El exilio
Nehemiah Builds Jerusalem's Wall
Nehemiah leads the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall despite strong opposition from enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah, completing the work in fifty-two days.
Nehemías 1,1-6,19
1The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. In the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, I was in the citadel of Susa.
דִּבְרֵ֥י נְחֶמְיָ֖ה בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָ֑ה וַיְהִ֤י בְחֹֽדֶשׁ־*כסלו **כִּסְלֵיו֙ שְׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים וַאֲנִ֥י הָיִ֖יתִי בְּשׁוּשַׁ֥ן הַבִּירָֽה׃
2Hanani, one of my brothers, came with some men from Judah, and I questioned them about the Jews who had survived, those left from the exile, and about Jerusalem.
וַיָּבֹ֨א חֲנָ֜נִי אֶחָ֧ד מֵאַחַ֛י ה֥וּא וַאֲנָשִׁ֖ים מִֽיהוּדָ֑ה וָאֶשְׁאָלֵ֞ם עַל־הַיְּהוּדִ֧ים הַפְּלֵיטָ֛ה אֲשֶֽׁר־נִשְׁאֲר֥וּ מִן־הַשֶּׁ֖בִי וְעַל־יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃
3They told me, "Those who survived the exile and remain in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire."
וַיֹּאמְרוּ֮ לִי֒ הַֽנִּשְׁאָרִ֞ים אֲשֶֽׁר־נִשְׁאֲר֤וּ מִן־הַשְּׁבִי֙ שָׁ֣ם בַּמְּדִינָ֔ה בְּרָעָ֥ה גְדֹלָ֖ה וּבְחֶרְפָּ֑ה וְחוֹמַ֤ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ מְפֹרָ֔צֶת וּשְׁעָרֶ֖יהָ נִצְּת֥וּ בָאֵֽשׁ׃
4When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. For days I mourned, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
וַיְהִ֞י כְּשָׁמְעִ֣י ׀ אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה יָשַׁ֙בְתִּי֙ וָֽאֶבְכֶּ֔ה וָאֶתְאַבְּלָ֖ה יָמִ֑ים וָֽאֱהִ֥י צָם֙ וּמִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל לִפְנֵ֖י אֱלֹהֵ֥י הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
5I said: "LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
וָאֹמַ֗ר אָֽנָּ֤א יְהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם הָאֵ֥ל הַגָּד֖וֹל וְהַנּוֹרָ֑א שֹׁמֵ֤ר הַבְּרִית֙ וָחֶ֔סֶד לְאֹהֲבָ֖יו וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י מִצְוֺתָֽיו׃
6let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you today, day and night, for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites have committed against you. Both I and my father's house have sinned.
תְּהִ֣י נָ֣א אָזְנְךָֽ־קַשֶּׁ֣בֶת וְֽעֵינֶ֪יךָ פְתֻוּח֟וֹת לִשְׁמֹ֣עַ אֶל־תְּפִלַּ֣ת עַבְדְּךָ֡ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָנֹכִי֩ מִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל לְפָנֶ֤יךָ הַיּוֹם֙ יוֹמָ֣ם וָלַ֔יְלָה עַל־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ וּמִתְוַדֶּ֗ה עַל־חַטֹּ֤אות בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָטָ֣אנוּ לָ֔ךְ וַאֲנִ֥י וּבֵית־אָבִ֖י חָטָֽאנוּ׃
7We have acted corruptly toward you and have not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances you gave your servant Moses.
חֲבֹ֖ל חָבַ֣לְנוּ לָ֑ךְ וְלֹא־שָׁמַ֣רְנוּ אֶת־הַמִּצְוֺ֗ת וְאֶת־הַֽחֻקִּים֙ וְאֶת־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֖יתָ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדֶּֽךָ׃
8Remember, I pray, the word you commanded your servant Moses: 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations;
זְכָר־נָא֙ אֶת־הַדָּבָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֛יתָ אֶת־מֹשֶׁ֥ה עַבְדְּךָ֖ לֵאמֹ֑ר אַתֶּ֣ם תִּמְעָ֔לוּ אֲנִ֕י אָפִ֥יץ אֶתְכֶ֖ם בָּעַמִּֽים׃
9but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, then even if your exiles are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my name.'
וְשַׁבְתֶּ֣ם אֵלַ֔י וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ מִצְוֺתַ֔י וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם אִם־יִהְיֶ֨ה נִֽדַּחֲכֶ֜ם בִּקְצֵ֤ה הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ מִשָּׁ֣ם אֲקַבְּצֵ֔ם *והבואתים **וַהֲבִֽיאוֹתִים֙ אֶל־הַמָּק֔וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחַ֔רְתִּי לְשַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶת־שְׁמִ֖י שָֽׁם׃
10They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great power and your mighty hand.
וְהֵ֥ם עֲבָדֶ֖יךָ וְעַמֶּ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁ֤ר פָּדִ֙יתָ֙ בְּכֹחֲךָ֣ הַגָּד֔וֹל וּבְיָדְךָ֖ הַחֲזָקָֽה׃
11Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Grant your servant success today, and give him compassion in the presence of this man." I was the king's cupbearer.
אָנָּ֣א אֲדֹנָ֗י תְּהִ֣י נָ֣א אָזְנְךָֽ־קַ֠שֶּׁבֶת אֶל־תְּפִלַּ֨ת עַבְדְּךָ֜ וְאֶל־תְּפִלַּ֣ת עֲבָדֶ֗יךָ הַֽחֲפֵצִים֙ לְיִרְאָ֣ה אֶת־שְׁמֶ֔ךָ וְהַצְלִֽיחָה־נָּ֤א לְעַבְדְּךָ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם וּתְנֵ֣הוּ לְרַחֲמִ֔ים לִפְנֵ֖י הָאִ֣ישׁ הַזֶּ֑ה וַאֲנִ֛י הָיִ֥יתִי מַשְׁקֶ֖ה לַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ פ
1In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and handed it to the king. I had never been downcast in his presence before,
וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ נִיסָ֗ן שְׁנַ֥ת עֶשְׂרִ֛ים לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥סְתְּא הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ יַ֣יִן לְפָנָ֑יו וָאֶשָּׂ֤א אֶת־הַיַּ֙יִן֙ וָאֶתְּנָ֣ה לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְלֹא־הָיִ֥יתִי רַ֖ע לְפָנָֽיו׃
2so the king said to me, "Why does your face look so sad, when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." Then I was very much afraid,
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ לִ֨י הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ מַדּ֣וּעַ ׀ פָּנֶ֣יךָ רָעִ֗ים וְאַתָּה֙ אֵֽינְךָ֣ חוֹלֶ֔ה אֵ֣ין זֶ֔ה כִּי־אִ֖ם רֹ֣עַֽ לֵ֑ב וָאִירָ֖א הַרְבֵּ֥ה מְאֹֽד׃
3and I said to the king, "May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins and its gates have been consumed by fire?"
וָאֹמַ֣ר לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ לְעוֹלָ֣ם יִחְיֶ֑ה מַדּ֜וּעַ לֹא־יֵרְע֣וּ פָנַ֗י אֲשֶׁ֨ר הָעִ֜יר בֵּית־קִבְר֤וֹת אֲבֹתַי֙ חֲרֵבָ֔ה וּשְׁעָרֶ֖יהָ אֻכְּל֥וּ בָאֵֽשׁ׃ ס
4The king said to me, "What is it you want?" So I prayed to the God of heaven,
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לִי֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ עַל־מַה־זֶּ֖ה אַתָּ֣ה מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֔ל אֶל־אֱלֹהֵ֖י הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
5and then answered the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah, to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it."
וָאֹמַ֣ר לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב וְאִם־יִיטַ֥ב עַבְדְּךָ֖ לְפָנֶ֑יךָ אֲשֶׁ֧ר תִּשְׁלָחֵ֣נִי אֶל־יְהוּדָ֗ה אֶל־עִ֛יר קִבְר֥וֹת אֲבֹתַ֖י וְאֶבְנֶֽנָּה׃
6Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you return?" It pleased the king to send me, and I set him a time.
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ לִ֨י הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ וְהַשֵּׁגַ֣ל ׀ יוֹשֶׁ֣בֶת אֶצְל֗וֹ עַד־מָתַ֛י יִהְיֶ֥ה מַֽהֲלָכֲךָ֖ וּמָתַ֣י תָּשׁ֑וּב וַיִּיטַ֤ב לִפְנֵֽי־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֔נִי וָֽאֶתְּנָ֥ה ל֖וֹ זְמָֽן׃
7I also said to the king, "If it pleases the king, let letters be given me for the governors of the province Beyond the River, so that they will grant me passage until I reach Judah;
וָאוֹמַר֮ לַמֶּלֶךְ֒ אִם־עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב אִגְּרוֹת֙ יִתְּנוּ־לִ֔י עַֽל־פַּחֲו֖וֹת עֵ֣בֶר הַנָּהָ֑ר אֲשֶׁר֙ יַעֲבִיר֔וּנִי עַ֥ד אֲשֶׁר־אָב֖וֹא אֶל־יְהוּדָֽה׃
8and a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king's forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy." And the king granted my requests, for the gracious hand of my God was upon me.
וְאִגֶּ֡רֶת אֶל־אָסָף֩ שֹׁמֵ֨ר הַפַּרְדֵּ֜ס אֲשֶׁ֣ר לַמֶּ֗לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִתֶּן־לִ֣י עֵצִ֡ים לְ֠קָרוֹת אֶת־שַׁעֲרֵ֨י הַבִּירָ֤ה אֲשֶׁר־לַבַּ֙יִת֙ וּלְחוֹמַ֣ת הָעִ֔יר וְלַבַּ֖יִת אֲשֶׁר־אָב֣וֹא אֵלָ֑יו וַיִּתֶּן־לִ֣י הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כְּיַד־אֱלֹהַ֖י הַטּוֹבָ֥ה עָלָֽי׃
9So I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king's letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.
וָֽאָב֗וֹא אֶֽל־פַּֽחֲווֹת֙ עֵ֣בֶר הַנָּהָ֔ר וָאֶתְּנָ֣ה לָהֶ֔ם אֵ֖ת אִגְּר֣וֹת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח עִמִּי֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ שָׂ֥רֵי חַ֖יִל וּפָרָשִֽׁים׃ פ
10When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the welfare of the Israelites.
וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע סַנְבַלַּ֣ט הַחֹרֹנִ֗י וְטֽוֹבִיָּה֙ הָעֶ֣בֶד הָֽעַמֹּנִ֔י וַיֵּ֥רַע לָהֶ֖ם רָעָ֣ה גְדֹלָ֑ה אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֥א אָדָ֔ם לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ טוֹבָ֖ה לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
11I came to Jerusalem, and after I had been there three days,
וָאָב֖וֹא אֶל־יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וָאֱהִי־שָׁ֖ם יָמִ֥ים שְׁלֹשָֽׁה׃
12I set out at night with a few men. I had told no one what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me except the one I was riding.
וָאָק֣וּם ׀ לַ֗יְלָה אֲנִי֮ וַאֲנָשִׁ֣ים ׀ מְעַט֮ עִמִּי֒ וְלֹא־הִגַּ֣דְתִּי לְאָדָ֔ם מָ֗ה אֱלֹהַי֙ נֹתֵ֣ן אֶל־לִבִּ֔י לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת לִירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וּבְהֵמָה֙ אֵ֣ין עִמִּ֔י כִּ֚י אִם־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אֲנִ֖י רֹכֵ֥ב בָּֽהּ׃
13By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Dragon Spring and the Dung Gate, inspecting the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been consumed by fire.
וָאֵצְאָ֨ה בְשַֽׁעַר־הַגַּ֜יא לַ֗יְלָה וְאֶל־פְּנֵי֙ עֵ֣ין הַתַּנִּ֔ין וְאֶל־שַׁ֖עַר הָאַשְׁפֹּ֑ת וָאֱהִ֨י שֹׂבֵ֜ר בְּחוֹמֹ֤ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ אֲשֶׁר־*המפרוצים **הֵ֣ם ׀ **פְּרוּצִ֔ים וּשְׁעָרֶ֖יהָ אֻכְּל֥וּ בָאֵֽשׁ׃
14Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there was no room for my mount to get through.
וָאֶֽעֱבֹר֙ אֶל־שַׁ֣עַר הָעַ֔יִן וְאֶל־בְּרֵכַ֖ת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְאֵין־מָק֥וֹם לַבְּהֵמָ֖ה לַעֲבֹ֥ר תַּחְתָּֽי׃
15So I went up the valley by night, inspecting the wall. Then I turned back and came in again through the Valley Gate, and so returned.
וָאֱהִ֨י עֹלֶ֤ה בַנַּ֙חַל֙ לַ֔יְלָה וָאֱהִ֥י שֹׂבֵ֖ר בַּחוֹמָ֑ה וָאָשׁ֗וּב וָאָב֛וֹא בְּשַׁ֥עַר הַגַּ֖יְא וָאָשֽׁוּב׃
16The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, for as yet I had said nothing to the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, or any of the others who would be doing the work.
וְהַסְּגָנִ֗ים לֹ֤א יָדְעוּ֙ אָ֣נָה הָלַ֔כְתִּי וּמָ֖ה אֲנִ֣י עֹשֶׂ֑ה וְלַיְּהוּדִ֨ים וְלַכֹּהֲנִ֜ים וְלַחֹרִ֣ים וְלַסְּגָנִ֗ים וּלְיֶ֙תֶר֙ עֹשֵׂ֣ה הַמְּלָאכָ֔ה עַד־כֵּ֖ן לֹ֥א הִגַּֽדְתִּי׃
17Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be a disgrace."
וָאוֹמַ֣ר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם אַתֶּ֤ם רֹאִים֙ הָרָעָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֲנַ֣חְנוּ בָ֔הּ אֲשֶׁ֤ר יְרוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ חֲרֵבָ֔ה וּשְׁעָרֶ֖יהָ נִצְּת֣וּ בָאֵ֑שׁ לְכ֗וּ וְנִבְנֶה֙ אֶת־חוֹמַ֣ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם וְלֹא־נִהְיֶ֥ה ע֖וֹד חֶרְפָּֽה׃
18I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been upon me, and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they set their hands to the good work.
וָאַגִּ֨יד לָהֶ֜ם אֶת־יַ֣ד אֱלֹהַ֗י אֲשֶׁר־הִיא֙ טוֹבָ֣ה עָלַ֔י וְאַף־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָֽמַר־לִ֑י וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ נָק֣וּם וּבָנִ֔ינוּ וַיְחַזְּק֥וּ יְדֵיהֶ֖ם לַטּוֹבָֽה׃ פ
19But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. "What is this you are doing?" they said. "Are you rebelling against the king?"
וַיִּשְׁמַע֩ סַנְבַלַּ֨ט הַחֹרֹנִ֜י וְטֹבִיָּ֣ה ׀ הָעֶ֣בֶד הָֽעַמּוֹנִ֗י וְגֶ֙שֶׁם֙ הָֽעַרְבִ֔י וַיַּלְעִ֣גוּ לָ֔נוּ וַיִּבְז֖וּ עָלֵ֑ינוּ וַיֹּאמְר֗וּ מָֽה־הַדָּבָ֤ר הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֔ים הַעַ֥ל הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אַתֶּ֥ם מֹרְדִֽים׃
20I answered them, "The God of heaven will give us success. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share, no claim, and no historic right in Jerusalem."
וָאָשִׁ֨יב אוֹתָ֜ם דָּבָ֗ר וָאוֹמַ֤ר לָהֶם֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם ה֚וּא יַצְלִ֣יחַֽ לָ֔נוּ וַאֲנַ֥חְנוּ עֲבָדָ֖יו נָק֣וּם וּבָנִ֑ינוּ וְלָכֶ֗ם אֵֽין־חֵ֧לֶק וּצְדָקָ֛ה וְזִכָּר֖וֹן בִּירוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃
1Then Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests set to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors in place, and they consecrated the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred, all the way to the Tower of Hananel.
וַיָּ֡קָם אֶלְיָשִׁיב֩ הַכֹּהֵ֨ן הַגָּד֜וֹל וְאֶחָ֣יו הַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים וַיִּבְנוּ֙ אֶת־שַׁ֣עַר הַצֹּ֔אן הֵ֣מָּה קִדְּשׁ֔וּהוּ וֽ͏ַיַּעֲמִ֖ידוּ דַּלְתֹתָ֑יו וְעַד־מִגְדַּ֤ל הַמֵּאָה֙ קִדְּשׁ֔וּהוּ עַ֖ד מִגְדַּ֥ל חֲנַנְאֵֽל׃ ס
2Next to him the men of Jericho built, and next to them Zaccur son of Imri.
וְעַל־יָד֥וֹ בָנ֖וּ אַנְשֵׁ֣י יְרֵח֑וֹ ס וְעַל־יָד֣וֹ בָנָ֔ה זַכּ֖וּר בֶּן־אִמְרִֽי׃ ס
3The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars in place.
וְאֵת֙ שַׁ֣עַר הַדָּגִ֔ים בָּנ֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י הַסְּנָאָ֑ה הֵ֣מָּה קֵר֔וּהוּ וֽ͏ַיַּעֲמִ֙ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔יו מַנְעוּלָ֖יו וּבְרִיחָֽיו׃ ס
4Next to them Meremoth son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, made repairs. Next to them Meshullam son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to them Zadok son of Baana.
וְעַל־יָדָ֣ם הֶחֱזִ֗יק מְרֵמ֤וֹת בֶּן־אוּרִיָּה֙ בֶּן־הַקּ֔וֹץ ס וְעַל־יָדָ֣ם הֶחֱזִ֔יק מְשֻׁלָּ֥ם בֶּן־בֶּרֶכְיָ֖ה בֶּן־מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵ֑ל ס וְעַל־יָדָ֣ם הֶֽחֱזִ֔יק צָד֖וֹק בֶּֽן־בַּעֲנָֽא׃ ס
5Next to them the men of Tekoa made repairs, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.[fn: The Hebrew word can mean either their Lord (God) or their lords, that is, their supervisors.]
וְעַל־יָדָ֖ם הֶחֱזִ֣יקוּ הַתְּקוֹעִ֑ים וְאַדִּֽירֵיהֶם֙ לֹא־הֵבִ֣יאוּ צַוָּרָ֔ם בַּעֲבֹדַ֖ת אֲדֹנֵיהֶֽם׃ ס
6The Old Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars in place.
וְאֵת֩ שַׁ֨עַר הַיְשָׁנָ֜ה הֶחֱזִ֗יקוּ יֽוֹיָדָע֙ בֶּן־פָּסֵ֔חַ וּמְשֻׁלָּ֖ם בֶּן־בְּסֽוֹדְיָ֑ה הֵ֣מָּה קֵר֔וּהוּ וֽ͏ַיַּעֲמִ֙ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔יו וּמַנְעֻלָ֖יו וּבְרִיחָֽיו׃ ס
7Next to them Melatiah of Gibeon and Jadon of Meronoth made repairs, along with the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, which was under the authority of the governor of the province Beyond the River.
וְעַל־יָדָ֨ם הֶחֱזִ֜יק מְלַטְיָ֣ה הַגִּבְעֹנִ֗י וְיָדוֹן֙ הַמֵּרֹ֣נֹתִ֔י אַנְשֵׁ֥י גִבְע֖וֹן וְהַמִּצְפָּ֑ה לְכִסֵּ֕א פַּחַ֖ת עֵ֥בֶר הַנָּהָֽר׃ ס
8Next to him Uzziel son of Harhaiah, a goldsmith, made repairs, and next to him Hananiah, a perfumer. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
עַל־יָד֣וֹ הֶחֱזִ֗יק עֻזִּיאֵ֤ל בֶּֽן־חַרְהֲיָה֙ צֽוֹרְפִ֔ים ס וְעַל־יָד֣וֹ הֶחֱזִ֔יק חֲנַנְיָ֖ה בֶּן־הָרַקָּחִ֑ים וַיַּֽעַזְבוּ֙ יְר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם עַ֖ד הַחוֹמָ֥ה הָרְחָבָֽה׃ ס
9Next to them Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs.
וְעַל־יָדָ֤ם הֶחֱזִיק֙ רְפָיָ֣ה בֶן־ח֔וּר שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֥לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃ ס
10Next to them Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his own house, and next to him Hattush son of Hashabniah.
וְעַל־יָדָ֧ם הֶחֱזִ֛יק יְדָיָ֥ה בֶן־חֲרוּמַ֖ף וְנֶ֣גֶד בֵּית֑וֹ ס וְעַל־יָד֣וֹ הֶחֱזִ֔יק חַטּ֖וּשׁ בֶּן־חֲשַׁבְנְיָֽה׃
11Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section, along with the Tower of the Ovens.
מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֗ית הֶחֱזִיק֙ מַלְכִּיָּ֣ה בֶן־חָרִ֔ם וְחַשּׁ֖וּב בֶּן־פַּחַ֣ת מוֹאָ֑ב וְאֵ֖ת מִגְדַּ֥ל הַתַּנּוּרִֽים׃ ס
12Next to him Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of the other half of the district of Jerusalem, made repairs, he and his daughters.
וְעַל־יָד֣וֹ הֶחֱזִ֗יק שַׁלּוּם֙ בֶּן־הַלּוֹחֵ֔שׁ שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֣לֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם ה֖וּא וּבְנוֹתָֽיו׃ ס
13The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars in place, and they repaired a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Dung Gate.[fn: About 450 metres or 1,500 feet.]
אֵת֩ שַׁ֨עַר הַגַּ֜יְא הֶחֱזִ֣יק חָנוּן֮ וְיֹשְׁבֵ֣י זָנוֹחַ֒ הֵ֣מָּה בָנ֔וּהוּ וֽ͏ַיַּעֲמִ֙ידוּ֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔יו מַנְעֻלָ֖יו וּבְרִיחָ֑יו וְאֶ֤לֶף אַמָּה֙ בַּחוֹמָ֔ה עַ֖ד שַׁ֥עַר הָשֲׁפֽוֹת׃
14The Dung Gate was repaired by Malchijah son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth Haccherem. He rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars in place.
וְאֵ֣ת ׀ שַׁ֣עַר הָאַשְׁפּ֗וֹת הֶחֱזִיק֙ מַלְכִּיָּ֣ה בֶן־רֵכָ֔ב שַׂ֖ר פֶּ֣לֶךְ בֵּית־הַכָּ֑רֶם ה֣וּא יִבְנֶ֔נּוּ וְיַעֲמִיד֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔יו מַנְעֻלָ֖יו וּבְרִיחָֽיו׃ ס
15The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Col-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofed it over, and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King's Garden, as far as the steps that go down from the City of David.
וְאֵת֩ שַׁ֨עַר הָעַ֜יִן הֶ֠חֱזִיק שַׁלּ֣וּן בֶּן־כָּל־חֹזֶה֮ שַׂ֣ר פֶּ֣לֶךְ הַמִּצְפָּה֒ ה֤וּא יִבְנֶ֙נּוּ֙ וִיטַֽלְלֶ֔נּוּ *ויעמידו **וְיַעֲמִיד֙ דַּלְתֹתָ֔יו מַנְעֻלָ֖יו וּבְרִיחָ֑יו וְ֠אֵת חוֹמַ֞ת בְּרֵכַ֤ת הַשֶּׁ֙לַח֙ לְגַן־הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְעַד־הַֽמַּעֲל֔וֹת הַיּוֹרְד֖וֹת מֵעִ֥יר דָּוִֽיד׃ ס
16After him Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Beth Zur, made repairs to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the pool that was made and the House of the Warriors.
אַחֲרָ֤יו הֶחֱזִיק֙ נְחֶמְיָ֣ה בֶן־עַזְבּ֔וּק שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֣לֶךְ בֵּֽית־צ֑וּר עַד־נֶ֙גֶד֙ קִבְרֵ֣י דָוִ֔יד וְעַד־הַבְּרֵכָה֙ הָעֲשׂוּיָ֔ה וְעַ֖ד בֵּ֥ית הַגִּבֹּרִֽים׃ ס
17Next to him the Levites made repairs under Rehum son of Bani. Beside him Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his own district.
אַחֲרָ֛יו הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ הַלְוִיִּ֖ם רְח֣וּם בֶּן־בָּנִ֑י עַל־יָד֣וֹ הֶחֱזִ֗יק חֲשַׁבְיָ֛ה שַׂר־חֲצִי־פֶ֥לֶךְ קְעִילָ֖ה לְפִלְכּֽוֹ׃ ס
18Next to him their fellow Levites made repairs under Binnui son of Henadad, ruler of the other half of the district of Keilah.[fn: The Hebrew text reads Bavvai here; he is probably the same man called Binnui in verse 24.]
אַחֲרָיו֙ הֶחֱזִ֣יקוּ אֲחֵיהֶ֔ם בַּוַּ֖י בֶּן־חֵנָדָ֑ד שַׂ֕ר חֲצִ֖י פֶּ֥לֶךְ קְעִילָֽה׃ ס
19Next to him Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section, from a point facing the ascent to the armory as far as the angle in the wall.
וַיְחַזֵּ֨ק עַל־יָד֜וֹ עֵ֧זֶר בֶּן־יֵשׁ֛וּעַ שַׂ֥ר הַמִּצְפָּ֖ה מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית מִנֶּ֕גֶד עֲלֹ֥ת הַנֶּ֖שֶׁק הַמִּקְצֹֽעַ׃ ס
20Next to him Baruch son of Zabbai worked with zeal, repairing another section from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
אַחֲרָ֨יו הֶחֱרָ֧ה הֶחֱזִ֛יק בָּר֥וּךְ בֶּן־*זבי **זַכַּ֖י מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית מִן־הַ֨מִּקְצ֔וֹעַ עַד־פֶּ֙תַח֙ בֵּ֣ית אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב הַכֹּהֵ֖ן הַגָּדֽוֹל׃ ס
21Next to him Meremoth son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, repaired another section, from the entrance of Eliashib's house to the far end of it.
אַחֲרָ֣יו הֶחֱזִ֗יק מְרֵמ֧וֹת בֶּן־אוּרִיָּ֛ה בֶּן־הַקּ֖וֹץ מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית מִפֶּ֙תַח֙ בֵּ֣ית אֶלְיָשִׁ֔יב וְעַד־תַּכְלִ֖ית בֵּ֥ית אֶלְיָשִֽׁיב׃ ס
22Next to him the priests from the surrounding countryside made repairs.
וְאַחֲרָ֛יו הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֖ים אַנְשֵׁ֥י הַכִּכָּֽר׃
23Next to them Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house, and next to them Azariah son of Maaseiah, son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house.
אַחֲרָ֨יו הֶחֱזִ֧יק בִּנְיָמִ֛ן וְחַשּׁ֖וּב נֶ֣גֶד בֵּיתָ֑ם ס אַחֲרָ֣יו הֶחֱזִ֗יק עֲזַרְיָ֧ה בֶן־מַעֲשֵׂיָ֛ה בֶּן־עֲנָֽנְיָ֖ה אֵ֥צֶל בֵּיתֽוֹ׃ ס
24Next to him Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the angle and the corner,
אַחֲרָ֣יו הֶחֱזִ֗יק בִּנּ֛וּי בֶּן־חֵנָדָ֖ד מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית מִבֵּ֣ית עֲזַרְיָ֔ה עַד־הַמִּקְצ֖וֹעַ וְעַד־הַפִּנָּֽה׃
25and Palal son of Uzai worked opposite the angle and the tower projecting from the upper palace of the king, beside the court of the guard. Next to him was Pedaiah son of Parosh.
פָּלָ֣ל בֶּן־אוּזַי֮ מִנֶּ֣גֶד הַמִּקְצוֹעַ֒ וְהַמִּגְדָּ֗ל הַיּוֹצֵא֙ מִבֵּ֤ית הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ הָֽעֶלְי֔וֹן אֲשֶׁ֖ר לַחֲצַ֣ר הַמַּטָּרָ֑ה אַחֲרָ֖יו פְּדָיָ֥ה בֶן־פַּרְעֹֽשׁ׃ ס
26The temple servants were living on Ophel, and they made repairs up to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower.
וְהַ֨נְּתִינִ֔ים הָי֥וּ יֹשְׁבִ֖ים בָּעֹ֑פֶל עַ֠ד נֶ֜גֶד שַׁ֤עַר הַמַּ֙יִם֙ לַמִּזְרָ֔ח וְהַמִּגְדָּ֖ל הַיּוֹצֵֽא׃ ס
27Next to them the men of Tekoa repaired another section, from the great projecting tower to the wall of Ophel.
אַחֲרָ֛יו הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ הַתְּקֹעִ֖ים מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑ית מִנֶּ֜גֶד הַמִּגְדָּ֤ל הַגָּדוֹל֙ הַיּוֹצֵ֔א וְעַ֖ד חוֹמַ֥ת הָעֹֽפֶל׃
28Above the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house.
מֵעַ֣ל ׀ שַׁ֣עַר הַסּוּסִ֗ים הֶחֱזִ֙יקוּ֙ הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים אִ֖ישׁ לְנֶ֥גֶד בֵּיתֽוֹ׃ ס
29Next to them Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house, and next to him Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the East Gate.
אַחֲרָ֧יו הֶחֱזִ֛יק צָד֥וֹק בֶּן־אִמֵּ֖ר נֶ֣גֶד בֵּית֑וֹ ס וְאַחֲרָ֤יו הֶחֱזִיק֙ שְׁמַֽעְיָ֣ה בֶן־שְׁכַנְיָ֔ה שֹׁמֵ֖ר שַׁ֥עַר הַמִּזְרָֽח׃ ס
30Next to him Hananiah son of Shelemiah and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. Next to them Meshullam son of Berechiah made repairs opposite his living quarters.
*אחרי **אַחֲרָ֨יו הֶחֱזִ֜יק חֲנַנְיָ֣ה בֶן־שֶׁלֶמְיָ֗ה וְחָנ֧וּן בֶּן־צָלָ֛ף הַשִּׁשִּׁ֖י מִדָּ֣ה שֵׁנִ֑י ס אַחֲרָ֣יו הֶחֱזִ֗יק מְשֻׁלָּם֙ בֶּן־בֶּ֣רֶכְיָ֔ה נֶ֖גֶד נִשְׁכָּתֽוֹ׃ ס
31Next to him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and on to the upper room at the corner.
*אחרי **אַחֲרָ֣יו הֶחֱזִ֗יק מַלְכִּיָּה֙ בֶּן־הַצֹּ֣רְפִ֔י עַד־בֵּ֥ית הַנְּתִינִ֖ים וְהָרֹכְלִ֑ים נֶ֚גֶד שַׁ֣עַר הַמִּפְקָ֔ד וְעַ֖ד עֲלִיַּ֥ת הַפִּנָּֽה׃
32And between the upper room at the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.
וּבֵ֨ין עֲלִיַּ֤ת הַפִּנָּה֙ לְשַׁ֣עַר הַצֹּ֔אן הֶחֱזִ֥יקוּ הַצֹּרְפִ֖ים וְהָרֹכְלִֽים׃ פ
33When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he flew into a rage and, seething with anger, ridiculed the Jews.
וַיְהִ֞י כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר שָׁמַ֣ע סַנְבַלַּ֗ט כִּֽי־אֲנַ֤חְנוּ בוֹנִים֙ אֶת־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה וַיִּ֣חַר ל֔וֹ וַיִּכְעַ֖ס הַרְבֵּ֑ה וַיַּלְעֵ֖ג עַל־הַיְּהוּדִֽים׃
34In the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria he said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore things for themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring stones back to life out of heaps of rubble, burned as they are?"
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ לִפְנֵ֣י אֶחָ֗יו וְחֵיל֙ שֹֽׁמְר֔וֹן וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מָ֛ה הַיְּהוּדִ֥ים הָאֲמֵלָלִ֖ים עֹשִׂ֑ים הֲיַעַזְב֨וּ לָהֶ֤ם הֲיִזְבָּ֙חוּ֙ הַיְכַלּ֣וּ בַיּ֔וֹם הַיְחַיּ֧וּ אֶת־הָאֲבָנִ֛ים מֵעֲרֵמ֥וֹת הֶעָפָ֖ר וְהֵ֥מָּה שְׂרוּפֽוֹת׃
35Tobiah the Ammonite, standing beside him, said, "Whatever they build—if even a fox climbed up on it, it would break down their wall of stones!"
וְטוֹבִיָּ֥ה הָעַמֹּנִ֖י אֶצְל֑וֹ וַיֹּ֗אמֶר גַּ֚ם אֲשֶׁר־הֵ֣ם בּוֹנִ֔ים אִם־יַעֲלֶ֣ה שׁוּעָ֔ל וּפָרַ֖ץ חוֹמַ֥ת אַבְנֵיהֶֽם׃ פ
36Hear us, our God, for we are despised. Turn their taunts back on their own heads, and hand them over as plunder in a land of captivity.
שְׁמַ֤ע אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ כִּֽי־הָיִ֣ינוּ בוּזָ֔ה וְהָשֵׁ֥ב חֶרְפָּתָ֖ם אֶל־רֹאשָׁ֑ם וּתְנֵ֥ם לְבִזָּ֖ה בְּאֶ֥רֶץ שִׁבְיָֽה׃
37Do not cover over their guilt, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before you, for they have provoked you to anger in the presence of the builders.
וְאַל־תְּכַס֙ עַל־עֲוֺנָ֔ם וְחַטָּאתָ֖ם מִלְּפָנֶ֣יךָ אַל־תִּמָּחֶ֑ה כִּ֥י הִכְעִ֖יסוּ לְנֶ֥גֶד הַבּוֹנִֽים׃
38So we rebuilt the wall, and it was joined together all the way around to half its height, for the people had a heart to work.
וַנִּבְנֶה֙ אֶת־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה וַתִּקָּשֵׁ֥ר כָּל־הַחוֹמָ֖ה עַד־חֶצְיָ֑הּ וַיְהִ֧י לֵ֦ב לָעָ֖ם לַעֲשֽׂוֹת׃ פ
1When Sanballat and Tobiah, along with the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the men of Ashdod, heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem was moving ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious.
וַיְהִ֣י כַאֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁמַ֣ע סַנְבַלַּ֡ט וְ֠טוֹבִיָּה וְהָעַרְבִ֨ים וְהָעַמֹּנִ֜ים וְהָאַשְׁדּוֹדִ֗ים כִּֽי־עָלְתָ֤ה אֲרוּכָה֙ לְחֹמ֣וֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם כִּי־הֵחֵ֥לּוּ הַפְּרֻצִ֖ים לְהִסָּתֵ֑ם וַיִּ֥חַר לָהֶ֖ם מְאֹֽד׃
2They all conspired together to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw it into confusion.
וַיִּקְשְׁר֤וּ כֻלָּם֙ יַחְדָּ֔ו לָב֖וֹא לְהִלָּחֵ֣ם בִּירוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְלַעֲשׂ֥וֹת ל֖וֹ תּוֹעָֽה׃
3But we prayed to our God, and because of the threat we posted a guard against them day and night.
וַנִּתְפַּלֵּ֖ל אֶל־אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וַנַּעֲמִ֨יד מִשְׁמָ֧ר עֲלֵיהֶ֛ם יוֹמָ֥ם וָלַ֖יְלָה מִפְּנֵיהֶֽם׃
4Meanwhile the people of Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is failing, and there is far too much rubble; we cannot rebuild the wall."
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר יְהוּדָ֗ה כָּשַׁל֙ כֹּ֣חַ הַסַּבָּ֔ל וְהֶעָפָ֖ר הַרְבֵּ֑ה וַאֲנַ֙חְנוּ֙ לֹ֣א נוּכַ֔ל לִבְנ֖וֹת בַּחוֹמָֽה׃
5And our enemies said, "Before they know it or see a thing, we will be in among them. We will kill them and put an end to the work."
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ צָרֵ֗ינוּ לֹ֤א יֵדְעוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א יִרְא֔וּ עַ֛ד אֲשֶׁר־נָב֥וֹא אֶל־תּוֹכָ֖ם וַהֲרַגְנ֑וּם וְהִשְׁבַּ֖תְנוּ אֶת־הַמְּלָאכָֽה׃
6Then the Jews who lived near them came and warned us ten times over, "Wherever you turn, they will come against us."
וַֽיְהִי֙ כַּאֲשֶׁר־בָּ֣אוּ הַיְּהוּדִ֔ים הַיֹּשְׁבִ֖ים אֶצְלָ֑ם וַיֹּ֤אמְרוּ לָ֙נוּ֙ עֶ֣שֶׂר פְּעָמִ֔ים מִכָּל־הַמְּקֹמ֖וֹת אֲשֶׁר־תָּשׁ֥וּבוּ עָלֵֽינוּ׃
7So I stationed men in the lowest places behind the wall, at the exposed points, positioning them by families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
וָֽאַעֲמִ֞יד מִֽתַּחְתִּיּ֧וֹת לַמָּק֛וֹם מֵאַחֲרֵ֥י לַחוֹמָ֖ה *בצחחיים **בַּצְּחִיחִ֑ים וָֽאַעֲמִ֤יד אֶת־הָעָם֙ לְמִשְׁפָּח֔וֹת עִם־חַרְבֹתֵיהֶ֛ם רָמְחֵיהֶ֖ם וְקַשְּׁתֹתֵיהֶֽם׃
8I looked things over, then rose and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."
וָאֵ֣רֶא וָאָק֗וּם וָאֹמַ֞ר אֶל־הַחֹרִ֤ים וְאֶל־הַסְּגָנִים֙ וְאֶל־יֶ֣תֶר הָעָ֔ם אַל־תִּֽירְא֖וּ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם אֶת־אֲדֹנָ֞י הַגָּד֤וֹל וְהַנּוֹרָא֙ זְכֹ֔רוּ וְהִֽלָּחֲמ֗וּ עַל־אֲחֵיכֶם֙ בְּנֵיכֶ֣ם וּבְנֹתֵיכֶ֔ם נְשֵׁיכֶ֖ם וּבָתֵּיכֶֽם׃ פ
9When our enemies heard that we knew of their scheme and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to his own work.
וַיְהִ֞י כַּֽאֲשֶׁר־שָׁמְע֤וּ אוֹיְבֵ֙ינוּ֙ כִּי־נ֣וֹדַֽע לָ֔נוּ וַיָּ֥פֶר הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶת־עֲצָתָ֑ם *ונשוב **וַנָּ֤שָׁב כֻּלָּ֙נוּ֙ אֶל־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה אִ֖ישׁ אֶל־מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃
10From that day on, half of my men did the work while the other half stood ready with spears, shields, bows, and armor; and the officers took their place behind all the people of Judah
וַיְהִ֣י ׀ מִן־הַיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא חֲצִ֣י נְעָרַי֮ עֹשִׂ֣ים בַּמְּלָאכָה֒ וְחֶצְיָ֗ם מַחֲזִיקִים֙ וְהָרְמָחִ֣ים הַמָּגִנִּ֔ים וְהַקְּשָׁת֖וֹת וְהַשִּׁרְיֹנִ֑ים וְהַ֨שָּׂרִ֔ים אַחֲרֵ֖י כָּל־בֵּ֥ית יְהוּדָֽה׃
11who were building the wall. Those who carried loads worked with one hand and held a weapon in the other,
הַבּוֹנִ֧ים בַּחוֹמָ֛ה וְהַנֹּשְׂאִ֥ים בַּסֶּ֖בֶל עֹמְשִׂ֑ים בְּאַחַ֤ת יָדוֹ֙ עֹשֶׂ֣ה בַמְּלָאכָ֔ה וְאַחַ֖ת מַחֲזֶ֥קֶת הַשָּֽׁלַח׃
12and each of the builders worked with his sword strapped to his waist. The man who sounded the trumpet stayed beside me.
וְהַ֨בּוֹנִ֔ים אִ֥ישׁ חַרְבּ֛וֹ אֲסוּרִ֥ים עַל־מָתְנָ֖יו וּבוֹנִ֑ים וְהַתּוֹקֵ֥עַ בַּשּׁוֹפָ֖ר אֶצְלִֽי׃
13I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, "The work is vast and spread out, and we are far apart from one another along the wall.
וָאֹמַ֞ר אֶל־הַחֹרִ֤ים וְאֶל־הַסְּגָנִים֙ וְאֶל־יֶ֣תֶר הָעָ֔ם הַמְּלָאכָ֥ה הַרְבֵּ֖ה וּרְחָבָ֑ה וַאֲנַ֗חְנוּ נִפְרָדִים֙ עַל־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה רְחוֹקִ֖ים אִ֥ישׁ מֵאָחִֽיו׃
14Wherever you hear the trumpet sound, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!"
בִּמְק֗וֹם אֲשֶׁ֤ר תִּשְׁמְעוּ֙ אֶת־ק֣וֹל הַשּׁוֹפָ֔ר שָׁ֖מָּה תִּקָּבְצ֣וּ אֵלֵ֑ינוּ אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יִלָּ֥חֶם לָֽנוּ׃
15So we carried on the work, half of the men holding spears, from the first light of dawn until the stars came out.
וַאֲנַ֖חְנוּ עֹשִׂ֣ים בַּמְּלָאכָ֑ה וְחֶצְיָ֗ם מַחֲזִיקִים֙ בָּֽרְמָחִ֔ים מֵעֲל֣וֹת הַשַּׁ֔חַר עַ֖ד צֵ֥את הַכּוֹכָבִֽים׃
16At that time I also told the people, "Let every man and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they may stand guard for us by night and work by day."
גַּ֣ם בָּעֵ֤ת הַהִיא֙ אָמַ֣רְתִּי לָעָ֔ם אִ֣ישׁ וְנַעֲר֔וֹ יָלִ֖ינוּ בְּת֣וֹךְ יְרוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְהָֽיוּ־לָ֧נוּ הַלַּ֛יְלָה מִשְׁמָ֖ר וְהַיּ֥וֹם מְלָאכָֽה׃
17Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me ever took off our clothes; each of us kept his weapon at hand, even when going for water.
וְאֵ֨ין אֲנִ֜י וְאַחַ֣י וּנְעָרַ֗י וְאַנְשֵׁ֤י הַמִּשְׁמָר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אַחֲרַ֔י אֵין־אֲנַ֥חְנוּ פֹשְׁטִ֖ים בְּגָדֵ֑ינוּ אִ֖ישׁ שִׁלְח֥וֹ הַמָּֽיִם׃ ס
1Then a great outcry arose from the people and their wives against their fellow Jews.
וַתְּהִ֨י צַעֲקַ֥ת הָעָ֛ם וּנְשֵׁיהֶ֖ם גְּדוֹלָ֑ה אֶל־אֲחֵיהֶ֖ם הַיְּהוּדִֽים׃
2Some were saying, "With our sons and daughters we are many; we must get grain so we can eat and stay alive."
וְיֵשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֹמְרִ֔ים בָּנֵ֥ינוּ וּבְנֹתֵ֖ינוּ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ רַבִּ֑ים וְנִקְחָ֥ה דָגָ֖ן וְנֹאכְלָ֥ה וְנִחְיֶֽה׃
3Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain during the famine."
וְיֵשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֹמְרִ֔ים שְׂדֹתֵ֛ינוּ וּכְרָמֵ֥ינוּ וּבָתֵּ֖ינוּ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ עֹרְבִ֑ים וְנִקְחָ֥ה דָגָ֖ן בָּרָעָֽב׃
4And still others were saying, "We have borrowed money against our fields and vineyards to pay the king's tax.
וְיֵשׁ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֹמְרִ֔ים לָוִ֥ינוּ כֶ֖סֶף לְמִדַּ֣ת הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ שְׂדֹתֵ֖ינוּ וּכְרָמֵֽינוּ׃
5Now our flesh is the same as the flesh of our brothers, our children the same as theirs, yet here we are forcing our sons and daughters into slavery. Some of our daughters have already been enslaved, and we are powerless to act, for our fields and vineyards belong to others.
וְעַתָּ֗ה כִּבְשַׂ֤ר אַחֵ֙ינוּ֙ בְּשָׂרֵ֔נוּ כִּבְנֵיהֶ֖ם בָּנֵ֑ינוּ וְהִנֵּ֣ה אֲנַ֣חְנוּ כֹ֠בְשִׁים אֶת־בָּנֵ֨ינוּ וְאֶת־בְּנֹתֵ֜ינוּ לַעֲבָדִ֗ים וְיֵ֨שׁ מִבְּנֹתֵ֤ינוּ נִכְבָּשׁוֹת֙ וְאֵ֣ין לְאֵ֣ל יָדֵ֔נוּ וּשְׂדֹתֵ֥ינוּ וּכְרָמֵ֖ינוּ לַאֲחֵרִֽים׃
6When I heard their outcry and these complaints, I was furious.
וַיִּ֥חַר לִ֖י מְאֹ֑ד כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙ אֶת־זַֽעֲקָתָ֔ם וְאֵ֖ת הַדְּבָרִ֥ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃
7After thinking it over, I brought charges against the nobles and officials. I told them, "You are exacting interest from your own brothers!" And I called a great assembly to deal with them.
וַיִּמָּלֵ֨ךְ לִבִּ֜י עָלַ֗י וָאָרִ֙יבָה֙ אֶת־הַחֹרִ֣ים וְאֶת־הַסְּגָנִ֔ים וָאֹמְרָ֣ה לָהֶ֔ם מַשָּׁ֥א אִישׁ־בְּאָחִ֖יו אַתֶּ֣ם *נשאים **נֹשִׁ֑ים וָאֶתֵּ֥ן עֲלֵיהֶ֖ם קְהִלָּ֥ה גְדוֹלָֽה׃
8I said to them, "As far as we were able, we have bought back our fellow Jews who had been sold to the nations. And now you are selling your own brothers, only for them to be sold back to us!" They said nothing, for they could find no answer.
וָאֹמְרָ֣ה לָהֶ֗ם אֲנַ֣חְנוּ קָ֠נִינוּ אֶת־אַחֵ֨ינוּ הַיְּהוּדִ֜ים הַנִּמְכָּרִ֤ים לַגּוֹיִם֙ כְּדֵ֣י בָ֔נוּ וְגַם־אַתֶּ֛ם תִּמְכְּר֥וּ אֶת־אֲחֵיכֶ֖ם וְנִמְכְּרוּ־לָ֑נוּ וֽ͏ַיַּחֲרִ֔ישׁוּ וְלֹ֥א מָצְא֖וּ דָּבָֽר׃ ס
9So I continued, "What you are doing is not right. Should you not walk in the fear of our God to avoid the taunts of the nations, our enemies?
*ויאמר **וָאוֹמַ֕ר לֹא־ט֥וֹב הַדָּבָ֖ר אֲשֶׁר־אַתֶּ֣ם עֹשִׂ֑ים הֲל֞וֹא בְּיִרְאַ֤ת אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ תֵּלֵ֔כוּ מֵחֶרְפַּ֖ת הַגּוֹיִ֥ם אוֹיְבֵֽינוּ׃
10I myself, along with my brothers and my men, have been lending the people money and grain. Let us stop charging interest!
וְגַם־אֲנִי֙ אַחַ֣י וּנְעָרַ֔י נֹשִׁ֥ים בָּהֶ֖ם כֶּ֣סֶף וְדָגָ֑ן נַֽעַזְבָה־נָּ֖א אֶת־הַמַּשָּׁ֥א הַזֶּֽה׃
11Give back to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, and their houses, and also the hundredth part of the money, the grain, the new wine, and the oil that you have exacted from them."
הָשִׁיבוּ֩ נָ֨א לָהֶ֜ם כְּהַיּ֗וֹם שְׂדֹתֵיהֶ֛ם כַּרְמֵיהֶ֥ם זֵיתֵיהֶ֖ם וּבָתֵּיהֶ֑ם וּמְאַ֨ת הַכֶּ֤סֶף וְהַדָּגָן֙ הַתִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְהַיִּצְהָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֖ם נֹשִׁ֥ים בָּהֶֽם׃
12They answered, "We will give it back, and we will demand nothing more from them. We will do just as you say." Then I summoned the priests and made them take an oath to keep this promise.
וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ נָשִׁ֗יב וּמֵהֶם֙ לֹ֣א נְבַקֵּ֔שׁ כֵּ֣ן נַעֲשֶׂ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר אַתָּ֣ה אוֹמֵ֑ר וָאֶקְרָא֙ אֶת־הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים וָֽאַשְׁבִּיעֵ֔ם לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה׃
13I also shook out the fold of my robe and said, "So may God shake out of his house and his property every man who does not keep this promise. May he be shaken out and left empty!" The whole assembly said, "Amen," and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
גַּם־חָצְנִ֣י נָעַ֗רְתִּי וָֽאֹמְרָ֡ה כָּ֣כָה יְנַעֵ֪ר הָֽאֱלֹהִ֟ים אֶת־כָּל־הָאִישׁ֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־יָקִ֜ים אֶת־הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֗ה מִבֵּיתוֹ֙ וּמִ֣יגִיע֔וֹ וְכָ֛כָה יִהְיֶ֥ה נָע֖וּר וָרֵ֑ק וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ כָֽל־הַקָּהָ֜ל אָמֵ֗ן וַֽיְהַלְלוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֔ה וַיַּ֥עַשׂ הָעָ֖ם כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה׃
14Moreover, from the day I was appointed governor in the land of Judah—from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years in all—neither I nor my brothers ate the food allotted to the governor.
גַּ֞ם מִיּ֣וֹם ׀ אֲשֶׁר־צִוָּ֣ה אֹתִ֗י לִהְי֣וֹת פֶּחָם֮ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ יְהוּדָה֒ מִשְּׁנַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֗ים וְ֠עַד שְׁנַ֨ת שְׁלֹשִׁ֤ים וּשְׁתַּ֙יִם֙ לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֣סְתְּא הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ שָׁנִ֖ים שְׁתֵּ֣ים עֶשְׂרֵ֑ה אֲנִ֣י וְאַחַ֔י לֶ֥חֶם הַפֶּ֖חָה לֹ֥א אָכַֽלְתִּי׃
15The earlier governors, my predecessors, had laid a heavy burden on the people, taking food and wine from them, besides forty shekels of silver. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But I did not act that way, because I feared God.
וְהַפַּחוֹת֩ הָרִאשֹׁנִ֨ים אֲשֶׁר־לְפָנַ֜י הִכְבִּ֣ידוּ עַל־הָעָ֗ם וַיִּקְח֨וּ מֵהֶ֜ם בְּלֶ֤חֶם וָיַ֙יִן֙ אַחַר֙ כֶּֽסֶף־שְׁקָלִ֣ים אַרְבָּעִ֔ים גַּ֥ם נַעֲרֵיהֶ֖ם שָׁלְט֣וּ עַל־הָעָ֑ם וַאֲנִי֙ לֹא־עָשִׂ֣יתִי כֵ֔ן מִפְּנֵ֖י יִרְאַ֥ת אֱלֹהִֽים׃
16What is more, I devoted myself to the work on this wall. We bought no land, and all my men were gathered there for the work.
וְ֠גַם בִּמְלֶ֜אכֶת הַחוֹמָ֤ה הַזֹּאת֙ הֶחֱזַ֔קְתִּי וְשָׂדֶ֖ה לֹ֣א קָנִ֑ינוּ וְכָל־נְעָרַ֔י קְבוּצִ֥ים שָׁ֖ם עַל־הַמְּלָאכָֽה׃
17Furthermore, a hundred and fifty Jews and officials ate at my table, along with those who came to us from the surrounding nations.
וְהַיְּהוּדִ֨ים וְהַסְּגָנִ֜ים מֵאָ֧ה וַחֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אִ֗ישׁ וְהַבָּאִ֥ים אֵלֵ֛ינוּ מִן־הַגּוֹיִ֥ם אֲשֶׁר־סְבִיבֹתֵ֖ינוּ עַל־שֻׁלְחָנִֽי׃
18Each day one ox, six choice sheep, and poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine. Yet in spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the burden on this people was heavy.
וַאֲשֶׁר֩ הָיָ֨ה נַעֲשֶׂ֜ה לְי֣וֹם אֶחָ֗ד שׁ֣וֹר אֶחָ֞ד צֹ֠אן שֵׁשׁ־בְּרֻר֤וֹת וְצִפֳּרִים֙ נַֽעֲשׂוּ־לִ֔י וּבֵ֨ין עֲשֶׂ֧רֶת יָמִ֛ים בְּכָל־יַ֖יִן לְהַרְבֵּ֑ה וְעִם־זֶ֗ה לֶ֤חֶם הַפֶּחָה֙ לֹ֣א בִקַּ֔שְׁתִּי כִּֽי־כָֽבְדָ֥ה הָעֲבֹדָ֖ה עַל־הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּֽה׃
19Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for this people.
זָכְרָה־לִּ֥י אֱלֹהַ֖י לְטוֹבָ֑ה כֹּ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־עָשִׂ֖יתִי עַל־הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּֽה׃ פ
1When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that not a single gap was left in it—though at that time I had not yet set the doors in the gates—
וַיְהִ֣י כַאֲשֶׁ֣ר נִשְׁמַ֣ע לְסַנְבַלַּ֣ט וְ֠טוֹבִיָּה וּלְגֶ֨שֶׁם הָֽעַרְבִ֜י וּלְיֶ֣תֶר אֹֽיְבֵ֗ינוּ כִּ֤י בָנִ֙יתִי֙ אֶת־הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה וְלֹא־נ֥וֹתַר בָּ֖הּ פָּ֑רֶץ גַּ֚ם עַד־הָעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔יא דְּלָת֖וֹת לֹא־הֶעֱמַ֥דְתִּי בַשְּׁעָרִֽים׃
2Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: "Come, let us meet together at Hakkephirim^ in the plain of Ono." But they were plotting to do me harm.
^ Or "in one of the villages"; the Hebrew word can be read either as a place name or as a common noun.
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח סַנְבַלַּ֤ט וְגֶ֙שֶׁם֙ אֵלַ֣י לֵאמֹ֔ר לְכָ֞ה וְנִֽוָּעֲדָ֥ה יַחְדָּ֛ו בַּכְּפִירִ֖ים בְּבִקְעַ֣ת אוֹנ֑וֹ וְהֵ֙מָּה֙ חֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לִ֖י רָעָֽה׃
3So I sent messengers to them with this reply: "I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?"
וָאֶשְׁלְחָ֨ה עֲלֵיהֶ֤ם מַלְאָכִים֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר מְלָאכָ֤ה גְדוֹלָה֙ אֲנִ֣י עֹשֶׂ֔ה וְלֹ֥א אוּכַ֖ל לָרֶ֑דֶת לָ֣מָּה תִשְׁבַּ֤ת הַמְּלָאכָה֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר אַרְפֶּ֔הָ וְיָרַדְתִּ֖י אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃
4Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.
וַיִּשְׁלְח֥וּ אֵלַ֛י כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּ֖ה אַרְבַּ֣ע פְּעָמִ֑ים וָאָשִׁ֥יב אוֹתָ֖ם כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה׃ ס
5The fifth time, Sanballat sent his servant to me with the same message, and in his hand was an open letter.
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ אֵלַ֨י סַנְבַלַּ֜ט כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּ֛ה פַּ֥עַם חֲמִישִׁ֖ית אֶֽת־נַעֲר֑וֹ וְאִגֶּ֥רֶת פְּתוּחָ֖ה בְּיָדֽוֹ׃
6In it was written: "It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it too—that you and the Jews are planning to revolt, and that this is why you are building the wall. They say you intend to make yourself their king,
כָּת֣וּב בָּ֗הּ בַּגּוֹיִ֤ם נִשְׁמָע֙ וְגַשְׁמ֣וּ אֹמֵ֔ר אַתָּ֤ה וְהַיְּהוּדִים֙ חֹשְׁבִ֣ים לִמְר֔וֹד עַל־כֵּ֛ן אַתָּ֥ה בוֹנֶ֖ה הַחוֹמָ֑ה וְאַתָּ֗ה הֹוֶ֤ה לָהֶם֙ לְמֶ֔לֶךְ כַּדְּבָרִ֖ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃
7and that you have even set up prophets to proclaim about you in Jerusalem, 'There is a king in Judah!' Now this report will reach the king. So come, let us confer together."
וְגַם־נְבִיאִ֡ים הֶעֱמַ֣דְתָּ לִקְרֹא֩ עָלֶ֨יךָ בִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֜ם לֵאמֹ֗ר מֶ֚לֶךְ בִּֽיהוּדָ֔ה וְעַתָּה֙ יִשָּׁמַ֣ע לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ כַּדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וְעַתָּ֣ה לְכָ֔ה וְנִֽוָּעֲצָ֖ה יַחְדָּֽו׃ ס
8Then I sent him this reply: "Nothing of what you say has happened. You are inventing it all out of your own head."
וָאֶשְׁלְחָ֤ה אֵלָיו֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר לֹ֤א נִֽהְיָה֙ כַּדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֔לֶּה אֲשֶׁ֖ר אַתָּ֣ה אוֹמֵ֑ר כִּ֥י מִֽלִּבְּךָ֖ אַתָּ֥ה בוֹדָֽאם׃
9They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will drop from the work, and it will never be finished." But now, my God,^ strengthen my hands.
^ The words "my God" are not in the Hebrew, which reads simply "But now, strengthen my hands"; they are supplied because the line is a prayer.
כִּ֣י כֻלָּ֗ם מְיָֽרְאִ֤ים אוֹתָ֙נוּ֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר יִרְפּ֧וּ יְדֵיהֶ֛ם מִן־הַמְּלָאכָ֖ה וְלֹ֣א תֵעָשֶׂ֑ה וְעַתָּ֖ה חַזֵּ֥ק אֶת־יָדָֽי׃
10Then I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in there. He said, "Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us bar the temple doors, for they are coming to kill you—tonight they are coming to kill you."
וַאֲנִי־בָ֗אתִי בֵּ֣ית שְֽׁמַֽעְיָ֧ה בֶן־דְּלָיָ֛ה בֶּן־מְהֵֽיטַבְאֵ֖ל וְה֣וּא עָצ֑וּר וַיֹּ֡אמֶר נִוָּעֵד֩ אֶל־בֵּ֨ית הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים אֶל־תּ֣וֹךְ הַֽהֵיכָ֗ל וְנִסְגְּרָה֙ דַּלְת֣וֹת הַהֵיכָ֔ל כִּ֚י בָּאִ֣ים לְהָרְגֶ֔ךָ וְלַ֖יְלָה בָּאִ֥ים לְהָרְגֶֽךָ׃
11But I said, "Should a man like me run away? And who like me could enter the temple and live? I will not go!"
וָאֹמְרָ֗ה הַאִ֤ישׁ כָּמ֙וֹנִי֙ יִבְרָ֔ח וּמִ֥י כָמ֛וֹנִי אֲשֶׁר־יָב֥וֹא אֶל־הַהֵיכָ֖ל וָחָ֑י לֹ֖א אָבֽוֹא׃
12I realized that God had not sent him; he had spoken this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
וָאַכִּ֕ירָה וְהִנֵּ֥ה לֹֽא־אֱלֹהִ֖ים שְׁלָח֑וֹ כִּ֤י הַנְּבוּאָה֙ דִּבֶּ֣ר עָלַ֔י וְטוֹבִיָּ֥ה וְסַנְבַלַּ֖ט שְׂכָרֽוֹ׃
13He was hired to make me afraid, so that I would do this and sin, and they would have an evil report to spread and could hold me in contempt.
לְמַ֤עַן שָׂכוּר֙ ה֔וּא לְמַֽעַן־אִירָ֥א וְאֶֽעֱשֶׂה־כֵּ֖ן וְחָטָ֑אתִי וְהָיָ֤ה לָהֶם֙ לְשֵׁ֣ם רָ֔ע לְמַ֖עַן יְחָֽרְפֽוּנִי׃ פ
14Remember, my God, what Tobiah and Sanballat have done—and Noadiah the prophetess as well, and the rest of the prophets who tried to frighten me.
זָכְרָ֧ה אֱלֹהַ֛י לְטוֹבִיָּ֥ה וּלְסַנְבַלַּ֖ט כְּמַעֲשָׂ֣יו אֵ֑לֶּה וְגַ֨ם לְנוֹעַדְיָ֤ה הַנְּבִיאָה֙ וּלְיֶ֣תֶר הַנְּבִיאִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר הָי֖וּ מְיָֽרְאִ֥ים אוֹתִֽי׃
15So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days.
וַתִּשְׁלַם֙ הַֽחוֹמָ֔ה בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וַחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה לֶאֱל֑וּל לַחֲמִשִּׁ֥ים וּשְׁנַ֖יִם יֽוֹם׃ פ
16When all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid, and their confidence sank low, for they knew that this work had been accomplished by our God.
וַיְהִ֗י כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר שָֽׁמְעוּ֙ כָּל־א֣וֹיְבֵ֔ינוּ וַיִּֽרְא֗וּ כָּל־הַגּוֹיִם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר סְבִֽיבֹתֵ֔ינוּ וַיִּפְּל֥וּ מְאֹ֖ד בְּעֵינֵיהֶ֑ם וַיֵּ֣דְע֔וּ כִּ֚י מֵאֵ֣ת אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ נֶעֶשְׂתָ֖ה הַמְּלָאכָ֥ה הַזֹּֽאת׃
17In those days, too, the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, and letters from Tobiah kept coming to them,
גַּ֣ם ׀ בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֗ם מַרְבִּ֞ים חֹרֵ֤י יְהוּדָה֙ אִגְּרֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם הוֹלְכ֖וֹת עַל־טוֹבִיָּ֑ה וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר לְטוֹבִיָּ֖ה בָּא֥וֹת אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃
18for many in Judah were bound to him by oath, since he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.
כִּי־רַבִּ֣ים בִּֽיהוּדָ֗ה בַּעֲלֵ֤י שְׁבוּעָה֙ ל֔וֹ כִּי־חָתָ֥ן ה֖וּא לִשְׁכַנְיָ֣ה בֶן־אָרַ֑ח וִֽיהוֹחָנָ֣ן בְּנ֔וֹ לָקַ֕ח אֶת־בַּת־מְשֻׁלָּ֖ם בֶּ֥ן בֶּֽרֶכְיָֽה׃
19They kept praising his good deeds in my presence and reporting my words back to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.
גַּ֣ם טוֹבֹתָ֗יו הָי֤וּ אֹמְרִים֙ לְפָנַ֔י וּדְבָרַ֕י הָי֥וּ מוֹצִיאִ֖ים ל֑וֹ אִגְּר֛וֹת שָׁלַ֥ח טוֹבִיָּ֖ה לְיָֽרְאֵֽנִי׃