicates this. Alternate translation: “I demanded to know” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	17	w5nr	figs-rquestion	מָֽה־הַ⁠דָּבָ֨ר הָ⁠רָ֤ע הַ⁠זֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים וּֽ⁠מְחַלְּלִ֖ים אֶת־י֥וֹם הַ⁠שַּׁבָּֽת	1		Nehemiah is using the question form for emphasis in order to scold the leaders of Judah. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate what he says as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You are doing an evil thing by treating the Sabbath day like any other day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	13	17	k1r1	translate-unknown	וּֽ⁠מְחַלְּלִ֖ים אֶת־י֥וֹם הַ⁠שַּׁבָּֽת	1		To **profane** something means to treat something that should be holy, set apart for a special purpose, as if it were something ordinary or common, just like anything else. Alternate translation: “treating the Sabbath day like any other day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	13	18	k1r3	figs-rquestion	הֲ⁠ל֨וֹא כֹ֤ה עָשׂוּ֙ אֲבֹ֣תֵי⁠כֶ֔ם וַ⁠יָּבֵ֨א אֱלֹהֵ֜י⁠נוּ עָלֵ֗י⁠נוּ אֵ֚ת כָּל־הָ⁠רָעָ֣ה הַ⁠זֹּ֔את וְ⁠עַ֖ל הָ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠זֹּ֑את	1		Nehemiah once again uses a question form for emphasis as he continues to scold the leaders of Judah. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate what he says as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You know that your ancestors did the same thing, and that is why our God brought all this trouble on us and on this city” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	13	18	k1r5	figs-metaphor	אֲבֹ֣תֵי⁠כֶ֔ם	1		**Fathers** here figuratively means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “your ancestors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	18	k1r7	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יָּבֵ֨א אֱלֹהֵ֜י⁠נוּ עָלֵ֗י⁠נוּ אֵ֚ת כָּל־הָ⁠רָעָ֣ה הַ⁠זֹּ֔את וְ⁠עַ֖ל הָ⁠עִ֣יר הַ⁠זֹּ֑את	1		As Nehemiah speaks to the leading citizens, he assumes that they will know that he is referring to the way God allowed the Babylonians to conquer Jerusalem, destroy much of the city including the temple, break down the city wall, and take most of the people into exile. As he reports this conversation in the book, he assumes that its audience will know this as well. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “our God allowed the Babylonians to take our people into exile and destroy this city” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	18	k1r9	figs-idiom	כָּל־הָ⁠רָעָ֣ה הַ⁠זֹּ֔את	1		**Evil** here does not refer to something morally wrong, but to trouble or harm. Alternate translation: “all this trouble” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	18	k1s1	grammar-connect-logic-contrast	וְ⁠אַתֶּ֞ם	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates a contrast between how the leading citizens should be acting and how they actually are acting. You could make this contrast explicit by using an expression such as, “You should know better” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH	13	18	k1s3	figs-explicit	וְ⁠אַתֶּ֞ם מוֹסִיפִ֤ים חָרוֹן֙ עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל	1		Nehemiah assumes that the leading citizens will know that he is speaking of God’s wrath, that is, God’s anger at the people’s sin, and the punishment that God may use to penalize and correct the people for what they are doing. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “you are making God even more angry with the people of Israel, and God may punish us even more” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	18	k1s5	figs-personification	יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל	1		Here Nehemiah refers to all of the Israelites figuratively as if they were a single person, their ancestor, Israel. Alternate translation: “the Israelites” or “the people of Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	13	18	k1s7	translate-unknown	לְ⁠חַלֵּ֖ל אֶת־הַ⁠שַּׁבָּֽת	1		As in [13:17](../13/17.md), to **profane** something means to treat something that should be considered holy, that is, set apart for a special purpose, as if it were ordinary or common. Alternate translation: “by treating the Sabbath day like any other day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH	13	19	p31h	writing-newevent	וַ⁠יְהִ֡י כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר צָֽלֲלוּ֩ שַׁעֲרֵ֨י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י הַ⁠שַּׁבָּ֗ת	1		Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
NEH	13	19	k1s9	figs-metaphor	כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר צָֽלֲלוּ֩ שַׁעֲרֵ֨י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י הַ⁠שַּׁבָּ֗ת	1		Nehemiah speaks of the gates as if they were changing in hue, but this is a figurative way of saying that the sun was setting and evening was beginning. Alternate translation: “when evening came” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	19	k1t1	figs-metaphor	לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י הַ⁠שַּׁבָּ֗ת	1		As in [13:4](../13/04.md), the expression **face**, which often refers figuratively to the front of something, has the further figurative significance of “in front of” or “before” a certain time. Alternate translation: “as the Sabbath was beginning” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	19	vk4t	grammar-connect-logic-result	וָ⁠אֹֽמְרָ⁠ה֙ וַ⁠יִּסָּגְר֣וּ הַ⁠דְּלָת֔וֹת	1		Here the conjunction **and** indicates that the action described in the second phrase was the result of the action described in the first phrase. Alternate translation: “I gave orders for the doors to be closed and barred” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	13	19	wy3q		וָ⁠אֹ֣מְרָ֔⁠ה אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א יִפְתָּח֔וּ⁠ם עַ֖ד אַחַ֣ר הַ⁠שַּׁבָּ֑ת	1		**They** likely refers to the gatekeepers. Alternate translation: “I ordered the gatekeepers not to open them again until after the Sabbath”
NEH	13	19	k1t3	figs-idiom	וּ⁠מִ⁠נְּעָרַ֗⁠י הֶֽעֱמַ֨דְתִּי֙ עַל־הַ⁠שְּׁעָרִ֔ים	1		As in [4:16](../04/16.md) and many other places in the book, “young men” refers to the servants who worked for Nehemiah. While they probably were young adult males, the expression is specifically envisioning their role and status. Alternate translation: “I had some of my servants stand at the gates” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	19	k1t5	figs-personification	לֹא־יָב֥וֹא מַשָּׂ֖א בְּ⁠י֥וֹם הַ⁠שַּׁבָּֽת	1		Here Nehemiah speaks figuratively of a load of goods as if it were a living thing that could go through the gates and into Jerusalem on its own. Alternate translation: “so that no one would bring in a load on the Sabbath day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	13	19	k1t7	figs-explicit	לֹא־יָב֥וֹא מַשָּׂ֖א בְּ⁠י֥וֹם הַ⁠שַּׁבָּֽת	1		The ultimate purpose was to keep merchants from offering goods for sale on the Sabbath and to keep the people from buying them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “so that on the Sabbath day no one would bring a load of goods into the city for sale” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	20	s2hv	figs-doublet	הָ⁠רֹכְלִ֜ים וּ⁠מֹכְרֵ֧י כָל־מִמְכָּ֛ר	1		These two phrases mean similar things. You do not need to repeat both of them in your translation if that might be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “merchants who had goods for sale,” or “some traders and some merchants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH	13	20	k1t8	figs-explicit	וַ⁠יָּלִ֨ינוּ…מִ⁠ח֥וּץ לִ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֖ם	1		**Lodged** means “spent the night.” The implication is that they wanted to start selling their goods first thing the next morning. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “spent the night outside Jerusalem so they could start selling their goods first thing the next morning” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	20	k1u1		פַּ֥עַם וּ⁠שְׁתָּֽיִם	1		Alternate translation: “once or twice”
NEH	13	21	k1u3	figs-idiom	וָ⁠אָעִ֣ידָ⁠ה בָ⁠הֶ֗ם	1		As in [9:26](../09/26.md), this phrase means, “I warned them what what they were doing was wrong.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	21	k1u5	grammar-connect-time-simultaneous	וָ⁠אָעִ֣ידָ⁠ה	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that this event took place at the same time as the event the story has just related. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “each time they did this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH	13	21	hi84	figs-rquestion	מַדּ֜וּעַ אַתֶּ֤ם לֵנִים֙ נֶ֣גֶד הַ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה	1		As in [13:17](../13/17.md), Nehemiah is using a question form for emphasis as he scolds these merchants. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate what he says as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I do not allow you to spend the night just outside the city wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	13	21	k1u7		מַדּ֜וּעַ אַתֶּ֤ם לֵנִים֙ נֶ֣גֶד הַ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה	1		The implication, as in [13:20](../13/20.md), is that the traders want to begin selling first thing the next morning. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I do not allow you to spend the night just outside the city wall so you can start selling your goods as soon as the Sabbath day begins”
NEH	13	21	k1u9	figs-idiom	אִם־תִּשְׁנ֕וּ	1		This is an idiom that means “if you do this again.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	21	k1v1	figs-idiom	יָ֖ד אֶשְׁלַ֣ח בָּ⁠כֶ֑ם	1		This is an idiom that means “I will use force against you.” Alternate translation: “I will forcibly drive you away from the city” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	21	k1vv	figs-metaphor	יָ֖ד אֶשְׁלַ֣ח	1		Here, **hand** figuratively represents power and action. Alternate translation: “forcibly drive away” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	21	k1v5	grammar-connect-time-sequential	מִן־הָ⁠עֵ֣ת הַ⁠הִ֔יא לֹא־בָ֖אוּ בַּ⁠שַּׁבָּֽת	1		The expression in the first phrase indicates that the event it introduces took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a phrase such as “after that.” Alternate translation: “After that, the merchants no longer came to the city on the Sabbath” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	13	22	k1v7	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אֹמְרָ֣⁠ה לַ⁠לְוִיִּ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִֽהְי֤וּ מִֽטַּהֲרִים֙	1		As in [12:30](../12/30.md) and [13:9](../13/09.md), **purify** means to perform a ceremony to make a person or a place ceremonially clean, to express the hope that it will be acceptable to God and useful for his purposes. Alternate translation: “I told the Levites to hold a ceremony to make themselves clean and acceptable to God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	22	k1w1	figs-explicit	וּ⁠בָאִים֙ שֹׁמְרִ֣ים הַ⁠שְּׁעָרִ֔ים לְ⁠קַדֵּ֖שׁ אֶת־י֣וֹם הַ⁠שַּׁבָּ֑ת	1		As in [3:1](../03/01.md) and [12:47](../12/47.md), **consecrate** means to set something apart for a special purpose. Nehemiah was telling the Levites that they should guard the gates in order to prevent people from bringing goods for sale into the city on the Sabbath day. That way, they would ensure that the Sabbath continued to be a day that was set apart for the special purpose of rest and worship, and it would not be treated like an ordinary day. Alternate translation: “and I told them that they should then guard the gates of the city so that no one would bring in goods to sell on the Sabbath as if it were an ordinary day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	22	mis6	figs-idiom	גַּם־זֹאת֙ זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֣⁠י אֱלֹהַ֔⁠י	1		In this context, **remember** means to think about someone and consider what action you can take on their behalf. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten about him. Alternate translation: “Please bless me, O God, for doing this as well” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	22	k1w3	figs-aside	גַּם־זֹאת֙ זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֣⁠י אֱלֹהַ֔⁠י	1		As in [4:4](../04/04.md), Nehemiah stops addressing the audience of his story and speaks directly to God. You could indicate this by putting this verse in quotation marks. Review the note at [4:4](../04/04.md) about asides like this if that would be helpful. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-aside]])
NEH	13	22	zxc2	figs-abstractnouns	וְ⁠ח֥וּסָ⁠ה עָלַ֖⁠י כְּ⁠רֹ֥ב חַסְדֶּֽ⁠ךָ	1		The abstract noun **greatness** expresses the vast extent to which God possesses the quality of **covenant faithfulness**. As in [1:5](../01/05.md), God having this quality means that he is inwardly disposed to keep all of his promises, and so he always does that faithfully. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this abstract noun with an adjective such as “great.” Alternate translation: “and have mercy on me, because your faithfulness to those who belong to you is so great” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH	13	23	k1w5		בַּ⁠יָּמִ֣ים הָ⁠הֵ֗ם	1		This phrase indicates that this event took place at the same time as the event the story has just related. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship in this case by using a phrase such as “around that same time”
NEH	13	23	b4nt	figs-idiom	בַּ⁠יָּמִ֣ים הָ⁠הֵ֗ם	1		The term **days** is used figuratively here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “around that same time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	23	jp2w	figs-idiom	הֹשִׁ֗יבוּ	1		This is an expression that refers figuratively to marriage. Alternate translation: “who had married” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	23	l9c2	translate-names	אשדודיות עמוניות מוֹאֲבִיּֽוֹת	1		These are the names of three people groups. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	13	24	w247	writing-background	וּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֗ם	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that this sentence will provide further information about the situation the book is describing here. You could use a phrase such as **and as for** to show that this is further background information. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH	13	24	k1w7		וּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֗ם חֲצִי֙ מְדַבֵּ֣ר אַשְׁדּוֹדִ֔ית וְ⁠אֵינָ֥⁠ם מַכִּירִ֖ים לְ⁠דַבֵּ֣ר יְהוּדִ֑ית	1		This could mean one of two things. It seems most likely that the expression means that: (1) these children spoke a mixed language, using Ashdodite expressions half the time and Hebrew expressions the other half of the time, so that none of them knew how to speak Hebrew fluently. The expression could also mean that (2) half of the children who were born to Hebrew fathers and foreign mothers spoke a foreign language. However, if half spoke Ashdodite, and none spoke Hebrew, this leaves open the question of what language the other half of the children spoke. Alternate translation: (1) “their children spoke a mixed dialect, using Philistine expressions half the time, so that none of them could speak Hebrew fluently” or (2) “half of their children spoke the language of the Philistines, and none of their children knew how to speak Hebrew”
NEH	13	24	k1w9	translate-fraction	חֲצִי֙	1		**Half** means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH	13	24	k1x1	figs-ellipsis	וְ⁠אֵינָ֥⁠ם מַכִּירִ֖ים לְ⁠דַבֵּ֣ר יְהוּדִ֑ית וְ⁠כִ⁠לְשׁ֖וֹן עַ֥ם וָ⁠עָֽם	1		Here Nehemiah leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. This sentence seems to mean “none of them could speak Hebrew fluently, but instead they mixed it with the language of whatever people group their mothers belonged to.” You could say that explicitly if it would be helpful to your readers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	13	24	k1x3	figs-metonymy	וְ⁠כִ⁠לְשׁ֖וֹן	1		Here, **tongue** figuratively means the language spoken by a person or a group of people. Alternate translation: “language” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH	13	24	k1x5	figs-idiom	עַ֥ם וָ⁠עָֽם	1		This is an idiom that means “of each people group” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	25	k1x7	figs-idiom	וָ⁠אָרִ֤יב עִמָּ⁠ם֙	1		As in [5:7](../05/07.md), [13:11](../13/11.md), and [13:17](../13/17.md), **contended** is a technical term that describes a public accusation that requires the defendants to answer for themselves in the presence of their fellow citizens. Alternate translation: “then I called these men to account publicly for what they had done” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	25	k1x9		וָ⁠אֲקַֽלְלֵ֔⁠ם	1		As in [10:29](../10/29.md), **curse** means to express the wish that God would punish someone. Alternate translation: “I said I wished that God would punish them”
NEH	13	25	hg44	translate-symaction	וָ⁠אַכֶּ֥ה מֵ⁠הֶ֛ם אֲנָשִׁ֖ים וָֽ⁠אֶמְרְטֵ֑⁠ם	1		By performing these actions, Nehemiah demonstrated to these men symbolically how serious a wrong they had committed. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “I struck some of them and pulled out their hair to show how wrong they were to have married foreign women” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH	13	25	gzx6	figs-123person	וָ⁠אַשְׁבִּיעֵ֣⁠ם בֵּֽ⁠אלֹהִ֗ים אִם־תִּתְּנ֤וּ בְנֹֽתֵי⁠כֶם֙ לִ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֔ם וְ⁠אִם־תִּשְׂאוּ֙ מִ⁠בְּנֹ֣תֵי⁠הֶ֔ם לִ⁠בְנֵי⁠כֶ֖ם וְ⁠לָ⁠כֶֽם	1		Here Nehemiah is reporting the words of the oath in the second person, because this is his account of how he spoke to the men who had married foreign women. When these men said the actual oath, they would have used the first person. If it would be clearer in your language, you could use the first person in your translation as well. Alternate translation: “I made them take this oath: ‘If we allow our daughters to marry their sons, or if we or our sons marry their daughters, may God punish us severely’” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH	13	25	k1y1	figs-ellipsis	וָ⁠אַשְׁבִּיעֵ֣⁠ם בֵּֽ⁠אלֹהִ֗ים אִם־תִּתְּנ֤וּ בְנֹֽתֵי⁠כֶם֙ לִ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֔ם וְ⁠אִם־תִּשְׂאוּ֙ מִ⁠בְּנֹ֣תֵי⁠הֶ֔ם לִ⁠בְנֵי⁠כֶ֖ם וְ⁠לָ⁠כֶֽם	1		Nehemiah has the men take an oath using a common Hebrew formula that leaves out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. Whenever a person takes an oath using this formula, the implication is, “May God punish me severly if I do this thing.” Alternate translation: “If we allow our daughters to marry their sons, or if we or our sons marry their daughters, may God punish us severely!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH	13	25	k1y3	figs-idiom	תִּתְּנ֤וּ בְנֹֽתֵי⁠כֶם֙ לִ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֔ם	1		This is an idiom that means **allow your daughters to marry their sons** or **give your daughters in marriage to their sons** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	25	k1y5	figs-idiom	תִּשְׂאוּ֙ מִ⁠בְּנֹ֣תֵי⁠הֶ֔ם	1		This is an idiom that means “if you take any of their daughters as wives” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	26	k1y7	figs-explicit	הֲ⁠ל֣וֹא עַל־אֵ֣לֶּה חָטָֽא־שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל	1		Here Nehemiah supports his argument by appealing to facts that he assumes these men will know. Alternate translation: “you know that Solomon king of Israel sinned because he married foreign women” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	26	k1y9	figs-rquestion	הֲ⁠ל֣וֹא עַל־אֵ֣לֶּה חָטָֽא־שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל	1		Nehemiah is using a question form for emphasis as he scolds these men. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate what he says as a statement. Alternate translation: “you know that Solomon king of Israel sinned because he married foreign women” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	13	26	k1z1	grammar-connect-logic-contrast	וּ⁠בַ⁠גּוֹיִ֣ם	1		In this context, the conjunction **Yet** introduces a contrast between what Solomon would have been expected to do and what he actually did. You could begin the sentence with a phrase like “even though” to indicate this contrast. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH	13	26	k1z3	figs-idiom	וּ⁠בַ⁠גּוֹיִ֣ם הָ⁠רַבִּים֩ לֹֽא־הָיָ֨ה מֶ֜לֶךְ כָּמֹ֗⁠הוּ	1		The expression **many nations** in this phrase indicates, “You could look among as many nations as you wanted, but you would still find no king like him.” In other words, “There was no other king like him anywhere in the world.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that as an alternate translation. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	26	k1z5	figs-activepassive	וְ⁠אָה֤וּב לֵֽ⁠אלֹהָי⁠ו֙ הָיָ֔ה	1		If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “God loved him very much” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH	13	26	k1aa	figs-idiom	וַ⁠יִּתְּנֵ֣⁠הוּ אֱלֹהִ֔ים מֶ֖לֶךְ עַל־כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל	1		This is an idiom that means, “God made him king over all of Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	26	k1bb	figs-explicit	גַּם־אוֹת֣⁠וֹ הֶחֱטִ֔יאוּ הַ⁠נָּשִׁ֖ים הַ⁠נָּכְרִיּֽוֹת	1		The implication is that these were foreign women whom Solomon married. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The foreign women he married caused even him to sin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	27	vp56	figs-rquestion	וְ⁠לָ⁠כֶ֣ם הֲ⁠נִשְׁמַ֗ע לַ⁠עֲשֹׂת֙ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הָ⁠רָעָ֤ה הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָה֙ הַ⁠זֹּ֔את לִ⁠מְעֹ֖ל בֵּֽ⁠אלֹהֵ֑י⁠נוּ לְ⁠הֹשִׁ֖יב נָשִׁ֥ים נָכְרִיּֽוֹת	1		Nehemiah uses a question form for emphasis once again as he continues to scold these men. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate what he says as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “We will not accept your excuses and allow you to keep doing this thing that is so wrong” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH	13	27	k1cc	figs-idiom	וְ⁠לָ⁠כֶ֣ם הֲ⁠נִשְׁמַ֗ע	1		As in [9:16](../09/16.md) and [9:29](../09/29.md), **listen** in this context is an idiom that means not just to hear a statement about a course of action, but to agree to follow it. If your language has a word for “listen” that also means “agree,” you could use it here. Alternate translation: “we will not heed your words” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	27	k1dd	figs-idiom	כָּל־הָ⁠רָעָ֤ה הַ⁠גְּדוֹלָה֙ הַ⁠זֹּ֔את	1		Here, the word **all** does not indicate the entirety of something. Instead, it expresses emphasis. Alternate translation: “this thing that is so wrong” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	27	k1ee	figs-explicit	לִ⁠מְעֹ֖ל בֵּֽ⁠אלֹהֵ֑י⁠נוּ לְ⁠הֹשִׁ֖יב נָשִׁ֥ים נָכְרִיּֽוֹת	1		Here acting unfaithfully means violating the Law of Moses. Nehemiah assumes that these men will know that the law forbade the Israelites to marry outside their people group. (In fact, it does so using language very much like the oath that Nehemiah made these men swear. For example, “Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons,” Deuteronomy 7:3.) If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “By marrying foreign women, you are breaking the law that God gave us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	27	k1ff	figs-idiom	לְ⁠הֹשִׁ֖יב	1		As in [13:23](../13/23.md), this is an expression that refers figuratively to marriage. Alternate translation: “marrying” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	28	k1gg	writing-background	וּ⁠מִ⁠בְּנֵ֨י	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that this sentence will provide background information that is necessary for understanding the next event the book will describe. You could express the same meaning with a word that indicates this in your language. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH	13	28	k1hh	figs-idiom	וּ⁠מִ⁠בְּנֵ֨י	1		This means **one of the sons of.** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	28	dft4	translate-names	יוֹיָדָ֤ע בֶּן־אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙	1		Joiada is the name of a man, and Eliashib is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	13	28	k2i2	figs-distinguish	אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֣ן הַ⁠גָּד֔וֹל	1		Here Nehemiah repeats some background information to remind readers who Eliashib was. Alternate translation: “Eliashib, who was the high priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-distinguish]])
NEH	13	28	k1ii		חָתָ֖ן	1		Alternate translation: “had married the daughter of”
NEH	13	28	f8ak	translate-names	לְ⁠סַנְבַלַּ֣ט הַ⁠חֹרֹנִ֑י	1		Sanballat is the name of a man, and Horonite is the name of his people group. See how you translated these words in [2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH	13	28	rhs8	grammar-connect-logic-result	וָ⁠אַבְרִיחֵ֖⁠הוּ	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that the sentence it introduces explains the results of what the previous sentence described. Alternate translation: “as a result” or “because he had done this” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH	13	28	k1jj	figs-synecdoche	וָ⁠אַבְרִיחֵ֖⁠הוּ מֵ⁠עָלָֽ⁠י	1		**Him** means this son of Joiada. Nehemiah means not just that he made this man leave his personal presence, but that he forced him to at least leave Jerusalem, and perhaps to stay out of the entire province of Judah. Nehemiah is using the space around himself figuratively to represent all Jerusalem and Judah. Alternate translation: “I forced him to leave Jerusalem” or “I forced him to leave the province of Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH	13	28	k1jk	figs-explicit	וָ⁠אַבְרִיחֵ֖⁠הוּ מֵ⁠עָלָֽ⁠י	1		The implication is that this son of Joiada was serving as a priest himself (as his lineage entitled him to do), and so he was a high-profile case of flaunting the command in the law against marrying foreign women. Nehemiah needed to make an example of him. A further consideration may have been that Sanballat was an enemy to Nehemiah and the Jews, and this man was one of the people who was sending letters to Sanballat with information about Nehemiah, as 6:17 indicates. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express one of these possibilites explicitly. Alternate translation: “I forced him to leave Jerusalem because as a priest, he was setting a bad public example by being married to a foreign woman” or “I forced him to leave Jerusalem because he was helping our enemy Sanballat” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	29	k1ll	figs-aside	זָכְרָ֥⁠ה לָ⁠הֶ֖ם אֱלֹהָ֑⁠י עַ֚ל גָּאֳלֵ֣י הַ⁠כְּהֻנָּ֔ה וּ⁠בְרִ֥ית הַ⁠כְּהֻנָּ֖ה וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּֽם	1		As in [13:22](../13/22.md), Nehemiah stops addressing the audience of his story and speaks directly to God. You could indicate this by putting this verse in quotation marks. Review the note at [4:4](../04/04.md) about asides like this if that would be helpful. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-aside]])
NEH	13	29	k1mm	figs-idiom	זָכְרָ֥⁠ה לָ⁠הֶ֖ם	1		**Them** likely means this son of Joiada, who had married a foreign woman, and Joiada himself, who had arranged with Sanballat for his son to marry Sanballat’s daughter. As often in this book, **remember** means to think about someone and consider what action you should take in their regard. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten about Joiada and his son. Alternate translation: “treat Joiada and his son the way they deserve for what they have done” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	29	mn8k	figs-metaphor	עַ֚ל גָּאֳלֵ֣י הַ⁠כְּהֻנָּ֔ה וּ⁠בְרִ֥ית הַ⁠כְּהֻנָּ֖ה וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּֽם	1		Nehemiah speaks here of Joiada and his son causing the priesthood to be dishonored and breaking the covenant as if these actions had made the priesthood and God’s covenant with the Israelites ceremonially unclean. Alternate translation: “they have dishonored the priesthood and broken the covenant you made with the priests and Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	29	k1nn	figs-explicit	וּ⁠בְרִ֥ית הַ⁠כְּהֻנָּ֖ה וְ⁠הַ⁠לְוִיִּֽם	1		This means the covenant that established the descendants of Aaron as priests and the Levites as their helpers, in other words, the covenant that God made with Israel through Moses. Alternate translation: “the covenant you made with the Israelites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH	13	30	gd16	grammar-connect-time-sequential	וְ⁠טִֽהַרְתִּ֖י⁠ם	1		In this context, the conjunction **And** indicates that this event it introduces took place after the event the story has just described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could show this relationship by using a word such as **then** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-sequential]])
NEH	13	30	k1oo	figs-metaphor	וְ⁠טִֽהַרְתִּ֖י⁠ם מִ⁠כָּל־נֵכָ֑ר	1		**Them** means the priests and Levites whom Nehemiah has just mentioned. He probably says **purified** in a figurative sense. He did not hold a ceremony of purification, since the priests and Levites themselves would have done that. Rather, he means that he made sure that none of the other priests or Levites were married to foreign women, and that in this way he ensured that the priesthood was no longer figuratively unclean, as described in [13:29](../13/29.md). Alternate translation: “I made sure that none of the priests or Levites were married to foreign women.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH	13	30	s3y9		וָ⁠אַעֲמִ֧ידָ⁠ה מִשְׁמָר֛וֹת לַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֥ים וְ⁠לַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם	1		Generally in this book, the phrase **service watch** refers to the Levite singers. It means either an individual choir or a time on duty for the singers. But since Nehemiah also speaks of the priests here, in this context the phrase seems to mean more generally the time on duty for both the priests and the Levites. Alternate translation: “I made sure that the priests and Levites all came on duty in the temple when they were supposed to”
NEH	13	30	k1pp	figs-personification	וָ⁠אַעֲמִ֧ידָ⁠ה	1		Nehemiah is speaking of these temple arrangements figuratively, as in [5:13](../05/13.md), as if they were a living thing that could stand, that is, stay in place or be established rather than go away. Alternate translation: “I made sure that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH	13	30	k1qq	figs-idiom	אִ֥ישׁ בִּ⁠מְלַאכְתּֽ⁠וֹ	1		In this context, **a man** means **each one of them** Alternate translation: “and that each one fulfilled his assigned responsibilities” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH	13	31	vl4a		וּ⁠לְ⁠קֻרְבַּ֧ן הָ⁠עֵצִ֛ים בְּ⁠עִתִּ֥ים מְזֻמָּנ֖וֹת וְ⁠לַ⁠בִּכּוּרִ֑ים	1		This verse continues the sentence that begins in the previous verse, so here Nehemiah is describing two further things that he **caused to stand** or made sure happened. He is referring to the promises that the people made in their covenant to bring these contributions to the temple to support the priests and Levites. See how you translated these terms in [10:34](../10/34.md) and [10:35](../10/35.md). Alternate translation: “I also made sure that the people brought their offerings of wood and of the first crops that grow in their fields at the times when they had promised to bring them”
NEH	13	31	sh91	figs-aside	זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י לְ⁠טוֹבָֽה	1		As in [4:4](../04/04.md), here Nehemiah stops addressing the readers of his story and speaks directly to God. You could indicate this by putting this verse in quotation marks. Review the note at [4:4](../04/04.md) about asides like this if that would be helpful. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-aside]])
NEH	13	31	ae94	figs-idiom	זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י לְ⁠טוֹבָֽה	1		To remember someone **for good** is an idiom that means to reward someone with good things for the good that they have done. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])