From 39756ee954e602d436738a4f024562281b6ee607 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Robert Hunt Date: Sun, 13 Dec 2020 23:11:48 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] First round of small syntax fixes (#1577) First round of small syntax fixes Co-authored-by: Robert Hunt Reviewed-on: https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_tn/pulls/1577 --- en_tn_16-NEH.tsv | 28 ++++++++++++++-------------- 1 file changed, 14 insertions(+), 14 deletions(-) diff --git a/en_tn_16-NEH.tsv b/en_tn_16-NEH.tsv index 29cea344f0..db1576b2ea 100644 --- a/en_tn_16-NEH.tsv +++ b/en_tn_16-NEH.tsv @@ -1,5 +1,5 @@ Book Chapter Verse ID SupportReference OrigQuote Occurrence GLQuote OccurrenceNote -NEH front intro k2y2 0 # Introduction to Nehemiah

## Part 1: General Introduction

### Outline of Nehemiah

1. Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem and inspects the walls (1:1-2:20)
2. The people rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (3:1-4:23)
3. Nehemiah helps the poor and provides an unselfish example (5:1–19)
4. Enemies try to slow down the work, but the people finish the walls (6:1–19)
5. Nehemiah lists the people who returned from exile (7:6–73)
6. Ezra reads the law of Yahweh and the people respond (8:1-10:39)
7. Nehemiah lists the people who lived in and around Jerusalem (11:1–36)
8. Nehemiah lists the priests and Levites (12:1–26)
9. The people dedicate the walls of Jerusalem (12:27–47)
10. Nehemiah corrects problems (13:1–31)

### What is the Book of Nehemiah about?

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.

### How should the title of this book be translated?

The Book of Nehemiah is named for a Jewish leader named Nehemiah. Translators can use the traditional title “Nehemiah.” Or they may choose a more complete title, such as “The Book about Nehemiah.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

### Why were Israelites not allowed to marry people from other nations?

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]])

### Did all of the people of Israel return to their homeland?

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]])

## Part 3: Important Translation Issues

### How does the Book of Nehemiah use the term “Israel”?

The Book of Nehemiah uses the term “Israel” to refer to the kingdom of Judah. It was mostly made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The other ten tribes had ended their loyalty to any kings descended from David. God had allowed the Assyrians to conquer the other ten tribes and take them into exile around 275 years earlier. As a result, they mixed with other people groups and did not return to the land of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/israel]])

### Are the events in the Book of Nehemiah told in the order that they actually happened?

Some of the events in the Book of Nehemiah are told in an order that is different than the order in which they actually happened so that they events can be grouped by theme. Translators should pay attention to notes that signal when events are probably out of chronological order. +NEH front intro k2y2 0 # Introduction to Nehemiah

## Part 1: General Introduction

### Outline of Nehemiah

1. Nehemiah returns to Jerusalem and inspects the walls (1:1-2:20)
2. The people rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (3:1-4:23)
3. Nehemiah helps the poor and provides an unselfish example (5:1–19)
4. Enemies try to slow down the work, but the people finish the walls (6:1–19)
5. Nehemiah lists the people who returned from exile (7:6–73)
6. Ezra reads the law of Yahweh and the people respond (8:1-10:39)
7. Nehemiah lists the people who lived in and around Jerusalem (11:1–36)
8. Nehemiah lists the priests and Levites (12:1–26)
9. The people dedicate the walls of Jerusalem (12:27–47)
10. Nehemiah corrects problems (13:1–31)

### What is the Book of Nehemiah about?

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.

### How should the title of this book be translated?

The Book of Nehemiah is named for a Jewish leader named Nehemiah. Translators can use the traditional title “Nehemiah.” Or they may choose a more complete title, such as “The Book about Nehemiah.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]])

## Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts

### Why were Israelites not allowed to marry people from other nations?

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]])

### Did all of the people of Israel return to their homeland?

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]])

## Part 3: Important Translation Issues

### How does the Book of Nehemiah use the term “Israel”?

The Book of Nehemiah uses the term “Israel” to refer to the kingdom of Judah. It was mostly made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. The other ten tribes had ended their loyalty to any kings descended from David. God had allowed the Assyrians to conquer the other ten tribes and take them into exile around 275 years earlier. As a result, they mixed with other people groups and did not return to the land of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/israel]])

### Are the events in the Book of Nehemiah told in the order that they actually happened?

Some of the events in the Book of Nehemiah are told in an order that is different than the order in which they actually happened so that they events can be grouped by theme. Translators should pay attention to notes that signal when events are probably out of chronological order. NEH 1 intro y5jf 0 # Nehemiah 01 General Notes

## Structure and formatting

### “The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah:”

This phrase serves as an introduction to this entire book.

## Special concepts in this chapter

### Repentance

This chapter is a single long record of Nehemiah’s repentance on behalf of the people of Israel. (See: [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/repent]])

## Other possible translation difficulties in this chapter

### I

In this book, the word “I” always refers to Nehemiah.

### Israel

In this book, “Israel” probably does not refer to the northern kingdom of Israel. Neither does it likely refer to the twelve tribes of Israel. Instead, it is probably a reference to Israel in the sense of the surviving people group from the southern kingdom of Judah. At Nehemiah’s time, these would be the people from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin who survived the destruction of Jerusalem by Babylon in 586 BC and the exile of many of them to Babylon. The other tribes had already been scattered throughout the entire Near East where most of them lost their identity as Israel. NEH 1 1 bi9h translate-names נְחֶמְיָ֖ה בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָ֑ה 1 Nehemiah, the son of Hakaliah Nehemiah is the name of a man, and Hakaliah is the name of his father. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 1 1 abc1 writing-newevent וַ⁠יְהִ֤י 1 Now it happened This is a common way of beginning a historical story. Use a natural way of beginning a story about something that actually happened. Alternate translation: “My story begins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]]) @@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ NEH 1 5 ab49 figs-parallelism לְ⁠אֹהֲבָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠לְ⁠שֹׁ NEH 1 5 zc64 figs-123person לְ⁠אֹהֲבָ֖י⁠ו וּ⁠לְ⁠שֹׁמְרֵ֥י מִצְוֺתָֽי⁠ו 1 to those who love him and to those who keep his commandments Since Nehemiah is speaking to Yahweh, the pronouns “him” and “his” can be translated as “you” and “your.” Alternate translation: “who love you and keep your commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) NEH 1 6 ab51 figs-parallelism תְּהִ֣י נָ֣א אָזְנְ⁠ךָֽ־קַשֶּׁ֣בֶת וְֽ⁠עֵינֶ֪י⁠ךָ פְתֻוּח֟וֹת 1 Please let your ear be attentive and your eyes opened These two phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah says the same thing twice, in slightly different ways, to urge God to pay attention to him. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “pay attention to me,” otherwise “please listen to me and look at me.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) NEH 1 6 ab53 figs-metonymy אָזְנְ⁠ךָֽ־קַשֶּׁ֣בֶת 1 your ear be attentive This request for God’s ear to be attentive refers figuratively to the action of listening. In this context, Nehemiah is asking God to listen to his prayer, with the intention that God would do something about the bad situation in Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) -NEH 1 6 g947 figs-metonymy וְֽ⁠עֵינֶ֪י⁠ךָ פְתֻוּח֟וֹת 1 and your eyes opened This request for God’s eyes to be open refers figuratively to the action of seeing. Seeing is a metaphor meaning knowledge, perception, notice, attention, or judgment. In this case, Nehemiah is asking God to pay attention both to him and to the problem in Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) +NEH 1 6 g947 figs-metonymy וְֽ⁠עֵינֶ֪י⁠ךָ פְתֻוּח֟וֹת 1 and your eyes opened This request for God’s eyes to be open refers figuratively to the action of seeing. Seeing is a metaphor meaning knowledge, perception, notice, attention, or judgment. In this case, Nehemiah is asking God to pay attention both to him and to the problem in Jerusalem. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) NEH 1 6 qjf3 figs-123person תְּפִלַּ֣ת עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֡ 1 the prayer of your servant Nehemiah uses the word servant to refer to himself. This is how a person would address a superior in order to show humility and respect. Alternate translation: “my prayer” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-123person]]) NEH 1 6 ab55 figs-metonymy מִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל לְ⁠פָנֶ֤י⁠ךָ 1 am praying before your face Here **face** is a metonym for the action of seeing, which is figurative way of referring to a person’s notice or attention to something. Nehemiah is repeating the fact that he is praying in order to bring these matters to God’s notice or attention. Alternate translation: “praying to you” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) NEH 1 6 ab57 figs-idiom הַ⁠יּוֹם֙ 1 today This does not necessarily mean on this particular day, but at this time. Alternate translation: “right now” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) @@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ NEH 1 7 brz7 figs-explicit אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֖יתָ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ NEH 1 8 pv64 figs-idiom זְכָר־נָא֙ 1 Please remember Here **remember** is an idiom that means to think about someone and consider what action you can take on their behalf. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten the promise he made to Moses. Alternate translation: “Please think about” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) NEH 1 8 y5jp figs-yousingular הַ⁠דָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֛יתָ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדְּ⁠ךָ֖ 1 the word that you commanded Moses, your servant The pronouns **you** and **your** refer to God and so are singular. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular]]) NEH 1 8 ab69 הַ⁠דָּבָ֔ר 1 the word This refers to a promise that God made while giving the law to the people of Israel through Moses. Alternate translation: “the promise” -NEH 1 8 b6qh figs-you אַתֶּ֣ם תִּמְעָ֔לוּ 1 If you yourselves act unfaithfully The pronouns **you** and **yourselves** refer to the Israelite people, and so they are plural. Alternate translation: “If you Israelites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]]) +NEH 1 8 b6qh figs-you אַתֶּ֣ם תִּמְעָ֔לוּ 1 If you yourselves act unfaithfully The pronouns **you** and **yourselves** refer to the Israelite people, and so they are plural. Alternate translation: “If you Israelites” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]]) NEH 1 8 ab71 figs-metaphor אַתֶּ֣ם תִּמְעָ֔לוּ 1 If you yourselves act unfaithfully Here infidelity in marriage is used as a figurative description of the people of Israel not keeping God’s commandments. Alternate translation: “If you Israelites do not keep my commandments” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 1 8 evf5 figs-explicit אָפִ֥יץ אֶתְ⁠כֶ֖ם בָּ⁠עַמִּֽים 1 I myself will scatter you among the peoples The implication is that God would do this to punish the Israelites for breaking his commandments. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “as a punishment, I will take you from your land and make you live among the other nations” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) NEH 1 9 dqn5 figs-you וְ⁠שַׁבְתֶּ֣ם אֵלַ֔⁠י וּ⁠שְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ מִצְוֺתַ֔⁠י וַ⁠עֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑⁠ם אִם־יִהְיֶ֨ה נִֽדַּחֲ⁠כֶ֜ם 1 But if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, although your banished ones are The pronouns **you** and **your** refer to the Israelite people, so they are plural. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-you]]) @@ -400,7 +400,7 @@ NEH 4 5 mc9p figs-parallelism וְ⁠אַל־תְּכַס֙ עַל־עֲוֺנָ NEH 4 5 zz8h figs-metaphor וְ⁠אַל־תְּכַס֙ עַל־עֲוֺנָ֔⁠ם 1 Do not cover over their iniquity Nehemiah speaks of a person’s sins as if they were an object that could be physically hidden. Alternate translation: “do not forgive their sins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 4 5 k9rw figs-metaphor וְ⁠חַטָּאתָ֖⁠ם…אַל־תִּמָּחֶ֑ה 1 and do not wipe out their sin Nehemiah speaks of a person’s sins as if they were something written that could be erased. Alternate translation: “do not forget their sins” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 4 5 a79c figs-metaphor מִ⁠לְּ⁠פָנֶ֣י⁠ךָ 1 from before your face Here, **face** figuratively means the action of seeing or a person’s notice or attention. A person can see what is in front of their face, so in this case the expression means, “from where you can see it” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) -NEH 4 5 mbi1 כִּ֥י הִכְעִ֖יסוּ לְ⁠נֶ֥גֶד הַ⁠בּוֹנִֽים 1 for they have provoked anger before the front of the builders This expression could mean one of the following three things: (1) It could mean that they have made God angry by opposing the work he has commanded Nehemiah to do. Alternate translation: “they have made you become angry.” This possibility seems the most likely, since Nehemiah is praying that what these men are trying to do to others will happen to them. (2) It could mean that they have caused others to be angry at the people who are rebuilding the wall. Alternate translation: “they have caused others to be angry at the people who are rebuilding the wall.” (3) It could mean that Sanballat and Tobiah have made the builders angry by mocking them. Alternate translation: “they have made the builders become angry” +NEH 4 5 mbi1 כִּ֥י הִכְעִ֖יסוּ לְ⁠נֶ֥גֶד הַ⁠בּוֹנִֽים 1 for they have provoked anger before the front of the builders This expression could mean one of the following three things: (1) It could mean that they have made God angry by opposing the work he has commanded Nehemiah to do. Alternate translation: “they have made you become angry.” This possibility seems the most likely, since Nehemiah is praying that what these men are trying to do to others will happen to them. (2) It could mean that they have caused others to be angry at the people who are rebuilding the wall. Alternate translation: “they have caused others to be angry at the people who are rebuilding the wall.” (3) It could mean that Sanballat and Tobiah have made the builders angry by mocking them. Alternate translation: “they have made the builders become angry” NEH 4 6 r475 וַ⁠נִּבְנֶה֙ אֶת־הַ֣⁠חוֹמָ֔ה 1 So we built the wall As in chapter 3, it might be helpful to say “rebuilt.” The Jews were not building something brand new. See the note to [3:1](../03/01.md). NEH 4 6 mhm5 figs-activepassive וַ⁠תִּקָּשֵׁ֥ר כָּל־הַ⁠חוֹמָ֖ה עַד־חֶצְיָ֑⁠הּ 1 and all the wall was joined together to half its height You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “we filled in the breaks as high as halfway up the wall” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) NEH 4 6 a81c figs-explicit וַ⁠תִּקָּשֵׁ֥ר כָּל־הַ⁠חוֹמָ֖ה עַד־חֶצְיָ֑⁠הּ 1 and all the wall was joined together It appears from the context that this likely took some time and perseverance after Sanballat and Tobiah began to mock and oppose the project. If it would be clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “after some time, we filled in the breaks” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) @@ -410,20 +410,20 @@ NEH 4 7 a85c writing-newevent וַ⁠יְהִ֣י 1 Then it happened Nehemiah us NEH 4 7 a87c translate-names סַנְבַלַּ֡ט וְ֠⁠טוֹבִיָּה 1 Sanballat, and Tobiah This are the names of men. See how you translated them in [2:10](../02/10.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 4 7 a89c translate-names וְ⁠הָ⁠עַרְבִ֨ים וְ⁠הָ⁠עַמֹּנִ֜ים וְ⁠הָ⁠אַשְׁדּוֹדִ֗ים 1 and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites These are the names of people groups. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 4 7 a91c figs-personification עָלְתָ֤ה אֲרוּכָה֙ לְ⁠חֹמ֣וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם 1 the health of the walls of Jerusalem was going up Here Nehemiah is speaking of the wall around Jerusalem as if it were a living thing that was sick because it was broken down. Nehemiah speaks of the repairs to the wall as if the wall is becoming healthy again. Alternate translation: “we were continuing to repair the walls of Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-personification]]) -NEH 4 7 a93c עָלְתָ֤ה 1 was going up Alternate translation: “was increasing” +NEH 4 7 a93c עָלְתָ֤ה 1 was going up Alternate translation: “was increasing” NEH 4 7 a95c figs-activepassive כִּי־הֵחֵ֥לּוּ הַ⁠פְּרֻצִ֖ים לְ⁠הִסָּתֵ֑ם 1 and the breaks were beginning to be closed You can say this with an active form, and you can say who did the action. Alternate translation: “we were continuing to … fill in the gaps” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]]) NEH 4 7 gsb7 figs-metaphor וַ⁠יִּ֥חַר לָ⁠הֶ֖ם מְאֹֽד 1 that…it burned them exceedingly Here Nehemiah says that the anger of these enemies was a fire that burned inside of them. Alternate translation: “they became very angry” or “they became enraged” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 4 8 b6im figs-metonymy לְ⁠הִלָּחֵ֣ם בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם 1 to fight against Jerusalem Here, **Jerusalem** refers to the people who live there. These enemies were not coming to fight against the walls and buildings. Nehemiah is describing the people of Jerusalem figuratively by reference to something associated with them, the city where they live. Alternate translation: “to fight against the people of Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) NEH 4 8 a97c figs-abstractnouns וְ⁠לַ⁠עֲשׂ֥וֹת ל֖⁠וֹ תּוֹעָֽה 1 and to make confusion for it The abstract noun **confusion** refers to the way these enemies hoped that their attack would make the people of Jerusalem not know what to do. The people might disagree among themselves about whether they should keep working on the wall or whether they should discontinue the work to appease the attackers. They might also disagree about how to defend themselves. You can translate the idea behind the term “confusion” with adjectives such as “confused” and “divided.” Alternate translation: “They wanted to make the people inside the city confused and divided.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) NEH 4 9 vz1d וַ⁠נַּעֲמִ֨יד מִשְׁמָ֧ר עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֛ם 1 and we set up a guard on account of them “and we put men around the wall to guard the city” NEH 4 9 a99c figs-merism יוֹמָ֥ם וָ⁠לַ֖יְלָה 1 by day and by night This does not mean that some people went up on the walls to look around at various parts of the day, and others went up at certain times of night. Nehemiah is describing how he maintained a constant guard by speaking of two times when people were on duty, the day and the night, in order to include all the time in between. Alternate translation: “at all times,” otherwise “throughout the day and night” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-merism]]) -NEH 4 9 ad11 figs-metaphor מִ⁠פְּנֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 from their faces This term could mean two different things: (1) Here, probably **Their faces** figuratively means the front of a group. This likely means that the lookouts would see the front ranks of the army as they approached. Alternate translation: “to spot them as they approached” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]). (2) Here, “their faces” could also be a figurative way of referring to the enemies and their hostile intentions toward the people doing the work. Alternate translations: “against them” +NEH 4 9 ad11 figs-metaphor מִ⁠פְּנֵי⁠הֶֽם 1 from their faces This term could mean two different things: (1) Here, probably **Their faces** figuratively means the front of a group. This likely means that the lookouts would see the front ranks of the army as they approached. Alternate translation: “to spot them as they approached” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]). (2) Here, “their faces” could also be a figurative way of referring to the enemies and their hostile intentions toward the people doing the work. Alternate translations: “against them” NEH 4 10 ad13 figs-metonymy וַ⁠יֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוּדָ֗ה 1 And Judah said Nehemiah is describing the people of Judah figuratively by reference to something associated with them, the name of their province. Alternate translation: “Then the people of Judah started saying” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) NEH 4 10 ad15 כָּשַׁל֙ כֹּ֣חַ הַ⁠סַּבָּ֔ל 1 the strength of the burden-bearers is failing Alternate translation: “The people who are carrying the stones are getting worn out” NEH 4 10 vc8h וְ⁠הֶ⁠עָפָ֖ר 1 and…rubble Alternate translation: “and … burned stone” or “and … broken rock” or “and … unusable stone” NEH 4 10 ad17 וַ⁠אֲנַ֨חְנוּ֙ לֹ֣א נוּכַ֔ל לִ⁠בְנ֖וֹת בַּ⁠חוֹמָֽה 1 And as for us, we are not able to build the wall. Alternate translation: “We are not going to be able to finish rebuilding the wall” NEH 4 11 yuc9 figs-parallelism לֹ֤א יֵדְעוּ֙ וְ⁠לֹ֣א יִרְא֔וּ עַ֛ד אֲשֶׁר־נָב֥וֹא אֶל־תּוֹכָ֖⁠ם 1 They will not know, and they will not see until when we come into their midst These two phrases mean similar things. The enemies use the repetition to emphasize how confident they are of launching a surprise attack. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “They will not be expecting an attack until we are right there,” otherwise “before they see us and know we are coming, we will rush down on them” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) -NEH 4 11 ad19 figs-metaphor וְ⁠לֹ֣א יִרְא֔וּ 1 and they will not see While the enemies could be referring to the Jews literally not seeing them approach, “seeing” could also be a figuratively way of describing knowledge, notice, or attention. In that case this expression would mean the same thing as “they will not know.” Alternate translation: “they will not be expecting” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) +NEH 4 11 ad19 figs-metaphor וְ⁠לֹ֣א יִרְא֔וּ 1 and they will not see While the enemies could be referring to the Jews literally not seeing them approach, “seeing” could also be a figuratively way of describing knowledge, notice, or attention. In that case this expression would mean the same thing as “they will not know.” Alternate translation: “they will not be expecting” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 4 12 ad21 figs-explicit בָּ֣אוּ 1 came The implication is that they came to Jerusalem to speak with the Jewish leaders there. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “came to Jerusalem to speak with us” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) NEH 4 12 t8f2 figs-synecdoche הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֔ים הַ⁠יֹּשְׁבִ֖ים אֶצְלָ֑⁠ם 1 the Jews dwelling beside them **Them** means the enemies Nehemiah has been talking about, so this expression likely refers to the Jews who lived near Nehemiah and those helping him. But it does not mean all of these Jews, just some who came to Jerusalem. Nehemiah is describing part of this group as if it were the whole group. Alternate translation: “some of the Jews who lived near our enemies” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) NEH 4 12 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]]) @@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ NEH 5 1 zmb8 figs-abstractnouns צַעֲקַ֥ת הָ⁠עָ֛ם וּ⁠נְשׁ NEH 5 1 czx5 הָ⁠עָ֛ם וּ⁠נְשֵׁי⁠הֶ֖ם 1 Here, **the people** seems to indicate certain men who lived in Jerusalem, since Nehemiah also mentions their wives. Alternate translation: “many of the men and their wives” NEH 5 1 uqlp figs-metaphor אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֖ם 1 Here, **brother** does not seem to mean biological brothers, but to refer figuratively to other members of the same people group. Alternate translation: “their fellow Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 5 1 c3po figs-doublet אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֖ם הַ⁠יְּהוּדִֽים 1 These two short phrases mean similar things. Nehemiah uses them together to emphasize how inappropriate it was for people to treat members of their own group in the ways described. If it would be clearer in your language, you could combine these phrases. Alternate translation: “their fellow Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]]) -NEH 5 2 u19u וְ⁠יֵשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֹמְרִ֔ים 1 Verses 2, 3, 4, and 5 do not seem to be different complaints that people brought to Nehemiah separately. Rather, the whole group seems to be complaining that because they need to get food for their families, wealthier and more powerful Jews are exploiting them. They are forcing them to take mortgages and loans and even sell their children into slavery. Nehemiah is probably depicting one speaker after another in the crowd adding details to this picture. You could suggest this to the readers of your translation by introducing these comments with a translation such as, “some of them began to say” +NEH 5 2 u19u וְ⁠יֵשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֹמְרִ֔ים 1 Verses 2, 3, 4, and 5 do not seem to be different complaints that people brought to Nehemiah separately. Rather, the whole group seems to be complaining that because they need to get food for their families, wealthier and more powerful Jews are exploiting them. They are forcing them to take mortgages and loans and even sell their children into slavery. Nehemiah is probably depicting one speaker after another in the crowd adding details to this picture. You could suggest this to the readers of your translation by introducing these comments with a translation such as, “some of them began to say” NEH 5 2 i9kn בָּנֵ֥י⁠נוּ וּ⁠בְנֹתֵ֖י⁠נוּ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ רַבִּ֑ים 1 Alternate translation: “We have many children” NEH 5 2 i5cb figs-synecdoche וְ⁠נִקְחָ֥ה דָגָ֖ן 1 This does not mean only grain. The people complaining to Nehemiah are using one kind of food, grain, the staple of their diet, to refer figuratively to all the foods they would need to eat. Alternate translation: “we need food” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) NEH 5 2 i7bq figs-explicit וְ⁠נִקְחָ֥ה דָגָ֖ן 1 The implication is that because the families are large, a lot of food is needed. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “we need to get a lot of food” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) @@ -523,7 +523,7 @@ NEH 5 7 sn56 figs-explicit מַשָּׁ֥א אִישׁ־בְּ⁠אָחִ֖י⁠ NEH 5 7 f66g figs-idiom אִישׁ־בְּ⁠אָחִ֖י⁠ו 1 In this context, “a man” means “each person.” It does not mean only an adult male. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) NEH 5 7 yibe figs-metaphor אִישׁ־בְּ⁠אָחִ֖י⁠ו 1 Here, **brother** could conceivably include even biological brothers, but in context it likely refers figuratively to fellow Jews. Alternate translation: “to your fellow Jews” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 5 7 r7yl translate-unknown וָ⁠אֶתֵּ֥ן עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם קְהִלָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה 1 This means that, as part of conducting the lawsuit against these wealthy and powerful Jews, Nehemiah brought together a large group of their fellow citizens to hear the charges against them. This group was the “assembly.” Alternate translation: “I put them on trial in front of their fellow citizens” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) -NEH 5 7 u9u2 figs-events וָ⁠אֶתֵּ֥ן עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם קְהִלָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה 1 To present the events in chronological order, if that would be helpful to your readers, you could put this before the previous sentence, which describes the first charge that Nehemiah brought at this trial. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]])

+NEH 5 7 u9u2 figs-events וָ⁠אֶתֵּ֥ן עֲלֵי⁠הֶ֖ם קְהִלָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה 1 To present the events in chronological order, if that would be helpful to your readers, you could put this before the previous sentence, which describes the first charge that Nehemiah brought at this trial. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) NEH 5 8 o7o9 figs-explicit אֲנַ֣חְנוּ קָ֠נִינוּ 1 **We** likely means Nehemiah and his relatives, as in 4:23. If it would make things clearer in your language, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “My relatives and I have bought back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) NEH 5 8 a1b2 figs-events קָ֠נִינוּ אֶת־אַחֵ֨י⁠נוּ הַ⁠יְּהוּדִ֜ים הַ⁠נִּמְכָּרִ֤ים לַ⁠גּוֹיִם֙ 1 To present the events in chronological order, if that would be helpful to your readers, you could put the information that some Jews had to sell themselves into slavery before the information that Nehemiah and his relatives bought their freedom. Alternate translation: “Whenever our Jewish relatives have had to sell themselves into slavery to people from other nations … we have been buying them back” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-events]]) NEH 5 8 o6o8 כְּ⁠דֵ֣י בָ֔⁠נוּ 1 Alternate translation: “to the best of our ability” @@ -573,7 +573,7 @@ NEH 5 13 b1e5 figs-idiom אָמֵ֗ן 1 This is an expression that means, “Tr NEH 5 13 b1e7 וַֽ⁠יְהַלְלוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה 1 Alternate translation: “they worshipped God” NEH 5 13 b1e9 וַ⁠יַּ֥עַשׂ הָ⁠עָ֖ם כַּ⁠דָּבָ֥ר הַ⁠זֶּֽה 1 **The people** means “the Jews.” “This word” means the promises they made. Alternate translation: “After that, none of the Jews took houses or fields to guarantee loans, and none of them charged interest” NEH 5 14 zur1 figs-explicit גַּ֞ם 1 As explained in the note to [3:1](../03/01.md), in this book, Nehemiah is recording everything that he did to help the people of Judah. He hopes and prays that God will bless him for what he did. He has just described how he rescued the poor from foreclosures and interest. Now he is going to describe something further that he did to help them. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “Here is something else I did to help the people” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) -NEH 5 14 b1f1 מִ⁠יּ֣וֹם ׀ אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה אֹתִ֗⁠י לִ⁠הְי֣וֹת פֶּחָ⁠ם֮ בְּ⁠אֶ֣רֶץ יְהוּדָה֒ מִ⁠שְּׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֗ים…לְ⁠אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ 1 This is background information that helps explain what Nehemiah will say next. Alternate translation: “Artaxerxes, the king of Persia, had appointed me to be the governor of the province of Judah during the twentieth year of his reign” +NEH 5 14 b1f1 מִ⁠יּ֣וֹם ׀ אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה אֹתִ֗⁠י לִ⁠הְי֣וֹת פֶּחָ⁠ם֮ בְּ⁠אֶ֣רֶץ יְהוּדָה֒ מִ⁠שְּׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֗ים…לְ⁠אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ 1 This is background information that helps explain what Nehemiah will say next. Alternate translation: “Artaxerxes, the king of Persia, had appointed me to be the governor of the province of Judah during the twentieth year of his reign” NEH 5 14 b1f3 מִ⁠יּ֣וֹם…וְ֠⁠עַד שְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּ⁠שְׁתַּ֨יִם֙ לְ⁠אַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא הַ⁠מֶּ֔לֶךְ 1 Alternate translation: “During the twelve years from that time until the thirty-second year of his reign” NEH 5 14 b1f5 figs-idiom מִ⁠יּ֣וֹם 1 This is an idiom that means “from the time.” Alternate translation: “from that time” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) NEH 5 14 ri8l translate-ordinal מִ⁠שְּׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֗ים וְ֠⁠עַד שְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּ⁠שְׁתַּ֨יִם֙ 1 Alternate translation: “from the 20th year until the 32nd year of the reign of Artaxerxes as king” or “from year 20 until year 32 in the reign of Artaxerxes as king” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) @@ -613,7 +613,7 @@ NEH 5 18 b1i5 grammar-connect-logic-result כָֽבְדָ֥ה הָ⁠עֲבֹד NEH 5 19 b1i7 figs-aside זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י לְ⁠טוֹבָ֑ה 1 As in [4:4](../04/04.md), here Nehemiah speaks directly to God. You could indicate this by putting this verse in quotation marks. Review the note at 4:4 about asides like this if that would be helpful. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-aside]]) NEH 5 19 b1i9 figs-idiom זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י…לְ⁠טוֹבָ֑ה 1 To remember someone **for good** is an idiom that means to reward someone with good things for the good that they have done. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) NEH 5 19 b1j1 figs-idiom זָכְרָ⁠ה־לִּ֥⁠י אֱלֹהַ֖⁠י לְ⁠טוֹבָ֑ה 1 In this context, **remember** means to think about someone and consider what action you can take on their behalf. Nehemiah is not suggesting that God has forgotten him. Alternate translation: “think of me” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]]) -NEH 5 19 b1j3 כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֖יתִי עַל־הָ⁠עָ֥ם הַ⁠זֶּֽה 1 Nehemiah is once again leaving out some words that a sentence would ordinarily need. He is asking God to do good things for him because of all the good things he has done for the people of Judah as their governor. Alternate translation: “reward me because of all the good that I have done for the people of Judah” +NEH 5 19 b1j3 כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֖יתִי עַל־הָ⁠עָ֥ם הַ⁠זֶּֽה 1 Nehemiah is once again leaving out some words that a sentence would ordinarily need. He is asking God to do good things for him because of all the good things he has done for the people of Judah as their governor. Alternate translation: “reward me because of all the good that I have done for the people of Judah” NEH 6 intro k4df 0 # Nehemiah 06 General Notes
## Structure and formatting

The building of the wall is completed in this chapter.

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.

## Special concepts in this chapter

### Miracle

Completing this city wall in only 52 days was considered proof that God had helped the Jews, especially given the opposition that they had experienced from the people in surrounding areas. NEH 6 1 c1a1 writing-newevent וַ⁠יְהִ֣י 1 Nehemiah uses this phrase to introduce the next event in his story. You do not need to represent it in your translation unless your language has a similar expression that it characteristically uses. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-newevent]]) NEH 6 1 c1a3 figs-synecdoche נִשְׁמַ֣ע 1 This means that these enemies learned somehow that the wall was finished. Perhaps someone came and told them, or perhaps they received a written report. Nehemiah figuratively uses hearing, one means of discovering things, to describe these men learning this. Alternate translation: “when our enemies learned” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche]]) @@ -1005,7 +1005,7 @@ NEH 8 14 e1n5 figs-explicit וַֽ⁠יִּמְצְא֖וּ כָּת֣וּב ב NEH 8 14 e1n7 figs-metaphor בְּ⁠יַד־מֹשֶׁ֔ה 1 Here, **hand** figuratively represents control and action. Alternate translation: “through Moses” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 8 14 e1n9 אֲשֶׁר֩ יֵשְׁב֨וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל בַּ⁠סֻּכּ֛וֹת בֶּ⁠חָ֖ג בַּ⁠חֹ֥דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי 1 This refers to the commandment establishing the Festival of Tabernacles. The purpose of this festival was to remind the Israelites that their ancestors had lived in temporary shelters when they traveled through the wilderness from Egypt to Canaan. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say that explicitly. Alternate translation: “The people of Israel should live in temporary shelters during the Festival of Tabernacles to remind them that their ancestors lived in shelters when they traveled through the wilderness from Egypt to Canaan” NEH 8 14 e1o1 figs-metaphor בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֧ל 1 **Sons** here figuratively means **descendants.** In this context it includes both men and women. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) -NEH 8 14 ur1h יֵשְׁב֨וּ…בַּ⁠סֻּכּ֛וֹת 1 As [8:15](../08/15.md) explains, these **huts** or temporary shelters were to be made from leafy tree branches. The people were supposed to live in these shelters as their home for a week. This was a way of remembering and celebrating the way Yahweh had protected their ancestors when they had only temporary shelters to live in. Alternate translation: “stay in temporary shelters” +NEH 8 14 ur1h יֵשְׁב֨וּ…בַּ⁠סֻּכּ֛וֹת 1 As [8:15](../08/15.md) explains, these **huts** or temporary shelters were to be made from leafy tree branches. The people were supposed to live in these shelters as their home for a week. This was a way of remembering and celebrating the way Yahweh had protected their ancestors when they had only temporary shelters to live in. Alternate translation: “stay in temporary shelters” NEH 8 14 e1o3 translate-unknown בֶּ⁠חָ֖ג בַּ⁠חֹ֥דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי 1 This means the Festival of Tabernacles, which Yahweh commanded the people to celebrate in the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]]) NEH 8 14 efg4 translate-ordinal בַּ⁠חֹ֥דֶשׁ הַ⁠שְּׁבִיעִֽי 1 This means the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. Alternate translation: “month 7” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal]]) NEH 8 15 rq6z figs-parallelism וַ⁠אֲשֶׁ֣ר יַשְׁמִ֗יעוּ וְ⁠יַעֲבִ֨ירוּ ק֥וֹל 1 These two phrases mean similar things. They describe how the family and religious leaders were supposed to send a message to everyone in Judah. You do not need to repeat both phrases in your translation if that would be confusing for your readers. Alternate translation: “they should publicly proclaim” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-parallelism]]) @@ -1400,7 +1400,7 @@ NEH 11 5 ml8b translate-names וּ⁠מַעֲשֵׂיָ֣ה בֶן־בָּר֣ו NEH 11 5 h1c3 figs-explicit וּ⁠מַעֲשֵׂיָ֣ה 1 The implication is that Maaseiah was another leader of the people from the tribe of Judah who lived in Jerusalem. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could say this explicitly. Alternate translation: “another leader, Maaseiah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]]) NEH 11 5 dxb8 figs-metaphor בֶּן־הַ⁠שִּׁלֹנִֽי 1 Most likely, the Shiloni were the clan descended from Judah’s son Shelah. Here the phrase **son of** indicates that Maaseiah shared in the quality of belonging to this clan. Alternate translation: “one of the descendants of Shelah” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 11 6 h1c5 כָּל־בְּנֵי־פֶ֕רֶץ הַ⁠יֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֛וֹת שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָ֖ה אַנְשֵׁי־חָֽיִל 1 Alternate translation: “The total number of the descendants of Perez who settled in Jerusalem who were able to fight in the army was 468” -NEH 11 6 y8t2 figs-metaphor בְּנֵי־פֶ֕רֶץ הַ⁠יֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם 1 **Sons** here figuratively means **descendants.** Alternate translation: “the descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] +NEH 11 6 y8t2 figs-metaphor בְּנֵי־פֶ֕רֶץ הַ⁠יֹּשְׁבִ֖ים בִּ⁠ירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם 1 **Sons** here figuratively means **descendants.** Alternate translation: “the descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 11 6 ej3g figs-abstractnouns אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֛וֹת שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָ֖ה אַנְשֵׁי־חָֽיִל 1 The abstract noun **strength** refers to the way these men were able to use weapons and fight to defend the city if necessary. If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate the idea behind it with a verb such as *fight.** Alternate translation: “468 men who were able to fight in the army” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns]]) NEH 11 6 hcr6 translate-numbers אַרְבַּ֥ע מֵא֛וֹת שִׁשִּׁ֥ים וּ⁠שְׁמֹנָ֖ה 1 Alternate translation: “four hundred and sixty-eight” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-numbers]]) NEH 11 7 m8mp figs-metaphor בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִ֑ן 1 **Sons** here figuratively means **descendants.** Alternate translation: “the people from the tribe of Benjamin” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) @@ -1537,7 +1537,7 @@ NEH 12 8 xy1h translate-names יֵשׁ֧וּעַ בִּנּ֛וּי קַדְמִ NEH 12 8 i1b5 figs-metaphor עַֽל־הֻיְּד֖וֹת ה֥וּא וְ⁠אֶחָֽי⁠ו 1 **He** refers to Mattaniah. **Brothers** figuratively means “fellow Levite leaders.” Alternate translation: “Mattaniah and his fellow Levite leaders were responsible for directing the choir.” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 12 8 i1b7 figs-metonymy עַֽל־הֻיְּד֖וֹת 1 As in [11:17](../11/17.md), here the book is describing the choir figuratively by reference to one kind of thing it was associated with, the songs of thanksgiving that it sang. Alternate translation: “directed the choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) NEH 12 8 i1b9 figs-metaphor עַֽל־הֻיְּד֖וֹת 1 **Over** is a figurative way of saying that Mattaniah and his colleagues were responsible for this group. Alternate translation: “were responsible for directing the choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) -NEH 12 8 i1c1 figs-metonymy הֻיְּד֖וֹת 1 One responsibility of the Levite choir was to sing prayers of thanksgiving. But it sang many other things as well. Here the list is describing figuratively everything the choir sang by reference to one kind of thing it sang, prayers of thanksgiving. Alternate translation: “the choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
+NEH 12 8 i1c1 figs-metonymy הֻיְּד֖וֹת 1 One responsibility of the Levite choir was to sing prayers of thanksgiving. But it sang many other things as well. Here the list is describing figuratively everything the choir sang by reference to one kind of thing it sang, prayers of thanksgiving. Alternate translation: “the choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]]) NEH 12 9 nnn1 translate-names וּ⁠בַקְבֻּֽקְיָ֨ה וְעֻנִּ֧י 1 These are the names of two men. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-names]]) NEH 12 9 i1c3 figs-metaphor אֲחֵי⁠הֶ֛ם 1 **Brothers** here figuratively means **their fellow Levite leaders.** (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]]) NEH 12 9 nhn4 figs-explicit לְ⁠נֶגְדָּ֖⁠ם לְ⁠מִשְׁמָרֽוֹת 1 This phrase could mean one of two things. (1) It could mean that Mattaniah and his associates directed one choir, and Bakbukiah and Unni directed a second choir that stood opposite to this first one and sang responses to what it sang. (2) It could mean that Bakbukiah and Unni took turns with Mattaniah and his associates in assuming the responsibilities of directing a single Levite choir. Alternate translation: “led a second choir that sang responses” or “took turns with them directing the Levite choir” (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])