Nehemiah 4:11

Modern

And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.”

Traditional

And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.

Literal

And our adversaries said, “They will not know and they will not see until that we come into their midst and kill them and put an end to the work.”

Latin

Et dixerunt hostes nostri: Nesciant, et ignorent donec veniamus in medium eorum, et interficiamus eos, et cessare faciamus opus.

Hebrew

English

And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.”

The constant psychological attacks from Israel's enemies were lowering morale.

Theme notes and profiles

Acts 23:12
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
2 Samuel 17:2
I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king
1 Thessalonians 5:2
For you are fully aware that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.
Psalm 56:6
They conspire, they lurk, they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.
Isaiah 47:11
But disaster will come upon you; you will not know how to charm it away. A calamity will befall you that you will be unable to ward off. Devastation will happen to you suddenly and unexpectedly.
Judges 20:29–48
So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah.
Acts 23:21
Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”