Nehemiah 6:9 - For they all would have made us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done.” But now, strengthen my hands.

Generated Verse: Nehemiah 6:9

What does "Nehemiah 6:9" mean?


Nehemiah 6:9 is a verse that reflects Nehemiah's determination to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem in the face of opposition. Let's break it down:

"For they all would have made us afraid, saying, 'Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done.'" This refers to Nehemiah's enemies (Sanballat, Tobiah, and others) who were trying to intimidate the Jewish workers. Their strategy was to spread rumors and threats, hoping to demoralize the people and make them abandon the project. The phrase "their hands will be weakened" signifies that they wanted to drain the workers' strength, motivation, and resolve. The ultimate goal was to stop the rebuilding of the wall.

"But now, strengthen my hands." This is Nehemiah's prayer to God. He recognizes the psychological warfare being waged against him and his people. Instead of succumbing to fear, he turns to God for strength. He understands that the enemies are trying to weaken their hands, so he asks God to strengthen his own hands – both literally (to continue working) and figuratively (to maintain his leadership and resolve). It's a plea for renewed courage, determination, and the ability to overcome the obstacles.

In essence, Nehemiah 6:9 captures the tension between opposition and faith. The enemies sought to instill fear and weaken resolve, while Nehemiah sought divine strength to persevere in the face of adversity. It's a powerful reminder of the importance of relying on God when facing challenges and opposition.