In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us: The trumpet blower was to stay beside Nehemiah to sound the alarm if there was an attack by the enemies. Nehemiah instructed the builders to assemble by him and the trumpet blower when they heard the sound of the trumpet. The trumpet would call them to where they were needed, as New International Version implies with “Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there.”

Even though they were armed and would fight, he encouraged them by saying, “Our God will fight for us.” This was according to the traditional faith of Israel that God is a warrior God (see Exo 15.3; 1 Sam 17.47). God was described as a man who would fight, who would do battle. Nehemiah assured the Jews that God would fight on their behalf or on their side.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .