Nehemiah 4:14

Authorized King James Version

And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָאֵ֣רֶא
H7200
And I looked
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#2
וָֽאָק֗וּם
H6965
and rose up
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#3
וָֽאֹמַ֞ר
H559
and said
to say (used with great latitude)
#4
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
הַֽחֹרִ֤ים
H2715
unto the nobles
properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence (figuratively) noble (in rank)
#6
וְאֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#7
הַסְּגָנִים֙
H5461
and to the rulers
a prfect of a province
#8
וְאֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#9
יֶ֣תֶר
H3499
and to the rest
properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)
#10
הָעָ֔ם
H5971
of the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#11
אַל
H408
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
#12
וְהַנּוֹרָא֙
H3372
Be not ye afraid
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#13
מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם
H6440
of them
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#14
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#15
אֲדֹנָ֞י
H136
the Lord
the lord (used as a proper name of god only)
#16
הַגָּד֤וֹל
H1419
which is great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#17
וְהַנּוֹרָא֙
H3372
Be not ye afraid
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#18
זְכֹ֔רוּ
H2142
remember
properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
#19
וְהִֽלָּחֲמ֗וּ
H3898
and fight
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
#20
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
אֲחֵיכֶם֙
H251
for your brethren
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
#22
בְּנֵיכֶ֣ם
H1121
your sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#23
וּבְנֹֽתֵיכֶ֔ם
H1323
and your daughters
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#24
נְשֵׁיכֶ֖ם
H802
your wives
a woman
#25
וּבָֽתֵּיכֶֽם׃
H1004
and your houses
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to Nehemiah. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of kingdom of God within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection