complete verse (Nehemiah 4:11)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Nehemiah 4:11:

  • Kupsabiny: “But/And then our enemies were saying, ‘We should take these people by surprise and we should rush on them and kill them so that their work may not continue. Let us do like that before they know what is happening.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “On the other side, our (excl.) enemies said, ‘Let- us (excl.) just -startle them that we (excl.) are now in their place. Then we (excl.) will-kill them, and their working will- now -be-stopped.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “While also our (excl.) enemies said, ‘They will not be-able-to-see or find-out that we (inc) are approaching, and-so they will be taken-by-surprise (lit. suddened). Because we will instantly be at their location to kill them and their work will not be-continued.’” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “‘Besides, our enemies are saying, ‘Before the Jews see us, we will swoop down on them and kill them and stop their work on the wall!’’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

enemy / foe

The Greek, Hebrew, Aramaic, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “enemy” or “foe” in English is translated in the Hausa Common Language Bible as “friends of front,” i.e., the person standing opposite you in a battle. (Source: Andy Warren-Rothlin)

In North Alaskan Inupiatun it is translated with a term that implies that it’s not just someone who hates you, but one who wants to do you harm (Source: Robert Bascom), in Tarok as ukpa ìkum or “companion in war/fighting,” and in Ikwere as nye irno m or “person who hates me” (source for this and one above: Chuck and Karen Tessaro in this newsletter ).

In Cherokee it is either translated as “the one(s) who reprimand(s) you” or “the one(s) feared.” (Source: Bender / Belt 2025, p. 47)

Translation commentary on Nehemiah 4:11

Meanwhile, the opponents of the Jews plotted to make a surprise attack on Jerusalem. And our enemies said introduces the plan that their opponents made to attack and kill them and end their work. The Hebrew text reports the words that the enemies said to each other in the form of direct quotation. Good News Translation simply interprets this as a report about what their enemies were thinking and perhaps saying to each other. The narrative is dramatic at this point, and the content of the quotation should be presented directly or indirectly depending on what creates similar dramatic effect in the receptor genre. If indirect quotation is used to report the thoughts of their enemies, in some languages special reference pronouns will add drama to the account (see the comments on Ezra 1.2).

They will not know or see: Know or see means to “find out.” Good News Translation fills out logical objects for both of the verbs while Traduction œcuménique de la Bible uses a single object for both verbs: “they will not see or know anything.” New English Bible renders it “Before they know it or see anything.”

Stop the work: This is a causative construction meaning to “make the work to cease” (so Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). The focus is on the work that will come to an end if they kill the Jews. For comments on work, see Ezra 2.69 and Neh 2.16.

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 .