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><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 1 in Susa This was the name of a royal city of the Persian kings. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 1 1 g6dl translate-unknown הַבִּירָֽה 1 the citadel This means a “castle” or “palace” or “stronghold,” usually inside a city, where a king would live. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 1 2 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 15 puc1 writing-newevent וַיְהִ֞י כַּֽאֲשֶׁר 1 Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
NEH 4 15 qxa7 figs-activepassive נ֣וֹדַֽע לָ֔נוּ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this with an active form, and you could say who did the action. Alternate translation: “we found out about their plans”(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 4 15 lgih figs-explicit נ֣וֹדַֽע לָ֔נוּ 1 **It** means the plan of these enemies to launch a surprise attack, as described in [4:11](../04/11.md). If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “we found out about their plans to launch a surprise attack” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 4 15 e4mc וַיָּ֥פֶר הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־עֲצָתָ֑ם 1 Alternate translation: “and God had kept them from doing what they planned.”
NEH 4 15 f236 figs-metonymy וַנָּ֤שָׁב כֻּלָּ֨נוּ֙ אֶל־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה אִ֖ישׁ אֶל־מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ 1 Here **the wall** means the work on the wall. Nehemiah is describing this work figuratively by referring to something associated with it, the wall that was the object of the work. Alternate translation: “we all went back to working on the wall.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 4 15 g1de figs-explicit וַנָּ֤שָׁב כֻּלָּ֨נוּ֙ אֶל־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה אִ֖ישׁ אֶל־מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ 1 The implication is that when the enemies realized the Jews knew about their plans, they decided not to attack. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “They decided not to attack us, and we all went back to working on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 4 15 doov figs-idiom אִ֖ישׁ אֶל־מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ 1 In this context, **a man** means “each person.” It does not refer only to an adult male. Alternate translation: “Each person continued doing the same work as before” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 4 16 rtac figs-idiom מִן־הַיּ֣וֹם 1 In this context, **day** may not refer to one specific day, but rather to a more general time. Alternate translation: “from that time on” or “after that” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 4 16 gh9g figs-idiom נְעָרַי֮ עֹשִׂ֣ים בַּמְּלָאכָה֒ 1 This expression refers to the servants who worked for Nehemiah. While they probably were young adult males, the expression is specifically envisioning their role and status. Alternate translation: “my servants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 4 16 rgab figs-explicit עֹשִׂ֣ים בַּמְּלָאכָה֒ 1 This refers to the work on the wall. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “worked on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 4 16 f9in translate-fraction חֲצִ֣י נְעָרַי֮ 1 **Half** means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH 4 16 nf2h translate-unknown וְהַקְּשָׁת֖וֹת 1 As in [4:13](../04/13.md), this means not just bows, but bows and arrows. <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 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 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 See how you translated these terms in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “the leading citizens … the city officials”
NEH 4 19 xi9g figs-synecdoche הַחֹרִ֤ים…הַסְּגָנִים֙ 1 As in [4:14](../04/14.md), this does not mean all of the other people who lived in Jerusalem, but rather many of them who came to hear Nehemiah speak on this occasion. He is figuratively describing part of the people as if they were all of them. Alternate translation: “many of the other people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 4 19 agy3 figs-doublet הַמְּלָאכָ֥ה הַרְבֵּ֖ה 1 **Great** and **vast** mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together to emphasize the scope of the rebuilding project. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “large-scale” or “huge” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 4 19 p5fh 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 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 Here **half** means one part out of two equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH 4 21 w4uu figs-merism מֵעֲל֣וֹת הַשַּׁ֔חַר עַ֖ד צֵ֥את הַכּוֹכָבִֽים 1 Nehemiah is referring to the entire day by speaking of two extreme parts of it, the time when first light of morning appears and the time when it becomes dark enough to see the stars, in order to include everything in between. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express this meaning with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “at all times,” otherwise “from the time when the light of dawn appeared in the morning until the time when the stars appeared at night" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]])
NEH 4 21 jl3h מֵעֲל֣וֹת הַשַּׁ֔חַר 1 This phrase refers to the daily appearance of light rising in the east in the early morning hours prior to the sun rising above the horizon. Alternate translation: “the first light of day”
NEH 4 21 ww7q figs-metaphor 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 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 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 grammar-connect-time-simultaneous וַתְּהִ֨י 1 Nehemiah now relates something else that was happening even while the Jews were trying to rebuild the wall and defend themselves against their enemies. You can make this clear in your translation with an appropriate connecting word or phrase. Alternate translation: “Around this same time”(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH 5 1 zmb8 figs-abstractnouns צַעֲקַ֥ת הָעָ֛ם וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֖ם גְּדוֹלָ֑ה 1 **Outcry** is an abstract noun that refers to the complaints that the poorer Jews made to Nehemiah about how the wealthier and more powerful Jews were treating them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind this word with a verb such as “complain.” Since Nehemiah says this was a “great” outcry, involving many serious grievances, you could intensify the verb with an adverb such as “bitterly.” Alternate translation: “many of the men and their wives complained bitterly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 5 1 czx5 הָעָ֛ם וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֖ם 1 Here **the people** seems to indicate certain men who lived in Jerusalem, since Nehemiah also mentions their wives. Alternate translation: “many of the men and their wives”
NEH 5 1 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 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 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 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 If it would be clearer in your language, you could reverse the order of these phrases, because the second phrase gives the reason why the first phrase is true. Alternate translation: “because our creditors took the fields and vineyards we pledged as security for loans, there is nothing else we can do in this situation.” (See: \[\[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result\]\])
NEH 5 5 y2mq figs-idiom וְאֵ֣ין לְאֵ֣ל יָדֵ֔נוּ 1 “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 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 **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 7k8g figs-personification וַיִּמָּלֵ֨ךְ לִבִּ֜י עָלַ֗י 1 Here Nehemiah is speaking about his heart as if it were a living thing that could act like a king and rule over him. However, he is not saying that his feelings commanded his actions. (He says in the previous verse that he became very angry, but in the next verse he describes acting in a careful and deliberate manner.) Instead, this means that his heart “took counsel” with him, the way a king would take counsel with advisors. In effect, Nehemiah is saying that he talked the matter over with himself. Alternate translation: “I thought hard about what to do” (See: \[\[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification\]\])
NEH 5 7 wxyz figs-metaphor וַיִּמָּלֵ֨ךְ לִבִּ֜י עָלַ֗י 1 Here the **heart** figuratively represents the thoughts and the will. Alternate translation: “I thought hard about what to do” (See: \[\[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor\]\])
NEH 5 7 jawz וָאָרִ֨יבָה֙ 1 **Contended** is a technical term that means “to bring charges.” It means to initiate a lawsuit that would require the defendants to answer for themselves publicly, in the presence of their fellow citizens. Alternate translation: “Then I brought charges”
NEH 5 7 o23t figs-metaphor הַחֹרִ֣ים…הַסְּגָנִ֔ים 1 See how you translated these terms in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “the leading citizens and the city officials”
NEH 5 7 dy73 figs-idiom מַשָּׁ֥א…אַתֶּ֣ם נֹשִׁ֑ים 1 This expression means to charge interest when loaning money to another person. Alternate translation: "You are charging interest" <br>(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 5 7 sn56 figs-explicit מַשָּׁ֥א אִישׁ־בְּאָחִ֖יו 1 The Law of Moses specifically forbade charging interest on a loan to a fellow Jew. So this was not just an exploitive business practice, it was a violation of God’s Law. The rich and powerful Jews would certainly have been expected to know this. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “You are charging interest on loans to your fellow Jews. You know that is forbidden in the Law of Moses.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 7 f66g figs-idiom אִישׁ־בְּאָחִ֖יו 1 In this context, “a man” means “each person.” It does not mean only an adult male. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 5 7 9ibe bita-hq אִישׁ־בְּאָחִ֖יו 1 Here **brother** could conceivably include even biological brothers, but in context it likely refers figuratively to fellow Jews. Alternate translation: “to your fellow Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])<br><br><br>
NEH 5 7 r7yl translate-unknown וָאֶתֵּ֥ן עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם קְהִלָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה 1 This means that, as part of conducting the lawsuit against these wealthy and powerful Jews, Nehemiah brought together a large group of their fellow citizens to hear the charges against them. This group was the “assembly.” Alternate translation: “I put them on trial in front of their fellow citizens” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 5 7 u9u2 figs-events וָאֶתֵּ֥ן עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם קְהִלָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה 1 To present the events in chronological order, if that would be helpful to your readers, you could put this before the previous sentence, which describes the first charge that Nehemiah brought at this trial. <br>(See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]])
NEH 5 8 o7o9 figs-explicit **We** likely means Nehemiah and his relatives, as in 4:23. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “My relatives and I” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 8 a1b2 figs-events קָ֠נִינוּ אֶת־אַחֵ֨ינוּ הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים הַנִּמְכָּרִ֤ים לַגּוֹיִם֙ 1 To present the events in chronological order, if that would be helpful to your readers, you could put the information that some Jews had to sell themselves into slavery before the information that Nehemiah and his relatives bought their freedom. Alternate translation: “Whenever our Jewish relatives have had to sell themselves into slavery to people from other nations … we have been buying them back.” (See: Order of Events)
NEH 5 8 o6o8 כְּדֵ֣י בָ֔נוּ 1 Alternate translation: “to the best of our ability”
NEH 5 8 q123 figs-doublet אַחֵ֨ינוּ הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים 1 These two short phrases mean similar things. They are used together to emphasize that buying them back was an honorable and expected action. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “our Jewish relatives” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 5 8 bszc bita-hq אַחֵ֨ינוּ 1 Here **brother** likely refers figuratively to fellow Jews. Alternate translation: “our fellow Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 5 8 t5y7 figs-activepassive הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים הַנִּמְכָּרִ֤ים 1 You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “our fellow Jews have had to sell themselves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 5 8 pzy8 figs-explicit אַתֶּ֛ם תִּמְכְּר֥וּ אֶת־אֲחֵיכֶ֖ם וְנִמְכְּרוּ־לָ֑נוּ 1 This means that they are selling their family members, both men and women, as slaves to their fellow Jews. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. Alternate translation: “Now you are selling your own people to be slaves of your fellow Jews, so that they might later sell them back to us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 8 kn82 figs-activepassive הַנִּמְכָּרִ֤ים לַגּוֹיִם֙ 1 This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “who people had sold as slaves to the nations” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 5 8 b1a1 וְגַם־אַתֶּ֛ם 1 Malkijah This is an emphatic expression. Nehemiah uses it to show how serious the offense is. If it would be clearer in your language, you could indicate this emphasis in some way in your translation. Alternate translation: “you are actually”
NEH 5 8 b1a3 figs-explicit תִּמְכְּר֥וּ אֶת־אֲחֵיכֶ֖ם 1 This means that the creditors were selling the debtors into slavery to recover the money they owed. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “you are actually selling your fellow Jews into slavery to get back the money they owe you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 8 b1a5 bita-hq אֲחֵיכֶ֖ם 1 Here **brother** likely refers figuratively to fellow Jews. Alternate translation: “your fellow Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 5 8 b1a7 figs-activepassive וְנִמְכְּרוּ־לָ֑נוּ 1 You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “They are some of the very people we have been buying back!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 5 8 b1a9 figs-explicit וַֽיַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ וְלֹ֥א מָצְא֖וּ דָּבָֽר 1 The implication is that the accused said nothing because they knew that Nehemiah’s charges were true. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “They knew that these charges were true, so they were silent. They could not answer a single word.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 8 ecd1 figs-parallelism וַֽיַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ וְלֹ֥א מָצְא֖וּ דָּבָֽר 1 These two phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize how completely guilty the accused people were. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “there was absolutely nothing they could say in response.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 5 9 lm7c לֹא־ט֥וֹב הַדָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֑ים 1 In this context, **good** does have a moral connotation. Nehemiah is saying more than that this is not a good idea. Alternate translation: “What you are doing is wrong!”
NEH 5 9 kr1t figs-rquestion הֲל֞וֹא בְּיִרְאַ֤ת אֱלֹהֵ֨ינוּ֙ תֵּלֵ֔כוּ מֵחֶרְפַּ֖ת הַגּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽינוּ 1 Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect the accused to give him reasons why they should not obey God. Instead, he is using the question form to emphasize how important it is for these wealthy and powerful Jews to stop doing these wrong things. Alternate translation: “You really ought to live your life in a way that honors God!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH 5 9 v6ux figs-idiom הֲל֞וֹא בְּיִרְאַ֤ת אֱלֹהֵ֨ינוּ֙ תֵּלֵ֔כוּ 1 In this context, **fear** does not mean to be afraid. It means to show respect and reverence, specifically by obeying instead of disobeying. Alternate translation: “live your life in a way that honors God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 5 9 b1b1 figs-idiom תֵּלֵ֔כוּ 1 Here **walk** is an idiom that describes a person’s conduct in life. Alternate translation: “live your life” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 5 9 b1b3 מֵחֶרְפַּ֖ת הַגּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽינוּ 1 This may be a reference to the way the enemies of the Jews were already mocking them, or to the way they would mock them if they learned of what was happening. It could mean both things. Alternate translation: “Otherwise, our enemies will mock us even more”
NEH 5 9 s7qt figs-abstractnouns מֵחֶרְפַּ֖ת הַגּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽינוּ 1 **Reproach** is an abstract noun that refers to the way the enemies of the Jews were mocking them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the same idea with a verb such as “mock.” Alternate translation: “to keep the nations who are our enemies from mocking us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 5 9 b1b5 figs-doublet הַגּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽינוּ 1 These two short phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together to emphasize the identity and hostility of the people who are opposing the Jews. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “our enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 5 10 b1b7 bita-hq וְגַם־אֲנִי֙ אַחַ֣י וּנְעָרַ֔י 1 As in [4:23](../04/23.md), this means, “I myself, my relatives, and my servants.” The term “brother” here likely includes one or more of Nehemiah’s biological brothers, but more generally it refers figuratively to his close relatives. Alternate translation: “I myself, my relatives, and my servants” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 5 10 xbp5 נֹשִׁ֥ים בָּהֶ֖ם כֶּ֣סֶף וְדָגָ֑ן 1 The implication is that Nehemiah and his companions are lending without charging any interest. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “have been lending money and grain to those in need without charging interest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 10 b1b9 figs-metonymy כֶּ֣סֶף 1 **Silver** here means “money.” Nehemiah is describing money figuratively by reference to the commodity that is being used as a means of exchange, silver. Alternate translation: “money” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 5 10 j3dq נַֽעַזְבָה־נָּ֖א אֶת־הַמַּשָּׁ֥א הַזֶּֽה 1 It is clear from the context that **us** in this sentence does not mean Nehemiah and his companions, but rather the entire Jewish community, of which they are a part. Nehemiah could say to the defendants, accusingly, “You must stop charging interest!” But he includes himself and the entire community as a way of being encouraging rather than condemning. (This would be a use of “we/us” that includes the addressees. You should make this clear in your translation if your language makes that distinction.) Alternate translation: “All of us should stop charging interest on loans.”
NEH 5 11 vkz7 הָשִׁיבוּ֩ נָ֨א לָהֶ֜ם 1 This is worded as a polite request, but it is really a demand. If it would be clearer in your language, you could express it with an imperative. “Give them back”
NEH 5 11 dim5 figs-idiom כְּהַיּ֗וֹם 1 This does not necessarily mean on this same day, but without waiting. Alternate translation: “Do it right away!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 5 11 b1c1 translate-fraction וּמְאַ֨ת 1 In this context, this expression means “the hundredth part,” or one per cent. In this culture, this was likely charged monthly, so it would have amounted to 12% annual interest. In an economy that was based more on commodities than on cash, this would have been an exorbitant amount. If your culture typically calculates interest at an annual rate, you could express it that way here to help your readers understand the likely meaning. Alternate translation: “the 12% annual interest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 11 e9y2 figs-metonymy הַכֶּ֤סֶף 1 **Silver** means “money” here, as in verse 10. Alternate translation: “money” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 5 11 b1c3 figs-idiom נֹשִׁ֥ים בָּהֶֽם 1 Alternate translation: “charging them” or “making them pay” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 5 12 b1c5 וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ 1 **They** means the leading citizens and the city officials. Alternate translation: “These leaders replied”
NEH 5 12 q7t5 figs-explicit נָשִׁ֗יב 1 The implication is that they will return the fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and houses that they took from the poor, as Nehemiah demanded in [5:11](../05/11.md). If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “We will give back their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and houses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 12 i1gi וּמֵהֶם֙ לֹ֣א נְבַקֵּ֔שׁ 1 Alternate translation: “And we will stop charging them interest.”
NEH 5 12 e2yv grammar-connect-logic-result נַעֲשֶׂ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר אַתָּ֣ה אוֹמֵ֑ר 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you could put this statement first, since it is the reason for the results that follow, the return of property and the cancelling of interest. Alternate translation: “Yes, we will do what you say” (See: grammar-connect-logic-result)
NEH 5 12 b1c7 figs-explicit וָאֶקְרָא֙ אֶת־הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים וָֽאַשְׁבִּיעֵ֔ם לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה 1 The implication is that the priests would have these leaders swear an oath before God. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Then I called the priests, and I made the leaders swear to God in front of them that they would do what they had promised.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 13 b1c9 figs-metonymy חָצְנִ֣י נָעַ֗רְתִּי 1 **Bosom** here refers figuratively to Nehemiah’s robe. It refers specifically by association to the part that he could gather together in front of him to form a pouch. Alternate translation: “I shook out the folds of my robe” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 5 13 neg1 translate-symaction חָצְנִ֣י נָעַ֗רְתִּי 1 Nehemiah gathered his robe together in front of him, the way someone would if they wanted to carry something in its folds. Then he flung the robe open and shook it, so that anything that was in it would have scattered. By doing this, he demonstrated symbolically to the Jewish leaders what would happen to them if they broke the promise they made. Alternate translation: “I shook out the folds of my robe” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]])
NEH 5 13 f5p4 כָּ֣כָה יְנַעֵ֪ר הָֽאֱלֹהִ֟ים אֶת־כָּל־הָאִישׁ֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־יָקִ֜ים אֶת־הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה מִבֵּיתוֹ֙ וּמִ֣יגִיע֔וֹ וְכָ֛כָה יִהְיֶ֥ה נָע֖וּר וָרֵ֑ק 1 Alternate translation: “In the same way, may God take away the home and all the possessions of anyone who does not keep this promise”
NEH 5 13 b1d1 figs-gendernotations כָּל־הָאִישׁ֩ 1 In this context, this expression means “anyone.” It could include women as well as men. Alternate translation: “anyone” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 5 13 b1d3 figs-personification יָקִ֜ים אֶת־הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה 1 The **word** means the promise that the leaders have made and the oath they have taken to confirm it. Nehemiah is speaking of this promise figuratively as if it were a living thing that could stand, that is, stay in place rather than go away. Alternate translation: “keep this oath” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH 5 13 b1d5 figs-doublet מִבֵּיתוֹ֙ וּמִ֣יגִיע֔וֹ 1 These two short phrases mean similar things. They are used together to express the totality of what a person owns. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “everything he owns” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 5 13 b1d7 וּמִ֣יגִיע֔וֹ 1 **Labor** here figuratively refers to the “fruits of labor,” that is, the possessions that a person acquires through labor. Alternate translation: “all his possessions”
NEH 5 13 b1d9 figs-parallelism וְכָ֛כָה יִהְיֶ֥ה נָע֖וּר וָרֵ֑ק 1 This sentence repeats the meaning of the previous one. Nehemiah uses the repetition for emphasis. You would not need to use the same repetition in your translation if it were already clear that Nehemiah is speaking emphatically in the first sentence. However, you could also rephrase the meaning. Alternate translation: “Yes, may that person be separated from everything he owns!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 5 13 b1e1 figs-doublet נָע֖וּר וָרֵ֑ק 1 These two short phrases mean similar things. They are used together to emphasize how completely Nehemiah wants God to punish anyone who breaks the oath. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “be separated from everything he owns” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 5 13 b1e3 כָֽל־הַקָּהָ֜ל 1 This means everyone who was there, both the leaders who were the defendants and the citizens Nehemiah had gathered to hear the charges against them. Alternate translation: “everyone who was there”
NEH 5 13 b1e5 figs-idiom אָמֵ֗ן 1 This is an expression that means, “Truly it is so.” It expresses agreement with what someone has just said. You could express the meaning with a phrase such as, “We agree!” Or you could use the Hebrew term and explain its meaning: “Amen! It is true.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 5 13 b1e9 וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָעָ֖ם כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה 1 **The people** means “the Jews.” “This word” means the promises they made. Alternate translation: “After that, none of the Jews took houses or fields to guarantee loans, and none of them charged interest”
NEH 5 14 zur1 figs-explicit גַּ֞ם 1 As explained in the note to [3:1](../03/01.md), in this book, Nehemiah is recording everything that he did to help the people of Judah. He hopes and prays that God will bless him for what he did. He has just described how he rescued the poor from foreclosures and interest. Now he is going to describe something further that he did to help them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Here is something else I did to help the people.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 14 b1f1 writing-background מִיּ֣וֹם ׀ אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה אֹתִ֗י לִהְי֣וֹת פֶּחָם֮ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ יְהוּדָה֒ מִשְּׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֗ים…לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ 1 This is background information that helps explain what Nehemiah will say next. Alternate translation: “Artaxerxes, the king of Persia, had appointed me to be the governor of the province of Judah during the twentieth year of his reign.” (See: Background Information)
NEH 5 14 b1f3 מִיּ֣וֹם…וְ֠עַד שְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּשְׁתַּ֨יִם֙ לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ 1 Alternate translation: “During the twelve years from that time until the thirty-second year of his reign”
NEH 5 14 b1f5 figs-idiom מִיּ֣וֹם 1 This is an idiom that means “from the time.” Alternate translation: “from that time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 5 14 ri8l translate-ordinal מִשְּׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֗ים וְ֠עַד שְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּשְׁתַּ֨יִם֙ 1 Alternate translation: “from the 20th year until the 32nd year of the reign of Artaxerxes as king” or “from year 20 until year 32 in the reign of Artaxerxes as king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 5 14 ga6u translate-numbers שָׁנִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֣ים עֶשְׂרֵ֑ה 1 Alternate translation: “12 years” or “during those 12 years” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 5 14 b1f7 אֲנִ֣י וְאַחַ֔י לֶ֥חֶם הַפֶּ֖חָה לֹ֥א אָכַֽלְתִּי 1 As Nehemiah explains in the next verse, he recognized that the people were poor and could not afford to provide very much for the expenses of the governor. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly here. Alternate translation: “Because I knew that the people were poor and could not afford to pay for it, I did not accept the governor’s food allowance, and I did not use it to feed my relatives”
NEH 5 14 i31d אֲנִ֣י…לֹ֥א אָכַֽלְתִּי 1 Alternate translation: “I did not accept”
NEH 5 14 b1f9 figs-synecdoche לֶ֥חֶם הַפֶּ֖חָה 1 Nehemiah is using bread to refer figuratively to the entire food allowance that he was entitled to as the governor of Judah. He is describing all the food by the name of one part of it, the bread. Alternate translation: “the food that the people provided for the governor” or “the governor’s food allowance” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 5 14 nqt2 bita-hq וְאַחַ֔י 1 As in [4:23](../04/23.md), **brother** here likely refers to Nehemiah’s actual brother Hanani and the other close relatives who were with him. Alternate translation: “and I did not use it to feed my relatives” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 5 15 uu9k figs-doublet וְהַפַּחוֹת֩ הָרִאשֹׁנִ֨ים אֲשֶׁר־לְפָנַ֜י 1 **Former** and **before my face** mean similar things. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine them. Alternate translation: “The men who were governors before me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 5 15 b1g1 figs-synecdoche לְפָנַ֜י 1 Here **face** figuratively describes an entire person by reference to one part of them, the “face.” Alternate translation: “before me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 5 15 b1g3 figs-metaphor הִכְבִּ֣ידוּ עַל־הָעָ֗ם 1 Here Nehemiah speaks figuratively as if these governors had been a great burden that the people were carrying, making their lives very difficult. Alternate translation: “made life very difficult for the people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 5 15 b1g5 figs-explicit וַיִּקְח֨וּ מֵהֶ֜ם בְּלֶ֤חֶם וָיַ֨יִן֙ אַחַר֙ כֶּֽסֶף־שְׁקָלִ֣ים 1 **After** indicates that the supplies of bread and wine were in addition to the money. Nehemiah is likely describing what the former governors required of the people each day. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “They demanded that they supply them with bread and wine and forty silver shekels every day.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 15 w4zk translate-bmoney כֶּֽסֶף־שְׁקָלִ֣ים אַרְבָּעִ֔ים 1 In ancient times, a silver shekel weighed about 11 grams or about a third of an ounce. You could try to express this in terms of modern money values, but if you did, that could cause your Bible translation to become outdated and inaccurate over time, since those values can change from year to year. Instead, you could say something general like “forty silver coins,” or give the equivalent weight, or use the biblical term in the text and give the weight in a note. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 5 15 b1g7 translate-numbers כֶּֽסֶף־שְׁקָלִ֣ים אַרְבָּעִ֔ים 1 Alternate translation: “forty silver shekels” or “40 pieces of silver” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 5 15 b1g9 גַּ֥ם נַעֲרֵיהֶ֖ם שָׁלְט֣וּ עַל־הָעָ֑ם 1 Alternate translation: “Even their servants oppressed the people.”
NEH 5 15 egg7 grammar-connect-logic-result וַאֲנִי֙ לֹא־עָשִׂ֣יתִי כֵ֔ן מִפְּנֵ֖י יִרְאַ֥ת אֱלֹהִֽים 1 In this sentence, if it would be clearer in your language, you can put the reason before the result. Alternate translation: “But because of my fear of God, I did not take the food” (See: grammar-connect-logic-result)
NEH 5 15 b1h1 figs-metaphor מִפְּנֵ֖י יִרְאַ֥ת אֱלֹהִֽים 1 Here **face** figuratively represents Nehemiah’s personal perception. “Fearing” God does not mean being afraid of God, but recognizing that God deserves respect and honor. Nehemiah is speaking of this perception figuratively, as if this recognition was always directly in front of him in a place where he could see it. He means that he was always aware of it. Alternate translation: “because I knew I needed to respect God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 5 16 gx42 figs-metaphor בִּמְלֶ֜אכֶת הַחוֹמָ֤ה הַזֹּאת֙ הֶחֱזַ֔קְתִּי 1 Nehemiah describes himself figuratively as **holding fast to***, meaning “holding onto,” the work of rebuilding the wall. This means that he was devoted to it, and he did not pursue other interests, including ones that could have made money for him. Alternate translation: “I devoted myself to the work of rebuilding of the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 5 16 lm7t שָׂדֶ֖ה לֹ֣א קָנִ֑ינוּ 1 **We** likely refers to Nehemiah and his relatives, since he mentions his servants next.
NEH 5 16 b1h3 figs-synecdoche שָׂדֶ֖ה לֹ֣א קָנִ֑ינוּ 1 Nehemiah is using the term **field** figuratively to describe any kind of real property that he and his relatives might have bought. Verse 11 shows that this could have included not just fields but also things like vineyards, olive orchards, and houses. He is describing all real property by reference to one kind, a field. Alternate translation: “My relatives and I did not buy any property” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 5 16 m3s9 figs-explicit שָׂדֶ֖ה לֹ֣א קָנִ֑ינוּ 1 The implication is that they could have bought property cheaply because the poor were so desperate. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “My relatives and I did not buy any property, even though we could have gotten it cheaply because the poor were so desperate” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 16 xpb3 figs-activepassive וְכָל־נְעָרַ֔י קְבוּצִ֥ים שָׁ֖ם עַל־הַמְּלָאכָֽה 1 **There** means at the wall, and **for the work** means the work of rebuilding the wall. If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “I gathered all of my servants there to work on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 5 17 j2af figs-synecdoche וְהַיְּהוּדִ֨ים 1 While this expression means “the Jewish people” in most of the book, in the contexts here and in 2:16 it seems to mean “Jewish leaders.” Nehemiah is describing some members of this people group, its leaders, as if they were the whole group. Alternate translation: “the Jewish leaders” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 5 17 a1g4 translate-unknown וְהַסְּגָנִ֜ים 1 See how you translated this term in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “city officials” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 5 17 q9x7 figs-metonymy מֵאָ֧ה וַחֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ…עַל־שֻׁלְחָנִֽי 1 Nehemiah is using the word **table** to refer to the act of feeding people. He is describing that act figuratively by reference to something associated with it, the table that the food was served on. Alternate translation: “every day I was responsible to feed 150 Jewish leaders and officials” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 5 17 w7i4 figs-explicit וְהַבָּאִ֥ים אֵלֵ֛ינוּ מִן־הַגּוֹיִ֥ם אֲשֶׁר־סְבִיבֹתֵ֖ינוּ 1 This likely refers to Jews who lived in other countries but who came to Jerusalem. Their own communities may have sent them as representatives, or they may have come on their own for business or personal reasons. Alternate translation: “and we also fed the Jewish visitors who came from other countries around us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 5 18 fa32 figs-ellipsis וַאֲשֶׁר֩ הָיָ֨ה נַעֲשֶׂ֜ה לְי֣וֹם אֶחָ֗ד שׁ֣וֹר אֶחָ֞ד צֹ֠אן שֵׁשׁ־בְּרֻר֤וֹת וְצִפֳּרִים֙ נַֽעֲשׂוּ־לִ֔י 1 Nehemiah seems once again to be leaving out some of the words that a sentence would ordinarily need in order to be complete. He probably means something like, “What was prepared for one day is as follows: One bull, six choice sheep, and birds; that is what was prepared for me.” You could simplify the sentence for your readers by not including “were prepared for me” again at the end. Alternate translation: “Each day I told my servants to prepare one ox, six good sheep, and various kinds of poultry” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 5 18 gqe2 figs-activepassive וַאֲשֶׁר֩ הָיָ֨ה נַעֲשֶׂ֜ה לְי֣וֹם אֶחָ֗ד 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “Each day I told my servants to prepare” or “Each day I told my servants to serve us the meat from” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 5 18 sp6n translate-unknown וְצִפֳּרִים֙ 1 It is likely that the birds were domesticated rather than wild, and if it would be helpful to your readers, you could use a term that indicates this. Alternate translation: “and various kinds of poultry” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 5 18 b1h5 figs-ellipsis וּבֵ֨ין עֲשֶׂ֧רֶת יָמִ֛ים בְּכָל־יַ֖יִן לְהַרְבֵּ֑ה 1 Nehemiah is once again leaving out some words that a sentence would ordinarily need to be complete. To make things clearer for your readers, you express the meaning more fully. Alternate translation: “Every ten days I also had my servants bring in an abundant supply of various kinds of wine” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 5 18 mil3 figs-idiom וּבֵ֨ין עֲשֶׂ֧רֶת יָמִ֛ים 1 This expression means “every ten days.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 5 18 b1h9 וְעִם־זֶ֗ה לֶ֤חֶם הַפֶּחָה֙ לֹ֣א בִקַּ֔שְׁתִּי 1 As in [5:14](../05/14.md), “the bread of the governor” means “the governor’s food allowance.” The implication is that Nehemiah paid for all of the things he has just described at his own expense. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “I paid for all of these things at my own expense. I did not accept the governor’s food allowance.”
NEH 5 18 b1i1 figs-abstractnouns כָֽבְדָ֥ה הָעֲבֹדָ֖ה עַל־הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּֽה 1 The abstract noun **bondage** refers to the way the people were struggling to survive in difficult times. If it would be clearer in your language, you can translate the idea behind it with a verb such as “struggle.” Alternate translation: “I knew that the people were struggling to survive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 5 18 b1i3 figs-metaphor כָֽבְדָ֥ה הָעֲבֹדָ֖ה עַל־הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּֽה 1 Here Nehemiah is speaking of ts bondage or struggle as if it were a great burden that the people were carrying, making their lives very difficult. Alternate translation: “I knew that the people were struggling to survive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 5 18 b1i5 grammar-connect-logic-result כָֽבְדָ֥ה הָעֲבֹדָ֖ה עַל־הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּֽה 1 You can put this before Nehemiah’s statement that he did not accept the governor’s food allowance, because it gives the reason why he refused it. Alternate translation: “I knew that the people were struggling to survive, so I did not accept the governor’s food allowance.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 5 19 b1i7 figs-aside זָכְרָה־לִּ֥י אֱלֹהַ֖י לְטוֹבָ֑ה 1 As in [4:4](../04/04.md), here Nehemiah speaks directly to God. You could indicate this by putting this verse in quotation marks. Review the note at 4:4 about asides like this if that would be helpful. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-aside]])
NEH 5 19 b1i9 figs-idiom זָכְרָה־לִּ֥י…לְטוֹבָ֑ה 1 To remember someone **for good** is an idiom that means to reward someone with good things for the good that they have done. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 5 19 b1j1 figs-idiom זָכְרָה־לִּ֥י אֱלֹהַ֖י לְטוֹבָ֑ה 1 In this context, **remember** means to think about someone and consider what action you can take on their behalf. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten him. Alternate translation: “think of me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 5 19 b1j3 figs-ellipsis כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֖יתִי עַל־הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּֽה 1 Nehemiah is once again leaving out some words that a sentence would ordinarily need. He is asking God to do good things for him because of all the good things he has done for the people of Judah as their governor. Alternate translation: “reward me because of all the good that I have done for the people of Judah” (See: Ellipsis)
NEH 6 intro k4df 0 # Nehemiah 06 General Notes<br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>The building of the wall is completed in this chapter.<br><br>The ULT sets the lines in 6:6-7 farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text because they are part of a long quotation.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Miracle<br><br>Completing this city wall in only fifty-two days was considered proof that God had helped the Jews, especially given the opposition that they had experienced from the people in surrounding areas.
NEH 6 1 c1a1 writing-newevent וַיְהִ֣י 1 Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
NEH 6 1 c1a3 figs-synecdoche נִשְׁמַ֣ע 1 This means that these enemies learned somehow that the wall was finished. Perhaps someone came and told them, or perhaps they received a written report. Nehemiah figuratively uses hearing, one means of discovering things, to describe these men learning this. Alternate translation: “when our enemies learned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 6 1 c1a5 figs-activepassive כַאֲשֶׁ֣ר נִשְׁמַ֣ע…וּלְיֶ֣תֶר אֹֽיְבֵ֗ינוּ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “when our enemies learned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 6 1 gd7c translate-names לְסַנְבַלַּ֣ט וְ֠טוֹבִיָּה 1 These are the names of men. See how you translated them in [2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 6 1 bxn2 translate-names וּלְגֶ֨שֶׁם 1 This is the name of a man and his people group. See how you translated these names in [2:19](../02/19.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 6 1 vi6v figs-synecdoche בָנִ֨יתִי֙ אֶת־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה 1 As in [4:14](../04/14.md), Nehemiah is using himself to represent the entire community that he is a part of. Alternate translation: “that we had finished rebuilding the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 6 1 ap2q grammar-connect-logic-contrast גַּ֚ם 1 This term expresses a weak contrast between the sentence that comes before and the sentence that comes after. There was no break in the wall, except for the spaces where the doors had not yet been hung in the gates. Alternate translation: “however” (See: Connect - Contrast Relationship)
NEH 6 1 c1a7 figs-synecdoche עַד־הָעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔יא דְּלָת֖וֹת לֹא־הֶעֱמַ֥דְתִּי בַשְּׁעָרִֽים 1 Once again Nehemiah is using himself to represent the entire community that he is a part of. Alternate translation: “we had not yet put the doors in the gates” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 6 2 n5nu וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח…אֵלַ֣י 1 Alternate translation: “sent me a messenger to me”
NEH 6 2 c1a9 לְכָ֞ה וְנִֽוָּעֲדָ֥ה יַחְדָּ֛ו 1 These enemies use the word **come** to encourage Nehemiah to accept their invitation. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the word as something other than an imperative, to make the message sound inviting. Alternate translation: “We would like to arrange to meet with you”
NEH 6 2 rbv9 translate-names בַּכְּפִירִ֖ים בְּבִקְעַ֣ת אוֹנ֑וֹ 1 Ono is the name of a place about twenty miles from Jerusalem. It is down from the mountains towards the Mediterranean coast, so it can be described as a “valley” or “plain.” Alternate translation: “in one of the villages in the plain of Ono” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 6 2 c1b1 figs-idiom וְהֵ֨מָּה֙ חֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לִ֖י רָעָֽה 1 In this context, **evil** means “harm.” Alternate translation: “they wanted to harm me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 6 2 c1b3 figs-explicit וְהֵ֨מָּה֙ חֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לִ֖י רָעָֽה 1 The implication is that Nehemiah figured this out, even though in their invitation, these enemies pretended to be sincere. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “But I recognized that they were saying this because they wanted to harm me.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 3 d84v figs-synecdoche מְלָאכָ֤ה גְדוֹלָה֙ אֲנִ֣י עֹשֶׂ֔ה 1 Nehemiah is once again using himself to represent the whole community and its work of rebuilding of the wall. Alternate translation: “We are doing a great work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 6 3 c1b5 וְלֹ֥א אוּכַ֖ל לָרֶ֑דֶת 1 Nehemiah does not mean that he is physically unable to travel to Ono. He means that he cannot leave his supervision of the work for the several days it would take to travel there and back. Alternate translation: “I am not able to travel while it is going on.”
NEH 6 3 c1b7 לָרֶ֑דֶת 1 Nehemiah uses the word **down** because the plain of Ono is at a lower elevation than Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “meet with you”
NEH 6 3 ee8i figs-rquestion לָ֣מָּה תִשְׁבַּ֤ת הַמְּלָאכָה֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר אַרְפֶּ֔הָ וְיָרַדְתִּ֖י אֲלֵיכֶֽם 1 Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect Sanballat and Geshem to give him reasons why the work should stop as he travels to meet with them. Instead, Nehemiah is using the question form to emphasize how important it is for the work of rebuilding the walls to continue. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate his question as a statement. Alternate translation: “I cannot let the work stop and come down to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH 6 3 t9gf וְיָרַדְתִּ֖י אֲלֵיכֶֽם 1 down to you The word “down” is used here because the plain of Ono where they were requesting Nehemiah to come is at a lower elevation than Jerusalem.
NEH 6 4 c1b9 וַיִּשְׁלְח֥וּ אֵלַ֛י כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּ֖ה אַרְבַּ֣ע פְּעָמִ֑ים 1 Alternate translation: “They sent me the same message four times”
NEH 6 4 c1c1 figs-explicit וָאָשִׁ֥יב אוֹתָ֖ם 1 **Turned them back** means “refused them.” The implication is that Nehemiah did this each time. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “and each time I refused them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 4 c1c3 כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה 1 Alternate translation: “for this same reason”
NEH 6 5 r8xc translate-ordinal וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ אֵלַ֨י סַנְבַלַּ֜ט כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּ֛ה פַּ֥עַם חֲמִישִׁ֖ית אֶֽת־נַעֲר֑וֹ 1 Alternate translation: “Sanballat sent his servant to me with this same message for a fifth time” or “this was time number five that Sanballat sent his servant to me with this same message” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 6 5 s6ag וְאִגֶּ֥רֶת פְּתוּחָ֖ה בְּיָדֽוֹ 1 This means that this fifth message was written in a letter, but the letter was unsealed. Alternate translation: “This time the message was written, but it was not sealed.”
NEH 6 5 c1c5 figs-explicit וְאִגֶּ֥רֶת פְּתוּחָ֖ה בְּיָדֽוֹ 1 As a diplomatic communication, the letter should have been sealed. Because it was not, others could read it and spread its contents among the people of the region. It appears that Sanballat deliberately left the letter unsealed to pressure Nehemiah to meet with him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Sanballat left the letter unsealed so that others would find out what it said, because he wanted to pressure me to meet with him.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 6 rx5j figs-metonymy כָּת֣וּב בָּ֗הּ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “The letter said” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 6 6 wy84 figs-activepassive בַּגּוֹיִ֤ם נִשְׁמָע֙ 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “The rumor in the region is” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 6 6 c1c7 figs-explicit וְגַשְׁמ֣וּ אֹמֵ֔ר 1 The claim appears to be that Geshem has investigated these rumors and told Sanballat that they are true. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “and Geshem confirms that it is true” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 6 c1c9 translate-names וְגַשְׁמ֣וּ 1 Gashmu here is an alternate form of the name Geshem found in [6:1](../06/01.md). To make things clearer for your readers, you can translate the name as “Geshem” here as well. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 6 6 z81q figs-explicit אַתָּ֤ה וְהַיְּהוּדִים֙ חֹשְׁבִ֣ים לִמְר֔וֹד עַל־כֵּ֛ן אַתָּ֥ה בוֹנֶ֖ה הַחוֹמָ֑ה 1 This means specifically that the Jews would to rebel against Artaxerxes, the Persian king, who was currently ruling them. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “you and the Jewish people are rebuilding the wall because you are planning to rebel against King Artaxerxes” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 6 c1d1 וְהַיְּהוּדִים֙ 1 Here this expression means “the Jewish people,” specifically the ones living in Judah and Jerusalem. Alternate translation: “the Jewish people”
NEH 6 6 c1d3 וְאַתָּ֗ה הֹוֶ֤ה לָהֶם֙ לְמֶ֔לֶךְ 1 Alternate translation: “They are also saying that you intend to make yourself the king of the Jews.”
NEH 6 7 n1rj grammar-connect-words-phrases וְגַם־אֲנִי֙ אַחַ֣י וּנְעָרַ֔י 1 This phrase indicates that what follows is more of the report that Sanballat claims he is hearing from the people in the surrounding countries. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could put something in your translation to indicate this. Alternate translation: “These people are also saying that” (See: Connecting Words and Phrases)
NEH 6 7 u185 נְבִיאִ֡ים הֶעֱמַ֣דְתָּ לִקְרֹא֩ עָלֶ֨יךָ בִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֜ם 1 Alternate translation: “you have appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem”
NEH 6 7 c1d5 לֵאמֹ֗ר מֶ֚לֶךְ בִּֽיהוּדָ֔ה 1 The proclamation can be presented as a direct quotation. “Saying” can be represented by the quotation marks and whatever punctuation your language uses to introduce a quotation. Alternate translation: “The Jews now have a king of their own!”
NEH 6 7 c1d7 וְעַתָּה֙ 1 This is not a reference to time. Sanballat is using this expression to introduce a further inference. Alternate translation: “certainly.”
NEH 6 7 c1d9 figs-activepassive יִשָּׁמַ֣ע לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כַּדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “King Artaxerxes will certainly hear these reports” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 6 7 c1e1 figs-explicit יִשָּׁמַ֣ע לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כַּדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה 1 The implication is that when Artaxerxes hears these reports, he will be very angry with Nehemiah. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “King Artaxerxes will certainly hear these reports, and when he does, he will be very angry with you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 7 c1e3 grammar-connect-logic-result וְעַתָּ֣ה 1 This is not a reference to time. Sanballat is using this expression to introduce his conclusion. This term expresses that the sentences that came before provide the reason for the sentence that comes after. Alternate translation: “Therefore” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 6 7 c1e5 לְכָ֔ה וְנִֽוָּעֲצָ֖ה יַחְדָּֽו 1 As in [6:2](../06/02.md), “come” is a word of encouragement rather than a command. Alternate translation: “So we really should meet together and talk about this”
NEH 6 8 ei6j וָאֶשְׁלְחָ֤ה אֵלָיו֙ 1 Alternate translation: “I sent a message back to him”
NEH 6 8 ab7x figs-activepassive לֹ֤א נִֽהְיָה֙ כַּדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֖ר אַתָּ֣ה אוֹמֵ֑ר 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “I have not done any of the things you have written” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 6 8 ds1y figs-metaphor כִּ֥י מִֽלִּבְּךָ֖ אַתָּ֥ה בוֹדָֽאם 1 Here the **heart** figuratively represents someone’s thoughts and feelings. Sanballat’s thoughts and feelings, in turn, represent him as a person. Alternate translation: “you have made all this up in your own imagination” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 6 8 c1e7 grammar-connect-logic-contrast כִּ֥י 1 This term expresses a contrast between the clause that comes before and the clause that comes after. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast]])
NEH 6 9 p45k כִּ֣י כֻלָּ֗ם מְיָֽרְאִ֤ים אוֹתָ֨נוּ֙ 1 This likely means, “they were all trying to frighten us.” The implication is that Nehemiah recognized that this was the motive behind the letters. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “I knew that they were all just trying to frighten us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 9 b5ij figs-metaphor יִרְפּ֧וּ יְדֵיהֶ֛ם מִן־הַמְּלָאכָ֖ה 1 Here **hand** figuratively represents strength, power, control, or action. Alternate translation: “The workers will stop doing the work on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 6 9 c1f1 figs-explicit יִרְפּ֧וּ יְדֵיהֶ֛ם מִן־הַמְּלָאכָ֖ה 1 The implication is that the enemies expected the Jews to become so afraid of being accused of rebelling for rebuilding the wall that they would stop doing that. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The Jews will become so afraid that they will stop working on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 9 c1f3 figs-explicit מִן־הַמְּלָאכָ֖ה 1 This means specifically the work on the wall. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “working on the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 9 c1f5 figs-activepassive וְלֹ֣א תֵעָשֶׂ֑ה 1 If it would be clearer in your language, you can say this with an active form, and you can say who will do the action. Alternate translation: “they will never finish rebuilding it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 6 9 j1dj figs-aside וְעַתָּ֖ה חַזֵּ֥ק אֶת־יָדָֽי 1 Nehemiah speaks directly to God once again here. This instance is like the one in [4:4](../04/04.md), where Nehemiah records what he prayed at the time of the events he is describing. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this by introducing the prayer with a phrase such as “so I prayed,” by presenting the prayer as a direct quotation, and by having Nehemiah address God directly at the beginning. Alternate translation: “So I prayed, ‘O God, give me courage.’” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-aside]])
NEH 6 9 c1f7 figs-metaphor חַזֵּ֥ק אֶת־יָדָֽי 1 Here the strength of a person’s hands figuratively stands for the courage they are feeling inside. Alternate translation: “strengthen me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 6 10 c1f9 grammar-connect-time-simultaneous וַאֲנִי 1 Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce something else that happened around this same time. Alternate translation: “Around this time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH 6 10 c1g1 בָ֗אתִי בֵּ֣ית 1 Alternate translation: “I went to visit”
NEH 6 10 ybj6 translate-names שְֽׁמַֽעְיָ֧ה בֶן־דְּלָיָ֛ה בֶּן־מְהֵֽיטַבְאֵ֖ל 1 Shemaiah is the name of a man, Delaiah is the name of his father, and Mehetabel is the name of his grandfather. Alternate translation: “Shemaiah, the son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 6 10 k8xd figs-activepassive וְה֣וּא עָצ֑וּר 1 You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “he was not leaving his house.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 6 10 c1g3 translate-symaction וְה֣וּא עָצ֑וּר 1 Nehemiah does not say why Shemaiah was not leaving his house. He could have been sick, or he could have been ceremonially unclean. So you might choose not to specify any reason. However, the context suggests that Shemaiah may have been trying to symbolize that it was not safe for Jewish leaders to go around in public. A man by the name of Shemaiah is listed in [10:8](../10/08.md) as one of the priests who signed the community agreement. This could be the same person, since he has access to the temple and is therefore likely a priest. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could suggest this reason explicitly. Alternate translation: “He was a priest, and he was trying to show that it was not safe for Jewish leaders to go out in public, so he was not leaving his house.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-symaction]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 10 c1g5 figs-explicit נִוָּעֵד֩ אֶל־בֵּ֨ית הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶל־תּ֣וֹךְ הַֽהֵיכָ֗ל 1 Shemaiah seems to be proposing that he and Nehemiah move their meeting to the temple, suggesting that they are not even safe in his house. Alternate translation: “We are not safe even here. We need to go into the temple, to the sacred place inside the temple.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 10 c1g7 figs-parallelism אֶל־בֵּ֨ית הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶל־תּ֣וֹךְ הַֽהֵיכָ֗ל 1 These two phrases mean similar things. Shemaiah uses the repetition to emphasize the danger he is suggesting they are in. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “into the temple” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 6 10 c1g9 figs-metaphor בֵּ֨ית הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים 1 Shemaiah is referring to the temple figuratively as the “house of God” as if it were the place where God lived. Alternate translation: “the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 6 10 c1h1 וְנִסְגְּרָה֙ דַּלְת֣וֹת הַהֵיכָ֔ל 1 This means not just close the doors but lock them. Alternate translation: “and lock the doors”
NEH 6 10 c1h3 כִּ֚י בָּאִ֣ים לְהָרְגֶ֔ךָ 1 Shemaiah does not say who these people are. It would be possible to say something based on what can reasonably be inferred, for example, “Your enemies have hired people to kill you.” However, the vagueness seems to be part of Shemaiah’s strategy to frighten Nehemiah. So it might be more effective to leave this indefinite. Alternate translation: “because people are trying to kill you”
NEH 6 10 c1h5 וְלַ֖יְלָה בָּאִ֥ים לְהָרְגֶֽךָ 1 Shemaiah’s confidence in the detail of “at night” seems designed to make Nehemiah even more afraid, because this means that the killers will come in the dark when he is asleep, so he won’t be able to protect himself. It could be helpful to your readers for your translation to reflect this confidence. Alternate translation: “I know that one night they are going to come and kill you”
NEH 6 11 syw3 figs-rquestion הַאִ֤ישׁ כָּמ֨וֹנִי֙ יִבְרָ֔ח 1 Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect Shemiah to tell him whether or not he should run away. Instead, Nehemiah is using the question form to emphasize that he is not going to do what Shemaiah has suggested. If it would be clearer in your language, you can translate this question as a statement. Alternate translation: “A man like me would not run away.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH 6 11 c1h9 figs-rquestion וּמִ֥י כָמ֛וֹנִי אֲשֶׁר־יָב֥וֹא אֶל־הַהֵיכָ֖ל וָחָ֑י 1 Once again Nehemiah is making a statement, not asking a question. He does not expect Shemiah to tell him whether going into the temple would save his life. Alternate translation: “A man like me would not go into the temple just to hide to stay alive.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH 6 11 c1i1 figs-explicit וּמִ֥י כָמ֛וֹנִי אֲשֶׁר־יָב֥וֹא אֶל־הַהֵיכָ֖ל וָחָ֑י 1 It is not entirely clear what Nehemiah means by this. He could be saying that he should not go into the temple because he is not a priest. However, the Bible records instances of other people who were not priests going into the temple to seek sanctuary. So Nehemiah may be saying instead that because he is the governor, he is too well known to escape from assassins by hiding in the temple. You could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “Besides, I am the governor, and everyone knows me, so I could not save my life by trying to hide in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 11 c1i3 לֹ֖א אָבֽוֹא 1 Alternate translation: “I refuse to do it!”
NEH 6 12 c1i5 וָאַכִּ֕ירָה וְהִנֵּ֥ה 1 The term “behold” is used to focus attention on the words that follow. Within this episode as a whole, it creates the impression of Nehemiah suddenly realizing something that had not been clear to him before. Alternate translation: “All of a sudden I realized”
NEH 6 12 c1i7 figs-explicit לֹֽא־אֱלֹהִ֖ים שְׁלָח֑וֹ 1 Shemaiah seems to have been pretending that God had revealed to him prophetically that people would be coming secretly at night to kill Nehemiah. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “God had not given Shemaiah a prophetic message for me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 12 s2sf כִּ֤י הַנְּבוּאָה֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר עָלַ֔י וְטוֹבִיָּ֥ה וְסַנְבַלַּ֖ט שְׂכָרֽוֹ 1 Alternate translation: “Instead, he was saying these things to hinder my work, because Tobiah and Sanballat had paid him to say them.”
NEH 6 13 c1i9 grammar-connect-logic-result לְמַ֤עַן שָׂכוּר֙ ה֔וּא לְמַֽעַן־אִירָ֥א 1 This is the reason behind the result that Nehemiah’s enemies hoped for. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The reason they had hired him was to scare me. They hoped that as a result” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 6 13 c1j1 grammar-connect-logic-goal לְמַ֤עַן 1 This term introduces the purpose for the sentence contained in the verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]])
NEH 6 13 c1j3 grammar-connect-logic-goal וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה־כֵּ֖ן וְחָטָ֑אתִי 1 This phrase expresses the goal for the sentence contained in the verse. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]])
NEH 6 13 b27k figs-explicit וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה־כֵּ֖ן וְחָטָ֑אתִי 1 It is not entirely clear why Nehemiah says it would have been a sin for him to hide in the temple, since it was a time-honored tradition in Israel to allow people to seek sanctuary there. Perhaps the explanation is that Nehemiah knew God had sent him to Judah on a special mission to help and protect the Jewish community there. And so if he had abandoned that mission to save his life, he would have been disobeying God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say something like that explicitly. Alternate translation: “They were hoping they could make me sin by abandoning my responsibilities and hiding in the temple.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 13 ji1g bita-hq וְהָיָ֤ה לָהֶם֙ לְשֵׁ֣ם רָ֔ע לְמַ֖עַן יְחָֽרְפֽוּנִי 1 Here **name** is a figurative way of referring to the fame or reputation of a person. If he hid in the temple to save his own life, Nehemiah would get a bad reputation as a coward who was concerned only for himself. Alternate translation: “this would give me a bad reputation, and they could say bad things about me to everyone” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 6 13 c1j5 grammar-connect-logic-goal לְמַ֖עַן 1 This term expresses that the clause that comes after is the goal for the clause that comes before. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-goal]])
NEH 6 14 c1j7 אֱלֹהַ֛י 1 As in [4:4](../04/04.md) and [6:9](../06/09.md), Nehemiah records here what he prayed at the time of the events he is describing. You can indicate this by introducing these words as a prayer and presenting the prayer as a direct quotation. Alternate translation: “So I prayed, ‘My God …’ ”
NEH 6 14 nau4 figs-idiom זָכְרָ֧ה…לְטוֹבִיָּ֥ה וּלְסַנְבַלַּ֖ט כְּמַעֲשָׂ֣יו אֵ֑לֶּה 1 **His** refers to both Sanballat and Tobiah. In this context, “remember” means to think about someone and consider what action you should take in their regard. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten about Tobiah and Sanballat. Alternate translation: “treat Tobiah and Sanballat the way they deserve for what they have done” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 6 14 c1j9 וְגַ֨ם לְנוֹעַדְיָ֤ה הַנְּבִיאָה֙ וּלְיֶ֣תֶר הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ מְיָֽרְאִ֥ים אוֹתִֽי 1 Alternate translation: “Do the same for the female prophet Noadiah and all the other prophets who are trying to make me afraid.”
NEH 6 14 g3ch translate-names לְנוֹעַדְיָ֤ה 1 This is the name of a woman. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 6 15 m52s figs-activepassive וַתִּשְׁלַם֙ הַֽחוֹמָ֔ה 1 You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “We finished rebuilding the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 6 15 g17x translate-hebrewmonths בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וַחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה לֶאֱל֑וּל 1 Elul is the sixth month of the Hebrew calendar. Alternate translation: “on the twenty-fifth day of the month of Elul” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]])
NEH 6 15 c1k1 translate-ordinal בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וַחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה לֶאֱל֑וּל 1 Alternate translation: “on day 25 of the month of Elul” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 6 15 ara3 translate-numbers לַחֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּשְׁנַ֖יִם יֽוֹם 1 Alternate translation: “after working on it for 52 days” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 6 16 c1k3 writing-newevent וַיְהִ֗י 1 Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]])
NEH 6 16 c1k5 figs-synecdoche כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר שָֽׁמְעוּ֙ כָּל־א֣וֹיְבֵ֔ינוּ 1 This means that these enemies learned by some means that work had been completed. Nehemiah figuratively uses hearing, one means of discovering things, to describe the enemies learning this. Alternate translation: “when all of our enemies learned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 6 16 c1k7 figs-explicit כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר שָֽׁמְעוּ֙ כָּל־א֣וֹיְבֵ֔ינוּ 1 This means specifically, “When all our enemies learned that we had completed the rebuilding in such a short time.” If it would be clearer in your language, you could say that explicitly. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 16 c1k9 figs-parallelism וַיִּֽרְא֗וּ כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר סְבִֽיבֹתֵ֔ינוּ וַיִּפְּל֥וּ מְאֹ֖ד בְּעֵינֵיהֶ֑ם 1 These two phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses the repetition to emphasize how intimidated the people in the surrounding countries felt. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “they thought much less of themselves” or “they lost confidence in themselves,” otherwise “they became afraid and felt humiliated” (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 6 16 t54c bita-part1 וַיִּפְּל֥וּ מְאֹ֖ד בְּעֵינֵיהֶ֑ם 1 Here **fall** is a figurative way of saying “become less.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-part1]])
NEH 6 16 c1l1 bita-hq וַיִּפְּל֥וּ מְאֹ֖ד בְּעֵינֵיהֶ֑ם 1 Here **eyes** stand for “seeing,” and “seeing” figuratively means judgment. This means that these people were no longer so great or powerful in their own estimation. Alternate translation: “they lost confidence in themselves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 6 16 py4c grammar-connect-logic-result וַיֵּ֣דְע֔וּ כִּ֚י מֵאֵ֣ת אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ נֶעֶשְׂתָ֖ה הַמְּלָאכָ֥ה הַזֹּֽאת 1 You can put this right before the statement that the enemies were afraid and thought less of themselves, because it it is the reason that explains that result. Alternate translation: “They realized that our God had helped us complete this work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 6 16 c1l3 figs-activepassive מֵאֵ֣ת אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ נֶעֶשְׂתָ֖ה הַמְּלָאכָ֥ה הַזֹּֽאת 1 You can say this with an active form. Alternate translation: “our God had helped us complete this work” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 6 17 c1l5 grammar-connect-time-simultaneous גַּ֣ם ׀ בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֗ם 1 Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce something else that was happening at the same time as the other events he has just described. Alternate translation: “During this time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-time-simultaneous]])
NEH 6 17 c1l7 figs-idiom בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֗ם 1 The term **days** is used figuratively here to refer a particular period of time. Alternate translation: “at this time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 6 17 c1l9 חֹרֵ֤י יְהוּדָה֙ 1 See how you translated this term in [2:16](../02/16.md). Alternate translation: “the leading citizens of Judah”
NEH 6 17 zw37 figs-explicit מַרְבִּ֞ים…אִגְּרֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם 1 The implication is these citizens were sending information to Tobiah about Nehemiah. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “sent many messengers with letters to Tobiah to give him information about me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 17 rx81 figs-personification וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר לְטוֹבִיָּ֖ה בָּא֥וֹת אֲלֵיהֶֽם 1 Here Nehemiah speaks of Tobiah’s letters as if they could come on their own to the people he was answering. Alternate translation: “Tobiah sent letters” or “Tobiah sent many messengers with letters” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH 6 17 c1m1 figs-explicit וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר לְטוֹבִיָּ֖ה בָּא֥וֹת אֲלֵיהֶֽם 1 The implication is Tobiah was sending back instructions to his allies. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Tobiah sent many messengers with letters back to them with instructions” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 17 rcx8 translate-names טוֹבִיָּ֑ה 1 This is the name of a man. See how you translated it in [2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 6 18 z2uq figs-idiom כִּי־רַבִּ֣ים בִּֽיהוּדָ֗ה בַּעֲלֵ֤י שְׁבוּעָה֙ ל֔וֹ 1 This means that many Judeans were “owners of oaths” to Tobiah. That is, they had sworn oaths to be loyal to him. Alternate translation: “Many people in Judah had sworn an oath to be loyal to him” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 6 18 c1m3 grammar-connect-logic-result כִּי־רַבִּ֣ים בִּֽיהוּדָ֗ה בַּעֲלֵ֤י שְׁבוּעָה֙ ל֔וֹ 1 You can put this information last in the verse, because it is a result, and the rest of the verse gives the reason why the people swore these oaths. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-result]])
NEH 6 18 c1m5 figs-explicit כִּי־חָתָ֥ן ה֖וּא לִשְׁכַנְיָ֣ה בֶן־אָרַ֑ח 1 This statement means that Tobiah was married to the daughter of Shecaniah. The implication is that Shecaniah was a powerful and influential member of the community. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Tobiah was married to the daughter of a powerful and influential member of the community, Shecaniah the son of Arah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 18 rn1q translate-names לִשְׁכַנְיָ֣ה בֶן־אָרַ֑ח 1 Shecaniah is the name of a man, and Arah is the name of his father. This is probably the same Shecaniah who is mentioned in 3:29. See how you translated his name there. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 6 18 c1m7 figs-explicit וִֽיהוֹחָנָ֣ן בְּנ֔וֹ לָקַ֕ח אֶת־בַּת־מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם בֶּ֥ן בֶּֽרֶכְיָֽה 1 The implication is that Meshullam was another powerful and influential member of the community. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Tobiah’s son Jehohanan was married to the daughter of another powerful and influential man, Meshullam the son of Berechiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 6 18 id1x translate-names וִֽיהוֹחָנָ֣ן 1 This is the name of a man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 6 18 c1m9 בְּנ֔וֹ 1 **His** means that Jehohanan was the son of Tobiah.
NEH 6 18 c1n1 לָקַ֕ח אֶת־בַּת 1 Alternate translation: “was married to the daughter of”
NEH 6 18 y3lg translate-names מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם בֶּ֥ן בֶּֽרֶכְיָֽה 1 Meshullam is the name of a man, and Berechiah is the name of his father. He is mentioned in [3:4](../03/04.md) and [3:30](../03/30.md). See how you translated his name there. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 6 19 mj72 bita-hq טוֹבֹתָ֗יו הָי֤וּ אֹמְרִים֙ לְפָנַ֔י 1 Here **face** figuratively represents the presence of a person. Alternate translation: “told me personally about Tobiah’s good deeds” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/bita-hq]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 6 19 c1n3 הָי֤וּ 1 **They** means the people who were loyal to Tobiah.
NEH 6 19 e3zt figs-idiom וּדְבָרַ֕י הָי֥וּ מוֹצִיאִ֖ים ל֑וֹ 1 **Taking out** here is an idiom that means these people were “reporting” Nehemiah’s responses to Tobiah. Alternate translation: “and then told him about my responses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 7 intro qk4v 0 # Nehemiah 07 General Notes<br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Genealogy<br><br>The people who returned from Persia were counted according to their families. Nehemiah ensured that those who lived in Jerusalem had a completely Jewish ancestry.<br><br>### Different lists<br>This list is paralleled in [Ezra 2](../../ezr/02/01.md). The lists do contain some differences in numbers. This is probably due to the timing of their counting. They were likely counted at different times.
NEH 7 1 g3zz figs-activepassive וַיְהִ֗י כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר נִבְנְתָה֙ הַחוֹמָ֔ה 1 When the wall was finished This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “When we had finished the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 7 1 fk6l figs-synecdoche וָאַעֲמִ֖יד הַדְּלָת֑וֹת 1 I had set up the doors in place This was done with help. Alternate translation: “I and others hung the doors” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 7 1 wkp3 figs-activepassive וַיִּפָּֽקְד֛וּ הַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֥ים וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים וְהַלְוִיִּֽם 1 the gatekeepers and singers and Levites had been appointed This can be stated in active form. Possible meanings are: (1) Nehemiah appointed them. Alternate translation: “I assigned the gatekeepers and singers and Levites to their tasks” or (2) Someone else appointed them. Alternate translation: “they assigned the gatekeepers and singers and Levites to their tasks” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 7 1 lk9v הַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֥ים 1 gatekeepers people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator
NEH 7 1 f8ks וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים 1 singers vocal musicians who led in worship, in processions, and ceremonies, producing music and chants that emphasized and enhanced the occasion
NEH 7 2 ykr9 translate-names חֲנָ֣נִי…חֲנַנְיָ֛ה 1 Hanani…Hananiah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 2 zy5q וָאֲצַוֶּ֞ה אֶת־חֲנָ֣נִי אָחִ֗י וְאֶת־חֲנַנְיָ֛ה שַׂ֥ר 1 I gave my brother Hanani charge “I gave the order for my brother Hanani to be the manager”
NEH 7 3 n55g לֹ֣א יִפָּֽתְח֞וּ שַׁעֲרֵ֤י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ עַד־חֹ֣ם הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ וְעַ֨ד הֵ֥ם עֹמְדִ֛ים יָגִ֥יפוּ הַדְּלָת֖וֹת וֶאֱחֹ֑זוּ 1 Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are on guard, you may shut the doors and bar them Possible meanings are (1) these actions were done by Hanani and Hananiah or (2) these actions were done by Hanani and Hananiah with the help of the gatekeepers or (3) the gatekeepers did these actions under the direction of Hanani and Hananiah.
NEH 7 3 w3hi חֹ֣ם הַשֶּׁ֔מֶשׁ 1 the sun is hot “the sun is high in the sky”
NEH 7 3 b2es וְעַ֨ד הֵ֥ם עֹמְדִ֛ים יָגִ֥יפוּ הַדְּלָת֖וֹת וֶאֱחֹ֑זוּ 1 While the gatekeepers are on guard, you may shut the doors and bar them “Shut the doors and bar them while the gatekeepers are still on guard”
NEH 7 3 mir9 מִשְׁמְרוֹת֙ 1 gatekeepers See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:1](../07/01.md)
NEH 7 3 ed9m יָגִ֥יפוּ הַדְּלָת֖וֹת וֶאֱחֹ֑זוּ 1 shut the doors and bar them “close the gates and lock them”
NEH 7 3 he4e וְהַעֲמֵ֗יד מִשְׁמְרוֹת֙ יֹשְׁבֵ֣י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם 1 Appoint guards from those who live in Jerusalem “Assign guards from those people who live in Jerusalem”
NEH 7 3 wf26 בְּמִשְׁמָר֔וֹ 1 guard station “guard post” or “guard duty place”
NEH 7 4 y6y8 figs-activepassive וְאֵ֥ין בָּתִּ֖ים בְּנוּיִֽם 1 no houses had yet been rebuilt This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the people had not yet rebuilt the houses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 7 5 wjd3 figs-metonymy וַיִּתֵּ֤ן אֱלֹהַי֙ אֶל־לִבִּ֔י 1 put into my heart Here Nehemiah’s “heart” refers to his thoughts and will. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 2:12](../02/12.md). Alternate translation: “inspired me” or “led me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 7 5 pzu6 לְהִתְיַחֵ֑שׂ 1 to enroll them “to list and register them”
NEH 7 5 avw2 סֵ֤פֶר הַיַּ֨חַשׂ֙ 1 the book of the genealogy This was a book that no longer exists.
NEH 7 5 bz2p figs-activepassive וָאֶמְצָ֖א כָּת֥וּב בּֽוֹ 1 found the following written in it This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “found that someone had written the following in it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 7 6 ud5m אֵ֣לֶּה׀ בְּנֵ֣י הַמְּדִינָ֗ה 1 These are the people of the province “These are the descendants of this region”
NEH 7 6 vx13 הָעֹלִים֙ מִשְּׁבִ֣י 1 went up out of “returned from” or “came back from”
NEH 7 6 r578 figs-idiom הָעֹלִים֙ 1 went up This is an idiom that refers to traveling toward Jerusalem, which was on higher ground than the surrounding area. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 7 6 hb7v figs-metonymy אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶגְלָ֔ה נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר מֶ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֑ל 1 whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon took into exile “whom Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of Babylon, took away from their home country.” The army of Babylon did this under the command of Nebuchadnezzar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 7 7 mu5h translate-names זְרֻבָּבֶ֗ל יֵשׁ֡וּעַ נְחֶמְיָ֡ה עֲ֠זַרְיָה רַֽעַמְיָ֨ה נַחֲמָ֜נִי מָרְדֳּכַ֥י בִּלְשָׁ֛ן מִסְפֶּ֥רֶת בִּגְוַ֖י נְח֣וּם בַּעֲנָ֑ה 1 Zerubbabel…Jeshua…Nehemiah…Azariah…Raamiah…Nahamani…Mordecai…Bilshan…Mispereth…Bigvai…Nehum…Baanah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 7 fz51 מִסְפַּ֕ר אַנְשֵׁ֖י 1 The number of the men A census had been taken when the Israelites first returned to Jerusalem after the exile. The numbers represent how many men belonged to each family group. This sentence introduces the information in the following verses.
NEH 7 8 r3xa translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is recounting the number of people who returned from exile. The people were grouped by families according to the name of their patriarchs. The number represents the number of men in each family. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 8 l98v translate-names פַרְעֹ֔שׁ 1 Parosh These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 9 gy8k translate-names שְׁפַטְיָ֔ה 1 Shephatiah This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 10 nq9e translate-names אָרַ֔ח 1 Arah This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 11 jc4a translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 11 v6jn translate-names פַחַ֥ת מוֹאָ֛ב…יֵשׁ֖וּעַ וְיוֹאָ֑ב 1 Pahath-Moab…Jeshua…Joab These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 11 my8s מוֹאָ֛ב לִבְנֵ֥י יֵשׁ֖וּעַ וְיוֹאָ֑ב 1 through the descendants of Jeshua and Joab “that is, the descendants of Jeshua and Joab”
NEH 7 12 d7wf translate-names עֵילָ֔ם 1 Elam This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 13 sbz7 translate-names זַתּ֔וּא 1 Zattu This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 15 a26a translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 15 x1bd translate-names בִנּ֔וּי 1 Binnui This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 16 ay45 translate-names בֵבָ֔י 1 Bebai This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 17 h84y translate-names עַזְגָּ֔ד 1 Azgad These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 18 b95k translate-names אֲדֹ֣נִיקָ֔ם 1 Adonikam This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 19 lhq4 translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 19 iy74 translate-names בִגְוָ֔ 1 Bigvai This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 20 d5wk translate-names עָדִ֔ין 1 Adin This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 21 mxg1 translate-names אָטֵ֥ר 1 Ater This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 21 l797 figs-ellipsis בְּנֵֽי־אָטֵ֥ר לְחִזְקִיָּ֖ה 1 The descendants of Ater, of Hezekiah The writer has shortened this sentence. Alternate translation: “the descendants of Ater, who is a descendant of Hezekiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 7 22 r3ee translate-names חָשֻׁ֔ם 1 Hashum This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 23 yyf7 translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 23 v6eh translate-names בֵצָ֔י 1 Bezai This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 24 j9rb translate-names חָרִ֔יף 1 Hariph This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 25 sj6p translate-names גִבְע֖וֹן 1 Gibeon This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 26 sde6 translate-names בֵֽית־לֶ֨חֶם֙ וּנְטֹפָ֔ה 1 Bethlehem and Netophah These are the names of places in Judah. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 27 xmr1 translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 27 v2tb translate-names עֲנָת֔וֹת 1 Anathoth This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 29 y9ek translate-names קִרְיַ֤ת יְעָרִים֙ כְּפִירָ֣ה וּבְאֵר֔וֹת 1 Kiriath Jearim, Kephirah, and Beeroth This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 30 ncc2 translate-names הָֽרָמָה֙ וָגָ֔בַע 1 Ramah and Geba These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 31 i39d translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 31 ty2q translate-names מִכְמָ֔ס 1 Michmas This is the name of a place. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 33 dbu1 translate-names נְב֛וֹ 1 Nebo This is the name of a place. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 34 d1vy translate-names עֵילָ֣ם 1 Elam This is the name of a place. (See [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 35 wz53 translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 35 s9ek translate-names חָרִ֔ם 1 Harim This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 37 b9f2 translate-names לֹד֙ חָדִ֣יד וְאוֹנ֔וֹ 1 Lod, Hadid, and Ono This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 38 rla1 translate-names סְנָאָ֔ה 1 Senaah This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 39 x7hb translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 39 xwy8 translate-names יְדַֽעְיָה֙…יֵשׁ֔וּעַ 1 Jedaiah…Jeshua These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 39 mk8g figs-metonymy לְבֵ֣ית יֵשׁ֔וּעַ 1 of the house of Jeshua The word “house” is a metonym for family. Alternate translation: “from the family of Jeshua” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 7 40 kd29 translate-names אִמֵּ֔ר 1 Immer This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 41 xd2z translate-names פַשְׁח֔וּר 1 Pashhur This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 42 ias1 translate-names חָרִ֔ם 1 Harim This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 43 h37e translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 43 v5s3 translate-names יֵשׁ֧וּעַ לְקַדְמִיאֵ֛ל…לְהוֹדְוָ֖ה 1 Jeshua…Kadmiel…Hodevah These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 44 ht7l translate-names אָסָ֔ף 1 Asaph This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 44 v68g הַֽמְשֹׁרְרִ֑ים 1 singers See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:1](../07/01.md).
NEH 7 45 wy4p translate-names שַׁלּ֤וּם…אָטֵר֙…טַלְמֹ֣ן…עַקּ֔וּב…חֲטִיטָ֖א…שֹׁבָ֑י 1 Shallum…Ater…Talmon…Akkub…Hatita…Shobai This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 45 b7ne הַשֹּֽׁעֲרִ֗ים 1 gatekeepers See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:1](../07/01.md).
NEH 7 46 st75 translate-names צִחָ֥א…חֲשֻׂפָ֖א…טַבָּעֽוֹת 1 Ziha…Hasupha…Tabbaoth These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 47 d6np translate-names קֵירֹ֥ס…סִיעָ֖א…פָדֽוֹן 1 Keros…Sia…Padon These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 47 mn22 סִיעָ֖א 1 Sia This is the same man known by the name Siaha in Ezra 2:44.
NEH 7 48 ln8l translate-names לְבָנָ֥ה…חֲגָבָ֖ה…שַׁלְמָֽי 1 Lebana,…Hagaba…Shalmai These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 49 zpn7 translate-names חָנָ֥ן…גִדֵּ֖ל…גָֽחַר 1 Hanan…Giddel…Gahar These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 50 cd4k translate-names רְאָיָ֥ה…רְצִ֖ין…נְקוֹדָֽא 1 Reaiah…Rezin…Nekoda These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 51 u8ea translate-names גַזָּ֥ם…עֻזָּ֖א…פָסֵֽחַ 1 Gazzam…Uzza…Paseah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 52 i1dd translate-names בֵסַ֥י…מְעוּנִ֖ים…נפושסים 1 Besai…Meunim…Nephushesim These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 53 u7qn translate-names בַקְבּ֥וּק…חֲקוּפָ֖א…חַרְחֽוּר 1 Bakbuk…Hakupha…Harhur These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 54 jat5 translate-names בַצְלִ֥ית…מְחִידָ֖א…חַרְשָֽׁא 1 Bazluth…Mehida…Harsha These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 55 w15p translate-names בַרְק֥וֹס…סִֽיסְרָ֖א…תָֽמַח 1 Barkos…Sisera…Temah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 56 i1b4 translate-names נְצִ֖יחַ…חֲטִיפָֽא 1 Neziah…Hatipha These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 57 w9sx translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 57 ma7v translate-names סוֹטַ֥י…סוֹפֶ֖רֶת…פְרִידָֽא 1 Sotai…Sophereth…Perida These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 57 xb5j סוֹפֶ֖רֶת 1 Sophereth This is the name of a man who is called Hassophereth in Ezra 2:55.
NEH 7 57 ei9x פְרִידָֽא 1 Perida This is the name of a man who is also called Peruda in Ezra 2:55.
NEH 7 58 y1jl translate-names יַעְלָ֥א…דַרְק֖וֹן…גִדֵּֽל 1 Jaala…Darkon…Giddel These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 59 vwg5 translate-names שְׁפַטְיָ֣ה…חַטִּ֗יל…פֹּכֶ֥רֶת הַצְּבָיִ֖ים…אָמֽוֹן 1 Shephatiah…Hattil…Pochereth Hazzebaim…Amon These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 61 a15h translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 61 bgx3 figs-idiom הָֽעוֹלִים֙ 1 went up This is an idiom that refers to traveling toward Jerusalem, which was on higher ground than the surrounding area. Alternate translation: “returned” or “came back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 7 61 c7ta translate-names מִתֵּ֥ל מֶ֨לַח֙ תֵּ֣ל חַרְשָׁ֔א כְּר֥וּב אַדּ֖וֹן וְאִמֵּ֑ר 1 Tel Melah…Tel Harsha…Kerub…Addon…Immer These are names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 62 np4h translate-names דְלָיָ֥ה…טוֹבִיָּ֖ה…נְקוֹדָ֑א 1 Delaiah…Tobiah…Nekoda These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 63 i59a translate-names חֳבַיָּ֖ה…הַקּ֑וֹץ…בַרְזִלַּ֗י 1 Habaiah…Hakkoz…Barzillai These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 7 64 m2qd אֵ֗לֶּה בִּקְשׁ֧וּ כְתָבָ֛ם הַמִּתְיַחְשִׂ֖ים 1 These sought their records among those enrolled by their genealogy “They sought their written genealogical records” or “They searched their written genealogical records”
NEH 7 64 n9vy אֵ֗לֶּה בִּקְשׁ֧וּ 1 These sought “These” refers to the descendants of Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai ([Nehemiah 7:63](../07/63.md)).
NEH 7 64 bl4n figs-activepassive וְלֹ֣א נִמְצָ֑א 1 but they could not be found This can be expressed in active form. Alternate translation: “but they could not find their records” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 7 64 iyy1 figs-activepassive וַיְגֹֽאֲל֖וּ מִן־הַכְּהֻנָּֽה 1 they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean This can be translated in active form. The abstract noun “priesthood” can be translated as the verb “work as priests.” Alternate translation: “the governor treated them as if they were unclean and did not allow them to work as priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 7 65 qnn2 figs-activepassive עַ֛ד עֲמֹ֥ד הַכֹּהֵ֖ן לְאוּרִ֥ים וְתוּמִּֽים 1 until there rose up a priest with Urim and Thummim This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “until a priest with Urim and Thummim approved” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 7 65 cij9 translate-unknown לְאוּרִ֥ים וְתוּמִּֽים 1 Urim and Thummim These were sacred stones that the high priest carried on his breastplate and used at times to determine God’s will. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 7 66 t4xj translate-numbers 0 Connecting Statement: Nehemiah is continuing to recount the number of people who returned from exile. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 70 c7ug translate-bmoney זָהָ֞ב דַּרְכְּמֹנִ֥ים 1 darics of gold A daric was a small gold coin that people in the Persian Empire used. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]])
NEH 7 70 bu8p translate-numbers מִזְרָק֣וֹת חֲמִשִּׁ֔ים 1 50 basins “fifty basins.” These are large bowls. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 70 bu22 translate-numbers כָּתְנוֹת֙ כֹּֽהֲנִ֔ים שְׁלֹשִׁ֖ים וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת 1 530 priestly garments “five hundred thirty priestly garments.” These are items of clothing worn by the priests. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 7 71 jxn7 translate-numbers וְכֶ֕סֶף מָנִ֖ים אַלְפַּ֥יִם וּמָאתָֽיִ 1 2,200 minas of silver “two thousand two hundred minas of silver.” A mina is about one half of a kilogram in weight. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bweight]])
NEH 7 73 jaj3 figs-explicit וּמִן־הָעָ֧ם 1 some of the people The implied information is that this refers to some of the Israelites who were not priests or other temple workers. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 7 73 znc4 וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל 1 all Israel Possible meanings are: (1) all the groups of Israelites that are listed in this verse or (2) the rest of the Israelites who did not work in the temple.
NEH 7 73 n26r translate-ordinal הַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י 1 the seventh month “month 7.” This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]])
NEH 7 73 gdj2 בְּעָרֵיהֶֽם 1 were settled in their cities “lived in their own cities”
NEH 8 intro w38v 0 # Nehemiah 08 General Notes<br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Reading of the law<br><br>During the exile, the Hebrew language was no longer spoken. Only the priests and Levites still understood it. Ezra read the book of the law to the people in Hebrew and the Levites walked among the crowd translating it into Aramaic for the people to understand. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/priest]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])<br><br>### Festival of Shelters<br><br>After they heard Ezra read the law of Moses, the people obeyed it by making temporary shelters for themselves with tree branches. They did this to remember that their ancestors slept in shelters when they came out of slavery in Egypt.
NEH 8 1 q5ih figs-hyperbole וַיֵּאָסְפ֤וּ כָל־הָעָם֙ כְּאִ֣ישׁ אֶחָ֔ד 1 All the people gathered as one man The word “all” is a generalization that indicates the people as a whole came together. Alternate translation: “The people gathered all together” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH 8 1 f6t8 שַֽׁעַר־הַמָּ֑יִם 1 Water Gate This was the name of a large opening or doorway in the wall.
NEH 8 1 fdh4 אֶת־סֵ֨פֶר֙ תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֔ה 1 the book of the law of Moses This would have been all or part of the first five books of the Old Testament.
NEH 8 2 id7q translate-hebrewmonths בְּי֥וֹם אֶחָ֖ד לַחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִֽי 1 On the first day of the seventh month This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The first day of the seventh month is near the middle of September on Western calendars. Alternate translation: “On day 1 of month 7” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 8 2 j8yl וְכֹ֖ל מֵבִ֣ין לִשְׁמֹ֑עַ 1 all who could hear and understand This would include children who were old enough to understand what was being read.
NEH 8 3 iv9y לִפְנֵ֨י הָרְח֜וֹב 1 He faced the open area “He turned towards the open area”
NEH 8 3 pkz7 וַיִּקְרָא 1 he read from it Here “it” refers to the Book of the law of Moses.
NEH 8 4 lk8k translate-names מַתִּתְיָ֡ה וְשֶׁ֡מַע וַ֠עֲנָיָה וְאוּרִיָּ֧ה וְחִלְקִיָּ֛ה וּמַעֲשֵׂיָ֖ה…פְּ֠דָיָה וּמִֽישָׁאֵ֧ל וּמַלְכִּיָּ֛ה וְחָשֻׁ֥ם וְחַשְׁבַּדָּ֖נָה זְכַרְיָ֥ה מְשֻׁלָּֽם 1 Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah…Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 8 5 t5lf figs-abstractnouns וַיִּפְתַּ֨ח עֶזְרָ֤א הַסֵּ֨פֶר֙ לְעֵינֵ֣י כָל־הָעָ֔ם 1 Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people The abstract noun “sight” can be expressed with the verb “see.” Alternate translation: “Everyone saw Ezra open the book” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 8 5 ln1z מֵעַ֥ל כָּל־הָעָ֖ם הָיָ֑ה 1 he was standing above the people “he was standing higher than the people”
NEH 8 5 yv2u figs-explicit וּכְפִתְח֖וֹ עָֽמְד֥וּ כָל־הָעָֽם 1 when he opened it all the people stood up The people stood up out of respect for God’s word. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 8 6 x9v8 figs-abstractnouns וַיְבָ֣רֶךְ עֶזְרָ֔א אֶת־יְהוָ֥ה 1 Ezra gave thanks to Yahweh The abstract noun “thanks” can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: “Ezra thanked Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 8 8 s5er וַֽיִּקְרְא֥וּ בַסֵּ֛פֶר 1 They read in the book The word “They” here refers to the Levites.
NEH 8 8 vsq9 figs-abstractnouns מְפֹרָ֑שׁ וְשׂ֣וֹם שֶׂ֔כֶל וַיָּבִ֖ינוּ בַּמִּקְרָֽא 1 making it clear with interpretation and giving the meaning The abstract nouns “interpretation” and “meaning” can be translated as verbs. Alternate translation: “clearly interpreting and explaining it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 8 9 wky3 figs-hyperbole כִּ֤י בוֹכִים֙ כָּל־הָעָ֔ם 1 For all the people wept This is a generalization that indicates there was great weeping among the people. Alternate translation: “For the people wept greatly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH 8 10 smq2 figs-explicit אִכְל֨וּ מַשְׁמַנִּ֜ים וּשְׁת֣וּ מַֽמְתַקִּ֗ים 1 eat the fat and have something sweet to drink The implied information is that the people were told to feast on rich food and sweet drinks. Alternate translation: “eat rich food and drink something sweet” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 8 10 ach1 figs-activepassive וְאַל־תֵּ֣עָצֵ֔בוּ 1 Do not be grieved This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Do not grieve” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 8 10 sni7 figs-abstractnouns כִּֽי־חֶדְוַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה הִ֥יא מָֽעֻזְּכֶֽם 1 for the joy of Yahweh is your strength The abstract nouns “joy” and “strength” can be expressed as verbs or adjectives. Alternate translation: “rejoicing in Yahweh will protect you” or “being joyful in Yahweh will be your strong refuge” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 8 11 fjz6 figs-activepassive וְאַל־תֵּעָצֵֽבוּ 1 Do not be grieved This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “Do not grieve” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 8 12 z1gc figs-abstractnouns וְלַעֲשׂ֖וֹת שִׂמְחָ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֑ה 1 celebrate with great joy The abstract noun “joy” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “rejoice greatly” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 8 12 xsf5 figs-activepassive בַּדְּבָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הוֹדִ֖יעוּ לָהֶֽם 1 the words that were made known to them This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the words that he declared to them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 8 13 uj5j translate-ordinal וּבַיּ֣וֹם הַשֵּׁנִ֡י 1 On the second day “On day 2” or “On the next day” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 8 13 y48u figs-abstractnouns וּלְהַשְׂכִּ֖יל אֶל 1 to gain insight from The abstract noun “insight” can be expressed as a verb. Alternate translation: “to understand” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 8 14 ur1h יֵשְׁב֨וּ…בַּסֻּכּ֛וֹת 1 should live in shelters These were temporary shelters that people made out of branches and leaves.
NEH 8 14 efg4 translate-ordinal בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִֽי 1 the seventh month “month 7.” This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. It is during the last part of September and the first part of October on Western calendars. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]])
NEH 8 15 rq6s וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר יַשְׁמִ֗יעוּ 1 They should make a proclamation “They should announce”
NEH 8 15 f9c2 translate-unknown הֲדַס֙ 1 myrtle a kind of small tree with colorful flowers (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 8 15 jb2s figs-activepassive כַּכָּתֽוּב 1 as it is written This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “as Moses wrote about it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 8 16 dl2y וַיַּעֲשׂוּ֩ לָהֶ֨ם סֻכּ֜וֹת 1 made themselves shelters “each built their own shelters”
NEH 8 16 krx4 שַׁ֣עַר הַמַּ֔יִם…שַׁ֥עַר אֶפְרָֽיִם 1 Water Gate…Gate of Ephraim These are names of large openings or doorways in the wall.
NEH 8 16 b74m וּבִרְח֖וֹב שַׁ֥עַר אֶפְרָֽיִם 1 in the square at the Gate of Ephraim “in the open place by the Gate of Ephraim”
NEH 8 17 n31n מִימֵי֩ יֵשׁ֨וּעַ 1 For since the days of Joshua “From the days of Joshua”
NEH 8 17 wyd6 figs-abstractnouns וַתְּהִ֥י שִׂמְחָ֖ה גְּדוֹלָ֥ה מְאֹֽד 1 their joy was very great The abstract noun “joy” can be expressed as an adjective. Alternate translation: “the people were very joyful” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 8 18 g9rl figs-idiom י֣וֹם׀ בְּי֔וֹם 1 day by day This idiom means “each day.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 8 18 j9aj figs-explicit מִן־הַיּוֹם֙ הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן עַ֖ד הַיּ֣וֹם הָאַחֲר֑וֹן 1 from the first day to the last The implied information is that it was during the entire week of the festival. Alternate translation: “from the first day to the last day of the week” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 8 18 c1cp וַיַּֽעֲשׂוּ־חָג֙ 1 They kept the festival “They made a feast” or “They celebrated the festival”
NEH 8 18 er1u translate-ordinal וּבַיּ֧וֹם הַשְּׁמִינִ֛י 1 on the eighth day “on day 8” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 8 18 sfx4 עֲצֶ֖רֶת 1 solemn assembly This was a special religious gathering.
NEH 8 18 cey3 figs-explicit כַּמִּשְׁפָּֽט 1 in obedience to the decree The implied information is that “the decree” was the command of Yahweh about how the Festival of Shelters was to end. Alternate translation: “as God had commanded” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 intro sj1h 0 # Nehemiah 09 General Notes<br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>This chapter and the next one form a single section.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Prayer to God<br><br>The people prayed and thanked God for his care for them and the blessings he gave to them. They also confessed their sin of disobeying him. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/bless]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/confess]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sin]])<br><br>### Learning from their ancestor’s mistakes<br>This chapter teaches that the Jews learned from the mistakes of their ancestors. They became determined to worship Yahweh alone, to not intermarry with other peoples, and to worship Yahweh as the law of Moses instructed them. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]])<br><br>### Recalling the great power of God<br>It was common to recall the great things God did for Israel. This is a reminder to Israel of God’s power. It is intended to bring the people to repentance and proper worship of Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])
NEH 9 1 w8w8 translate-hebrewmonths וּבְיוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַזֶּ֗ה 1 the twenty-fourth day of the same month “the twenty-fourth day of the seventh month” This is near the middle of October on Western calendars. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]])
NEH 9 1 irv4 figs-explicit וּבְשַׂקִּ֔ים וַאֲדָמָ֖ה עֲלֵיהֶֽם 1 they were wearing sackcloth, and they put dust on their heads This was in order to show how sorry they were for the wrong things they and their ancestors had done. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 2 xbs1 זֶ֣רַע יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל 1 The descendants of Israel “The Israelites”
NEH 9 2 qx58 וַיִּבָּֽדְלוּ֙…מִכֹּ֖ל בְּנֵ֣י נֵכָ֑ר 1 separated themselves from all the foreigners “no longer had anything to do with those who were not Israelites”
NEH 9 2 vhc6 וַיַּעַמְד֗וּ וַיִּתְוַדּוּ֙ עַל־חַטֹּ֣אתֵיהֶ֔ם וַעֲוֺנ֖וֹת אֲבֹתֵיהֶֽם 1 They stood and confessed their own sins and the evil actions of their ancestors “They admitted the wrong things that they had done and also the wrong things their forefathers had done”
NEH 9 4 bc94 וַיָּ֜קָם עַֽל־מַֽעֲלֵ֣ה הַלְוִיִּ֗ם יֵשׁ֨וּעַ וּבָנִ֜י 1 The Levites, Jeshua, Bani…stood on the stairs Some versions translate, “Jeshua, Bani…stood on the stairs built for the Levites”
NEH 9 5 yk5b translate-names יֵשׁ֣וּעַ וְ֠קַדְמִיאֵל בָּנִ֨י…שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֤ה…שְׁבַנְיָ֣ה 1 Jeshua…Kadmiel…Bani…Sherebiah…Shebaniah These are the names of men. See how you translated them in [Nehemiah 9:4](./04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 5 m3eu translate-names חֲשַׁבְנְיָ֜ה שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֤ה הֽוֹדִיָּה֙…פְתַֽחְיָ֔ה 1 Hashabneiah…Hodiah…Pethahiah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 9 5 tve4 וִיבָֽרְכוּ֙ שֵׁ֣ם כְּבוֹדֶ֔ךָ 1 May they bless your glorious name the Levites are speaking to Yahweh. “May the people of Judah bless your glorious name, Yahweh”
NEH 9 6 k5l3 figs-metaphor שְׁמֵ֨י הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם וְכָל־צְבָאָ֗ם הָאָ֜רֶץ וְכָל־אֲשֶׁ֤ר עָלֶ֨יהָ֙ הַיַּמִּים֙ וְכָל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּהֶ֔ם וְאַתָּ֖ה מְחַיֶּ֣ה אֶת־כֻּלָּ֑ם וּצְבָ֥א הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם לְךָ֥ מִשְׁתַּחֲוִֽים 1 the highest heavens, with all their host…the host of heaven worship you A host is an army. The “host of heaven” speaks in a metaphor of the many stars as if they were an army. The stars in turn are a metaphor for the many angels. The stars worshiping Yahweh is a metaphor for the angels worshiping Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 8 ej7e figs-synecdoche וּמָצָ֣אתָ אֶת־לְבָבוֹ֮ נֶאֱמָ֣ן לְפָנֶיךָ֒ 1 You found his heart was faithful before you The heart, the inner being of the person, represents the person. Alternate translation: “You saw that he was completely faithful to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 9 9 j256 figs-explicit וְאֶת־זַעֲקָתָ֥ם שָׁמַ֖עְתָּ 1 you heard their cry The implied information is that God was moved to action because of the Israelites’ cries for help. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 10 ge61 figs-explicit וַ֠תִּתֵּן אֹתֹ֨ת וּמֹֽפְתִ֜ים בְּפַרְעֹ֤ה 1 signs and wonders against Pharaoh The plagues tested Pharaoh’s heart, and they became a witness against his hardness of heart. Alternate translation: “signs and wonders that testified against Pharaoh” or “signs and wonders that condemned Pharaoh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 10 m6zr figs-metonymy וַתַּֽעַשׂ־לְךָ֥ שֵׁ֖ם כְּהַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה 1 you made a name for yourself which stands to this day Here “name” represents a reputation. Alternate translation: “you made yourself famous and even now people still remember” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 11 l5ar figs-simile הִשְׁלַ֧כְתָּ בִמְצוֹלֹ֛ת כְּמוֹ־אֶ֖בֶן בְּמַ֥יִם עַזִּֽים 1 you…threw those who pursued them into the depths, as a stone into deep waters In this simile, the writer describes God throwing the Egyptians into the sea as easily as a person would throw a stone into water, and the stone would disappear under the water completely. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
NEH 9 12 m7vx הִנְחִיתָ֖ם 1 You led them Yahweh led the Israelites.
NEH 9 13 z2ds figs-idiom יָרַ֔דְתָּ 1 you came down When God talks with his people, he is often described as “coming down” or “coming down from heaven.” This is a descriptive way of saying that God appeared to that person. Alternate translation: “you appeared” or “you came down from heaven” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 13 zut5 figs-parallelism מִשְׁפָּטִ֤ים יְשָׁרִים֙ וְתוֹר֣וֹת אֱמֶ֔ת חֻקִּ֥ים וּמִצְוֺ֖ת טוֹבִֽים 1 righteous decrees and true laws, good statutes and commandments Both of these double phrases describe the same thing, the law of Moses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]])
NEH 9 14 h9f4 figs-doublet וּמִצְו֤וֹת וְחֻקִּים֙ וְתוֹרָ֔ה 1 commandments…statutes…law Each of these three words refers to the law of Moses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
NEH 9 16 t1he figs-idiom וַיַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔ם 1 they were stiff-necked This is an idiom that means that they were stubborn. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 17 v9ib figs-idiom וַיַּקְשׁוּ֙ אֶת־עָרְפָּ֔ם 1 were stiff-necked This is an idiom that means that they were stubborn. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 9 17 gd2b figs-explicit וַיִּתְּנוּ־רֹ֛אשׁ לָשׁ֥וּב לְעַבְדֻתָ֖ם 1 they appointed a leader to return to their slavery The Israelites would know that this referred to their ancestors wanting to return to Egypt. Alternate translation: “they appointed a leader to take them back to Egypt where they had been slaves” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 9 17 p6nm figs-metaphor וְאַתָּה֩ אֱל֨וֹהַּ סְלִיח֜וֹת 1 who is full of forgiveness The desire to forgive is spoken of as if it were a liquid that could fill a container. Alternate translation: “who is ready to forgive” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 17 c986 figs-metaphor וְרַב־חֶ֖סֶד 1 abounding in steadfast love Love is spoken of as if it were a food crop that Yahweh could share with people. Alternate translation: “loves his people very much” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 19 x6bf אֶת־עַמּ֣וּד הֶ֠עָנָן…וְאֶת־עַמּ֨וּד הָאֵ֤שׁ 1 The pillar of cloud…the pillar of fire See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 9:12](../09/12.md).
NEH 9 20 e7m4 וְרוּחֲךָ֨ הַטּוֹבָ֔ה…וּמַנְךָ֙…וּמַ֛יִם 1 Your good Spirit…your manna…water The writer changes the usual word order to emphasize the good things Yahweh gave his people. Your language may have another way of emphasizing these items.
NEH 9 20 gyd6 figs-litotes וּמַנְךָ֙ לֹא־מָנַ֣עְתָּ מִפִּיהֶ֔ם 1 your manna you did not withhold from their mouths This litotes can be expressed positively. Alternate translation: “you generously gave them manna” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-litotes]])
NEH 9 20 qka1 figs-synecdoche מִפִּיהֶ֔ם 1 from their mouths The mouth is a synecdoche for the whole person. Alternate translation: “from them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 9 23 t5pb וּבְנֵיהֶ֣ם הִרְבִּ֔יתָ 1 You made their children Yahweh made the descendants of the Israelites at the time of Moses
NEH 9 24 vz5v figs-metaphor וַֽתִּתְּנֵ֖ם בְּיָדָ֑ם 1 gave them into their hands The Canaanites are spoken of as if they were small objects that a person could place in the hand of another person. To give something into a person’s hand is to give that person complete control over that thing. Alternate translation: “enabled the Israelites to have complete control over them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 25 yzu6 וַֽיִּלְכְּד֞וּ 1 They captured The Israelites at the time of Moses captured
NEH 9 25 gs7a וַאֲדָמָ֣ה שְׁמֵנָה֒ 1 a productive land “a fertile land”
NEH 9 25 ke4u בֹּר֨וֹת 1 cisterns holes in the ground where people store water
NEH 9 25 s544 figs-metaphor וַֽיִּשְׂבְּעוּ֙ 1 grew fat This might be a metaphor for “stopped thinking about Yahweh” or “became complacent.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 26 q9sz figs-metaphor וַיַּשְׁלִ֤כוּ אֶת־תּוֹרָֽתְךָ֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י גַוָּ֔ם 1 They threw your law behind their backs The law is spoken of as if it were a worthless item that a person could throw away. Alternate translation: “They considered your law worthless and paid no attention to it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 26 vbj5 וַיַּשְׁלִ֤כוּ אֶת־תּוֹרָֽתְךָ֙ 1 They threw your law The Israelites threw Yahweh’s law.
NEH 9 27 v5lz figs-metonymy וַֽתִּתְּנֵם֙ בְּיַ֣ד צָֽרֵיהֶ֔ם וַיָּצֵ֖רוּ לָהֶ֑ם 1 you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “you allowed their enemies to defeat them and cause them to suffer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 27 z213 figs-metonymy תִּתֵּ֤ן לָהֶם֙ מֽוֹשִׁיעִ֔ים וְיוֹשִׁיע֖וּם מִיַּ֥ד צָרֵיהֶֽם 1 you sent them rescuers who rescued them out of the hand of their enemies Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “you sent people to stop their enemies from harming them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 28 ds4w וּכְנ֣וֹחַ לָהֶ֔ם יָשׁ֕וּבוּ לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת רַ֖ע לְפָנֶ֑יךָ 1 they had rest, they did evil again before you Here “they” refers to the Israelites and “you” to Yahweh.
NEH 9 28 puz2 figs-metonymy וַתַּֽעַזְבֵ֞ם בְּיַ֤ד אֹֽיְבֵיהֶם֙ 1 you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies Here “hand” represents power or control. Alternate translation: “you abandoned them and allow their enemies to defeat them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 29 pm9h וְלֹא־שָׁמְע֤וּ לְמִצְוֺתֶ֨יךָ֙ 1 did not listen to your commands If your language has a word for “listen” that also means “obey,” use it here.
NEH 9 29 una2 figs-metonymy וּבְמִשְׁפָּטֶ֣יךָ חָֽטְאוּ־בָ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה אָדָ֖ם וְחָיָ֣ה בָהֶ֑ם 1 your decrees which give life to anyone who obeys them Yahweh himself is spoken of as if he were the decrees themselves. Alternate translation: “you even though you give life to everyone who obeys your decrees” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 29 k1ew figs-metaphor וַיִּתְּנ֤וּ כָתֵף֙ סוֹרֶ֔רֶת וְעָרְפָּ֥ם הִקְשׁ֖וּ וְלֹ֥א שָׁמֵֽעוּ 1 They gave the stubborn shoulder-blade and stiffened their neck These are images of an ox refusing to allow its owner to put a yoke on its shoulders. Here they are a metaphor that represents the people being stubborn. Alternate translation: “They became stubborn” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 9 30 tqa5 figs-metonymy וַֽתִּתְּנֵ֔ם בְּיַ֖ד עַמֵּ֥י הָאֲרָצֹֽת 1 you gave them into the hand of the neighboring peoples Here “hand” represents power or control. See how you translated these words in [Nehemiah 9:27](../09/27.md). Alternate translation: “you allowed the neighboring peoples to defeat them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 9 30 ym8i וַֽתִּתְּנֵ֔ם 1 you gave Yahweh gave
NEH 9 32 j5fk אַל־יִמְעַ֣ט לְפָנֶ֡יךָ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הַתְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְנוּ לִמְלָכֵ֨ינוּ לְשָׂרֵ֧ינוּ וּלְכֹהֲנֵ֛ינוּ וְלִנְבִיאֵ֥נוּ וְלַאֲבֹתֵ֖ינוּ וּלְכָל־עַמֶּ֑ךָ מִימֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י אַשּׁ֔וּר עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽ 1 do not let all this hardship seem little to you that has come on us…until today It is possible to divide this into two sentences. “Do not let all this hardship seem little to you. The hardship has come upon us…until today”
NEH 9 32 u6i9 figs-personification הַתְּלָאָ֣ה אֲֽשֶׁר־מְ֠צָאַתְנוּ 1 hardship…has come on us The phrase “come on us” speaks of bad things that happen as if they are people who cause harm. Alternate translation: “harm…we have suffered” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH 9 33 pl1f figs-personification הַבָּ֣א עָלֵ֑ינוּ 1 everything that has come on us The phrase “come on us” speaks of bad things that happen as if they are people who cause harm. Alternate translation: “everything we have suffered” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]])
NEH 9 35 nxv9 וּבְטוּבְךָ֨ הָרָ֜ב אֲשֶׁר־נָתַ֣תָּ לָהֶ֗ם 1 while they enjoyed your great goodness to them “while they enjoyed the good things you gave them”
NEH 9 37 q3dz וּתְבוּאָתָ֣הּ מַרְבָּ֗ה לַמְּלָכִ֛ים 1 The rich yield from our land goes to the kings “We pay tribute to kings for working our own land”
NEH 9 37 x15l מֹשְׁלִ֤ים 1 They rule The kings rule.
NEH 9 38 xee9 וְעַל֙ הֶֽחָת֔וּם 1 On the sealed document are the names The reader should understand that the men wrote their names on the document before it was sealed.
NEH 10 intro m17y 0 # Nehemiah 10 General Notes<br>## Structure and formatting<br><br>This chapter concludes the passage beginning in chapter 9.<br><br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### The vow<br><br>By signing this document, the people vowed or agreed to obey God, not to buy things on the Sabbath and to pay their temple tax. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/vow]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sabbath]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/temple]])
NEH 10 1 jc8x figs-explicit וְעַ֖ל הַחֲתוּמִ֑ים נְחֶמְיָ֧ה הַתִּרְשָׁ֛תָא בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָ֖ה וְצִדְקִיָּֽה 1 On the sealed documents were Nehemiah…Zedekiah The names of these people were written on the documents. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: “On the sealed documents were the names of Nehemiah…Zedekiah” or “On the sealed documents were the names of the following people: Nehemiah…Zedekiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 10 1 j4ny הַחֲתוּמִ֑ים 1 sealed documents The documents were sealed after the names had been signed on the documents.
NEH 10 1 mu7u figs-pronouns נְחֶמְיָ֧ה 1 Nehemiah Some people believe that Nehemiah wrote this book and is speaking of himself as if he were someone else because this is an official list. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-pronouns]])
NEH 10 1 r4sg translate-names חֲכַלְיָ֖ה 1 Hakaliah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 1:1](../01/01.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 2 l6qa translate-names שְׂרָיָ֥ה…יִרְמְיָֽה 1 Seraiah…Jeremiah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 2 huw8 translate-names עֲזַרְיָ֖ה 1 Azariah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:23](../03/23.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 3 d5cr translate-names פַּשְׁח֥וּר אֲמַרְיָ֖ה 1 Pashhur, Amariah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 3 lw6u translate-names מַלְכִּיָּֽה 1 Malkijah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:11](../03/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 4 g6hs translate-names חַטּ֥וּשׁ 1 Hattush See how you translated this man’s name in [Nehemiah 3:10](../03/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 4 bdr6 translate-names שְׁבַנְיָ֖ה 1 Shebaniah See how you translated this man’s name in [Nehemiah 9:4](../09/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 4 xzc8 translate-names מַלּֽוּ 1 Malluk This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 5 qai2 translate-names חָרִ֥ם 1 Harim This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:11](../03/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 5 z9wl translate-names מְרֵמ֖וֹת 1 Meremoth This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:4](../03/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 5 gdm7 translate-names עֹֽבַדְיָֽה 1 Obadiah This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 6 z2vd translate-names דָּנִיֵּ֥אל גִּנְּת֖וֹן 1 Daniel, Ginnethon These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 6 h9n5 translate-names בָּרֽוּךְ 1 Baruch This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:20](../03/20.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 7 yd6r translate-names מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם 1 Meshullam This is a man’s name. See how you translated it in [Nehemiah 9:4](../09/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 7 x4lc translate-names אֲבִיָּ֖ה מִיָּמִֽן 1 Abijah, Mijamin These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 8 mt1s translate-names מַֽעַזְיָ֥ה בִלְגַּ֖י 1 Maaziah, Bilgai These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 8 iv3c translate-names שְׁמַֽעְיָ֑ה 1 Shemaiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:29](../03/29.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 8 ppp7 figs-explicit אֵ֖לֶּה הַכֹּהֲנִֽים 1 These were the priests This refers to the previous list of men who signed the document. Alternate translation: “These were the names of the priests who signed the document” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 10 9 b29e 0 Connecting Statement: The list of men whose names appear on the sealed documents [Nehemiah 10:1](../10/01.md) continues. Nehemiah begins here to list the names of the Levies who signed the sealed document.
NEH 10 9 i6e3 figs-ellipsis וְֽהַלְוִיִּ֑ם 1 The Levites were This refers to those who put their names on the sealed documents. Alternate translation: “The Levites who put their names on the sealed documents were” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 10 9 si66 translate-names וְיֵשׁ֨וּעַ֙…חֵנָדָ֖ד 1 Jeshua…Henadad These are the names of men. See how you translated them in [Nehemiah 3:18-19](../03/18.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 9 pi28 translate-names אֲזַנְיָ֔ה 1 Azaniah This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 9 j952 translate-names בִּנּ֕וּי 1 Binnui This is a man’s name. See how you translated it in [Nehemiah 3:24](../03/24.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 9 km8e translate-names קַדְמִיאֵֽל 1 Kadmiel This is a man’s name. See how you translated it in [Nehemiah 7:43](../07/43.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 10 yg6h translate-names שְׁבַנְיָ֧ה 1 Shebaniah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 9:4](../09/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 10 cfy7 translate-names הֽוֹדִיָּ֛ה קְלִיטָ֖א פְּלָאיָ֥ה 1 Hodiah…Kelita…Pelaiah These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 8:7](../08/07.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 10 z9gd translate-names חָנָֽן 1 Hanan This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:49](../07/49.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 11 fh22 translate-names רְח֖וֹב 1 Rehob This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 11 w8h1 translate-names מִיכָ֥א 1 Mika This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 10:11](../10/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 11 z3i5 translate-names חֲשַׁבְיָֽה 1 Hashabiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:17](../03/17.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 12 ac1s translate-names זַכּ֥וּר 1 Zaccur This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:2](../03/02.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 12 ctq5 translate-names שֵׁרֵֽבְיָ֖ה 1 Sherebiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 8:7](../08/07.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 12 r5ha translate-names שְׁבַנְיָֽה 1 Shebaniah This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 13 q7fm translate-names הוֹדִיָּ֥ה…בְּנִֽינוּ 1 Hodiah…Beninu These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 13 f7a5 translate-names בָנִ֖י 1 Bani This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:17](../03/17.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 14 uar6 figs-ellipsis רָאשֵׁ֖י הָעָ֑ם 1 The leaders of the people were This refers to those who put their names on the sealed documents. Alternate translation: “The leaders of the people who put their names on the sealed documents were” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 10 14 c75b translate-names פַּרְעֹשׁ֙ 1 Parosh This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:25](../03/25.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 14 d729 translate-names פַּחַ֣ת מוֹאָ֔ב 1 Pahath-Moab This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:11](../03/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 14 ta8y translate-names עֵילָ֥ם זַתּ֖וּא 1 Elam…Zattu These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:12](../07/12.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 15 r379 translate-names בֻּנִּ֥י 1 Bunni This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 9:4](../09/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 15 d4hq translate-names עַזְגָּ֖ד בֵּבָֽי 1 Azgad, Bebai These are the names of men. See how you translated them in [Nehemiah 7:16-17](../07/16.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 16 m4l9 translate-names אֲדֹנִיָּ֥ה…עָדִֽין 1 Adonijah…Adin These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 16 xk1s translate-names בִגְוַ֖י 1 Bigvai This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:7](../07/07.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 17 neh8 translate-names עַזּֽוּר 1 Azzur These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 17 l7xw translate-names אָטֵ֥ר חִזְקִיָּ֖ה 1 Ater, Hezekiah These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:20](../07/20.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 18 n169 translate-names הוֹדִיָּ֥ה 1 Hodiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 8:7](../08/07.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 18 k9y7 translate-names חָשֻׁ֖ם 1 Hashum These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:20](../07/20.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 18 f3le translate-names בֵּצָֽי 1 Bezai This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 19 it8a translate-names חָרִ֥יף 1 Hariph This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:23](../07/23.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 19 l77q translate-names עֲנָת֖וֹת 1 Anathoth This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:27](../07/27.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 20 gf8r translate-names מַגְפִּיעָ֥שׁ…חֵזִֽיר 1 Magpiash…Hezir These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 20 hbe9 translate-names מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם 1 Meshullam These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:4](../03/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 21 gh1m translate-names יַדּֽוּעַ 1 Jaddua This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 21 x7ep translate-names מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֥ל צָד֖וֹק 1 Meshezabel, Zadok These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:4](../03/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 22 n3zk translate-names פְּלַטְיָ֥ה 1 Pelatiah This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 22 e4dt translate-names חָנָ֖ן 1 Hanan This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:49](../07/49.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 22 un5i translate-names עֲנָיָֽה 1 Anaiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 8:4](../08/04.md) and [Nehemiah 3:8](../03/08.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 23 ku2m translate-names הוֹשֵׁ֥עַ חֲנַנְיָ֖ה 1 Hoshea…Hananiah These are the name of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 23 rr76 translate-names חַשּֽׁוּב 1 Hasshub This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:11](../03/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 24 t9wx translate-names הַלּוֹחֵ֥שׁ 1 Hallohesh These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:11](../03/11.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 24 y9f7 translate-names פִּלְחָ֖א שׁוֹבֵֽק 1 Pilha…Shobek These are the name of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 25 ml8w translate-names רְח֥וּם 1 Rehum This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:17](../03/17.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 25 s2tc translate-names חֲשַׁבְנָ֖ה 1 Hashabnah These are the name of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 25 tz5a translate-names מַעֲשֵׂיָֽה 1 Maaseiah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 3:23](../03/23.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 26 ab18 translate-names וַאֲחִיָּ֥ה…עָנָֽן 1 Ahiah…Anan These are the name of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 26 k998 translate-names חָנָ֖ן 1 Hanan This is a man’s name. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 27 ac3r translate-names מַלּ֥וּךְ חָרִ֖ם 1 Malluk, Harim These are the names of men. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 10:4](../10/04.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 27 y6gx translate-names בַּעֲנָֽה 1 Baanah This is a man’s name. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:6](../07/06.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 10 28 w2rt הַשּׁוֹעֲרִ֨ים 1 gatekeepers This refers to the people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:1](../07/01.md).
NEH 10 28 f1n8 figs-explicit הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֜ים 1 singers You may need to make explicit that these are those who sang in the temple. Alternate translation: “temple singers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 10 28 qej9 figs-explicit כֹּ֖ל יוֹדֵ֥עַ מֵבִֽין 1 all who have knowledge and understanding This phrase can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “all who were old enough to understand what promising to obey God meant” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 10 29 l6ns אֲחֵיהֶם֮ אַדִּירֵיהֶם֒ 1 their brothers, their nobles “their fellow brothers the nobles” or “their brothers the leaders.” These phrases refer to the same people.
NEH 10 29 x6i9 figs-metaphor וּבָאִ֞ים בְּאָלָ֣ה וּבִשְׁבוּעָ֗ה 1 bound themselves with both a curse and an oath This speaks of the people taking an oath and a curse as if the oath and the curse were a rope that physically bound them. Alternate translation: “swore themselves to an oath and a curse” or “they took an oath and called for a curse to come on themselves if they failed to keep it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 10 29 k971 figs-idiom לָלֶ֨כֶת֙ בְּתוֹרַ֣ת הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים 1 to walk in God’s law This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “to live by God’s law” or “to obey God’s law” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 10 29 p6ry figs-activepassive אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִתְּנָ֔ה בְּיַ֖ד מֹשֶׁ֣ה עֶֽבֶד־הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים 1 which was given by Moses the servant of God This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “which Moses the servant of God had given to Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 10 30 s4sx figs-explicit לֹא־נִתֵּ֥ן בְּנֹתֵ֖ינוּ לְעַמֵּ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ וְאֶת־בְּנֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם לֹ֥א נִקַּ֖ח לְבָנֵֽינוּ 1 would not give our daughters to the people of the land or take their daughters for our sons This means that they would not allow their sons and daughters to marry them. Alternate translation: “would not give our daughters to marry the people of the land, and we would not take their daughters to marry our sons” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 10 30 iqq1 figs-explicit לְעַמֵּ֣י הָאָ֑רֶץ 1 the people of the land This refers to the people who live in their land who do not worship Yahweh. Alternate translation: “the people of this land who do not worship Yahweh” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 10 30 lx8c figs-exclusive לֹא־נִתֵּ֥ן…לֹ֥א נִקַּ֖ח 1 We promised…we would not give… or take The pronoun “we” here includes Nehemiah and the Jewish people, but not the reader of this book. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
NEH 10 31 m39f figs-exclusive לֹא־נִקַּ֥ח…וְנִטֹּ֛שׁ 1 We also promised…we would not buy…we will let…we will cancel The pronoun “we” here includes Nehemiah and the Jewish people, but not the reader of this book. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
NEH 10 31 hf7z figs-idiom וְנִטֹּ֛שׁ 1 we will let our fields rest This is an idiom. Alternate translation: “we will not plow our fields” or “we will not grow anything in our fields” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])
NEH 10 31 ur3t וּמַשָּׁ֥א כָל־יָֽד 1 we will cancel all debts This means that they will not require that people pay them what they owe. Alternate translation: “we will cancel all debts that people owe us” or “we will tell people that they no longer have to pay us back”
NEH 10 32 bh3h 0 General Information: In these verses, the people continue describing the content of the oath they were making in [Nehemiah 10:29](../10/29.md).
NEH 10 32 h9gt וְהֶעֱמַ֤דְנוּ עָלֵ֨ינוּ֙ מִצְוֺ֔ת 1 We accepted the commands “We promised to obey the command”
NEH 10 32 ljm2 figs-exclusive וְהֶעֱמַ֤דְנוּ עָלֵ֨ינוּ֙ 1 We accepted The pronoun “we” here includes all the Israelites including Nehemiah except for the priest and Levites, and does not include the reader of this book (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
NEH 10 32 ad47 translate-bmoney שְׁלִשִׁ֥ית הַשֶּׁ֖קֶל 1 a third of a shekel “1/3 of a shekel.” “A third” means one part out of three equal parts. This can be written in modern measurements. Alternate translation: “5 grams of sliver” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-bmoney]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH 10 32 pw6w לַעֲבֹדַ֖ת 1 for the service of “to pay for the care of”
NEH 10 33 ehf4 לְלֶ֣חֶם הַֽמַּעֲרֶ֡כֶת 1 the bread of the presence This refers to the 12 loaves of bread baked without yeast kept in the temple and used to symbolize God’s presence with His people.
NEH 10 33 xu3y הֶחֳדָשִׁ֜ים 1 the new moon festivals These were celebrations held when the moon was just a small crescent in the sky.
NEH 10 34 s6yz 0 General Information: In these verses, the people continue describing the content of the oath they were making in [Nehemiah 10:29](../10/29.md).
NEH 10 34 l42k figs-activepassive לְבַעֵ֗ר 1 to be burned This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “for the Levites to burn” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 10 34 ph9q figs-activepassive כַּכָּת֖וּב 1 as it is written This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “as it states” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 10 35 vp1p אַדְמָתֵ֗נוּ 1 from our soil “in our soil” or “on our land”
NEH 10 37 j9sj 0 General Information: In these verses, the people continue describing the content of the oath they were making in [Nehemiah verse 29](./28.md).
NEH 10 37 s7s2 figs-exclusive נָבִ֤יא 1 We will bring…We will bring The pronoun “we” here includes Nehemiah and the Israelites except for the priests and the Levites, and also does not include the reader of this book (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
NEH 10 37 rk7x עֲרִיסֹתֵ֣ינוּ 1 our dough Possible meanings are that this refers to (1) dough made from coarse flour, (2) coarse flour, or (3) ground grain.
NEH 10 37 uc2w figs-ellipsis תִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְיִצְהָ֗ר 1 the new wine and the oil The words “first of” are understood from the begininng of the sentnces. They can be repeated. Alternate translation: “the first of the new wine and of the oil” or “the best of the new wine and of the oil” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 10 37 r776 figs-synecdoche וּמַעְשַׂ֥ר אַדְמָתֵ֖נוּ 1 the tithes from our soil Here “our soil” refers to everything that is grown in the ground. Alternate translation: “the tithes of what we grow in the ground” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]])
NEH 10 38 by9z figs-activepassive בַּעְשֵׂ֣ר 1 they receive the tithes This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the people give them the tithes” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 10 38 eb51 translate-fraction אֶת־מַעֲשַׂ֤ר 1 a tenth This means one part out of ten equal parts. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-fraction]])
NEH 10 39 qzf8 0 General Information: In these verses, the people finish describing the content of the oath they were making in [Nehemiah 10:29](../10/29.md).
NEH 10 39 ss5h figs-activepassive אֶל־הַ֠לְּשָׁכוֹת 1 the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: “the rooms where the priests keep the things that are used in the temple” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 10 39 u1sq וְלֹ֥א נַעֲזֹ֖ב אֶת־בֵּ֥ית אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ 1 We will not neglect the house of our God This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: “We will care for the temple”
NEH 10 39 b23h figs-exclusive נַעֲזֹ֖ב 1 We will The pronoun “we” here includes Nehemiah and all the people of Israel but does not include the reader of this book. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-exclusive]])
NEH 11 intro xja1 0 # Nehemiah 11 General Notes<br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### The places where the Jews lived<br><br>Some people lived in Jerusalem, but most people lived in villages and towns away from Jerusalem. They lived there in order to farm the land raise their animals. The city with its walls was there to provide all of the people with protection if enemies attacked them.
NEH 11 3 l7mb בַּאֲחֻזָּתוֹ֙ בְּעָ֣רֵיהֶ֔ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל 1 on his own land, including some Israelites “on his own land: Israelites”
NEH 11 4 n2a7 מִבְּנֵ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה וּמִבְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן 1 some of the descendants of Judah and some of the descendants of Benjamin “some of the people of Judah and some of the people of Benjamin”
NEH 11 4 nm8y מִבְּנֵ֣י יְ֠הוּדָה 1 The people from Judah included: “From the descendants of Judah:”
NEH 11 4 wl7r translate-names יְהוּדָ֖ה…בִנְיָמִ֑ן…עֲתָיָ֨ה…עֻזִּיָּ֜ה…זְכַרְיָ֧ה…אֲמַרְיָ֛ה…שְׁפַטְיָ֥ה…מַהֲלַלְאֵ֖ל…פָֽרֶץ 1 Judah…Benjamin…Athaiah…Uzziah…Zechariah…Amariah…Shephatiah…Mahalalel…Perez These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 5 ml8b translate-names וּמַעֲשֵׂיָ֣ה…בָּר֣וּךְ…כָּל־חֹ֠זֶה…חֲזָיָ֨ה…עֲדָיָ֧ה…יוֹיָרִ֛יב…זְכַרְיָ֖ה 1 Maaseiah…Baruch…Kol-Hozeh…Hazaiah…Adaiah…Joiarib…Zechariah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 7 md67 וְאֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י 1 These are the descendants “These are some of the descendants.” Your language may need to specify that this is not a list of every descendant.
NEH 11 7 w8c5 translate-names בִנְיָמִ֑ן סַלֻּ֡א…מְשֻׁלָּ֡ם…יוֹעֵ֡ד…פְּדָיָה֩…ק֨וֹלָיָ֧ה…מַעֲשֵׂיָ֛ה…אִֽיתִיאֵ֖ל…יְשַֽׁעְיָֽה 1 Benjamin…Sallu…Meshullam…Joed…Pedaiah…Kolaiah…Maaseiah…Ithiel…Jeshaiah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 8 z37g translate-numbers תְּשַׁ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֥ים וּשְׁמֹנָֽה 1 928 men “nine hundred and twenty-eight men.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 11 9 z3xl translate-names וְיוֹאֵ֥ל…זִכְרִ֖י…יהוּדָ֧ה…הַסְּנוּאָ֛ה 1 Joel…Zichri…Judah…Hassenuah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 10 ft7m translate-names יְדַֽעְיָ֥ה…יוֹיָרִ֖יב יָכִֽין 1 Jedaiah…Joiarib…Jakin These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 11 d8ph translate-names שְׂרָיָ֨ה…חִלְקִיָּ֜ה…מְשֻׁלָּ֣ם…צָד֗וֹק 1 Seraiah…Hilkiah…Meshullam…Zadok These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 12 j7vp translate-names וַ֠עֲדָיָה…יְרֹחָ֤ם…פְּלַלְיָה֙…אַמְצִ֣י…זְכַרְיָ֔ה…פַּשְׁח֖וּר…מַלְכִּיָּֽה 1 Adaiah…Jeroham…Pelaliah…Amzi…Zechariah…Pashhur…Malkijah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 12 nl7h וַאֲחֵיהֶ֗ם 1 their associates “their brothers” or “their kinsmen”
NEH 11 12 z6pc עֹשֵׂ֤י הַמְּלָאכָה֙ לַבַּ֔יִת 1 who did the work for the house “who worked in the temple.” The “house” referred to here is the “house of God” mentioned in the previous verse.
NEH 11 12 kq8y translate-numbers שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה מֵא֖וֹת עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּשְׁנָ֑יִם 1 822 men “eight hundred and twenty-two men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 11 13 wd9q וְאֶחָיו֙ 1 His brothers the brothers of Adaiah, the son of Jeroham ([Nehemiah 11:12](../11/12.md)).
NEH 11 13 u4gn figs-metaphor וְאֶחָיו֙ 1 brothers This word is a metaphor for (1) fellow Israelites or (2) people who did the same work. Alternate translation: “associates” or “fellow workers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 11 13 gd6g translate-numbers מָאתַ֖יִם אַרְבָּעִ֣ים וּשְׁנָ֑יִם 1 242 men “two hundred and forty-two men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 11 13 l51b translate-names וַעֲמַשְׁסַ֧י…עֲזַרְאֵ֛ל…אַחְזַ֥י…מְשִׁלֵּמ֖וֹת…אִמֵּֽר 1 Amashsai…Azarel…Ahzai…Meshillemoth…Immer These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 14 jrq7 translate-names זַבְדִּיאֵ֖ל…הַגְּדוֹלִֽים 1 Zabdiel…Haggedolim These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 14 p9qw translate-numbers גִּבּ֣וֹרֵי חַ֔יִל מֵאָ֖ה עֶשְׂרִ֣ים וּשְׁמֹנָ֑ה 1 128 courageous fighting men “one hundred and twenty-eight courageous fighting men.” These were “valiant warriors” or “courageous warriors.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 11 15 f71n translate-names שְׁמַעְיָ֧ה…חַשּׁ֛וּב…עַזְרִיקָ֥ם…חֲשַׁבְיָ֖ה…בּוּנִּֽי 1 Shemaiah…Hasshub…Azrikam…Hashabiah…Bunni These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 16 q6zj translate-names וְשַׁבְּתַ֨י וְיוֹזָבָ֜ד 1 Shabbethai…Jozabad These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 16 if3q עַל־…מֵרָאשֵׁ֖י הַלְוִיִּֽם 1 who were from the leaders of the Levites and were in charge “from the leaders of the Levites, were in charge”
NEH 11 17 ix77 translate-names וּמַתַּנְיָ֣ה…מִ֠יכָה…זַבְדִּ֨י…אָסָ֜ף…וּבַקְבֻּקְיָ֖ה…וְעַבְדָּא֙…שַׁמּ֔וּ…גָּלָ֖ל…יְדוּתֽוּן 1 Mattaniah…Mika…Zabdi…Asaph…Bakbukiah…Abda…Shammua…Galal…Jeduthun These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 17 djg7 וּבַקְבֻּקְיָ֖ה מִשְׁנֶ֣ה מֵאֶחָ֑יו 1 Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers Possible meanings are (1) Bakbukiah was Mattaniah’s kinsman and second in authority to Mattaniah or (2) “Bakbukiah, who led a second group of singers.”
NEH 11 17 dy1v מֵאֶחָ֑יו 1 brothers Another possible meaning is “associates” or “fellow workers.”
NEH 11 18 di19 בְּעִ֣יר הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ 1 the holy city This expression refers to the city of Jerusalem.
NEH 11 18 hk8i translate-numbers מָאתַ֖יִם שְׁמֹנִ֥ים וְאַרְבָּעָֽה 1 numbered 284 “numbered two hundred and eighty-four.” There were 284 Levites in Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 11 19 i92r וְהַשּֽׁוֹעֲרִים֙ 1 gatekeepers people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:1](../07/01.md).
NEH 11 19 j7b3 translate-names עַקּ֣וּב טַלְמ֔וֹן 1 Akkub…Talmon These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 19 kaz4 translate-numbers מֵאָ֖ה שִׁבְעִ֥ים וּשְׁנָֽיִם 1 172 men “one hundred and seventy-two men” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]])
NEH 11 21 eu4g translate-names וְצִיחָ֥א וְגִשְׁפָּ֖א 1 Ziha…Gishpa These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 21 vct4 translate-names בָּעֹ֑פֶל 1 Ophel This is the name of a place. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 22 l3ba וּפְקִ֤יד 1 The chief officer over “The overseer of”
NEH 11 22 rr5e translate-names עֻזִּ֤י…בָּנִי֙…חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה…מַתַּנְיָ֖ה…מִיכָ֑א…אָסָף֙ 1 Uzzi…Bani…Hashabiah…Mattaniah…Mika…Asaph These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 23 km8l כִּֽי־מִצְוַ֥ת הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם 1 They were under orders from the king “The king had told them what to do”
NEH 11 23 a9fz figs-activepassive וַאֲמָנָ֥ה עַל־הַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים 1 firm orders were given for the singers This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the king had told them specifically what to do about the singers” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 11 24 aee9 translate-names וּפְתַֽחְיָ֨ה…מְשֵֽׁיזַבְאֵ֜ל…זֶ֤רַח…יְהוּדָה֙ 1 Pethahiah…Meshezabel…Zerah…Judah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 24 dqa4 לְיַ֣ד הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ לְכָל־דָּבָ֖ר לָעָֽם 1 at the king’s side in all matters concerning the people “at the Persian king’s side as an adviser in all matters concerning the Jewish people”
NEH 11 25 rg1f translate-names בְּקִרְיַ֤ת הָֽאַרְבַּע֙…וּבְדִיבֹן֙…וּבִֽיקַּבְצְאֵ֖ל 1 Kiriath Arba…Dibon…Jekabzeel These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 26 d9f4 translate-names וּבְיֵשׁ֥וּעַ וּבְמוֹלָדָ֖ה וּבְבֵ֥ית פָּֽלֶט 1 Jeshua…Moladah…Beth Pelet These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 27 nu5z translate-names וּבַחֲצַ֥ר שׁוּעָ֛ל וּבִבְאֵ֥ר שֶׁ֖בַע 1 Hazar Shual…Beersheba These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 28 dl5v translate-names וּבְצִֽקְלַ֥ג וּבִמְכֹנָ֖ה 1 Ziklag…Mekonah These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 29 t41a translate-names וּבְעֵ֥ין רִמּ֛וֹן וּבְצָרְעָ֖ה וּבְיַרְמֽוּ 1 Enrimmon…Zorah…Jarmuth These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 30 vn2z translate-names זָנֹ֤חַ עֲדֻלָּם֙…לָכִישׁ֙…עֲזֵקָ֖ה…מִבְּאֵֽר־שֶׁ֖בַע…גֵּֽיא־הִנֹּֽם 1 Zanoah…Adullam…Lachish…Azekah…Beersheba…Valley of Hinnom These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 30 mzq1 וַיַּחֲנ֥וּ 1 they lived Here “they” refers to the people of Judah.
NEH 11 31 n61t וּבְנֵ֥י בִנְיָמִ֖ן מִגָּ֑בַע מִכְמָ֣שׂ וְעַיָּ֔ה 1 The people of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Mikmash and Aija “The people of Benjamin lived in Geba, Mikmash and Aija”
NEH 11 31 uha3 translate-names מִגָּ֑בַע מִכְמָ֣שׂ וְעַיָּ֔ה וּבֵֽית 1 Geba…Mikmash…Aija…Bethel These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 31 lm1q וְעַיָּ֔ה 1 Aija This is possibly another name for the town of Ai.
NEH 11 32 ucv8 translate-names עֲנָת֥וֹת נֹ֖ב עֲנָֽנְיָֽה 1 Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 33 jwf7 translate-names חָצ֥וֹר׀ רָמָ֖ה גִּתָּֽיִם 1 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 34 e1ls translate-names חָדִ֥יד צְבֹעִ֖ים נְבַלָּֽט 1 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 35 qu5n translate-names גֵּ֥י הַחֲרָשִֽׁים 1 the valley of craftsmen Possible meanings are (1) this is a description of Ono or (2) it is “Craftsmen’s Valley” or “the Valley of Craftsmen,” another name for Ono, or (3) it is a different place from Ono, “and the Valley of Craftsmen.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 11 36 y212 figs-activepassive וּמִן־הַלְוִיִּ֔ם מַחְלְק֥וֹת יְהוּדָ֖ה לְבִנְיָמִֽין 1 Some of the Levites who lived in Judah were assigned to the people of Benjamin It is not clear who assigned these Levites to live with the people of Benjamin. Alternate translation: “They assigned some of the Levites who lived in Judah to serve the people of Benjamin” or “The officials assigned some of the Levites who lived in Judah to serve the people of Benjamin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis]])
NEH 12 intro xmt3 0 # Nehemiah 12 General Notes<br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Dedication of the wall<br><br>In the ancient Near East, it was common to dedicate an important structure to a god. When it was completed, the wall was dedicated to Yahweh. Long lists of people are present, indicating that “everyone” was present for this and praised Yahweh. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/falsegod]])
NEH 12 1 b8ry translate-names זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל…שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵ֖ל וְיֵשׁ֑וּעַ שְׂרָיָ֥ה יִרְמְיָ֖ה עֶזְרָֽא 1 Zerubbabel…Shealtiel…Jeshua…Seraiah…Jeremiah…Ezra These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 1 myj6 figs-explicit וְיֵשׁ֑וּעַ 1 Jeshua The original readers would have understood that Jeshua was the high priest. Alternate translation: “Jeshua the high priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 12 2 p4ml translate-names אֲמַרְיָ֥ה מַלּ֖וּךְ חַטּֽוּשׁ 1 Amariah…Malluk…Hattush These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 3 gwk1 translate-names שְׁכַנְיָ֥ה רְחֻ֖ם מְרֵמֹֽת 1 Shecaniah…Rehum…Meremoth These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 4 qt5n translate-names עִדּ֥וֹא גִנְּת֖וֹי אֲבִיָּֽה 1 Iddo…Ginnethon…Abijah These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 5 x3ri translate-names מִיָּמִ֥ין מַֽעַדְיָ֖ה בִּלְגָּֽה 1 Mijamin…Moadiah…Bilgah These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 6 udm2 translate-names שְׁמַֽעְיָ֥ה וְיוֹיָרִ֖יב יְדַֽעְיָֽה 1 Shemaiah…Joiarib…Jedaiah These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 7 g43p translate-names סַלּ֣וּ עָמ֔וֹק חִלְקִיָּ֖ה יְדַֽעְיָ֑ה…יֵשֽׁוּעַ 1 Sallu…Amok…Hilkiah…Jedaiah…Jeshua These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 8 xy1h translate-names יֵשׁ֧וּעַ בִּנּ֛וּי קַדְמִיאֵ֥ל שֵׁרֵבְיָ֖ה יְהוּדָ֣ה מַתַּנְיָ֑ה 1 Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah,…Mattaniah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 9 nhn4 לְנֶגְדָּ֖ם לְמִשְׁמָרֽוֹת 1 stood opposite them during the service Possible meanings are (1) this was during a worship service and these were two groups of singers or other worshipers, or (2) these groups guarded the temple at different times, or “took turns guarding the temple.”
NEH 12 10 ri33 translate-names וְיֵשׁ֖וּעַ…יֽוֹיָקִ֑ים…אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב…יוֹיָדָֽע 1 Jeshua…Joiakim…Eliashib…Joiada These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 10 xd69 figs-explicit וְיֵשׁ֖וּעַ הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־יֽוֹיָקִ֑ים 1 Jeshua was the father of Joiakim This is the same Jeshua named in [Nehemiah 12:1](../12/01.md). The original readers would have understood that Jeshua was the high priest. Alternate translation: “Jeshua the high priest was the father of Joiakim” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 12 11 a7yv translate-names וְיוֹיָדָע֙…יוֹנָתָ֔ן…יַדּֽוּעַ 1 Joiada…Jonathan…Jaddua These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 12 j9qv translate-names יֽוֹיָקִ֔ים…מְרָיָ֔ה…חֲנַנְיָֽה 1 Joiakim…Meraiah…Hananiah These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 12 vv32 translate-names לִשְׂרָיָ֣ה…לְיִרְמְיָ֖ה 1 Seraiah…Jeremiah These are names of families named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 13 uwn8 translate-names מְשֻׁלָּ֔ם…יְהוֹחָנָֽן 1 Meshullam…Jehohanan These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 13 hm77 translate-names לְעֶזְרָ֣א…לַאֲמַרְיָ֖ה 1 Ezra…Amariah These are names of families named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 14 vig4 translate-names יֽוֹנָתָ֔ן…יוֹסֵֽף 1 Jonathan…Joseph These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 14 tum7 translate-names למלוכי…לִשְׁבַנְיָ֖ה 1 Malluk…Shebaniah These are names of families named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 15 z68b translate-names עַדְנָ֔א…חֶלְקָֽי 1 Adna…Helkai These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 15 a64p translate-names לְחָרִ֣ם…לִמְרָי֖וֹת 1 Harim…Meremoth These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 16 hb4y translate-names זְכַרְיָ֖ה…מְשֻׁלָּֽם 1 Zechariah…Meshullam These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 16 u64u translate-names לעדיא…לְגִנְּת֥וֹן 1 Iddo…Ginnethon These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 16 uae6 לְגִנְּת֥וֹן מְשֻׁלָּֽם 1 Meshullam was the leader of Ginnethon Ginnethon may be another form of the name Ginnethoi.
NEH 12 17 pa3k translate-names זִכְרִ֑י…פִּלְטָֽי 1 Zichri…Piltai These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 17 em6c translate-names לַאֲבִיָּ֖ה…לְמִ֨נְיָמִ֔ין לְמוֹעַדְיָ֖ה 1 Abijah…Miniamin…Moadiah These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 17 e7rx לְמִ֨נְיָמִ֔ין 1 …of Miniamin The people who made the copies of Hebrew text mistakenly left out the name of the leader of the family of Miniamin. Translators may supply a footnote explaining this. The ULT uses “…” to show that the name of the leader is missing. Alternate translation: “Someone was the leader of Miniamin”
NEH 12 17 h3jl לְמוֹעַדְיָ֖ה 1 Moadiah Maadiah may be another form of the name Moadiah.
NEH 12 18 zd3p translate-names שַׁמּ֔וּעַ…יְהוֹנָתָֽן 1 Shammua…Jehonathan These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 18 t8yy translate-names לְבִלְגָּ֣ה…לִֽשְׁמַעְיָ֖ה 1 Bilgah…Shemaiah These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 19 u373 translate-names מַתְּנַ֔י…עֻזִּֽי 1 Mattenai…Uzzi These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 19 s8n3 translate-names וּלְיוֹיָרִ֣יב…לִֽידַֽעְיָ֖ה 1 Joiarib…Jedaiah These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 20 y23c translate-names קַלָּ֖י…עֵֽבֶר 1 Kallai…Eber These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 20 p8dg translate-names לְסַלַּ֥י…לְעָמ֥וֹק 1 Sallu…Amok These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 21 v16d translate-names חֲשַׁבְיָ֔ה…נְתַנְאֵֽל 1 Hashabiah…Nethanel These are all names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 21 vwp6 translate-names לְחִלְקִיָּ֣ה…לִֽידַֽעְיָ֖ה 1 Hilkiah…Jedaiah These are all names of families that are named after men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 22 snj3 translate-names אֶלְיָשִׁ֜יב יוֹיָדָ֤ע וְיוֹחָנָן֙ וְיַדּ֔וּעַ 1 Eliashib…Joiada, Johanan…Jaddua names of men (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 22 cr6d עַל־מַלְכ֖וּת דָּרְיָ֥וֶשׁ 1 during the reign of Darius Another possible meaning is “until the reign of Darius”
NEH 12 23 q9hz כְּתוּבִ֕ים עַל־סֵ֖פֶר דִּבְרֵ֣י 1 recorded in the book of the annals This may refer to the Book of Chronicles. The scribes wrote the words in the verses above in a book that recorded the events of each day.
NEH 12 23 d2rp וְעַד־יְמֵ֖י יֽוֹחָנָ֥ן בֶּן־אֶלְיָשִֽׁיב 1 up to the days of Johanan son of Eliashib The records in the temple recorded only up until Johanan.
NEH 12 24 d373 לְנֶגְדָּ֔ם לְהַלֵּ֣ל לְהוֹד֔וֹת בְּמִצְוַ֖ת דָּוִ֣יד אִישׁ־הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים מִשְׁמָ֖ר לְעֻמַּ֥ת מִשְׁמָֽר 1 who stood opposite them to give praise and to give thanks, responding section by section This refers to how they sang some of their songs in worship. A leader or one group would sing a phrase, then one or two groups that “stood opposite them” would sing a phrase in response.
NEH 12 24 dl8r בְּמִצְוַ֖ת דָּוִ֣יד 1 obedience to the command of David King David had commanded the Levites how they were to organize and lead worship.
NEH 12 25 p55l translate-names מַתַּנְיָ֧ה וּבַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֛ה עֹבַדְיָ֥ה מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם טַלְמ֣וֹן עַקּ֑וּב 1 Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam, Talmon, and Akkub These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 26 wk2z translate-names יוֹיָקִ֥ים…יֵשׁ֖וּעַ…יוֹצָדָ֑ק…נְחֶמְיָ֣ה…וְעֶזְרָ֥א 1 Joiakim…Jeshua…Jozadak…Nehemiah…Ezra These are names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 26 k9bk בִּימֵ֛י יוֹיָקִ֥ים…יוֹצָדָ֑ק וּבִימֵי֙ נְחֶמְיָ֣ה הַפֶּחָ֔ה וְעֶזְרָ֥א הַכֹּהֵ֖ן הַסּוֹפֵֽר 1 in the days of Joiakim…Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor and of Ezra…scribe The date was fixed by listing those who were leading the Jews at the time. “when Joiakim…Jozadak was high priest, and when Nehemiah was governor and Ezra…was the scribe”
NEH 12 27 e63y וּבַחֲנֻכַּ֞ת חוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֗ם 1 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem Possible meanings are (1) “At the time when they dedicated the wall of Jerusalem” or (2) “So that the dedication of Jerusalem’s wall could take place.”
NEH 12 27 s6xv translate-unknown מְצִלְתַּ֖יִם 1 cymbals two thin, round metal plates that are hit together to make a loud sound (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])
NEH 12 29 lnm1 translate-names וּמִבֵּית֙ הַגִּלְגָּ֔ל…גֶּ֖בַע וְעַזְמָ֑וֶת 1 Beth Gilgal…Geba and Azmaveth These are the names of places. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 32 ni9q translate-names הוֹשַׁ֣עְיָ֔ה 1 Hoshaiah These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 33 x16d translate-names וַעֲזַרְיָ֥ה עֶזְרָ֖א וּמְשֻׁלָּֽם 1 Azariah, Ezra, Meshullam These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 35 h1hm translate-names זְכַרְיָ֨ה…יֽוֹנָתָ֜ן…שְׁמַֽעְיָ֗ה…מַתַּנְיָה֙…מִ֣יכָיָ֔ה…זַכּ֖וּר…אָסָֽף 1 Zechariah…Jonathan…Shemaiah…Mattaniah…Micaiah…Zaccur…Asaph These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 35 cp3q וּמִבְּנֵ֥י הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים בַּחֲצֹצְר֑וֹת זְכַרְיָ֨ה 1 some of the priests’ sons with trumpets, and Zechariah Some versions read, “from among the priests with trumpets, Zechariah”
NEH 12 35 q33v זְכַרְיָ֨ה בֶן־יֽוֹנָתָ֜ן בֶּן־שְׁמַֽעְיָ֗ה בֶּן־מַתַּנְיָה֙ בֶּן־מִ֣יכָיָ֔ה בֶּן־זַכּ֖וּר בֶּן־אָסָֽף 1 Zechariah son of Jonathan son of Shemaiah son of Mattaniah son of Micaiah son of Zaccur son of Asaph All of the names after “Zechariah” are the ancestors of Zechariah. This list connects Zechariah with the famous singer Asaph. “Zechariah who was the son of Jonathan, who was the son of Shemaiah, who was the son of Mattaniah, who was the son of Micaiah, who was the son of Zaccur son of Asaph”
NEH 12 36 kmk3 translate-names שְֽׁמַעְיָ֡ה וַעֲזַרְאֵ֡ל מִֽלֲלַ֡י גִּֽלֲלַ֡י מָעַ֞י נְתַנְאֵ֤ל וִֽיהוּדָה֙ חֲנָ֔נִי…דָּוִ֖יד…וְעֶזְרָ֥א 1 Zechariah…Shemaiah, Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, Judah, Hanani…David…Ezra These are the names of males. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 36 n2tl וְעֶזְרָ֥א הַסּוֹפֵ֖ר לִפְנֵיהֶֽ 1 Ezra the scribe was in front of them “Ezra the scribe was leading them”
NEH 12 37 c38r שַׁ֨עַר הָעַ֜יִן…שַׁ֥עַר הַמַּ֖יִם 1 Fountain Gate…Water Gate These are the names of openings in the wall.
NEH 12 38 fbi3 וְהַתּוֹדָ֧ה 1 choir group of singers
NEH 12 38 t11k וַאֲנִ֣י אַחֲרֶ֑יהָ 1 I followed them Nehemiah followed them.
NEH 12 38 j2zn translate-names לְמִגְדַּ֣ל הַתַּנּוּרִ֔ים 1 Tower of Ovens This is the name of a tall structure where people kept watch for danger. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 38 a5ww הַחוֹמָ֥ה הָרְחָבָֽה 1 Broad Wall This is a name for part of the wall.
NEH 12 39 v1ni translate-names וּמִגְדַּ֤ל חֲנַנְאֵל֙ וּמִגְדַּ֣ל הַמֵּאָ֔ה 1 Tower of Hananel…Tower of the Hundred These are the names of tall structures where people kept watch for danger. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 39 v264 לְשַֽׁעַר־אֶ֠פְרַיִם…שַׁ֨עַר הַיְשָׁנָ֜ה…שַׁ֣עַר הַדָּגִ֗ים…שַׁ֣עַר הַצֹּ֑אן…בְּשַׁ֖עַר הַמַּטָּרָֽה 1 Gate of Ephraim…Old Gate…Fish Gate…Sheep Gate…Gate of the Guard These are the names of openings in the wall.
NEH 12 40 ai1v וַאֲנִ֕י 1 I also took my place Nehemiah is speaking here. Alternate translation: “I, Nehemiah, also took my place”
NEH 12 41 s4t8 translate-names אֶלְיָקִ֡ים מַעֲשֵׂיָ֡ה מִ֠נְיָמִין מִיכָיָ֧ה אֶלְיוֹעֵינַ֛י זְכַרְיָ֥ה חֲנַנְיָ֖ה 1 Eliakim…Maaseiah…Miniamin…Micaiah…Elioenai…Zechariah…Hananiah These are the names of males who were the priests at that time. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 41 bnz5 בַּחֲצֹצְרֽוֹת 1 with the trumpets Possible meanings are (1) only the first seven priests listed from Eliakim to Hananiah carried trumpets or (2) all 15 priests listed from Eliakim to Ezer carried trumpets.
NEH 12 42 gqe1 translate-names וּמַעֲשֵׂיָ֨ה וּֽשְׁמַֽעְיָ֜ה וְאֶלְעָזָ֧ר וְעֻזִּ֛י וִֽיהוֹחָנָ֥ן וּמַלְכִּיָּ֖ה וְעֵילָ֣ם וָעָ֑זֶר 1 Maaseiah…Shemaiah…Eleazar…Uzzi…Jehohanan…Malkijah…Elam…Ezer These are the names of males who were the priests at that time. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 12 42 tdc8 וְיִֽזְרַחְיָ֖ה 1 Jezrahiah This is the name of a male who was the leader of the singers.
NEH 12 43 jgp9 שִׂמְּחָם֙ שִׂמְחָ֣ה 1 rejoice with great joy “rejoice greatly”
NEH 12 43 p5fe figs-metonymy וַתִּשָּׁמַ֛ע שִׂמְחַ֥ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם מֵרָחֽוֹק 1 So the joy of Jerusalem could be heard far away “The joy of Jerusalem” here is a metonym for “the sound that the people of Jerusalem made.” This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “people far away from Jerusalem could hear the sound that the people of Jerusalem made as they celebrated” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 12 44 fsb6 figs-activepassive וַיִּפָּקְד֣וּ בַיּוֹם֩ הַה֨וּא אֲנָשִׁ֜ים עַל 1 men were appointed to be in charge This can be stated in active form. It is not clear who appointed the men. Alternate translation: “they appointed men to be in charge” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 12 44 bnw2 לָא֨וֹצָר֥וֹת 1 the contributions things the people gave to the priests
NEH 12 44 g347 כִּ֚י שִׂמְחַ֣ת יְהוּדָ֔ה עַל־הַכֹּהֲנִ֥ים וְעַל־הַלְוִיִּ֖ם 1 For Judah rejoiced over the priests and the Levites It seems that the people appointed the men because the people of Judah were grateful for the priests and Levites who were serving.
NEH 12 44 g9pg figs-explicit הָעֹמְדִֽים 1 who were standing before them The Levites and priests were not just standing, they were serving in their roles. The meaning can be made explicit. Alternate translation: “who were standing before them serving God” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 12 45 lm4j וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים 1 gatekeepers These were people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:1](../07/01.md).
NEH 12 46 py1c ראש הַמְשֹׁ֣רְרִ֔ים 1 there were directors of singers This sentence tells why the people did what they did in [Nehemiah 12:45](../12/45.md) and gives us more information about the time when David told people how to worship at the temple.
NEH 12 47 flz7 בִּימֵ֨י זְרֻבָּבֶ֜ל 1 In the days of Zerubbabel Zerubbabel was a descendant of King David and one of the governors in the region of Judah.
NEH 12 47 mu9s נֹֽתְנִ֛ים מְנָי֛וֹת 1 They set aside the portion “All Israel set aside the portion”
NEH 12 47 e72p לִבְנֵ֥י אַהֲרֹֽן 1 the descendants of Aaron the priests in Israel, who descended from Aaron, the brother of Moses
NEH 13 intro tm5a 0 # Nehemiah 13 General Notes<br>## Special concepts in this chapter<br><br>### Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem<br><br>Nehemiah was eager to make sure that the Jews kept their promise to obey the law. When he returned from Persia, he found many things wrong: one of the store rooms in the temple had been converted into a guest room for Tobiah, the Levites had not received their portions for working in the temple, people were working on the Sabbath, and many had married heathen wives. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/promise]], [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/lawofmoses]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/temple]] and [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/sabbath]])
NEH 13 2 tf8z כִּ֣י 1 This was because “They could not come into the assembly because”
NEH 13 4 bq8k figs-activepassive אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙ הַכֹּהֵ֔ן נָת֖וּן 1 Eliashib the priest was appointed This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “they appointed Eliashib the priest” or “the leaders appointed Eliashib the priest” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 13 4 adq9 קָר֖וֹב לְטוֹבִיָּֽה 1 He was related to Tobiah “Eliashib and Tobiah worked closely together”
NEH 13 4 c9hf אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙…לְטוֹבִיָּֽה 1 Eliashib…Tobiah These are the names of men.
NEH 13 5 xi14 וַיַּ֨עַשׂ ל֜וֹ לִשְׁכָּ֣ה גְדוֹלָ֗ה 1 Eliashib prepared for Tobiah a large storeroom “Eliashib prepared a large storeroom for Tobiah to use”
NEH 13 5 v2in וְהַשֹּׁעֲרִ֑ים 1 gatekeepers people assigned to each gate, responsible to control access to the city or temple, as well as to open and close the gates at times and for reasons set by the administrator. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:1](../07/01.md).
NEH 13 6 hxp8 וּבְכָל־זֶ֕ה לֹ֥א הָיִ֖יתִי בִּֽירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם 1 But in all this time I was not in Jerusalem “During the time all this was happening, I was away from Jerusalem”
NEH 13 6 dpk4 לֹ֥א הָיִ֖יתִי 1 I was not Here “I” refers to Nehemiah.
NEH 13 7 up8j נִשְׁכָּ֔ה בְּחַצְרֵ֖י בֵּ֥ית הָאֱלֹהִֽים 1 a storeroom in the courts of the house of God This was a room which had previously been purified to store offering supplies ([Nehemiah 13:5](../13/05.md)).
NEH 13 10 k9k6 figs-explicit מְנָי֥וֹת הַלְוִיִּ֖ם לֹ֣א נִתָּ֑נָה 1 the Levites’ portions had not been given to them The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. This can also be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “the people had not been bringing into the storerooms their tithes and offerings of food for the temple priests” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 13 10 f2ng וַיִּבְרְח֧וּ אִישׁ־לְשָׂדֵ֛הוּ הַלְוִיִּ֥ם וְהַמְשֹׁרְרִ֖ים עֹשֵׂ֥י הַמְּלָאכָֽה 1 they had run away, each to his own field, the Levites and the singers who did the work “the Levites and the singers who did the work had left the temple, each one going to his own field”
NEH 13 11 mx4v figs-rquestion מַדּ֖וּעַ נֶעֱזַ֣ב בֵּית־הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים 1 Why is the house of God neglected? Nehemiah uses a rhetorical question to challenge or even ridicule the officials who had not done their work. This question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You have neglected the house of God!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH 13 12 a9ux figs-metonymy וְכָל־יְהוּדָ֗ה 1 all Judah The name of the land is a metonym for the people of the land. This is probably a generalization. Alternate translation: “all the people who lived in Judah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
NEH 13 13 mu7f translate-names שֶׁלֶמְיָ֨ה…וְצָד֣וֹק…וּפְדָיָה֙…חָנָ֥ן…זַכּ֖וּר…מַתַּנְיָ֑ה 1 Shelemiah…Zadok…Pedaiah…Hanan…Zaccur…Mattaniah These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 13 13 e8x3 figs-activepassive נֶאֱמָנִים֙ נֶחְשָׁ֔בוּ 1 they were counted as trustworthy This can be translated in active form. The abstract noun “trustworthy” can be translated as a verb. Alternate translation: “I knew that I could trust them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]])
NEH 13 14 v861 זָכְרָה־לִּ֥י אֱלֹהַ֖י עַל־זֹ֑את 1 Call me to mind, my God, concerning this “My God, remember me concerning this”
NEH 13 15 cp44 figs-metonymy דֹּֽרְכִֽים־גִּתּ֣וֹת 1 treading winepresses The word “winepresses” is a metonym for the grapes that were in the winepresses. The people were walking on grapes to get the juice out of them to make wine. Alternate translation: “walking on grapes in winepresses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 13 17 w5nr figs-rquestion מָֽה־הַדָּבָ֨ר הָרָ֤ע הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים וּֽמְחַלְּלִ֖ים אֶת־י֥וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת 1 What is this evil thing you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day? Nehemiah is using a rhetorical question to scold the leaders of Judah. This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You are doing an evil thing by profaning the Sabbath day.” or “God will punish you for doing this evil thing, for profaning the Sabbath day.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH 13 18 ge49 figs-rquestion הֲל֨וֹא כֹ֤ה עָשׂוּ֙ אֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם וַיָּבֵ֨א אֱלֹהֵ֜ינוּ עָלֵ֗ינוּ אֵ֚ת כָּל־הָרָעָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את וְעַ֖ל הָעִ֣יר הַזֹּ֑את 1 Did not your fathers do this? Did not our God bring all this evil on us and on this city? Nehemiah is using these rhetorical questions to scold the leaders of Judah. These questions can be combined and translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that your fathers did this, and that is why God brought all this evil on us and on this city.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH 13 19 p31h וַיְהִ֡י כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר צָֽלֲלוּ֩ שַׁעֲרֵ֨י יְרוּשָׁלִַ֜ם לִפְנֵ֣י הַשַּׁבָּ֗ת 1 As soon as it became dark…before the Sabbath “When the sun went down…and it was time for the Sabbath to begin”
NEH 13 19 vk4t figs-activepassive וַיִּסָּגְר֣וּ הַדְּלָת֔וֹת וָאֹ֣מְרָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר֙ לֹ֣א יִפְתָּח֔וּם עַ֖ד אַחַ֣ר הַשַּׁבָּ֑ת 1 that the doors be shut and that they should not be opened until This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “that the guards shut the doors and not open them until” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 13 19 wy3q figs-activepassive לֹא־יָב֥וֹא מַשָּׂ֖א 1 no load could be brought in This can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: “no one could bring in things they wanted to sell” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])
NEH 13 20 s2hv וּמֹכְרֵ֧י כָל־מִמְכָּ֛ר 1 sellers of all kinds of wares “people who had brought many different things they wanted to sell”
NEH 13 21 hi84 figs-rquestion מַדּ֜וּעַ אַתֶּ֤ם לֵנִים֙ נֶ֣גֶד הַחוֹמָ֔ה 1 Why do you camp outside the wall? Nehemiah uses a rhetorical question to rebuke merchants and to emphasize his command. This question can be translated as a statement. The full meaning of this statement can also be made explicit. Alternate translation: “You are camping outside the wall against what I commanded.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 13 21 hfv7 figs-metonymy יָ֖ד אֶשְׁלַ֣ח בָּכֶ֑ם 1 I will lay hands on you! The word “hands” is a metonym for forceful action. Alternate translation: “I will send you away by force!” or “I will remove you by force!” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
NEH 13 22 mis6 גַּם־זֹאת֙ זָכְרָה־לִּ֣י אֱלֹהַ֔י 1 Call me to mind for this also, my God “My God, remember me concerning this also.” See how you translated a similar phrase in [Nehemiah 13:14](../13/14.md).
NEH 13 23 jp2w figs-explicit אֶת־הַיְּהוּדִים֙ הֹשִׁ֗יבוּ נָשִׁים֙ אשדודיות עמוניות 1 Jews that had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab “Jews that had married foreign women.” God had forbidden intermarriage. The full meaning of this statement can be made clear. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
NEH 13 26 l9xm figs-rquestion הֲל֣וֹא עַל־אֵ֣לֶּה חָטָֽא־שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה מֶ֣לֶךְ 1 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of these women? Nehemiah uses a rhetorical question to scold the men. This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “You know that Solomon king of Israel sinned on account of these women.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH 13 27 vp56 figs-rquestion וְלָכֶ֣ם הֲנִשְׁמַ֗ע לַעֲשֹׂת֙ אֵ֣ת כָּל־הָרָעָ֤ה הַגְּדוֹלָה֙ הַזֹּ֔את לִמְעֹ֖ל בֵּֽאלֹהֵ֑ינוּ לְהֹשִׁ֖יב נָשִׁ֥ים נָכְרִיּֽוֹת 1 Should we then listen to you and do all this great evil, and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women? Nehemiah uses a rhetorical question to scold the men. This can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: “We will not listen to you or do this great evil or act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion]])
NEH 13 28 dft4 translate-names יוֹיָדָ֤ע…אֶלְיָשִׁיב֙…לְסַנְבַלַּ֣ט 1 Joiada…Eliashib…Sanballat These are the names of men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 13 28 f8ak translate-names הַחֹרֹנִ֑י 1 the Horonite This refers to a person from the city of Beth Horon. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])
NEH 13 28 rhs8 וָאַבְרִיחֵ֖הוּ מֵעָלָֽי 1 I caused him to flee from my presence “I chased him away” or “I made him leave Jerusalem”
NEH 13 29 pa21 זָכְרָ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם 1 Call them to mind “Think about them” or “Remember what they have done.” See how you translated a similar phrase in [Nehemiah 13:14](../13/14.md).
NEH 13 29 mn8k figs-metaphor עַ֚ל גָּאֳלֵ֣י הַכְּהֻנָּ֔ה וּבְרִ֥ית הַכְּהֻנָּ֖ה וְהַלְוִיִּֽם 1 they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites Causing the priesthood to be dishonored and breaking the covenant is spoken of as if they made the priesthood and covenant physically unclean. Alternate translation: “they have dishonored the priesthood and broken the covenant you made with the priests and Levites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
NEH 13 30 gd16 וְטִֽהַרְתִּ֖ים 1 Thus I cleansed them “In this way I purified them”
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).
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