Nehemiah 4:22
גַּ֣ם בָּעֵ֤ת הַהִיא֙ אָמַ֣רְתִּי לָעָ֔ם אִ֣ישׁ וְנַעֲרֹ֔ו יָלִ֖ינוּ בְּתֹ֣וךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם וְהָֽיוּ־לָ֧נוּ הַלַּ֛יְלָה מִשְׁמָ֖ר וְהַיֹּ֥ום מְלָאכָֽה׃
Temporal Phrase: בָּעֵ֤ת הַהִיא
The phrase בָּעֵ֤ת הַהִיא means “at that time.” It combines the preposition בְּ (“in, at”) with the noun עֵת (“time, occasion”) and the demonstrative adjective הַהִיא (“that”). This sets the temporal stage for what follows, introducing a past event and situating the speaker’s instruction in a moment of urgency and strategy during the rebuilding of the walls.
Speech Formula: אָמַ֣רְתִּי לָעָ֔ם
אָמַ֣רְתִּי is a Qal perfect 1cs of א־מ־ר (“to say”), meaning “I said.” The direct object לָעָ֔ם (“to the people”) uses the preposition לְ to indicate indirect speech, common in Hebrew narrative introductions. The verb form expresses a completed action and introduces the direct quotation to follow.
Compound Subject: אִ֣ישׁ וְנַעֲרֹ֔ו
The structure אִ֣ישׁ וְנַעֲרֹ֔ו (“a man and his young man”) consists of a compound subject: אִישׁ (“man”) and נַעֲרוֹ (“his servant” or “his boy”). This pairing appears frequently in the Tanakh (e.g., Abraham and his servant), implying cooperation or hierarchical relationships. It also highlights collective responsibility across age or class, a typical narrative motif in Nehemiah’s communal work.
Jussive-Style Imperfect: יָלִ֖ינוּ
יָלִ֖ינוּ is a Qal imperfect 1cp form of ל־ו־ן (“to lodge, stay overnight”). While syntactically imperfect, it is functionally a jussive — a command-like wish: “Let us lodge.” This form often appears without explicit volitional markers and is understood from context. The location phrase בְּתֹ֣וךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (“within Jerusalem”) reinforces the strategic and protective intent of the action.
Nominal Clauses with Verb הָיָה
וְהָֽיוּ־לָ֧נוּ הַלַּ֛יְלָה מִשְׁמָ֖ר is a verbless clause using the imperfect plural וְהָיוּ from הָיָה (“to be”) plus לָנוּ (“for us”). The phrase means “the night shall be for us a guard.” Similarly, וְהַיֹּ֥ום מְלָאכָֽה (“and the day [shall be] for work”) omits the verb entirely — a typical structure in Biblical Hebrew when the verb “to be” is implied. These clauses contrast function by time: night = protection, day = labor.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in Nehemiah 4:22
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| אָמַרְתִּי | א־מ־ר | Qal perfect (1cs) | “I said” — introduces speech |
| יָלִינוּ | ל־ו־ן | Qal imperfect (1cp) | “We shall lodge” — volitional, jussive-like |
| וְהָיוּ | ה־י־ה | Qal imperfect (3mp) | “They shall be” — future existential clause |
| מְלָאכָה | מ־ל־א | Noun, feminine | “Work” — paired with “day” in nominal clause |
The Syntax of Strategy
This verse from Nehemiah blends imperative leadership with poetic structure. The use of imperfects to express commands and plans, the absence of explicit verbs in nominal clauses, and the pairing of day and night all contribute to a vivid portrayal of vigilance and productivity. Grammar becomes a tool of mobilization: the syntax itself echoes the discipline and urgency of a people rebuilding under threat.
