Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.” New Living Translation They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination. English Standard Version For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. Berean Standard Bible For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands. King James Bible For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. New King James Version For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.” Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. New American Standard Bible For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, God, strengthen my hands. NASB 1995 For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. NASB 1977 For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. Legacy Standard Bible For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will become limp in doing the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. Amplified Bible For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, [O God,] strengthen my hands. Christian Standard Bible For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, “They will drop their hands from the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands. Holman Christian Standard Bible For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, “They will become discouraged in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen me. American Standard Version For they all would have made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. But now, O God, strengthen thou my hands. Contemporary English Version Our enemies were trying to frighten us and to keep us from our work. But I asked God to give me strength. English Revised Version For they all would have made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. But now, O God, strengthen thou my hands. GOD'S WORD® Translation They were all trying to intimidate us. They thought we would give up and not finish the work. But God made me strong. Good News Translation They were trying to frighten us into stopping work. I prayed, "But now, God, make me strong!" International Standard Version For they all were trying to make us afraid by saying, "Their hands will become tired from laboring, so the work won't be completed." "Therefore, LORD, strengthen my hands!" Majority Standard Bible For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, ?Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.? But now, my God, strengthen my hands. NET Bible All of them were wanting to scare us, supposing, "Their hands will grow slack from the work, and it won't get done." So now, strengthen my hands! New Heart English Bible For they all would have made us afraid, saying, "Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done. But now, strengthen my hands." Webster's Bible Translation For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it may not be done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. World English Bible For they all would have made us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done.” But now, strengthen my hands. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionfor all of them are making us afraid, saying, “Their hands are too feeble for the work, and it is not done”; and now, strengthen my hands. Young's Literal Translation for all of them are making us afraid, saying, 'Their hands are too feeble for the work, and it is not done;' and now, strengthen Thou my hands. Smith's Literal Translation For all of them causing us to be afraid, saying, their hands shall be slackened from the work, and it shall not be done. And now strengthen my hand. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor all these men thought to frighten us, thinking that our hands would cease from the work, and that we would leave off. Wherefore I strengthened my hands the more: Catholic Public Domain Version For all these men wished to frighten us, thinking that our hands would cease from the work, and that we would cease. For this reason, I strengthened my hands all the more. New American Bible They were all trying to intimidate us, thinking, “They will be discouraged from continuing with the work, and it will never be completed.” But instead, I then redoubled my efforts. New Revised Standard Version —for they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleFor they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work; and they say to us, Do not do the work. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Because they were all intimidating us, and they said: “Their hands are weakened from the work”, and they were saying to us: ‘You shall not work!’” Therefore, I shall strengthen my hands. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917For they all would have us afraid, saying: 'Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done.' But now, strengthen Thou my hands. Brenton Septuagint Translation For all were trying to alarm us, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from this work, and it shall not be done. Now therefore I have strengthened my hands. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Sanballat's Conspiracy…8Then I sent him this reply: “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.” 9For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands. 10Later, I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house. He said: “Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you!”… Cross References Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Psalm 27:1 Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread? Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. / That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Hebrews 13:6 So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” Psalm 31:24 Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD. Isaiah 40:29-31 He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. / Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. / But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. / Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering. Romans 8:31 What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Psalm 46:1 For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. 1 John 4:4 You, little children, are from God and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Treasury of Scripture For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. For they Nehemiah 6:14 My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear. Nehemiah 4:10-14 And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall… 2 Chronicles 32:18 Then they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' speech unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city. Their hands 2 Chronicles 15:7 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded. Ezra 4:1-24 Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; … Isaiah 35:3,4 Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees… Now therefore 1 Samuel 30:6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. Psalm 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Psalm 71:1 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. Jump to Previous Afraid Completed Discouraged Drop Fear Feeble Frighten Hands Hoping Making Prayed Slackened Strengthen Strong Thinking Trying Wanted Weak Weakened WorkJump to Next Afraid Completed Discouraged Drop Fear Feeble Frighten Hands Hoping Making Prayed Slackened Strengthen Strong Thinking Trying Wanted Weak Weakened WorkNehemiah 6 1. Sanballat practices by craft, by rumors, and by hired prophecies, to terrify Nehemiah15. The work is finished, to the terror of the enemies 17. Secret intelligence passes between the enemies and the nobles of Judah For they were all trying to frighten us This phrase highlights the opposition Nehemiah faced from external enemies, primarily Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. These adversaries used intimidation as a tactic to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This reflects a common biblical theme where God's people face opposition when undertaking His work, as seen in the stories of Moses, David, and the early church in Acts. The enemies' strategy was psychological warfare, aiming to instill fear and doubt. saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands. Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahThe central figure in the book, Nehemiah is a Jewish leader who is instrumental in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He is known for his strong leadership and deep faith in God. 2. Sanballat and Tobiah These are adversaries of Nehemiah who oppose the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. They represent external threats and opposition to God's work. 3. Jerusalem The city whose walls Nehemiah is working to rebuild. It is a symbol of God's presence and the spiritual center for the Jewish people. 4. The Wall of Jerusalem The physical structure that Nehemiah is focused on rebuilding, representing protection, security, and the restoration of God's people. 5. The Jewish Workers The people who are working under Nehemiah's leadership to rebuild the wall, facing both physical and psychological challenges. Teaching Points Dependence on GodNehemiah's immediate response to opposition is prayer, demonstrating the importance of relying on God for strength in times of trouble. Perseverance in the Face of Opposition Despite the threats and attempts to intimidate, Nehemiah remains steadfast, teaching us the value of perseverance in fulfilling God's work. Spiritual Warfare The opposition Nehemiah faces is not just physical but also spiritual. Believers must be aware of spiritual battles and rely on God's strength. Leadership and Encouragement Nehemiah's leadership is marked by encouragement and prayer, setting an example for leaders to support and uplift those they lead. Faith in Action Nehemiah's prayer is coupled with action. He doesn't just pray for strength but continues the work, showing that faith must be accompanied by action.(9) Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.--The answer sent was that the thing was not true, and that the report itself did not exist. The reflection in Nehemiah's journal was that they sought to make him afraid. Quoting this, he adds the prayer that he recorded when he wrote it. It is one of those sudden, interjectional petitions which abound in the narrative, and is all the more remarkable from the absence of the words "O God," which are here inserted.Verse 9. - They all made us afraid. Rather, "sought to affright us." Their attempts did not succeed. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. "O God" is not in the original; whence some critics do not see in the words used a prayer, but only a statement - "But I now strengthened my hands" (so the Septuagint, Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic versions). This meaning, however, cannot be obtained from the present text. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Forכִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction they were all כֻלָּ֗ם (ḵul·lām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every [trying] to frighten מְיָֽרְאִ֤ים (mə·yā·rə·’îm) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten us, אוֹתָ֙נוּ֙ (’ō·w·ṯā·nū) Direct object marker | first person common plural Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case saying, לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “Their hands יְדֵיהֶ֛ם (yə·ḏê·hem) Noun - fdc | third person masculine plural Strong's 3027: A hand will be weakened יִרְפּ֧וּ (yir·pū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7503: Sink, relax in מִן־ (min-) Preposition Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of the work, הַמְּלָאכָ֖ה (ham·mə·lā·ḵāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property and it will never וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no be finished.” תֵעָשֶׂ֑ה (ṯê·‘ā·śeh) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make But now, my God, וְעַתָּ֖ה (wə·‘at·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 6258: At this time strengthen חַזֵּ֥ק (ḥaz·zêq) Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 2388: To fasten upon, to seize, be strong, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer my hands. יָדָֽי׃ (yā·ḏāy) Noun - fdc | first person common singular Strong's 3027: A hand Links Nehemiah 6:9 NIVNehemiah 6:9 NLT Nehemiah 6:9 ESV Nehemiah 6:9 NASB Nehemiah 6:9 KJV Nehemiah 6:9 BibleApps.com Nehemiah 6:9 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 6:9 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 6:9 French Bible Nehemiah 6:9 Catholic Bible OT History: Nehemiah 6:9 For they all would have made us (Neh Ne) |
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