When Jerusalem was destroyed some one hundred forty years earlier, the Babylonians had dislodged and scattered the stones of the city wall. Some had fallen to the ground near the wall, while others had rolled some distance down the slopes around the city. To carry them back uphill required serious labour. As the wall grew higher, these stones also had to be lifted higher. It all required considerable strength for burden-bearers.
10 In Judah it was said, “The strength of those who bear the burdens is failing. There is too much rubble. By ourselves we will not be able to rebuild the wall.”