who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.
When the builders had so far reason to think the design of the enemies broken as to return to their work, yet they were not so secure as to lay down their arms, knowing how restless and unwearied they were in their attempts, and that, if one design failed, they would be hatching another.
Commenting on Nehemiah 4:16-23
That laid the mortar and stones upon it, and timber where it was necessary: and they that bore burdens; that carried the mortar, stones, and timber to the builders, and served them: with those that laded; which prepared the above for them, and laid them on their shoulders: everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a...
HE SETS A WATCH. (Neh. 4:7-23) But . . . when Sanballat . . . heard that the walls . . . were made up, and . . . the breaches . . . stopped--The rapid progress of the fortifications, despite all their predictions to the contrary, goaded the Samaritans to frenzy.
Commenting on Nehemiah 4:7-23