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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 4:1 Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/4-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/15/16_Neh_04_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 4:1 - The Work is Ridiculed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. 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He ridiculed the Jews,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry, and he mocked the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now it happened that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and very vexed and mocked the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious, completely enraged, and he ridiculed the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious. He mocked the Jews<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious. He mocked the Jews<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />But it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, heard that we were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he became angry and started insulting our people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />But it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When Sanballat heard we were rebuilding the wall, he became enraged and made fun of the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When Sanballat heard that we Jews had begun rebuilding the wall, he became furious and began to ridicule us. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br /> When Sanballat heard that we were reconstructing the wall, he flew into a rage, became indignant, and mocked the Jews. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall he became angry and was quite upset. He derided the Jews,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />But it happened that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />But it came to pass that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />But when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and was very indignant, and mocked the Jews. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And it comes to pass, when Sanballat has heard that we are building the wall, that it is displeasing to him, and he is very angry and mocks at the Jews,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And it cometh to pass, when Sanballat hath heard that we are building the wall, that it is displeasing to him, and he is very angry and mocketh at the Jews,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And it will be that when Sanballat heard that we are building the wall, and it will kindle to him, and he will be greatly angry, and he will mock against the Jews.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And it came to pass, that when Sanaballat heard that we were building the wall he was angry: and being moved exceedingly he scoffed at the Jews. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now it happened that, when Sanballat had heard that we were building the wall, he was very angry. And having been moved exceedingly, he ridiculed the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and very much incensed. He ridiculed the Jews,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he mocked the Jews.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />BUT when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was grieved and very angry, and he mocked the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And when Samblat heard that we were building a wall, it grieved him, and his anger grew and he mocked at the Jews.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />But it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Now it came to pass, when Sanaballat heard that we were building the wall, that it was grievous to him, and he was very angry, and railed against the Jews.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=765" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm">The Work is Ridiculed</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yə·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">Now</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">when</a> <a href="/hebrew/5571.htm" title="5571: san·ḇal·laṭ (N-proper-ms) -- A Samaritan leader. Of foreign origin; Sanballat, a Persian satrap of Samaria.">Sanballat</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šā·ma‘ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">heard</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/587.htm" title="587: ’ă·naḥ·nū (Pro-1cp) -- We. Apparently from 'anokiy; we.">we</a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: ḇō·w·nîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">were rebuilding</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/2346.htm" title="2346: ha·ḥō·w·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- A wall. Feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection.">the wall,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2734.htm" title="2734: way·yi·ḥar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To burn or be kindled with anger. A primitive root; to glow or grow warm; figuratively to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy.">he was furious</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3707.htm" title="3707: way·yiḵ·‘as (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To be vexed or angry. A primitive root; to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant.">and filled with indignation.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7235.htm" title="7235: har·bêh (V-Hifil-InfAbs) -- To be or become much, many or great. A primitive root; to increase."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3932.htm" title="3932: way·yal·‘êḡ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To mock, deride, stammer. A primitive root; to deride; by implication to speak unintelligibly.">He ridiculed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></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.">the Jews</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>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?”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Nehemiah 2:19</a></span><br />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?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/4-1.htm">Ezra 4:1-5</a></span><br />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.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/2-1.htm">Psalm 2:1-4</a></span><br />Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-25.htm">Acts 4:25-26</a></span><br />You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/6-1.htm">Nehemiah 6:1-2</a></span><br />When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates— / Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-43.htm">1 Samuel 17:43</a></span><br />“Am I a dog,” he said to David, “that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-11.htm">Matthew 5:11-12</a></span><br />Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-41.htm">Acts 5:41</a></span><br />The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-22.htm">2 Kings 19:22-23</a></span><br />Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! / Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest outposts, the densest of its forests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-22.htm">Luke 6:22-23</a></span><br />Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. / Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-17.htm">2 Chronicles 32:17</a></span><br />He also wrote letters mocking the LORD, the God of Israel, and saying against Him: “Just as the gods of the nations did not deliver their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my hand.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/15-18.htm">John 15:18-20</a></span><br />If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-2.htm">Psalm 83:2-4</a></span><br />See how Your enemies rage, how Your foes have reared their heads. / With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish, / saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-45.htm">Acts 13:45</a></span><br />But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-14.htm">1 Peter 4:14</a></span><br />If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we built the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.</p><p class="hdg">Sanballat</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/2-10.htm">Nehemiah 2:10,19</a></b></br> When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard <i>of it</i>, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/4-1.htm">Ezra 4:1-5</a></b></br> Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/5-17.htm">Acts 5:17</a></b></br> Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,</p><p class="hdg">mocked</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/35-15.htm">Psalm 35:15,16</a></b></br> But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: <i>yea</i>, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew <i>it</i> not; they did tear <i>me</i>, and ceased not: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/44-13.htm">Psalm 44:13,14</a></b></br> Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/27-29.htm">Matthew 27:29</a></b></br> And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put <i>it</i> upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/9-14.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-2.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-14.htm">Building</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-15.htm">Built</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-10.htm">Displeasing</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/16-10.htm">Enraged</a> <a href="/2_kings/5-11.htm">Furious</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-27.htm">Great</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-10.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/acts/4-2.htm">Incensed</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/13-11.htm">Indignant</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-27.htm">Indignation</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-16.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Mocked</a> <a href="/jeremiah/20-7.htm">Mocketh</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-20.htm">Rebuilding</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Ridiculed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Sanballat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Sanbal'lat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-32.htm">Wall</a> <a href="/ezra/10-14.htm">Wrath</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/28-9.htm">Wroth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-17.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Building</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-6.htm">Built</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Displeasing</a> <a href="/esther/1-12.htm">Enraged</a> <a href="/esther/1-12.htm">Furious</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-14.htm">Great</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-14.htm">Greatly</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/songs/1-6.htm">Incensed</a> <a href="/psalms/7-11.htm">Indignant</a> <a href="/esther/5-9.htm">Indignation</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/job/11-3.htm">Mocked</a> <a href="/job/9-23.htm">Mocketh</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-17.htm">Rebuilding</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-22.htm">Ridiculed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Sanballat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Sanbal'lat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Wall</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Wrath</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Wroth</a><div class="vheading2">Nehemiah 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">While the enemies scoff, Nehemiah prays and continues the work</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Understanding the wrath and secrets of the enemy, he sets a watch</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/4-13.htm">He arms the laborers</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/4-19.htm">and gives military precepts</a></span><br></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><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <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> <br /><br /> </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><b>Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall</b><br>Sanballat was a Samaritan leader and an official in the Persian Empire, likely the governor of Samaria. The rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall was a significant threat to his authority and influence in the region. The wall symbolized the restoration of Jerusalem's strength and independence, which could undermine the power of surrounding regions. Historically, the Samaritans and Jews had a contentious relationship, rooted in religious and cultural differences. The rebuilding effort was led by Nehemiah, who had received permission from King Artaxerxes of Persia, highlighting the divine favor and providence in the Jews' return and restoration efforts.<p><b>he was furious and filled with indignation</b><br>Sanballat's anger reflects the broader opposition faced by the Jews from surrounding peoples who felt threatened by the re-establishment of Jerusalem. His indignation can be seen as a reaction to the perceived challenge to his authority and the potential loss of control over the region. This opposition is a recurring theme in the history of Israel, where God's people often faced hostility from neighboring nations. The emotional response of Sanballat underscores the spiritual battle underlying the physical rebuilding, as the enemy often seeks to thwart God's plans for His people.<p><b>He ridiculed the Jews</b><br>Ridicule was a common tactic used to demoralize and discourage those undertaking God's work. By mocking the Jews, Sanballat aimed to sow doubt and fear among the builders, hoping to halt their progress. This mirrors other biblical instances where God's people faced scorn, such as David facing Goliath's taunts or Jesus enduring mockery during His crucifixion. Ridicule can be a powerful weapon, but the faith and perseverance of the Jews, led by Nehemiah, demonstrate the importance of trusting in God's promises and strength in the face of opposition.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/sanballat.htm">Sanballat</a></b><br>A prominent adversary of the Jews during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. He was a Samaritan leader who opposed Nehemiah's efforts to restore the city.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_jews.htm">The Jews</a></b><br>The people of Israel who returned from exile and were working under Nehemiah's leadership to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wall_of_jerusalem.htm">The Wall of Jerusalem</a></b><br>The structure being rebuilt by the Jews, symbolizing the restoration of their community and protection from enemies.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/n/nehemiah.htm">Nehemiah</a></b><br>The governor of Judah, appointed by the Persian king, who led the efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls and reform the community.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/rebuilding_effort.htm">Rebuilding Effort</a></b><br>The collective work of the Jewish people to restore the walls of Jerusalem, which was met with opposition from surrounding enemies.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/opposition_to_god's_work.htm">Opposition to God's Work</a></b><br>Expect resistance when undertaking God's work. Just as Sanballat opposed the rebuilding, believers today may face opposition when pursuing God's purposes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/righteous_indignation.htm">Righteous Indignation</a></b><br>Understand the difference between human anger and righteous indignation. Sanballat's fury was rooted in self-interest, contrasting with Nehemiah's righteous anger for God's glory.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_faith.htm">Perseverance in Faith</a></b><br>Persevere in the face of mockery and opposition. Nehemiah's leadership exemplifies steadfastness and reliance on God amidst challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_unity.htm">Community and Unity</a></b><br>The rebuilding effort required unity among the Jews. Similarly, the church today must work together in unity to accomplish God's mission.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_and_action.htm">Prayer and Action</a></b><br>Balance prayer with action. Nehemiah's response to opposition was both spiritual (prayer) and practical (strategic planning).<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_nehemiah_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_nehemiah_4_1-3's_account_reliable.htm">Nehemiah 4:1–3: How reliable is the account of mocking enemies if there’s limited external historical evidence of such opposition during the wall’s rebuilding? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_breaking_vows.htm">When was Nehemiah written?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/when_was_nehemiah_written.htm">When was Nehemiah written?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_are_samaritans_seen_as_antagonists.htm">In Ezra 4:2, if Samaritans were truly offering assistance in rebuilding the temple, why does the broader biblical narrative often portray them as antagonists? </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>(1) <span class= "bld">Mocked the Jews.</span>--The mockery comes afterwards. Here, as often in Nehemiah, a general statement is made which is afterwards expanded.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Now</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִ֞י</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">when</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Sanballat</span><br /><span class="heb">סַנְבַלַּ֗ט</span> <span class="translit">(san·ḇal·laṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5571.htm">Strong's 5571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sanballat -- a Samaritan leader</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heard</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁמַ֣ע</span> <span class="translit">(šā·ma‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲנַ֤חְנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·naḥ·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_587.htm">Strong's 587: </a> </span><span class="str2">We</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were rebuilding</span><br /><span class="heb">בוֹנִים֙</span> <span class="translit">(ḇō·w·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> </span><span class="str2">To build</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wall,</span><br /><span class="heb">הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(ha·ḥō·w·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2346.htm">Strong's 2346: </a> </span><span class="str2">A wall of protection</span><br /><br /><span class="word">he became furious</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּ֣חַר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yi·ḥar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2734.htm">Strong's 2734: </a> </span><span class="str2">To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and was filled with indignation.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּכְעַ֖ס</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḵ·‘as)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3707.htm">Strong's 3707: </a> </span><span class="str2">To trouble, to grieve, rage, be indignant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">He ridiculed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּלְעֵ֖ג</span> <span class="translit">(way·yal·‘êḡ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3932.htm">Strong's 3932: </a> </span><span class="str2">To deride, to speak unintelligibly</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Jews</span><br /><span class="heb">הַיְּהוּדִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(hay·yə·hū·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3064.htm">Strong's 3064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jews -- Jewish</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 4:1 But it happened that when Sanballat heard (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/3-32.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 3:32"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 3:32" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/4-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:2" /></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>