Against the inspiring influence of Nehemiah's presence the example of the Tekoite nobles had little weight. The people in general were animated by patriotism and zeal. Men of ability and influence organized the various classes of citizens into companies, each leader making himself responsible for the erection of a certain part of the wall. And of some it is written that they builded "everyone over against his house."

Nehemias' inspiration og gode indflydelse var dog fuldt ud i stand til at opveje de hovmodige Tekoaborgeres dårlige eksempel. De fleste af israelitterne var besjælet af fædrelandskærlighed og iver. Dygtige og indflydelsesrige mænd organiserede de forskellige grupper af borgere, og lederen af de enkelte grupper tog selv ansvaret for opførelsen af en bestemt del af muren. Der står endog om nogle af dem, at de arbejdede "ud for deres huse".