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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Nehemiah 4:2 before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/4-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/16/16_Neh_04_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 4:2 - The Work is Ridiculed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? 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Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?&#8221 <a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> saying in front of his friends and the Samarian army officers, “What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they’re doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a single day by just offering a few sacrifices? Do they actually think they can make something of stones from a rubbish heap—and charred ones at that?” <a href="/esv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?” <a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” <a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4.htm">King James Bible</a> And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? <a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/4.htm">New King James Version</a> And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?” <a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And he spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy people of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore the temple for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish it in a day? Can they revive the stones from the heaps of rubble, even the burned ones?” <a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> He spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, &#8220What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And he spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the dusty rubble even the burned ones?” <a href="/lsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> He spoke in the presence of his brothers and the wealthy men of Samaria and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Are they going to restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they complete it in a day? Can they bring the stones to life from the dusty rubble, though they are burned?” <a href="/amp/nehemiah/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> He spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore it for themselves? Can they offer sacrifices? Can they finish in a day? Can they revive the stones from the heaps of dust and rubbish, even the ones that have been burned?” <a href="/csb/nehemiah/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> before his colleagues and the powerful men of Samaria and said, “What are these pathetic Jews doing? Can they restore it by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they ever finish it? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble? ” <a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> before his colleagues and the powerful men of Samaria, and said, &#8220What are these pathetic Jews doing? Can they restore it by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they ever finish it? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?&#8221 <a href="/asv/nehemiah/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What are these feeble Jews doing? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, seeing they are burned? <a href="/cev/nehemiah/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> In front of his friends and the Samaritan army he said, "What is this feeble bunch of Jews trying to do? Are they going to rebuild the wall and offer sacrifices all in one day? Do they think they can make something out of this pile of scorched stones?" <a href="/erv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, seeing they are burned? <a href="/gwt/nehemiah/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> In front of his allies and the army from Samaria, he said, "What do these miserable Jews think they're doing? Can they rebuild it by themselves? Are they going to offer sacrifices? Can they finish it in a day? Will they get the stones out of the rubbish heaps, burned as these stones are, and give them new strength?" <a href="/gnt/nehemiah/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> In front of his companions and the Samaritan troops he said, "What do these miserable Jews think they're doing? Do they intend to rebuild the city? Do they think that by offering sacrifices they can finish the work in one day? Can they make building stones out of heaps of burnt rubble?" <a href="/isv/nehemiah/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> He addressed his allies and the Samaritan officials, saying "What are these pathetic Jews doing? Are they intending to rebuild it by themselves? Do they intend to offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a single day? Can they make stones from this burned out rubble?" <a href="/msb/nehemiah/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, ?What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?? <a href="/net/nehemiah/4.htm">NET Bible</a> and in the presence of his colleagues and the army of Samaria he said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they be left to themselves? Will they again offer sacrifice? Will they finish this in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones to life again from piles of dust?" <a href="/nheb/nehemiah/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And he spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria, and said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, which are burned?" <a href="/wbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And he spoke before his brethren, and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? <a href="/web/nehemiah/4.htm">World English Bible</a> He spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, since they are burned?” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and says before his brothers and the force of Samaria, indeed, he says, “What [are] the weak Jews doing? Are they left to themselves? Do they sacrifice? Do they complete in a day? Do they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish—and they are burned?” <a href="/ylt/nehemiah/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and saith before his brethren and the force of Samaria, yea, he saith, 'What are the weak Jews doing? are they left to themselves? do they sacrifice? do they complete in a day? do they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish? -- and they burnt!' <a href="/slt/nehemiah/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And he will say before his brethren and the strength of Shomeron, and he will say, What are the feeble Jews doing? will they leave to themselves? will they sacrifice? will they finish in a day? will they give life to the stones of the heaps of dust, and they being burnt?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/nehemiah/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And said before his brethren, and the multitude of the Samaritans: What are the silly Jews doing? Will the Gentiles let them alone? will they sacrifice and make an end in a day? are they able to raise stones out of the heaps of the rubbish, which are burnt? <a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And he said, before his brothers and a crowd of the Samaritans: “What are the foolish Jews doing? Can it be that the Gentiles will allow them? Will they sacrifice and finish in one day? Do they have the ability to make stones out of piles of dust that have been burned up?” <a href="/nabre/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Bible</a> saying in the presence of his associates and the troops of Samaria: “What are these miserable Jews trying to do? Will they complete their restoration in a single day? Will they recover these stones, burnt as they are, from the heaps of dust?” <a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> He said in the presence of his associates and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore things? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish it in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish—and burned ones at that?”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And he spoke before his brethren and the army of the Samaritans, and said, What are these Jews doing? They are boasting; let them sacrifice and eat on the day when they raise up these stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned! <a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And he said to his brothers and to the army of the Samaritans: “What are the Jews doing and boasting? They have abandoned the altars for themselves, and they eat by day as they set up these stones from a dung hill of dust and they are burned!”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/nehemiah/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said: 'What do these feeble Jews? will they restore at will? will they sacrifice? will they make an end this day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, seeing they are burned?' <a href="/sep/nehemiah/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And he said before his brethren (that is the army of the Samaritans) Is it true that these Jews are building their city? do they indeed offer sacrifices? will they prevail? and will they this day restore the stones, after they have been burnt and made a heap of rubbish? <a href="/parallel/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=774" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm">The Work is Ridiculed</a> 1Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews 2<a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/251.htm" title="251: ’e·ḥāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- A brother. A primitive word; a brother (like 'ab).">his associates</a> <a href="/hebrew/2428.htm" title="2428: wə·ḥêl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.">and the army</a> <a href="/hebrew/8111.htm" title="8111: šō·mə·rō·wn (N-proper-fs) -- Capital of N. kingdom of Isr. From the active participle of shamar; watch-station; Shomeron, a place in Palestine.">of Samaria,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">saying,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/537.htm" title="537: hā·’ă·mê·lā·lîm (Art:: Adj-mp) -- Feeble. From 'amal; languid.">are these feeble</a> <a href="/hebrew/3064.htm" title="3064: hay·yə·hū·ḏîm (Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Jewish. Patronymically from Yhuwdah; a Jehudite, or descendant of Jehudah.">Jews</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ō·śîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">doing?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: hă·ya·‘az·ḇū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">Can they restore the wall</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep-l:: Pro-3mp) -- ">by themselves?</a> <a href="/hebrew/2076.htm" title="2076: hă·yiz·bā·ḥū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To slaughter for sacrifice. A primitive root; to slaughter an animal.">Will they offer sacrifices?</a> <a href="/hebrew/3615.htm" title="3615: hay·ḵal·lū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent. A primitive root; to end, whether intransitive or transitived.">Will they complete it</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: ḇay·yō·wm (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">in a day?</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: wə·hêm·māh (Conj-w:: Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">Can they bring these</a> <a href="/hebrew/8313.htm" title="8313: śə·rū·p̄ō·wṯ (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fp) -- To burn. A primitive root; to be on fire.">burnt</a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: hā·’ă·ḇā·nîm (Art:: N-fp) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">stones</a> <a href="/hebrew/2421.htm" title="2421: hay·ḥay·yū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To live, to revive. A primitive root; to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive.">back to life</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6194.htm" title="6194: mê·‘ă·rê·mō·wṯ (Prep-m:: N-fpc) -- A heap. (Jer. 50:26) or (feminine) aremah; from aram; a heap; specifically, a sheaf.">from the mounds</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: he·‘ā·p̄ār (Art:: N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">of rubble?”</a> 3Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/ezra/4-1.htm">Ezra 4:1-5</a> When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, / they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the families, saying, “Let us build with you because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to Him since the time of King Esar-haddon of Assyria, who brought us here.” / But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of the families of Israel replied, “You have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as Cyrus king of Persia has commanded us.” ... <a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Nehemiah 2:19-20</a> But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” / So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.” <a href="/psalms/123-3.htm">Psalm 123:3-4</a> Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy, for we have endured much contempt. / We have endured much scorn from the arrogant, much contempt from the proud. <a href="/2_kings/19-10.htm">2 Kings 19:10-13</a> “Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. / Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? / Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? ... <a href="/isaiah/36-4.htm">Isaiah 36:4-5</a> The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours? / You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. In whom are you now trusting, that you have rebelled against me? <a href="/1_samuel/17-43.htm">1 Samuel 17:43-44</a> “Am I a dog,” he said to David, “that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. / “Come here,” he called to David, “and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” <a href="/daniel/3-14.htm">Daniel 3:14-15</a> and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, is it true that you do not serve my gods or worship the golden statue I have set up? / Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I have made, very good. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?” <a href="/acts/4-17.htm">Acts 4:17-18</a> But to keep this message from spreading any further among the people, we must warn them not to speak to anyone in this name.” / Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. <a href="/matthew/27-39.htm">Matthew 27:39-43</a> And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads / and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” / In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, ... <a href="/mark/15-29.htm">Mark 15:29-32</a> And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads and saying, “Aha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, / come down from the cross and save Yourself!” / In the same way, the chief priests and scribes mocked Him among themselves, saying, “He saved others, but He cannot save Himself! ... <a href="/luke/23-35.htm">Luke 23:35-37</a> The people stood watching, and the rulers sneered at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” / The soldiers also mocked Him and came up to offer Him sour wine. / “If You are the King of the Jews,” they said, “save Yourself!” <a href="/acts/5-40.htm">Acts 5:40-41</a> At this, they yielded to Gamaliel. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them. / The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. <a href="/1_peter/4-14.htm">1 Peter 4:14</a> If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. <a href="/2_peter/3-3.htm">2 Peter 3:3-4</a> Most importantly, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. / “Where is the promise of His coming?” they will ask. “Ever since our fathers fell asleep, everything continues as it has from the beginning of creation.” <a href="/jude/1-18.htm">Jude 1:18</a> when they said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow after their own ungodly desires.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And he spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?the army<a href="/ezra/4-9.htm">Ezra 4:9,10</a> Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites, … feeble<a href="/1_samuel/14-11.htm">1 Samuel 14:11,12</a> And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves… <a href="/1_samuel/17-43.htm">1 Samuel 17:43,44</a> And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods… <a href="/zechariah/12-8.htm">Zechariah 12:8</a> In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.fortify themselves.<a href="/nehemiah/12-27.htm">Nehemiah 12:27,43</a> And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps… revive<a href="/nehemiah/4-10.htm">Nehemiah 4:10</a> And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.<a href="/ezekiel/37-3.htm">Ezekiel 37:3-13</a> And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live? And I answered, O Lord GOD, thou knowest… <a href="/habakkuk/3-2.htm">Habakkuk 3:2</a> O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Army</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-17.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-21.htm">End</a> <a href="/ezra/4-4.htm">Feeble</a> <a href="/judges/9-31.htm">Fortify</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/31-9.htm">Heaps</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/ezra/6-10.htm">Life</a> <a href="/ezra/7-17.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/ezra/5-9.htm">Restore</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-10.htm">Revive</a> <a href="/daniel/2-5.htm">Rubbish</a> <a href="/ezra/9-5.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/ezra/6-10.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/ezra/4-17.htm">Samaria</a> <a href="/ezra/6-4.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/ezra/10-19.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-8.htm">Wealthy</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/9-6.htm">Army</a> <a href="/esther/1-12.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-11.htm">End</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-10.htm">Feeble</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-10.htm">Fortify</a> <a href="/job/15-28.htm">Heaps</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-11.htm">Life</a> <a href="/job/6-22.htm">Offer</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-11.htm">Restore</a> <a href="/job/10-20.htm">Revive</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-10.htm">Rubbish</a> <a href="/psalms/4-5.htm">Sacrifice</a> <a href="/nehemiah/12-43.htm">Sacrifices</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-9.htm">Samaria</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-4.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/job/27-19.htm">Wealthy</a><div class="vheading2">Nehemiah 4</div>1. <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">While the enemies scoff, Nehemiah prays and continues the work</a> 7. <a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Understanding the wrath and secrets of the enemy, he sets a watch</a> 13. <a href="/nehemiah/4-13.htm">He arms the laborers</a> 19. <a href="/nehemiah/4-19.htm">and gives military precepts</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nehemiah/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nehemiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/nehemiah/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying Sanballat, a prominent leader opposing Nehemiah, speaks to his allies and the Samarian military. The Samaritans were a mixed population, partly descended from Israelites left in the land after the Assyrian conquest and partly from foreign settlers. This context highlights the longstanding animosity between Jews and Samaritans, which is evident in other biblical accounts, such as <a href="/john/4-9.htm">John 4:9</a>. The presence of the army suggests a significant threat to the Jews' efforts, emphasizing the political and military tension of the period.“What are these feeble Jews doing? Sanballat's derogatory reference to the Jews as "feeble" underscores the perception of their vulnerability and weakness. Historically, the Jews had returned from exile and were in the process of rebuilding their community and identity. This taunt reflects the broader theme of opposition faced by God's people throughout scripture, as seen in the stories of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) and the Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 1).Can they restore the wall by themselves? The question challenges the Jews' ability to rebuild Jerusalem's walls without external help. This reflects the broader biblical theme of reliance on God rather than human strength, as seen in <a href="/zechariah/4-6.htm">Zechariah 4:6</a>, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord Almighty. The rebuilding of the wall is a physical manifestation of spiritual renewal and protection.Will they offer sacrifices? This question mocks the Jews' religious practices, suggesting that their spiritual rituals are futile in the face of such a daunting task. Sacrifices were central to Jewish worship and covenant relationship with God, as outlined in Leviticus. The implication is that their faith and religious observance are insufficient for the practical challenges they face.Will they complete it in a day? Sanballat's sarcasm here highlights the enormity of the task and the improbability of quick success. The rebuilding of the wall was indeed a monumental task, requiring perseverance and divine assistance. This echoes the biblical principle of patience and endurance in faith, as seen in <a href="/james/1-4.htm">James 1:4</a>, which encourages believers to let perseverance finish its work.Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” The imagery of "burnt stones" and "mounds of rubble" emphasizes the destruction and desolation of Jerusalem. The stones, likely damaged by fire during the Babylonian conquest, symbolize the seemingly insurmountable obstacles. This phrase can be seen as a metaphor for restoration and resurrection, themes central to the Christian faith, as exemplified in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The idea of bringing life from death is a powerful motif throughout scripture, pointing to God's ability to restore and renew.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/sanballat.htm">Sanballat</a> A prominent adversary of Nehemiah, Sanballat was a Samaritan leader who opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. His mockery and opposition were significant challenges to the Jewish people. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_jews.htm">The Jews</a> The people of Judah who were returning from exile and were tasked with rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah's leadership. They faced external opposition and internal discouragement. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_army_of_samaria.htm">The Army of Samaria</a> The military force associated with Samaria, which was under Sanballat's influence. Their presence added a layer of intimidation to the verbal attacks. 4. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem's_wall.htm">Jerusalem's Wall</a> The wall that Nehemiah and the Jews were rebuilding. It was crucial for the protection and identity of Jerusalem as a city. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_mounds_of_rubble.htm">The Mounds of Rubble</a> The remnants of the previous wall, which had been destroyed. The task of rebuilding from these ruins was daunting and symbolized the restoration of the Jewish community.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/facing_opposition_with_faith.htm">Facing Opposition with Faith</a> Just as Nehemiah and the Jews faced ridicule, Christians today may encounter opposition when pursuing God's work. Faith and reliance on God are essential in overcoming such challenges. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_perseverance.htm">The Power of Perseverance</a> The Jews' determination to rebuild despite mockery teaches us the importance of perseverance. God's work often requires steadfastness in the face of adversity. <a href="/topical/c/community_and_unity_in_god's_work.htm">Community and Unity in God's Work</a> The rebuilding of the wall was a communal effort. Similarly, the church is called to work together in unity, supporting one another in fulfilling God's purposes. <a href="/topical/t/trusting_in_god's_provision.htm">Trusting in God's Provision</a> The Jews' ability to rebuild from "burnt stones" symbolizes God's power to restore and renew. Trusting in God's provision allows us to see potential where others see only ruin. <a href="/topical/r/responding_to_criticism_with_prayer_and_action.htm">Responding to Criticism with Prayer and Action</a> Nehemiah's response to criticism was prayer and continued action. This teaches us to seek God's guidance and remain active in our mission, even when faced with negativity.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_nehemiah_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 4</a> <a href="/q/who_were_sanballat,_tobiah,_geshem.htm">Who were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem in history?</a> <a href="/q/did_num._36_rules_cause_genealogy_errors.htm">Could the strict inheritance stipulations in Numbers 36 have led to conflicting genealogical records, and is there any textual or historical proof of such inconsistencies?</a> <a href="/q/evidence_for_psalm_126's_restoration.htm">Is there any archaeological or textual evidence confirming the miraculous restoration claimed in Psalm 126, beyond interpreted metaphor or tradition?</a> <a href="/q/resolve_ezra_5_17_vs._persian_timeline.htm">(Ezra 5:17) How do we resolve apparent inconsistencies between this passage's account of Persian rule and known Persian chronology?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/nehemiah/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) His brethren and the army of Samaria.--The counsellors and body-guard of Sanballat.Will they fortify themselves?--Rather, will they leave them to themselves? The nations are referred to; but contempt is not scrupulous or precise.Will they sacrifice?--This is the provocation of God mentioned in <a href="/nehemiah/4-5.htm" title="And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before you: for they have provoked you to anger before the builders.">Nehemiah 4:5</a>.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - Before his brethren. By "his brethren" would seem to be meant his chief counsellors - probably Tobiah among them. The army of Samaria. Some understand by this a Persian garrison, stationed in Samaria under its own commander, with which Sanballat had influence (Ewald, 'History of Israel,' vol. 5. p. 153), but there is no real ground for such a supposition. <a href="/psalms/83.htm">Psalm 83</a>, belongs probably to David's time; and as Samaria had doubtless its own native force of armed citizens, who were Sanballat's subjects, it is quite unnecessary to suppose that he addressed himself to any other "army" than this. The Persians would maintain a force in Damascus, but scarcely in Samaria; and Persian soldiers, had there been any in that city, would have been more likely to support a royal cupbearer than a petty governor with no influence at court. We can really only explain the disturbed state of things and approach to open hostility which appears in Nehemiah's narrative, by the weakness of Persia in these parts, and the consequent power of the native races to act pretty much as they pleased - even to the extent of making war one upon another. Will they fortify themselves? No other rendering is tenable. Ewald ('History of Israel,' vol. 3. p. 154, note 5)defends it successfully. Will they sacrifice? Will they make an end in a day? The meaning seems to be, "Will they begin and make an end in a day?" It is assumed that they will begin by offering a sacrifice to inaugurate their work. Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? Rather, "Will they revive the burnt stones (the stones that are burned) out of the heaps of the rubbish?" Will they do what is im-possible-solidify and make into real stone the calcined and crumbling blocks which are all that they will find in the heaps of rubbish? If not, how are they to procure material? <a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>before לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face his associates אֶחָ֗יו (’e·ḥāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_251.htm">Strong's 251: </a> A brother, ) and the army וְחֵיל֙ (wə·ḥêl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2426.htm">Strong's 2426: </a> An army, an intrenchment of Samaria, שֹֽׁמְר֔וֹן (šō·mə·rō·wn) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8111.htm">Strong's 8111: </a> Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel saying, וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ׀ (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “What מָ֛ה (māh) Interrogative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> What?, what!, indefinitely what are these feeble הָאֲמֵלָלִ֖ים (hā·’ă·mê·lā·lîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_537.htm">Strong's 537: </a> Languid Jews הַיְּהוּדִ֥ים (hay·yə·hū·ḏîm) Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3064.htm">Strong's 3064: </a> Jews -- Jewish doing? עֹשִׂ֑ים (‘ō·śîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make Can they restore [the wall] by themselves? הֲיַעַזְב֨וּ (hă·ya·‘az·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> To loosen, relinquish, permit Will they offer sacrifices? הֲיִזְבָּ֙חוּ֙ (hă·yiz·bā·ḥū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2076.htm">Strong's 2076: </a> To slaughter for sacrifice Will they complete it הַיְכַלּ֣וּ (hay·ḵal·lū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3615.htm">Strong's 3615: </a> To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent in a day? בַיּ֔וֹם (ḇay·yō·wm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> A day Can they bring these לָהֶ֤ם (lā·hem) Preposition-l | Pronoun - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> They burnt שְׂרוּפֽוֹת׃ (śə·rū·p̄ō·wṯ) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8313.htm">Strong's 8313: </a> To be, on fire stones הָאֲבָנִ֛ים (hā·’ă·ḇā·nîm) Article | Noun - feminine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> A stone back to life הַיְחַיּ֧וּ (hay·ḥay·yū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2421.htm">Strong's 2421: </a> To live, to revive from the mounds מֵעֲרֵמ֥וֹת (mê·‘ă·rê·mō·wṯ) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6194.htm">Strong's 6194: </a> A heap, a sheaf of rubble?” הֶעָפָ֖ר (he·‘ā·p̄ār) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> Dust, clay, earth, mud <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Nehemiah 4:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Nehemiah 4:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Nehemiah 4:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Nehemiah 4:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Nehemiah 4:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Nehemiah 4:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Nehemiah 4:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Nehemiah 4:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Nehemiah 4:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Nehemiah 4:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-2.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 4:2 He spoke before his brothers and (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/4-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>