George Leo Haydock, on Neh 4:16

“And it came to pass from that day forward, that half of their young men did the work, and half were ready for to fight, with spears, and shields, and bows, and coats of mail, and the rulers were behind them in all the house of Juda.”

“Their. Hebrew, “my servants,” (Menochius) half of whom only wrought, while the rest stood guard. If we adhere to the Vulgate, we must suppose that Nehemias altered his first plan, and ordered almost all to be ready to fight or to labour, as occasion might require, ver. 17. (Calmet) — In. “Over, (Haydock) or behind all the family of Juda,” (Vatable) encouraging the people by word, and sometimes by example. (Tirinus) (Menochius)”

Imported from an open dataset — not yet checked against the printed edition.