Nehemiah's hearers did not know, neither did he tell them, of his midnight circuit of the night before. But the fact that he had made this circuit contributed greatly to his success; for he was able to speak of the condition of the city with an accuracy and a minuteness that astonished his hearers. The impression made upon him as he had looked upon the weakness and degradation of Jerusalem, gave earnestness and power to his words.

De tilstedeværende vidste ikke, at Nehemias havde redet muren rundt natten før; han fortalte dem det heller ikke. Men hans natlige ridt bidrog i høj grad til arbejdets lykkelige gennemførelse, for takket være denne rundtur kunne han beskrive forholdene i byen med en nøjagtighed, som forbavsede hans tilhørere. Efter at han havde set, hvor stor en vanære Jerusalem var blevet udsat for, kunne han give sine ord mere vægt og tale med større alvor.