SEV Biblia, Chapter 4:12
Pero sucedió, que cuando vinieron los judíos que habitaban entre ellos, nos dieron aviso diez veces de todos los lugares de donde volvían a nosotros.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:12
Verse 12. From all places whence ye shall return unto us] This verse is extremely difficult. Our translators have supplied the words, they will be upon you, which have nothing correspondent in the Hebrew. The Septuagint have given a good sense, anabainousin ek pantwn twn topwn efĆ hmav, They come up from all places against us. The sense appears to be this: the Jews which dwelt among the Samaritans, &c., came often to Nehemiah from all quarters, where they sojourned, and told him the designs of his enemies against him: therefore, he set people with their swords, spears, and bows, to defend the walls. It is probable that instead of wbwt tashubu, "ye shall return," we should read wbj chashebu, "they designed or meditated." This word is very similar to the other, and makes the sense very clear. "The Jews who dwelt among them told us frequently, from all places, what they designed against us." For this reading Houbigant, Michaelis and DathÇ contend. But this various reading is not found in any MS., and is not countenanced by any of the versions. See ver. 15.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 7-15 - The hindering good work is what bad men aim at, and promise themselve success in; but good work is God's work, and it shall prosper. God ha many ways of bringing to light, and so of bringing to nought, the devices and designs of his church's enemies. If our enemies cannot frighten us from duty, or deceive us into sin, they cannot hurt us Nehemiah put himself and his cause under the Divine protection. It wa the way of this good man, and should be our way. All his cares, all his griefs, all his fears, he spread before God. Before he used any means he made his prayer to God. Having prayed, he set a watch against the enemy. If we think to secure ourselves by prayer, without watchfulness we are slothful, and tempt God; if by watchfulness, without prayer, we are proud, and slight God: either way, we forfeit his protection. God' care of our safety, should engage and encourage us to go on with vigou in our duty. As soon as a danger is over, let us return to our work and trust God another time.
Original Hebrew
ויהי 1961 כאשׁר 834 באו 935 היהודים 3064 הישׁבים 3427 אצלם 681 ויאמרו 559 לנו עשׂר 6235 פעמים 6471 מכל 3605 המקמות 4725 אשׁר 834 תשׁובו 7725 עלינו׃ 5921
