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The interpretation timeline

Neh 4:18

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

1 Reformed · 1 Catholic

Neh 4:18 · Douay-Rheims
“For every one of the builders was girded with a sword about his reins. And they built, and sounded with a trumpet by me.”
Post-Reformation c. 1650 – 1900
1771
A.D.
John Gill Reformed
1697–1771
“For the builders had everyone his sword girded by his side, and so builded,.... Thus accoutred he wrought, and was prepared for either service: and he that sounded the trumpet was by me; to give the alarm of war, that everyone might lay aside his work, and prepare for the battle: this officer stood by Nehemiah, that when he found it necessary, might give him orders to sound his trumpet, for the men to gather to him.”
Source
1849
A.D.
Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.