These are people who looked after the opening in the wall and controlled who went in and out. See how you translated this in [Nehemiah 7:1](../07/01.md)
## singers ##
"temple singers"
## all who had separated themselves from the people of the neighboring lands and pledged themselves to the law of God ##
AT: "all who had separated themselves for the purpose of the Law of God"
## all who had separated themselves ##
This refers to the separate gathering of the Jews in [Nehemiah 9:1](../09/01.md).
## all who have knowledge and understanding ##
This phrase can be made explicit. AT: "all who were old enough to understand what promising to obey God meant" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])
## nobles ##
"the group of people who are members of the highest social class"
## bound themselves with both a curse and an oath ##
The people did not physically tie themselves up with a curse and an oath. The phrase "curse and an oath" is a metonym for "a solemn promise. AT: "made a solemn promise" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])
## with both a curse and an oath ##
This says the same thing in two ways to emphasize the importance of the promise that the people were making. AT: "with a solemn oath" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet]])
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