Nehemiah 4:17

17 who were rebuilding the wall. The workers who were carrying loads did the work with one hand and held their weapons with the other,

Nehemiah 4:17 Meaning and Commentary

Ver. 17 They which builded on the wall
That laid the mortar and stones upon it, and timber where it was necessary:

and they that bore burdens;
that carried the mortar, stones, and timber to the builders, and served them:

with those that laded;
which prepared the above for them, and laid them on their shoulders:

everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other
hand held a weapon;
which is not to be understood strictly and literally, for without both hands they could not well perform either of the above works; but proverbially, signifying that they were intent on both working and fighting, and were ready and prepared to do the latter, as well as the former, having weapons lying by them, or girt about them, as is explained in the following verse.

Nehemiah 4:17 In-Context

15 When our enemies heard that we knew about their plots and that God had prevented their plans from being successful, we all went back to the work on the wall. Each person performed his own job.

16 From that day on, half of my men worked on the wall, and the other half were wearing body armor and holding spears, shields, and bows. The leaders stood behind all the Judeans

17 who were rebuilding the wall. The workers who were carrying loads did the work with one hand and held their weapons with the other,

18 and each builder had his sword fastened to his side. The man who was supposed to sound the trumpet alarm was with me.

19 I told the nobles, the leaders, and the rest of the people, "So much work has to be done in different places that we are widely separated from one another on the wall.