Nehemiah 4:18 net — The builders to a man had their swords strapped to their sides while they were building. But the trumpeter remained wit…

NET Bible

"The builders to a man had their swords strapped to their sides while they were building. But the trumpeter remained with me."

— Nehemiah 4:18, NET Bible

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Nehemiah 4:18 in Other Translations

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Nehemiah 4 — Context

15

It so happened that when our adversaries heard that we were aware of these matters, God frustrated their intentions. Then all of us returned to the wall, each to his own work.

16

From that day forward, half of my men were doing the work and half of them were taking up spears, shields, bows, and body armor. Now the officers were behind all the people of Judah

17

who were rebuilding the wall. Those who were carrying loads did so by keeping one hand on the work and the other on their weapon.

18

The builders to a man had their swords strapped to their sides while they were building. But the trumpeter remained with me.

19

I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people,“The work is demanding and extensive, and we are spread out on the wall, far removed from one another.

20

Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, gather there with us. Our God will fight for us!”

21

So we worked on, with half holding spears, from dawn till dusk.

Nehemiah 4:18 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Nehemiah 4:18 say?
Nehemiah 4:18 in the NET Bible reads: “The builders to a man had their swords strapped to their sides while they were building. But the trumpeter remained with me.”
Where is Nehemiah 4:18 in the Bible?
Nehemiah 4:18 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Nehemiah, chapter 4, verse 18.
Who wrote Nehemiah?
Nehemiah is traditionally attributed to Nehemiah (largely from his memoirs). It was written c. 445–425 BC.
What is the book of Nehemiah about?
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, leads the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls against fierce opposition. The book combines stirring leadership with covenant renewal, ending with reform of priesthood, sabbath, and intermarriage.
What are the major themes of Nehemiah?
Nehemiah explores themes including Leadership, Prayer, Rebuilding, Opposition, Covenant Renewal. These themes shape the meaning and context of Nehemiah 4:18.
What translation should I read Nehemiah 4:18 in?
Nehemiah 4:18 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Nehemiah 4:18?
Nehemiah 4:18 reads (NET): “The builders to a man had their swords strapped to their sides while they were building. But the trumpeter remained with me.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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