Nehemiah 6:16

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֗י
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
שָֽׁמְעוּ֙
H8085
heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#4
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#5
א֣וֹיְבֵ֔ינוּ
H341
And it came to pass that when all our enemies
hating; an adversary
#6
וַיִּֽרְא֗וּ
H7200
saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#7
כָּל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
הַגּוֹיִם֙
H1471
thereof and all the heathen
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#9
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#10
סְבִֽיבֹתֵ֔ינוּ
H5439
that were about us
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
#11
וַיִּפְּל֥וּ
H5307
cast down
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
#12
מְאֹ֖ד
H3966
these things they were much
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
#13
בְּעֵֽינֵיהֶ֑ם
H5869
in their own eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#14
וַיֵּ֣דְע֔וּ
H3045
for they perceived
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#15
כִּ֚י
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#16
מֵאֵ֣ת
H854
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
#17
אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ
H430
of our God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
#18
נֶֽעֶשְׂתָ֖ה
H6213
was wrought
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#19
הַמְּלָאכָ֥ה
H4399
that this work
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
#20
הַזֹּֽאת׃
H2063
this (often used adverb)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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 salvation 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