richmahn_en_tn/neh/04/02.md

1.6 KiB

In the presence of his brothers

"In the presence of his kinsmen" or "In the presence of his clan"

What are these feeble ... Will they restore ... Will they offer ... Will they finish the work in a day?

Sanballat poses these questions to mock the Jews. These can be written as statements. Alternate translation: "These feeble Jews can accomplish nothing. They will never restore the city for themselves. They will not offer sacrifices. They will not finish the work in a day." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion)

feeble Jews

"weak Jews"

in a day

This speaks of not finishing something quickly by saying that it cannot be accomplished in a day. Alternate translation: "quickly" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)

Will they bring to life the stones from the piles of rubble after they were burned?

Sanballat also poses this question to mock the Jews. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "They will not bring to life again the stones from piles of rubble that were burned." (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion)

bring to life the stones from the piles of rubble after they were burned

This speaks of the people rebuilding the city as if they were bring it back to life. Alternate translation: "restore the city and rebuild its walls from the useless stones that were burned and turned into rubble" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)

from the piles of rubble after they were burned

This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "from piles of rubble that someone had burned" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive)