We now discover that the workers listed in the previous chapter performed their labours in the midst of derision. Though scoffing has a way of undercutting one’s eagerness to work, the men did not give up but continued to lay stone on stone to build the wall. In step with Nehemiah’s prayer, they stood above the taunting and continued with their labours. So the efforts of the mockers proved futile.
6 So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.