And Judah said,.... Several of the men of Judah:
the strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed; through much labour, in carrying heavy loads of stone and timber to the builders, and yet more through fear of the enemy:
and there is much rubbish; which ought to be removed, but that the labourers were so weak that they could not do it:
so that we are not able to build the wall; to finish it before the enemy comes to attack us.