The Jews, on the other hand, made preparation by prayer, and by setting a watch (מִשְׁמָר, comp. Neh 7:3; Neh 13:30) day and night. We, viz., Nehemiah and the superintendents of the work, prayed and set a watch עֲלֵיהֶם, against them, to ward off a probable attack. מִפְּנֵיהֶם, for fear of them, comp. Neh 4:10.