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UTN Review [NEH] (#1430)

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Book Chapter Verse ID SupportReference OrigQuote Occurrence GLQuote OccurrenceNote
NEH front intro k2y2 0 # Introduction to Nehemiah<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>1. The people rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (3:1-4:23)<br>1. Nehemiah helps the poor and provides an unselfish example (5:1–19)<br>1. Enemies try to slow down the work, but the people finish the walls (6:1–19)<br>1. Nehemiah lists the people who returned from exile (7:6–73)<br>1. Ezra reads the Law of Yahweh and the people respond (8:1-10:39)<br>1. Nehemiah lists the people who lived in and around Jerusalem (11:1–36)<br>1. Nehemiah lists the priests and Levites (12:1–26)<br>1. The people dedicate the walls of Jerusalem (12:27–47)<br>1. 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 clearer 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 allowed the Assyrians to conquer the other ten tribes and take them into exile. 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 not told in the order they actually happened. Translators should pay attention to notes that signal when events are probably out of order.
NEH 1 intro y5jf 0 # Nehemiah 01 General Notes<br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>### “The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:”<br>This phrase serves as an introduction to this entire book.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Repentance<br>This chapter is a single long record of Nehemiah’s repentance on behalf of the people. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])<br><br>## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter<br><br>### I<br>While the author of this book is probably Ezra, the word “I” always refers to Nehemiah.<br><br>### Israel<br>It is uncertain to whom “Israel” refers. It 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. At Nehemiah’s time, this people group exclusively comprised the tribe of Judah because the other tribes had already been scattered throughout the entire Near East, where they lost their identity, for the most part.
NEH 1 1 bi9h translate-names נְחֶמְיָ֖ה…חֲכַלְיָ֑ה 1 Nehemiah…Hakaliah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 1 1 qd3e translate-hebrewmonths בְ⁠חֹֽדֶשׁ־כִּסְלֵיו֙ 1 in the month of Kislev “Kislev” is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of November and the first part of December on Western calendars. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 1 1 hn28 figs-explicit שְׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים 1 in the twentieth year Nehemiah is referring to the number of years that Artaxerxes had been reigning as king. Alternate translation: “in the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, King of Persia” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 1 1 g6dl בְּ⁠שׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַ⁠בִּירָֽה׃ 1 fortress of Susa This was one of the royal cities of Persian kings, located in the country of Elam. It was a large, fortified city with high walls surrounding it.
NEH 1 intro y5jf 0 # Nehemiah 01 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. (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>It is uncertain to whom “Israel” refers. It 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. At Nehemiah’s time, this people group exclusively comprised the tribe of Judah because the other tribes had already been scattered throughout the entire Near East, where they lost their identity, for the most part.
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. Alternate translation: “My story begins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/riting-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]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
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. Alternate translation: “in the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, King of Persia” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 1 1 abc3 figs-metonymy בְּ⁠שׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַ⁠בִּירָֽה 1 in Susa the citadel 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 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 מֵ⁠אַחַ֛⁠י 1 one of my brothers, Hanani Hanani was Nehemiah’s biological brother.
NEH 1 2 lg14 וַ⁠יָּבֹ֨א חֲנָ֜נִי…⁠אֲנָשִׁ֖ים מִֽ⁠יהוּדָ֑ה 1 Hanani, came with some people from Judah “Hanani came from Judah with some other people”
NEH 1 2 q7zi figs-explicit הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֧ים הַ⁠פְּלֵיטָ֛ה אֲשֶֽׁר־נִשְׁאֲר֥וּ מִן־הַ⁠שֶּׁ֖בִי 1 the Jews who had escaped, the remnant of the Jews who were there These two phrases refer to the same group of people. Possible meanings are (1) the few Jews who were taken as exiles to Babylon but escaped and returned to 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. Since it is unclear from where they escaped, it may be best not to specify in the translation. Alternate translation: “the Jews who had escaped the exile and who remained in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 1 3 igf2 וַ⁠יֹּאמְרוּ֮ לִ⁠י֒ 1 They said to me Here “They” refers to Hanani and the other people who had come from Judah.
NEH 1 3 y1zg figs-explicit בַּ⁠מְּדִינָ֔ה 1 the province Here “province” refers to Judah as an administrative district under the Persian Empire. Alternate translation: “the province of Judah” or “Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 1 3 pk3f figs-activepassive וְ⁠חוֹמַ֤ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ מְפֹרָ֔צֶת וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ נִצְּת֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ 1 the wall of Jerusalem has been broken open, and its gates have been set on fire This can be stated in active form. 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 5 tzl8 figs-explicit וָ⁠אֹמַ֗ר 1 Then I said Nehemiah tells what he prayed. Alternate translation: “Then I said to Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 1 5 pf2l יְהוָה֙ 1 Yahweh This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
NEH 1 5 zc64 figs-123person לְ⁠אֹהֲבָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠לְ⁠שֹׁמְרֵ֥י מִצְוֺתָֽי⁠ו 1 who love him and 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 g947 figs-metaphor וְֽ⁠עֵינֶ֪י⁠ךָ פְתֻוּח֟וֹת 1 open your eyes “look at me.” Here “open your eyes” is a metaphor that represents paying attention to someone. Alternate translation: “pay attention to me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 1 6 qjf3 לִ⁠שְׁמֹ֣עַ אֶל־תְּפִלַּ֣ת עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֡ 1 so you may hear the prayer of your servant “so that you may hear the prayer that I, your servant, am praying.” The word “servant” refers to Nehemiah. This is how a person would address his superior in order to show humility and respect.
NEH 1 6 v8gx figs-merism הַ⁠יּוֹם֙ יוֹמָ֣ם וָ⁠לַ֔יְלָה 1 day and night By saying that he prays both during the day and during the night, Nehemiah emphasizes the frequency of his prayers. Alternate translation: “all the time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
NEH 1 6 bxj6 figs-metonymy וַ⁠אֲנִ֥י וּ⁠בֵית־אָבִ֖⁠י 1 Both I and my father’s house Here the word “house” represents family. Alternate translation: “Both I and my family” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 1 8 brz7 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah continues praying to God.
NEH 1 8 pv64 figs-idiom זְכָר־נָא֙ 1 Please call to mind To “call to mind” is an idiom that means to remember. Alternate translation: “Please remember” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 1 8 y5jp figs-you אֶת־הַ⁠דָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֛יתָ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֖ 1 the word you commanded your servant Moses The pronouns “you” and “your” refer to God and so are singular. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
NEH 1 8 b6qh figs-you אַתֶּ֣ם תִּמְעָ֔לוּ אֲנִ֕י אָפִ֥יץ אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם 1 If you act unfaithfully…scatter you The pronouns “you” and “your” are plural and refer to the Israelite people. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
NEH 1 8 evf5 figs-metaphor אָפִ֥יץ אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם בָּ⁠עַמִּֽים 1 I will scatter you among the nations Yahweh speaks of causing the Israelite people to live in other nations as if he scattered them like one would scatter seeds. Alternate translation: “I will cause you to live among the nations” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 1 9 dqn5 figs-you וְ⁠שַׁבְתֶּ֣ם אֵלַ֔⁠י וּ⁠שְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ מִצְוֺתַ֔⁠י וַ⁠עֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם 1 if you return…your people The pronouns “you” and “your” are plural and refer to the Israelite people. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
NEH 1 9 f8jz figs-idiom בִּ⁠קְצֵ֤ה הַ⁠שָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ 1 under the farthest skies Yahweh speaks of places on the earth that are very far away as being “under the farthest skies.” Alternate translation: “to places very far away” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 1 9 lgh9 figs-explicit אֶל־הַ⁠מָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתִּי לְ⁠שַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶת־שְׁמִ֖⁠י שָֽׁם 1 to that place where I have chosen…remain This phrase refers to Jerusalem, where the temple was located. Alternate translation: “to Jerusalem, where I have chosen…remain” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 1 9 g88j figs-metonymy אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתִּי לְ⁠שַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶת־שְׁמִ֖⁠י שָֽׁם 1 where I have chosen to make my name remain Here the word “name” represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: “where I have chosen to dwell” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 1 10 u4a8 0 General Information: Nehemiah continues his prayer.
NEH 1 10 w4qw וְ⁠הֵ֥ם 1 Now This word is used here to mark a break in Nehemiah’s prayer. Here he begins to make his request based on Yahweh’s promise.
NEH 1 10 mjx7 וְ⁠הֵ֥ם עֲבָדֶ֖י⁠ךָ 1 they are your servants The word “they” refers to the Israelite people.
NEH 1 10 zu4s figs-metonymy בְּ⁠כֹחֲ⁠ךָ֣ הַ⁠גָּד֔וֹל וּ⁠בְ⁠יָדְ⁠ךָ֖ הַ⁠חֲזָקָֽה 1 by your great power and by your strong hand Here “hand” represents strength or power. Together, these two phrases form a doublet that emphasizes the intensity of Yahweh’s power. Alternate translation: “by your great power and by your mighty strength” or “by your very powerful strength” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 1 11 jjm7 תְּפִלַּ֨ת עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֜ 1 the prayer of your servant Here “servant” refers to Nehemiah. This is how a person would address his superior in order to show humility and respect. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 1:6](../01/06.md).
NEH 1 11 j433 תְּפִלַּ֣ת עֲבָדֶ֗י⁠ךָ 1 the prayer of your servants Here “servants” refers to the rest of the Israelite people who would have been praying for Yahweh to act on behalf of his people and on behalf of Jerusalem.
NEH 1 11 hk3z figs-metonymy הַֽ⁠חֲפֵצִים֙ לְ⁠יִרְאָ֣ה אֶת־שְׁמֶ֔⁠ךָ 1 who delight to honor your name Here “name” represents Yahweh himself. Alternate translation: “who delight to honor you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 1 11 kr99 וּ⁠תְנֵ֣⁠הוּ לְ⁠רַחֲמִ֔ים לִ⁠פְנֵ֖י הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה 1 grant him mercy in the sight of this man Here “him” refers to Nehemiah, who refers to himself in the third person to express his humility before God, and “this man” refers to Artaxerxes, the king of Persia.
NEH 1 11 r7af figs-metaphor לִ⁠פְנֵ֖י הָ⁠אִ֣ישׁ הַ⁠זֶּ֑ה 1 in the sight of this man Nehemiah speaks of the king’s attitude or disposition as if it were how the king viewed something. Alternate translation: “grant that the king will have mercy on me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 1 11 h9hl writing-background וַ⁠אֲנִ֛י הָיִ֥יתִי מַשְׁקֶ֖ה לַ⁠מֶּֽלֶךְ 1 I served as cupbearer to 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. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
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 and even likely 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. Possible meanings are (1) the few Jews who were taken as exiles to Babylon but escaped and returned to 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. Since it is unclear from where they escaped, it may be best not to specify in the translation. 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. The Babylonians had taken many people away from Judah and relocated them to different parts of their empire. About 50 years later, the Persian Empire conquered Babylon and many Jews, like Nehemiah, came to live in Persia. But some also lived in their former homeland. You can translate this idea 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 **Evil** 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 desperate 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 **evil** in this case does not refer to something morally bad, but to a difficult situation. It describes the situation objectively, as bad 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: “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 This can be stated in active form. 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 are defenseless.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 1 3 ab23 נִצְּת֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ 1 burned with fire This is a more descriptive expression than just “burned.” It means 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 in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. 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: “when I heard 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 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.”
NEH 1 4 ab33 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”
NEH 1 4 ab35 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 1 4 ab37 אֱלֹהֵ֥י הַ⁠שָּׁמָֽיִם 1 the God of heaven Alternate translation: “the 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. 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. So 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, is asking God to pay attention both to him and to the problem in Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
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 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[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]] and (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
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 bita-manmade 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. 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/bita-hq]])
NEH 1 7 ab65 figs-abstractnouns חֲבֹ֖ל חָבַ֣לְנוּ לָ֑⁠ךְ 1 With extreme corruption we have acted corruptly against you The repetition here is used for emphasis. You can translate the idea of the abstract noun “corruption”’ with an adverb such as “wickedly.” Alternate translation: “We have acted very wickedly toward 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 call to mind” (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 ab73 אָפִ֥יץ אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם בָּ⁠עַמִּֽים 1 I myself will scatter you among the peoples Alternate translation: “I will take you from your land and make you live among the other nations”
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 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 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[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 ab91 bita-hq וּ⁠בְ⁠יָדְ⁠ךָ֖ הַ⁠חֲזָקָֽה 1 your strong hand Here **hand** represents a person’s power, strength, or ability. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]])
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 ⁠תְנֵ֣⁠הוּ 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 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]]) and (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) and [[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-newevent]])
NEH 2 intro mj1d 0 # Nehemiah 02 General Notes<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, they thought it was important for their conquered peoples to 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 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 the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king “in the 20th year that Artaxerxes was king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 2 1 k1vf writing-background וְ⁠לֹא 1 Now This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Nehemiah tells background information about his demeanor before the king. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])
NEH 2 2 n5wy וַ⁠יֹּאמֶר֩ לִ֨⁠י הַ⁠מֶּ֜לֶךְ 1 But the king “So the king”
NEH 2 2 ue51 figs-synecdoche מַדּ֣וּעַ׀ פָּנֶ֣י⁠ךָ רָעִ֗ים 1 Why is your face so sad Here Nehemiah is referred to by his face because the face shows one’s emotions. Alternate translation: “Why are you so sad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 2 2 g1k7 figs-synecdoche אֵ֣ין זֶ֔ה כִּי־אִ֖ם רֹ֣עַֽ לֵ֑ב 1 This must be sadness of heart This speaks of Nehemiah being sad as if his heart were sad, since the heart is often considered the center of emotions. Alternate translation: “You must be very sad” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 2 2 eyt8 וָ⁠אִירָ֖א הַרְבֵּ֥ה מְאֹֽד 1 Then I became very much afraid As Nehemiah prepares to answer, he is afraid because he does not know how the king will respond.
NEH 2 3 qz4i figs-hyperbole הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ לְ⁠עוֹלָ֣ם יִחְיֶ֑ה 1 May the king live forever Nehemiah is showing honor to King Artaxerxes. Here “forever” is an exaggeration that refers to a long life. Alternate translation: “Long live the king” or “May the king have a long life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH 2 3 klj6 figs-rquestion מַדּ֜וּעַ לֹא־יֵרְע֣וּ פָנַ֗⁠י 1 Why should not my face be sad? Here Nehemiah uses this rhetorical question to tell the king that he has a reason to be sad. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “I have very good reasons to be sad.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH 2 3 eh23 בֵּית־קִבְר֤וֹת אֲבֹתַ⁠י֙ 1 the place of my fathers’ tombs “the place where my ancestors are buried”
NEH 2 3 g7f4 figs-activepassive וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ אֻכְּל֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ 1 its gates have been destroyed by fire This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “fire has destroyed its gates” or “our enemy has burned its gates” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 2 5 uv1p וָ⁠אֹמַ֣ר לַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ 1 I replied to the king “Then I replied to the king”
NEH 2 5 u2zy עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֖ 1 your servant Nehemiah refers to himself this way to show his submission to the king.
NEH 2 5 ae4b figs-metaphor לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ 1 in your sight Here sight represents judgment or evaluation. Alternate translation: “in your judgment” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 2 5 df8l עִ֛יר קִבְר֥וֹת אֲבֹתַ֖⁠י 1 the city of my fathers’ tombs “the city where my ancestors are buried”
NEH 2 5 l6nj figs-synecdoche וְ⁠אֶבְנֶֽ⁠נָּה 1 that I may rebuild 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 7 rgj6 figs-activepassive אִגְּרוֹת֙ יִתְּנוּ־לִ֔⁠י 1 may letters be given to me This may be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “may you give letters to me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 2 7 qp9n עֵ֣בֶר הַ⁠נָּהָ֑ר 1 the Province Beyond the River This is the name of the province that was west of the Euphrates River. It was across the river from the city of Susa.
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/figs-explicit]] and [[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 a27b bita-hq 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/bita-hqt]] and [[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, **evil** refers to a person looking sad or upset. It does not mean morally bad. 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 a35b bita-hq לְ⁠פָנָֽי⁠ו 1 before his face **Face** is a figurative way of referring to the presence of a person. Alternate translation: “in his presence” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]]) and [[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 verse 1, **evil** does not mean morally bad in this context. It 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 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[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 **Evil** does not mean morally bad in this context. It 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 eh23 bita-manmade בֵּית־קִבְר֤וֹת אֲבֹתַ⁠י֙ 1 the house of the graves of my fathers **House** here is a figurative way of referring to a place. Alternate translation: “the place where my ancestors are buried” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]]) and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 2 3 a51b bita-hq בֵּית־קִבְר֤וֹת אֲבֹתַ⁠י֙ 1 the house of the graves of my fathers **Fathers** here figuratively means “ancestors.” Alternate translation: “the place where my ancestors are buried” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]]) and [[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 bita-hq וְ⁠אִם־יִיטַ֥ב עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֖ לְ⁠פָנֶ֑י⁠ךָ 1 and if your servant is good before your face Here **face** figuratively means the presence of a person. So this could mean, “As I stand here before you.” But “face” could also 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. Alternate translation: “if you are pleased with me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[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 a65b 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. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. 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 a67b figs-explicit וְ⁠הַ⁠שֵּׁגַ֣ל ׀ יוֹשֶׁ֣בֶת אֶצְל֗⁠וֹ 1 with the queen sitting beside him 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. Alternate translation: “I was able to speak freely because 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 for me to Asaph”
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 wl1s figs-metonymy כְּ⁠יַד־אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י הַ⁠טּוֹבָ֥ה עָלָֽ⁠י 1 the good hand of God was on me God’s “good hand” represents his “favor.” Alternate translation: “God’s favor was upon me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 2 10 yz8p translate-names סַנְבַלַּ֣ט הַ⁠חֹרֹנִ֗י 1 Sanballat the Horonite Sanballat is the name of a man, and the Horonites were a people group. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 2 10 eh4c translate-names וְ⁠טֽוֹבִיָּה֙ הָ⁠עֶ֣בֶד הָֽ⁠עַמֹּנִ֔י 1 Tobiah the Ammonite servant This man was likely a freed slave now serving as an officer in Ammon. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 2 10 vb3p וַ⁠יִּשְׁמַ֞ע 1 heard this “heard that I had arrived”
NEH 2 12 s7mw figs-metonymy נֹתֵ֣ן אֶל־לִבִּ֔⁠י 1 had put into my heart Here Nehemiah’s “heart” refers to his thoughts and will. Alternate translation: “had inspired me” or “had led me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 2 12 wd63 וּ⁠בְהֵמָה֙ אֵ֣ין עִמִּ֔⁠י 1 There was no animal with me “There were no animals with me”
NEH 2 13 g1be figs-123person 0 General Information: A few men accompanied Nehemiah on this inspection, but he speaks in the first person because he was the primary person. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]])
NEH 2 13 au61 וָ⁠אֵצְאָ֨⁠ה בְ⁠שַֽׁעַר־הַ⁠גַּ֜יא לַ֗יְלָה 1 I went out by night by the Valley Gate “At night, I went out through the Valley Gate”
NEH 2 13 pt1h הַתַּנִּ֔ין 1 Jackal a wild dog
NEH 2 13 mif3 שַׁ֖עַר הָ⁠אַשְׁפֹּ֑ת 1 Dung Gate Presumably, refuse was removed from the city through this gate.
NEH 2 13 a8u1 figs-activepassive אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֣ם פְּרוּצִ֔ים וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ אֻכְּל֥וּ בָ⁠אֵֽשׁ 1 which had been broken open, and the wooden gates were destroyed by fire This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “which Israel’s enemies had broken open, and the wooden gates which their enemies had destroyed with fire” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 2 15 l39v figs-synecdoche וָ⁠אֱהִ֨י עֹלֶ֤ה בַ⁠נַּ֨חַל֙ לַ֔יְלָה וָ⁠אֱהִ֥י שֹׂבֵ֖ר בַּ⁠חוֹמָ֑ה וָ⁠אָשׁ֗וּב וָ⁠אָב֛וֹא בְּ⁠שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠גַּ֖יְא וָ⁠אָשֽׁוּב 1 So I went up…and I turned back The other men with Nehemiah also followed him. Alternate translation: “So we went up…and we turned back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 2 15 b637 בְּ⁠שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠גַּ֖יְא 1 by the Valley Gate “through the Valley Gate”
NEH 2 16 xd75 figs-explicit וּ⁠לְ⁠יֶ֨תֶר֙ עֹשֵׂ֣ה הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֔ה 1 the rest who did the work This refers to the men 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 we6m figs-you אַתֶּ֤ם רֹאִים֙ הָ⁠רָעָה֙ 1 You see the trouble Here “you” is plural, referring to all the people mentioned in [Nehemiah 2:16](../02/16.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]])
NEH 2 17 f468 figs-activepassive וּ⁠שְׁעָרֶ֖י⁠הָ נִצְּת֣וּ בָ⁠אֵ֑שׁ 1 its gates have been destroyed by fire This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “how our enemies destroyed its gates by fire” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 2 17 ll6y וְ⁠לֹא־נִהְיֶ֥ה ע֖וֹד חֶרְפָּֽה 1 so we will no longer be in disgrace “so we will no longer be ashamed”
NEH 2 18 twi7 figs-metonymy אֶת־יַ֣ד אֱלֹהַ֗⁠י אֲשֶׁר־הִיא֙ טוֹבָ֣ה עָלַ֔⁠י 1 the good hand of my God was on me God’s “good hand” represents his “favor.” Alternate translation: “my God’s favor was upon me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 2 18 h3cj figs-idiom נָק֣וּם וּ⁠בָנִ֔ינוּ 1 rise up and build This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “begin building” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 2 18 y6ui figs-idiom וַ⁠יְחַזְּק֥וּ יְדֵי⁠הֶ֖ם לַ⁠טּוֹבָֽה 1 So they strengthened their hands for the good work The phrase “strengthened their hands” means to prepare to do something. Alternate translation: “So they prepared do this good work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 2 19 et87 translate-names סַנְבַלַּ֨ט…⁠טֹבִיָּ֣ה 1 Sanballat…Tobiah These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 2:10](./10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 2 19 cxe8 translate-names וְ⁠גֶ֨שֶׁם֙ 1 Geshem This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 2 19 ww1k figs-rquestion מָֽה־הַ⁠דָּבָ֤ר הַ⁠זֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים הַ⁠עַ֥ל הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ אַתֶּ֥ם מֹרְדִֽים 1 What are you doing? Are you rebelling against the king? These rhetorical questions are used to mock Nehemiah. These can be written as statements. Alternate translation: “You are acting foolishly! You should not be rebelling against the king!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH 2 19 u8ri הַ⁠מֶּ֖לֶךְ 1 the king This refers to Artaxerses, the king of Persia.
NEH 2 20 iv9x figs-idiom נָק֣וּם וּ⁠בָנִ֑ינוּ 1 will arise and build This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “will begin rebuilding” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 2 20 a4e6 וְ⁠לָ⁠כֶ֗ם אֵֽין־חֵ֧לֶק וּ⁠צְדָקָ֛ה וְ⁠זִכָּר֖וֹן בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָֽם 1 But you have no share, no right, and no historic claim in Jerusalem “But you have no share, legal right, or religious claim to Jerusalem”
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 wl1s 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: 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 הַ⁠מֶּ֑לֶך 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 הַ⁠מֶּ֑לֶך 1 I gave to them the letters of the king '
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](../02/05.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 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 night time mission, because it is the reason that explains the result of him maintaining so much secrecy. (See: grammar-connect-logic-result)
NEH 2 12 s7mw 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 ac57 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 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 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 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. I 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 a17c bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] [[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 03 General Notes<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 וַ⁠יָּ֡קָם אֶלְיָשִׁיב֩ הַ⁠כֹּהֵ֨ן הַ⁠גָּד֜וֹל וְ⁠אֶחָ֣י⁠ו הַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֗ים 1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brother priests “Then Eliashib the high priest came forward with his brothers, the priests”
NEH 3 1 g9az translate-names אֶלְיָשִׁיב֩ 1 Eliashib This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 1 r9wn translate-numbers מִגְדַּ֤ל הַ⁠מֵּאָה֙ 1 Tower of the Hundred “Tower of the 100” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 3 1 e1th translate-names מִגְדַּ֥ל חֲנַנְאֵֽל 1 Tower of Hananel This is the name of a tower. It is likely named after a man named “Hananel.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 2 q84s translate-names זַכּ֖וּר בֶּן־אִמְרִֽי 1 Zaccur son of Imri This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 2 qf25 figs-possession אַנְשֵׁ֣י יְרֵח֑וֹ 1 men of Jericho This means that the men were from Jericho. Alternate translation: “men from Jericho” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])
NEH 3 3 bbm9 translate-names הַ⁠סְּנָאָ֑ה 1 Hassenaah This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 3 kxd6 וַֽ⁠יַּעֲמִ֨ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔י⁠ו 1 set its doors “installed its doors” or “put its doors in place”
NEH 3 3 kc48 מַנְעוּלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָֽי⁠ו 1 its bolts, and its bars “its locks and bars.” These locked the gates securely.
NEH 3 4 c8hi translate-names מְרֵמ֤וֹת…אוּרִיָּה֙…הַקּ֔וֹץס…מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם…בֶּרֶכְיָ֖ה…מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֑לס…צָד֖וֹק…בַּעֲנָֽא 1 Meremoth…Uriah…Hakkoz…Meshullam…Berechiah…Meshezabel…Zadok…Baana These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 4 inh2 figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֗יק מְרֵמ֤וֹת…הֶחֱזִ֔יק מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם…הֶֽחֱזִ֔יק צָד֖וֹק 1 Meremoth repaired the next section…Meshullam repaired…Zadok repaired These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Meremoth repaired the next section of the wall…Meshullam repaired the wall…Zadok repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 5 nn6j 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 הַ⁠תְּקוֹעִ֑י 1 the Tekoites These are people from the town of Tekoa. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 5 r94d figs-activepassive בַּ⁠עֲבֹדַ֖ת אֲדֹנֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 ordered by their supervisors This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “that their supervisors had ordered them to do” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 3 6 i43m translate-names יֽוֹיָדָע֙…פָּסֵ֔חַ וּ⁠מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם…בְּסֽוֹדְיָ֑ה 1 Joiada…Paseah and Meshullam…Besodeiah These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 6 n1wi וַֽ⁠יַּעֲמִ֨ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔י⁠ו 1 set its doors “installed its doors” or “put its doors in place”
NEH 3 6 ykz8 וּ⁠מַנְעֻלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָֽי⁠ו 1 its bolts, and its bars “its locks and bars.” These locked the gates securely.
NEH 3 7 hu9u translate-names מְלַטְיָ֣ה…וְ⁠יָדוֹן֙ 1 Melatiah…Jadon These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 7 ipe7 translate-names הַ⁠גִּבְעֹנִ֗י…הַ⁠מֵּרֹ֣נֹתִ֔י 1 Gibeonite…Meronothite Gibeonites and Meronothites are people groups. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 7 n6xg translate-names גִבְע֖וֹן וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּצְפָּ֑ה 1 Gibeon and Mizpah These are names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 7 mj92 translate-names עֵ֥בֶר הַ⁠נָּהָֽר 1 the Province Beyond the River This is the name of the province that was west of the Euphrates River. It was across the river from the city of Susa. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 2:7](../02/07.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 8 b2yh translate-names עֻזִּיאֵ֤ל…חַרְהֲיָה֙…חֲנַנְיָ֖ה 1 Uzziel…Harhaiah…Hananiah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 8 f4p5 צֽוֹרְפִ֔ים 1 goldsmiths A goldsmith is a person who makes gold jewelry and other gold objects.
NEH 3 8 mx88 figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֗יק 1 goldsmiths, repaired These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “goldsmiths, repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 8 mm1q figs-ellipsis וְ⁠עַל־יָד֣⁠וֹ הֶחֱזִ֔יק חֲנַנְיָ֖ה בֶּן־הָ⁠רַקָּחִ֑ים 1 next to him was Hananiah, a maker of perfumes Hananiah repaired the wall as well. Alternate translation: “next to him Hananiah, a maker of perfumes, repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 8 y25y הָ⁠רַקָּחִ֑ים 1 perfumes liquid substances that people put on their body in small amounts to smell pleasant
NEH 3 9 m5at translate-names רְפָיָ֣ה…ח֔וּר 1 Rephaiah…Hur These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 9 avu2 שַׂ֕ר 1 ruler leader or chief administrator
NEH 3 9 rd4i translate-fraction חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֥לֶ 1 half the district “Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH 3 10 k6g1 translate-names יְדָיָ֥ה…חֲרוּמַ֖ף…חַטּ֖וּשׁ…חֲשַׁבְנְיָֽה 1 Jedaiah…Harumaph…Hattush…Hashabneiah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 10 v3be figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֛יק 1 Harumaph repaired…Hashabneiah repaired These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Harumaph repaired the wall…Hashabneiah repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 11 g61e translate-names מַלְכִּיָּ֣ה…חָרִ֔ם וְ⁠חַשּׁ֖וּב…פַּחַ֣ת מוֹאָ֑ב 1 Malkijah…Harim…Hasshub…Pahath-Moab These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 11 jy16 figs-ellipsis מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֗ית הֶחֱזִיק֙ 1 repaired another section These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired another section of the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 12 e9p4 translate-names שַׁלּוּם֙…הַלּוֹחֵ֔שׁ 1 Shallum…Hallohesh These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 12 wml3 figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֗יק 1 repaired, along with his daughters These phrase refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired another section of the wall…repaired the wall, along with his daughters” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 12 b7iq שַׁלּוּם֙ בֶּן־הַלּוֹחֵ֔שׁ שַׂ֕ר 1 Shallum son of Hallohesh, the ruler Shallum was the ruler, not Hallohesh.
NEH 3 12 l1db שַׂ֕ר 1 ruler leader or chief administrator. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:9](../03/09.md).
NEH 3 12 b6fx translate-fraction חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֣לֶךְ 1 half the district “Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
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 a41c bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[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-names]])
NEH 3 2 xtj9 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[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](../02/12.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 3 nn6j figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֗יק…הֶחֱזִ֔יק 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: 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 הַ⁠תְּקוֹעִ֑י 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 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[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 שַׂ֕ר 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 וְ⁠יֹשְׁבֵ֣י זָנוֹחַ֒ 1 the inhabitants of Zanoah “the people from Zanoah”
NEH 3 13 ek5q translate-names זָנוֹחַ֒ 1 Zanoah This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 13 i9v2 אֵת֩ שַׁ֨עַר 1 the Valley Gate “the Gate of the Valley” or “the Gate that Leads to the Valley.” Try to translate this expression as a name, not just as a description.
NEH 3 13 d3h9 וַֽ⁠יַּעֲמִ֨ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔י⁠ו 1 set its doors “installed its doors” or “put its doors in place”
NEH 3 13 nsg3 מַנְעֻלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָ֑י⁠ו 1 its bolts, and its bars “its locks and bars.” These locked the gates securely.
NEH 3 13 l7zc figs-explicit בָנ֔וּ⁠הוּ…וְ⁠אֶ֤לֶף אַמָּה֙ בַּ⁠חוֹמָ֔ה עַ֖ד שַׁ֥עַר הָ⁠שֲׁפֽוֹת 1 They repaired a thousand cubits as far as the Dung Gate They repaired the portion of the wall between the Valley Gate and the Dung Gate. Alternate translation: “They repaired a thousand cubits of the wall, from the Valley Gate to the Dung Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 3 13 x484 figs-explicit בָנ֔וּ⁠הוּ…וְ⁠אֶ֤לֶף אַמָּה֙ 1 They repaired a thousand cubits It is understood that they were repairing the wall of Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “They repaired a thousand cubits of the wall” or “They repaired another thousand cubits of the wall beyond the Valley Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 3 13 kw6h translate-bdistance וְ⁠אֶ֤לֶף אַמָּה֙ 1 a thousand cubits “1,000 cubits.” This may be written in modern measurements. Alternate translation: “460 meters” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bdistance]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 3 13 r9e4 שַׁ֥עַר הָ⁠שֲׁפֽוֹת 1 the Dung Gate Presumably, refuse was removed from the city through this gate. Try to translate this expression as a name, not just as a description.
NEH 3 14 w494 translate-names מַלְכִּיָּ֣ה…רֵכָ֔ב 1 Malkijah…Recab These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 14 u2dk מַלְכִּיָּ֣ה בֶן־רֵכָ֔ב שַׂ֖ר 1 Malkijah son of Recab, the ruler Malkijah was the ruler, not Recab.
NEH 3 14 d9dt שַׂ֖ר 1 ruler leader or chief administrator. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:9](../03/09.md).
NEH 3 14 d8sa translate-names בֵּית־הַכָּ֑רֶם 1 Beth Hakkerem This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 14 xn3i וְ⁠יַעֲמִיד֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔י⁠ו 1 He…set its doors “He installed its doors” or “He put its doors in place”
NEH 3 14 if44 מַנְעֻלָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠בְרִיחָֽי⁠ו 1 its bolts, and its bars “its locks, and its bars.” These locked the gates securely.
NEH 3 15 bd9j translate-names שַׁלּ֣וּן…כָּל־חֹזֶה֮ 1 Shallun…Kol-Hozeh These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 15 l7wu שַׁלּ֣וּן בֶּן־כָּל־חֹזֶה֮ שַׂ֣ר 1 Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, the ruler Shallun was the ruler, not Kol-Hozeh.
NEH 3 15 c8rt figs-possession וְ֠⁠אֵת חוֹמַ֞ת בְּרֵכַ֤ת הַ⁠שֶּׁ֨לַח֙ 1 the wall of the Pool of Siloam This means that the wall was beside the Pool of Siloam. Alternate translation: “the wall that surrounded the Pool of Siloam” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-possession]])
NEH 3 16 x774 translate-names נְחֶמְיָ֣ה 1 Nehemiah This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 16 shf9 נְחֶמְיָ֣ה בֶן־עַזְבּ֔וּק שַׂ֕ר 1 Nehemiah son of Azbuk, the ruler Nehemiah was the ruler, not Azbuk.
NEH 3 16 l3hf נְחֶמְיָ֣ה 1 Nehemiah This is a different man named Nehemiah from the person who authored this book.
NEH 3 16 kmx6 שַׂ֕ר 1 ruler leader or chief administrator. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:9](../03/09.md).
NEH 3 16 sc4c translate-fraction חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֣לֶךְ 1 half the district “Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH 3 16 ngr2 translate-names בֵּֽית־צ֑וּר 1 Beth Zur These are names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 16 c5bs figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִיק֙…עַד־נֶ֨גֶד֙ 1 repaired to the place These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired the wall up to the place” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 16 u2s6 הַ⁠גִּבֹּרִֽים 1 mighty men “warriors”
NEH 3 17 str7 translate-names רְח֣וּם…בָּנִ֑י עַל־…חֲשַׁבְיָ֛ה 1 Rehum…Bani…Hashabiah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 17 l6vw translate-names קְעִילָ֖ה 1 Keilah This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 17 a88s figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ הַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם 1 Levites repaired These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Levites repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 17 y3tu לְ⁠פִלְכּֽ⁠וֹ 1 for his district “representing his district” or “on behalf of his district”
NEH 3 18 h5qz figs-ellipsis אַחֲרָי⁠ו֙ הֶחֱזִ֣יקוּ אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֔ם 1 After him their countrymen repaired These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Next to him their countrymen repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 18 b6sj אַחֲרָי⁠ו֙ 1 After him “Next to him”
NEH 3 18 gc2h translate-names בַּוַּ֖י…חֵנָדָ֑ד 1 Binnui…Henadad These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 18 ca6t בַּוַּ֖י בֶּן־חֵנָדָ֑ד שַׂ֕ר 1 Binnui son of Henadad, the ruler Binnui was the ruler, not Henadad.
NEH 3 18 yh3z translate-names קְעִילָֽה 1 Keilah This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 19 yt87 figs-ellipsis וַ⁠יְחַזֵּ֨ק…מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית 1 repaired another section These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired another section of the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 19 f6if translate-names עֵ֧זֶר…יֵשׁ֛וּעַ 1 Ezer…Jeshua These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 19 g2y6 translate-names הַ⁠מִּצְפָּ֖ה 1 Mizpah This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 19 gcc6 עֵ֧זֶר בֶּן־יֵשׁ֛וּעַ שַׂ֥ר 1 Ezer son of Jeshua, the ruler Ezer was the ruler, not Jeshua.
NEH 3 19 c8s5 מִ⁠נֶּ֕גֶד עֲלֹ֥ת הַ⁠נֶּ֖שֶׁק 1 that faced the ascent to the armory “in front of the steps that went up to the armory”
NEH 3 19 xtj9 הַ⁠נֶּ֖שֶׁק 1 armory the place where weapons are kept
NEH 3 20 a7k9 אַחֲרָ֨י⁠ו 1 After him “Next to him”
NEH 3 20 r638 translate-names בָּר֥וּךְ…זבי…אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב 1 Baruch…Zabbai…Eliashib These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 20 i7kj figs-ellipsis הֶחֱרָ֧ה…מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית 1 repaired another section This refers to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired another section of the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 21 z4b7 translate-names מְרֵמ֧וֹת…אוּרִיָּ֛ה…הַקּ֖וֹץ 1 Meremoth…Uriah…Hakkoz These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 22 m3ey figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ 1 around Jerusalem, repaired These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “around Jerusalem, repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 23 q2zh figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֧יק בִּנְיָמִ֛ן וְ⁠חַשּׁ֖וּב…הֶחֱזִ֗יק עֲזַרְיָ֧ה 1 Benjamin and Hasshub repaired…Azariah…repaired These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Benjamin and Hasshub repaired the wall…Azariah…repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 23 v3fr translate-names בִּנְיָמִ֛ן וְ⁠חַשּׁ֖וּב…עֲזַרְיָ֧ה 1 Benjamin…Hasshub…Azariah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 23 z8p6 אַחֲרָ֨י⁠ו 1 After them “Next to them”
NEH 3 23 gv74 נֶ֣גֶד בֵּיתָ֑⁠ם 1 opposite their own house “in front of their own house”
NEH 3 24 c3eh figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֗יק בִּנּ֛וּי 1 Binnui…repaired These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “Binnui…repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 24 ajs6 translate-names בִּנּ֛וּי…חֵנָדָ֖ד 1 Binnui…Henadad These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 24 k7tj אַחֲרָ֣י⁠ו 1 After him “Next to him”
NEH 3 25 q3r3 translate-names פָּלָ֣ל…אוּזַי֮ מִ⁠נֶּ֣גֶד…פְּדָיָ֥ה…פַּרְעֹֽשׁ 1 Palal…Uzai…Pedaiah…Parosh These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 25 dae6 וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּגְדָּ֗ל הַ⁠יּוֹצֵא֙ 1 the tower that extends upward “the tower that rises up”
NEH 3 25 pt6e מִ⁠בֵּ֤ית הַ⁠מֶּ֨לֶךְ֙ הָֽ⁠עֶלְי֔וֹן 1 upper house of the king “higher palace of the leader of Israel”
NEH 3 25 isu9 לַ⁠חֲצַ֣ר הַ⁠מַּטָּרָ֑ה 1 the courtyard of the guard This is the place where the guards stayed.
NEH 3 25 d1jm אַחֲרָ֖י⁠ו 1 After him “Next to him”
NEH 3 26 b53g translate-names בָּ⁠עֹ֑פֶל 1 Ophel This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 26 ah1b נֶ֜גֶד שַׁ֤עַר הַ⁠מַּ֨יִם֙ 1 opposite the Water Gate “in front of the Water Gate”
NEH 3 26 mz47 וְ⁠הַ⁠מִּגְדָּ֖ל הַ⁠יּוֹצֵֽא 1 the projecting tower “the tall tower.” The phrase “the projecting tower” means a tall tower that juts out from the wall.
NEH 3 27 d719 הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ הַ⁠תְּקֹעִ֖ים מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית 1 Tekoites repaired another section These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “the Tekoites repaired another section of the wall”
NEH 3 27 mgm7 translate-names הַ⁠תְּקֹעִ֖ים 1 the Tekoites These are people from the town of Tekoa. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:5](../03/05.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 27 j6gz הַ⁠מִּגְדָּ֤ל הַ⁠גָּדוֹל֙ הַ⁠יּוֹצֵ֔א 1 the great projecting tower “the tall tower.” The phrase “the projecting tower” means a tall tower that juts out from the wall. It is likely that this phrase refers to the same tower as “the tall tower” in verse 26.
NEH 3 28 wt87 figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֨יקוּ֙ הַ⁠כֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים 1 priests repaired These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “priests repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 28 d5qa מֵ⁠עַ֣ל׀ שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠סּוּסִ֗ים 1 above the Horse Gate The word “above” is used here because the priests’ houses were likely located at a higher elevation than the Horse Gate.
NEH 3 28 d5uv לְ⁠נֶ֥גֶד בֵּיתֽ⁠וֹ 1 opposite his own house “in front of his own house”
NEH 3 29 q9qb figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֛יק 1 repaired the section…east gate, repaired These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired the section of the wall…east gate, repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 29 rvu2 אַחֲרָ֧י⁠ו 1 After them “Next to them”
NEH 3 29 n271 translate-names צָד֥וֹק…אִמֵּ֖ר…שְׁמַֽעְיָ֣ה…שְׁכַנְיָ֔ה 1 Zadok…Immer…Shemaiah…Shecaniah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 29 f74e שְׁמַֽעְיָ֣ה בֶן־שְׁכַנְיָ֔ה שֹׁמֵ֖ר שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠מִּזְרָֽח 1 Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate Shemaiah was the keeper of the east gate, not Shecaniah.
NEH 3 29 e9mh שֹׁמֵ֖ר שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠מִּזְרָֽח 1 the keeper of the east gate “the person who looked after the east gate” or “the person who opened and closed the east gate”
NEH 3 30 x9q4 figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֜יק 1 repaired another section…repaired opposite These phrases refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “priests repaired the wall…repaired the section of the wall…east gate, repaired the wall…repaired another section of the wall…repaired the wall opposite” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 30 s2s5 אַחֲרָ֨יו 1 After him “Next to him”
NEH 3 30 r5y4 translate-names חֲנַנְיָ֣ה…שֶׁלֶמְיָ֗ה וְ⁠חָנ֧וּן…צָלָ֛ף…מְשֻׁלָּם֙…בֶּ֣רֶכְיָ֔ה 1 Hananiah…Shelemiah…Hanun…Zalaph…Meshullam…Berechiah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 30 nn44 translate-ordinal בֶּן־…הַ⁠שִּׁשִּׁ֖י 1 the sixth son “son 6” or “son number 6” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 3 30 bv3t נֶ֖גֶד נִשְׁכָּתֽ⁠וֹ 1 opposite his living chambers “in front of the rooms where he stayed.” The word “his” refers to Meshullam.
NEH 3 31 ifp5 אַחֲרָ֣יו 1 After him “Next to him”
NEH 3 31 d33p translate-names מַלְכִּיָּה֙ 1 Malkijah This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 31 uuc7 הַ⁠צֹּ֣רְפִ֔י 1 goldsmiths A goldsmith is a person who makes gold jewelry and other gold objects.
NEH 3 31 lb9z figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֗יק…עַד־בֵּ֥ית 1 repaired to the house These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “repaired the wall to the house” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 31 ye2u וְ⁠הָ⁠רֹכְלִ֑ים 1 merchants “sellers” or “traders”
NEH 3 31 r6sv עֲלִיַּ֥ת 1 upper living chambers the higher-level rooms where people stayed
NEH 3 32 p1kr figs-ellipsis הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ 1 merchants repaired These words refer to repairing the wall. Alternate translation: “merchants repaired the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 3 32 x1tq לְ⁠שַׁ֣עַר הַ⁠צֹּ֔אן 1 Sheep Gate This is the name of an entranceway in the wall.
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 Rubbish 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 Rubbish Gate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 3 14 w494 translate-names מַלְכִּיָּ֣ה בֶן־רֵכָ֔ב שַׂ֖ר 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 שַׂ֕ר 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 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[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 translated-nam 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 שַׂ֥ר 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: Ordinal Numbers)
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: Ordinal Numbers)
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: Ordinal Numbers)
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: Ordinal Numbers)
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.
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 Probably **house** figuratively means “palace” here, 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-unknown]])
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: Ordinal Number)
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 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 שֹׁמֵ֖ר שַׁ֥עַר הַ⁠מִּזְרָֽח 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: Ordinal Numbers)
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 6” or “son number 6” (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 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[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 04 General Notes<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 וַ⁠יְהִ֞י כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֧ר שָׁמַ֣ע סַנְבַלַּ֗ט 1 Now when Sanballat Here Nehemiah uses the word “now” to signal a new part of the story.
NEH 4 1 vfu4 translate-names סַנְבַלַּ֗ט 1 Sanballat This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 4 1 s6td figs-metaphor וַ⁠יִּ֣חַר ל֔⁠וֹ וַ⁠יִּכְעַ֖ס 1 it burned within him, and he was furiously angry Here “it” refers to Sanballat’s realization that the Jews are rebuilding the walls. This speaks of Sanballat becoming very angry as if his anger were a burning fire. Alternate translation: “he became furiously angry” or “he became very angry” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 4 2 v3qv לִ⁠פְנֵ֣י אֶחָ֗י⁠ו 1 In the presence of his brothers “In the presence of his kinsmen” or “In the presence of his clan”
NEH 4 2 d5n2 figs-rquestion מָ֛ה הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֥ים הָ⁠אֲמֵלָלִ֖ים עֹשִׂ֑ים הֲ⁠יַעַזְב֨וּ לָ⁠הֶ֤ם הֲ⁠יִזְבָּ֨חוּ֙ הַ⁠יְכַלּ֣וּ בַ⁠יּ֔וֹם הַ⁠יְחַיּ֧וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אֲבָנִ֛ים מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת 1 What are these feeble…Will they restore…Will they offer…Will they finish the work in a day? Sanballat poses these questions to mock the Jews. These can be written as 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 in a day.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH 4 2 r9lb הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֥ים הָ⁠אֲמֵלָלִ֖ים 1 feeble Jews “weak Jews”
NEH 4 2 uk3w figs-metaphor בַ⁠יּ֔וֹם 1 in a day This speaks of not finishing something quickly by saying that it cannot be accomplished in a day. Alternate translation: “quickly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 4 2 ps9n figs-rquestion הַ⁠יְחַיּ֧וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אֲבָנִ֛ים מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת 1 Will they bring to life the stones from the piles of rubble after they were burned? Sanballat also poses this question to mock the Jews. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: “They will not bring to life again the stones from piles of rubble that were burned.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH 4 2 hr7v figs-metaphor הַ⁠יְחַיּ֧וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אֲבָנִ֛ים מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת 1 bring to life the stones from the piles of rubble after they were burned This speaks of the people rebuilding the city as if they were bring it back to life. Alternate translation: “restore the city and rebuild its walls from the useless stones that were burned and turned into rubble” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 4 2 b96n figs-activepassive מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת 1 from the piles of rubble after they were burned This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “from piles of rubble that someone had burned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 4 3 alw5 translate-names וְ⁠טוֹבִיָּ֥ה 1 Tobiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 4 3 da2t figs-hyperbole אִם־יַעֲלֶ֣ה שׁוּעָ֔ל וּ⁠פָרַ֖ץ חוֹמַ֥ת אַבְנֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 If only a fox went up on what they are building, it would break down their stone wall Sanaballat mocks the wall and exaggerates how weak it is by saying that a fox could knock it down. Alternate translation: “That wall they are building is so weak that even if a little fox climbed up on it, their stone wall would fall to the ground” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH 4 4 b24b 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah begins to pray to God.
NEH 4 4 buk3 figs-activepassive שְׁמַ֤ע אֱלֹהֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ כִּֽי־הָיִ֣ינוּ בוּזָ֔ה 1 Hear, our God, for we are despised Here the word “we” refers to the Jews. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Hear, our God, for our enemies despise us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 4 4 pgh8 figs-activepassive וּ⁠תְנֵ֥⁠ם לְ⁠בִזָּ֖ה בְּ⁠אֶ֥רֶץ שִׁבְיָֽה 1 give them up to be plundered This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “let their enemies rob them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 4 4 z6nz figs-synecdoche וְ⁠הָשֵׁ֥ב חֶרְפָּתָ֖⁠ם אֶל־רֹאשָׁ֑⁠ם 1 Turn back their taunts on their own heads The phrase “their taunts” refers to Sanballat’s and Tobiah’s insults. Here the word “heads” refers to the whole people. Alternate translation: “Turn their taunts onto themselves” or “Cause their insulting words to mock themselves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 4 5 ae62 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah continues the prayer he began in verse 4.
NEH 4 5 mc9p וְ⁠אַל־תְּכַס֙ עַל־עֲוֺנָ֔⁠ם וְ⁠חַטָּאתָ֖⁠ם מִ⁠לְּ⁠פָנֶ֣י⁠ךָ אַל־תִּמָּחֶ֑ה כִּ֥י הִכְעִ֖יסוּ לְ⁠נֶ֥גֶד הַ⁠בּוֹנִֽים 1 Do…to anger. Nehemiah continues the prayer he began with the words “Hear, our God” in verse 4. You may show that this is a prayer by making it a direct quote. “Then I prayed, ‘Hear, our God,…they are prisoners. Do not cover…the builders to anger.’”
NEH 4 5 zz8h figs-metaphor וְ⁠אַל־תְּכַס֙ עַל 1 Do not cover over This speaks of a forgiving a person’s sins as if they were a object that could be physically hidden. Alternate translation: “Do not forgive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 4 5 k9rw עֲוֺנָ֔⁠ם וְ⁠חַטָּאתָ֖⁠ם מִ⁠לְּ⁠פָנֶ֣י⁠ךָ אַל 1 do not erase their sin from before you This speaks of forgetting a person’s sins as if they were something written that could be erased. Alternate translation: “do not forget their sins
NEH 4 5 mbi1 הִכְעִ֖יסוּ לְ⁠נֶ֥גֶד הַ⁠בּוֹנִֽים 1 they have provoked the builders to anger “they have made the builders become angry”
NEH 4 6 r475 וַ⁠נִּבְנֶה֙ אֶת־הַ֣⁠חוֹמָ֔ה 1 So we built the wall “So we rebuilt the wall”
NEH 4 6 mhm5 figs-activepassive וַ⁠תִּקָּשֵׁ֥ר כָּל־הַ⁠חוֹמָ֖ה עַד־חֶצְיָ֑⁠הּ 1 all the wall was joined together to half its height This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “we joined the wall together and it was half its total height” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 4 1 rnw3 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 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 bita-phenom 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/bita-phenom]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 4 2 v3qv bita-hq 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/bita-hq]]) and (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 4 2 a73c bita-hq 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/bita-hq]]) and [[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 statement, 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 ps9n figs-rquestion הַ⁠יְחַיּ֧וּ אֶת־הָ⁠אֲבָנִ֛ים מֵ⁠עֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר וְ⁠הֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת 1 Will they bring to life the stones from the piles of rubble after they were burned?
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 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 to speak 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 them. 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: 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 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[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 a number of things: (1) They have caused others to be angry at the people who are rebuilding the wall. This third possibility seems the most likely, since Nehemiah is praying that what these men are trying to do to others will happen to them. His prayer is presumably not that the builders or God will make Sanballat and Tobiah angry, but that the other nations they are trying to recruit will turn against them. Alternate translation: “they have caused others to be angry at the people who are rebuilding the wall” (2) Sanballat and Tobiah have made the builders angry by mocking them. Alternate translation: “they have made the builders become angry” (3) They have made God angry by opposing the work he has commanded Nehemiah to do. Alternate translation: “they have made you 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 7 gsb7 figs-metaphor וַ⁠יִּ֥חַר לָ⁠הֶ֖ם מְאֹֽד 1 a great anger burned within them This speaks of the people being very angry as if their anger were something that burned inside 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 בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם 1 against Jerusalem Here “Jerusalem” refers to the people who live there. Alternate translation: “against the people of Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 4 9 vz1d וַ⁠נַּעֲמִ֨יד מִשְׁמָ֧ר עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֛ם 1 set a guard as protection “put men around the wall to guard the city”
NEH 4 10 vc8h וְ⁠הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר הַרְבֵּ֑ה 1 There is too much rubble Rubble is “burned stone” or “broken rock” or “unusable stone.”
NEH 4 11 yuc9 לֹ֤א יֵדְעוּ֙ וְ⁠לֹ֣א יִרְא֔וּ עַ֛ד אֲשֶׁר־נָב֥וֹא אֶל־תּוֹכָ֖⁠ם 1 They will not know or see until we come among them “They will not see us coming until we are beside them”
NEH 4 12 q1mv figs-hyperbole מִ⁠כָּל־הַ⁠מְּקֹמ֖וֹת 1 from all directions This represents many directions. The word “all” is an exaggeration for represents “many.” Alternate translation: “from many directions” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH 4 12 t8f2 figs-metonymy 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-metonymy]])
NEH 4 13 xc8b מִֽ⁠תַּחְתִּיּ֧וֹת לַ⁠מָּק֛וֹם 1 in the exposed areas “in the vulnerable areas”
NEH 4 13 mj33 figs-synecdoche וָֽ⁠אַעֲמִ֤יד אֶת־הָ⁠עָם֙ לְ⁠מִשְׁפָּח֔וֹת 1 I positioned each family This refers to several people from each family, this likely does not include the women and children. Alternate translation: “I positioned people from each family” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 4 15 puc1 וַ⁠יְהִ֞י כַּֽ⁠אֲשֶׁר 1 It came about “It happened that”
NEH 4 15 qxa7 figs-activepassive נ֣וֹדַֽע לָ֔⁠נוּ 1 their plans were known to us This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “we knew about their plans” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 4 16 gh9g נְעָרַ⁠י֮ עֹשִׂ֣ים בַּ⁠מְּלָאכָה֒ 1 my servants worked “my young men worked”
NEH 4 16 f9in translate-fraction חֲצִ֣י נְעָרַ⁠י֮…⁠חֶצְיָ֗⁠ם 1 half of my servants…half of them “Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH 4 16 gl4t וְ⁠הַ֨⁠שָּׂרִ֔ים אַחֲרֵ֖י כָּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה 1 the leaders stood behind all the people “the leaders positioned themselves behind all the people”
NEH 4 17 uya2 figs-hyperbole עֹמְשִׂ֑ים בְּ⁠אַחַ֤ת יָד⁠וֹ֙ עֹשֶׂ֣ה בַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֔ה וְ⁠אַחַ֖ת מַחֲזֶ֥קֶת הַ⁠שָּֽׁלַח 1 Everyone worked with one hand, and with the other hand he held his weapon This is an exaggeration. They did not always work with only one hand, but they always had their weapon with them so that they were prepared to protect themselves and those around them. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH 4 19 yn7h וָ⁠אֹמַ֞ר 1 I said Here “I” refers to Nehemiah.
NEH 4 19 xi9g הַ⁠חֹרִ֤ים…הַ⁠סְּגָנִים֙ 1 the nobles…the officials These are the leaders referred to in [Nehemiah 4:16](../04/16.md).
NEH 4 19 agy3 הַ⁠מְּלָאכָ֥ה הַרְבֵּ֖ה 1 The work is great Here the word “great” means “large-scale” or “huge.”
NEH 4 20 tm9s figs-metonymy אֶת־ק֣וֹל הַ⁠שּׁוֹפָ֔ר 1 the trumpet sound This refers to someone blowing a trumpet. Alternate translation: “someone blowing a trumpet” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 4 21 ca45 translate-fraction וְ⁠חֶצְיָ֗⁠ם 1 Half of them Here “Half” means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH 4 21 w4uu מֵ⁠עֲל֣וֹת הַ⁠שַּׁ֔חַר עַ֖ד צֵ֥את הַ⁠כּוֹכָבִֽים 1 from the rising of the dawn until the coming out of the stars This refers to the whole day, while it is light outside. Alternate translation: “from the first light of day until the very beginning of the night”
NEH 4 21 jl3h figs-metonymy מֵ⁠עֲל֣וֹת הַ⁠שַּׁ֔חַר 1 the rising of the dawn It is the point in time that the sun rises that is “dawn.” Here the sun rising is spoken of as if the “dawn” rose. Alternate translation: “the rising of the sun” or “dawn” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 4 22 r87p בְּ⁠ת֣וֹךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם 1 in the middle of Jerusalem “within Jerusalem”
NEH 4 23 v2e1 פֹשְׁטִ֖ים בְּגָדֵ֑י⁠נוּ 1 changed our clothes “took off our clothes”
NEH 4 6 a83c bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[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 was 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 bita-part1 עָלְתָ֤ה 1 was going up Alternate translation: “was increasing” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-part1]])
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 bita-phenom 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/bita-phenom]] and [[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-activepassive]])
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) Most likely, here “Their faces” figuratively means the front of a group. This likely means that the lookouts would see the front ranks of the army as it approached. Alternate translation: “to spot them as they approached” (See: bita-hq). (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” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
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 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
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 them. 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 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 68hn 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 awesome” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 4 14 5cs7 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 4 14 rjte bita-hq 1
NEH 4 15 puc1 writing-newevent וַ⁠יְהִ֞י כַּֽ⁠אֲשֶׁר 1 It came about 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 their plans were known to us 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 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 my servants worked 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 of my servants…half of them **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. <br>(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 4 16 7iwi 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 leaders stood behind all the people 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/bita-manmade]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 4 16 1pdv 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 Everyone worked with one hand, and with the other hand he held his weapon  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 8gtq 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 I said 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 the nobles…the officials 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 1 The work is great **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 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 4 20 tm9s figs-explicit אֶת־ק֣וֹל הַ⁠שּׁוֹפָ֔ר 1 the trumpet sound 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](../04/13.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 Half of them 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 from the rising of the dawn until the coming out of the stars 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 the rising of the dawn 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 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” <br>(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 4 22 j1fu figs-idiom 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 in the middle of Jerusalem 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 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 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” <br>(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH 4 23 g8mf figs-metonymy 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: “my relatives” <br>(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 4 23 vfv3 figs-idiom 1 As in [4:16](../04/16.md), this means “my servants.” <br>(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 4 23 flyg translate-unknown 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.) Alternate translation: “my personal bodyguard” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 4 23 upc5 figs-ellipsis 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.” <br>(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 4 23 v2e1 figs-idiom פֹשְׁטִ֖ים בְּגָדֵ֑י⁠נוּ 1 changed our clothes In this context, **a man** means “anyone.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) 
NEH 5 intro k7pb 0 # Nehemiah 05 General Notes<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 figs-explicit וַ⁠תְּהִ֨י צַעֲקַ֥ת הָ⁠עָ֛ם וּ⁠נְשֵׁי⁠הֶ֖ם גְּדוֹלָ֑ה אֶל־אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֖ם הַ⁠יְּהוּדִֽים 1 Then the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews Since they were working on the wall, the workers did not have enough time to work to buy and grow food for their families. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 1 czx5 הָ⁠עָ֛ם וּ⁠נְשֵׁי⁠הֶ֖ם 1 the men and their wives This refers to the men who were working on building the wall.
NEH 5 1 zmb8 figs-abstractnouns צַעֲקַ֥ת…גְּדוֹלָ֑ה 1 raised a great outcry The word “outcry” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “cried out loudly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 5 3 dt2m שְׂדֹתֵ֛י⁠נוּ וּ⁠כְרָמֵ֥י⁠נוּ וּ⁠בָתֵּ֖י⁠נוּ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ עֹרְבִ֑ים 1 We are mortgaging our fields “We are having to pledge” or “We are having to give in pledge”
NEH 5 5 z4ru figs-explicit וְ⁠עַתָּ֗ה כִּ⁠בְשַׂ֤ר אַחֵ֨י⁠נוּ֙ בְּשָׂרֵ֔⁠נוּ כִּ⁠בְנֵי⁠הֶ֖ם בָּנֵ֑י⁠נוּ 1 Yet now our flesh and blood is the same as our brothers, and our children are the same as their children Here the Jews are implying that they are of the same Jewish descent as the other Jews and that they of the same importance as the others. The meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “Yet our families are Jews just like the other Jew’s 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 rdp9 figs-activepassive וְ⁠יֵ֨שׁ מִ⁠בְּנֹתֵ֤י⁠נוּ נִכְבָּשׁוֹת֙ 1 Some of our daughters have already been enslaved This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “We have already sold some of our daughters into slavery” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 5 5 z783 figs-explicit וְ⁠אֵ֣ין לְ⁠אֵ֣ל יָדֵ֔⁠נוּ וּ⁠שְׂדֹתֵ֥י⁠נוּ וּ⁠כְרָמֵ֖י⁠נוּ לַ⁠אֲחֵרִֽים 1 But it is not in our power to help it because other men now own our fields and our vineyards Since the mens’ fields and vineyards are not in their possession, they are unable to produce the money they need to support their families. The full meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “But we are unable to change this situation because other men now own our fields and our vineyards which we need to support our lives” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 5 jr7j figs-idiom וְ⁠אֵ֣ין לְ⁠אֵ֣ל יָדֵ֔⁠נוּ 1 it is not in our power This is an idiom which means that they do not have the resources to do something. Alternate translation: “we are unable” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 5 6 ryx1 figs-abstractnouns כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֤ר שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי֙ אֶת־זַֽעֲקָתָ֔⁠ם 1 when I heard their outcry The word “outcry” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “when I heard them cry out” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 5 1 za4u grammar-connect-time-simultaneous וַ⁠תְּהִ֨י 1 Then the men and their wives raised a great outcry against their fellow Jews 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 raised a great outcry **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 the men and their wives 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 3qlp bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 5 1 93po figs-doublet אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֖ם הַ⁠יְּהוּדִֽים<br> 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” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
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 7ibq 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).  <br>(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 3 dt2m translate-unknown שְׂדֹתֵ֛י⁠נוּ וּ⁠כְרָמֵ֥י⁠נוּ וּ⁠בָתֵּ֖י⁠נוּ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ עֹרְבִ֑ים וְ⁠נִקְחָ֥ה דָגָ֖ן בָּ⁠רָעָֽב 1 We are mortgaging our fields 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 figs-explicit 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 9i16 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 Yet now our flesh and blood is the same as our brothers, and our children are the same as their children 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 Jew’s 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-[[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 bita-hq 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/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 5 5 1guf 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 Some of our daughters have already been enslaved 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 just 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 But it is not in our power to help it because other men now own our fields and our vineyards 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.” <br>(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 5 5 y2mq figs-idiom וְ⁠אֵ֣ין לְ⁠אֵ֣ל יָדֵ֔⁠נוּ 1 “My hand is to God” is an [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] that means that the speaker has the power to do what they are describing. Here the poor are saying that this is not the case. 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 it is not in our power 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 7cm3 bita-phenom 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: <br>[[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-phenom]]<br>and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 5 6 ryx1 figs-abstractnouns כַּ⁠אֲשֶׁ֤ר שָׁמַ֨עְתִּי֙ אֶת־זַֽעֲקָתָ֔⁠ם 1 when I heard their outcry **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]])<br><br><br>
NEH 5 6 some figs-doublet אֶת־זַֽעֲקָתָ֔⁠ם וְ⁠אֵ֖ת הַ⁠דְּבָרִ֥ים 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 jawz 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 7k8g 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 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 o23t figs-metaphor ​הַ⁠חֹרִ֣ים…הַ⁠סְּגָנִ֔ים 1 ​
NEH 5 7 sn56 figs-explicit מַשָּׁ֥א אִישׁ־בְּ⁠אָחִ֖י⁠ו 1 You are exacting interest, each from his own brother Every Jew would have known that it is wrong under the Law to charge interest to another Jew. The full meaning of this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “Each of you is charging interest to your own brother, and that is wrong under the Law” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 7 r7yl figs-explicit וָ⁠אֶתֵּ֥ן עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם קְהִלָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה 1 I held a great assembly against them This means that he brought together a large group of people and brought these charges against them. The meaning of statement this can be made clear. Alternate translation: “I held a great assembly and brought these charges against them” or “I held them on trial in front of the assembly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 8 pzy8 figs-explicit אַתֶּ֛ם תִּמְכְּר֥וּ אֶת־אֲחֵי⁠כֶ֖ם וְ⁠נִמְכְּרוּ־לָ֑⁠נוּ 1 but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold back to us 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]])
@ -969,4 +1221,4 @@ NEH 13 30 gd16 וְ⁠טִֽהַרְתִּ֖י⁠ם 1 Thus I cleansed them “I
NEH 13 30 s3y9 וָ⁠אַעֲמִ֧ידָ⁠ה מִשְׁמָר֛וֹת לַ⁠כֹּהֲנִ֥ים וְ⁠לַ⁠לְוִיִּ֖ם 1 established the duties of the priests and the Levites “told the priests and Levites what they were to do”
NEH 13 31 vl4a וּ⁠לְ⁠קֻרְבַּ֧ן הָ⁠עֵצִ֛ים 1 I provided for the wood offering “I arranged for a supply of wood for the wood offerings”
NEH 13 31 sh91 וְ⁠לַ⁠בִּכּוּרִ֑ים 1 for the firstfruits “for the offering of firstfruits at harvest time”
NEH 13 31 ae94 זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י לְ⁠טוֹבָֽה 1 Call me to mind, my God, for good “Think about all I have done, my God, and bless me because of the good things I have done.” See how you translated a similar phrase in [Nehemiah 13:14](../13/14.md).
NEH 13 31 ae94 זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י לְ⁠טוֹבָֽה 1 Call me to mind, my God, for good “Think about all I have done, my God, and bless me because of the good things I have done.” See how you translated a similar phrase in [Nehemiah 13:14](../13/14.md).
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