Definition: And it came to pass from that time forth, [that] the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers [were] behind all the house of Judah.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Nehemiah 4:16. It's a bit complex, but here’s a simplified explanation: Basically, it describes a group of people working on a rebuilding project in Jerusalem. Here’s a breakdown of what each part means: “And it came to pass from that time forth…”: This sets the scene – it's about something happening after a specific event. It’s like saying, “This happened after this.” “[that] the half of my servants wrought in the work…”: "Servants" refers to people who were working on a large project. "Wrought" means they built or created something. This suggests they were building something important, likely part of the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. “and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons…”: This is where it gets a bit more detailed. "Spears, shields, and bows" are weapons – they were used for defense. “Habergeons” is a type of armor that was very important in ancient times. So, these people were part of a large team dedicated to building the walls, making sure they were strong and well-protected. “and the rulers [were] behind all the house of Judah.”: "Rulers" refers to leaders – likely officials or priests in charge of the rebuilding project. “Behind all the house of Judah” means they were controlling everything and directing the effort. What’s the overall message? This passage tells us that there was a large, well-organized team working on a massive project to rebuild Jerusalem. The leadership – the rulers – were actively involved and overseeing everything. Context is important: Nehemiah was a Jewish leader who was trying to restore order and rebuild the city after a period of chaos. This verse shows that this rebuilding wasn't just about bricks and mortar; it involved careful planning, skilled workers, and strong leadership. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part in more detail? Connect this passage to other Bible stories or themes?