16From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah,
The term Nehemiah uses here is translated variously elsewhere in Scripture as captain, official, prince, or the like. In the present context of danger, it clearly refers to persons in Jerusalem from whom the people expected guidance as a crisis hit.
16 From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah,