Nehemiah 4:18

Modern

And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.

Traditional

For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.

Literal

And of the builders, each man had his sword girded at his side as he built. And the one who sounded with the shofar was beside me.

Latin

…ædificentium enim unusquisque gladio erat accinctus renes. Et ædificabant, et clangebant buccina juxta me.

Hebrew

English

And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.

Nehemiah used the trumpeter to sound the alarm and direct workers to any part of the wall under attack.

Theme notes and profiles

Numbers 10:9
When you enter into battle in your land against an adversary who attacks you, sound short blasts on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God and saved from your enemies.
2 Chronicles 13:12–17
Now behold, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with their trumpets sound the battle call against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”