For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
Each of the builders wore his sword at his side while he worked on the construction. And the trumpeter stayed right beside me.
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
During the time of Nehemiah, the Jewish people had returned from exile in Babylon and were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem amid fierce opposition from enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah, who sought to stop the project through intimidation and attacks. The builders carried swords while working to defend themselves, reflecting the dangerous environment where restoration efforts were constantly under threat. Nehemiah, as the leader, kept a trumpeter nearby to sound an alarm for immediate response, ensuring that the community could quickly organize for protection.
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