And it came to pass from that time forth,.... That they were thus alarmed of danger from their enemies:
that the half of my servants wrought in the work; of building the wall; his domestic servants, his guards, or mighty men, as Jarchi, men of war, the soldiers:
and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows; some offensive, others defensive weapons; some to fight with at a distance, others near at hand:
and the habergeons; coats of mail, which they took and clothed themselves with:
and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah; the Jews that were working at the wall, to animate and encourage them, protect and defend them.