KJV ORIGINAL
For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Each of the builders wore his sword at his side while he worked on the construction. And the trumpeter stayed right beside me.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is describing how the workers had to stay armed and ready for battle even while they were building, with a trumpeter nearby to sound alarms.
📚 Historical Context
Nehemiah was leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls after the Jewish people returned from exile in Babylon. Local enemies were threatening to attack the workers, so they had to be prepared to defend themselves at any moment. The trumpet would signal when enemies were approaching so the workers could quickly shift from building to fighting.
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