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id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/nehemiah/4.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, &#8220What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then 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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite <i>was</i> by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite <i>was</i> beside him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up <i>on it,</i> he will break down their stone wall.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite <i>was</i> near him, and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox were to jump <i>on it,</i> it would break their stone wall down!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, &#8220Even what they are building— if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite <i>was</i> near him and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox should jump on <i>it,</i> he would break their stone wall down!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite <i>was</i> near him and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox should jump on <i>it</i>, he would break their stone wall down!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox should get up on it, he would break down their stone wall.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall! ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, &#8220Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall!&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they are building, if a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Tobiah from Ammon was standing beside Sanballat and said, "Look at the wall they are building! Why, even a fox could knock over this pile of stones." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside Sanballat, said, "Even a fox would make their stone wall collapse if it walked on top of what they're building!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Tobiah was standing there beside him, and he added, "What kind of wall could they ever build? Even a fox could knock it down!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Tobiah the Ammonite stood to the side, commenting, "If a fox were to jump onto what they're building, it would collapse their stone wall!"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then 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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was close by, said, "If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, "What they are building, if a fox climbed up it, he would break down their stone wall."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox should go up, he would even break down their stone wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, “What they are building, if a fox climbed up it, he would break down their stone wall.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Tobiah the Ammonite [is] by him and says, “Also, that which they are building—if a fox goes up, then it has broken down their stone wall.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Tobiah the Ammonite is by him and saith, 'Also, that which they are building -- if a fox doth go up, then it hath broken down their stone wall.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Tobiah the Ammonite near him, and he will say, Also that they are building, if a fox shall go up, and he brake their walls of stones.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Tobias also the Ammonite who was by him said : Let them build: if a fox go up, he will leap over their stone wall. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then too, Tobiah, an Ammonite, his assistant, said: “Let them build. When the fox climbs, he will leap over their stone wall.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said: “Whatever they are building—if a fox attacks it, it will breach their wall of stones!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “That stone wall they are building—any fox going up on it would break it down!”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite was standing by him, and he said, No matter how much they build, I know, if a fox climbs it, he shall break down their stone wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Tubia an Ammonite was standing with him and said: “However they build, I know that a fox may climb and overturn the stones of their wall!”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said: 'Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Tobias the Ammanite came near to him, and said to them, Do they sacrifice or eat in their place? shall not a fox go up and pull down their wall of stones?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=794" 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">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?” <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2900.htm" title="2900: wə·ṭō·w·ḇî·yāh (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- Or Towbiyahuw; from towb and Yahh; goodness of Jehovah; Tobijah, the name of three Israelites and of one Samaritan.">Then Tobiah</a> <a href="/hebrew/5984.htm" title="5984: hā·‘am·mō·nî (Art:: N-proper-ms) -- Desc. of Ammon. Patronymically from Ammown; an Ammonite or Ammonitish.">the Ammonite,</a> <a href="/hebrew/681.htm" title="681: ’eṣ·lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- A joining together, proximity. From 'atsal; a side; near.">who was beside him,</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.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">“If</a> <a href="/hebrew/1571.htm" title="1571: gam (Conj) -- Also, moreover, yea. ">even</a> <a href="/hebrew/7776.htm" title="7776: šū·‘āl (N-ms) -- Fox, perhaps jackal. Or shunal; from the same as sho'al; a jackal.">a fox</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ya·‘ă·leh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">were to climb up on</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer- (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">what</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">they</a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: bō·w·nîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">are building,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6555.htm" title="6555: ū·p̄ā·raṣ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To break through. A primitive root; to break out.">it would break down</a> <a href="/hebrew/2346.htm" title="2346: ḥō·w·maṯ (N-fsc) -- A wall. Feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection.">their wall</a> <a href="/hebrew/68.htm" title="68: ’aḇ·nê·hem (N-fpc:: 3mp) -- A stone. From the root of banah through the meaning to build; a stone.">of stones!”</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Hear us, O God, for we are despised. Turn their scorn back upon their own heads, and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity.…<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="/psalms/123-3.htm">Psalm 123:3-4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/44-13.htm">Psalm 44:13-14</a></span><br />You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, a mockery and derision to those around us. / You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-23.htm">Isaiah 37:23</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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-22.htm">2 Kings 19:22</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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/79-4.htm">Psalm 79:4</a></span><br />We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-61.htm">Lamentations 3:61-63</a></span><br />O LORD, You have heard their insults, all their plots against me— / the slander and murmuring of my assailants against me all day long. / When they sit and when they rise, see how they mock me in song.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-43.htm">1 Samuel 17:43-44</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. / “Come here,” he called to David, “and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!”<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="/psalms/69-9.htm">Psalm 69:9-12</a></span><br />because zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me. / I wept and fasted, but it brought me reproach. / I made sackcloth my clothing, and I was sport to them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/36-18.htm">Isaiah 36:18-20</a></span><br />Do not let Hezekiah mislead you when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’ Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? / Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand? / Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-39.htm">Matthew 27:39-44</a></span><br />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, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-29.htm">Mark 15:29-32</a></span><br />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! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-35.htm">Luke 23:35-37</a></span><br />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!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-13.htm">Acts 2:13</a></span><br />But others mocked them and said, “They are drunk on new wine!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-12.htm">1 Corinthians 4:12-13</a></span><br />We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; / when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.</p><p class="hdg">Tobiah</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="/nehemiah/6-1.htm">Nehemiah 6:1</a></b></br> Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and <i>that</i> there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/20-10.htm">1 Kings 20:10,18</a></b></br> And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Ammonite</a> <a href="/ezra/9-14.htm">Break</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-13.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-3.htm">Build</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Building</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-42.htm">Climbed</a> <a href="/luke/13-32.htm">Fox</a> <a href="/ezra/5-8.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-19.htm">Side</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/34-11.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Tobiah</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Tobi'ah</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Wall</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/13-1.htm">Ammonite</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-21.htm">Break</a> <a href="/job/2-8.htm">Broken</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-10.htm">Build</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Building</a> <a href="/jeremiah/9-21.htm">Climbed</a> <a href="/luke/13-32.htm">Fox</a> <a href="/esther/6-8.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-18.htm">Side</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-11.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/esther/1-6.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Tobiah</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Tobi'ah</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-6.htm">Wall</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/nehemiah/4.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Then Tobiah the Ammonite</b><br />Tobiah, an Ammonite, represents the persistent opposition faced by the Israelites during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. The Ammonites were descendants of Lot and historically antagonistic towards Israel (<a href="/genesis/19-38.htm">Genesis 19:38</a>). Tobiah's presence highlights the external threats and the spiritual warfare against God's people. His identity as an Ammonite underscores the longstanding enmity and the challenge of overcoming historical grievances through faith and perseverance.<p><b>who was beside him</b><br />This phrase indicates Tobiah's close association with Sanballat, another adversary of Nehemiah. Their alliance symbolizes the coalition of forces against God's work. In a spiritual context, it reminds believers of the unity often found among those opposing God's plans, urging Christians to remain vigilant and united in their faith.<p><b>said, 'Even if a fox were to climb up on it</b><br />The imagery of a fox, a small and seemingly insignificant creature, is used to mock the efforts of the Israelites. In the Hebrew context, foxes were often seen as cunning and destructive (<a href="/songs/2-15.htm">Song of Solomon 2:15</a>). Tobiah's taunt is meant to belittle the strength and stability of the wall, reflecting the enemy's tactic of sowing doubt and discouragement. For believers, this serves as a reminder that the enemy often uses ridicule to undermine faith and confidence in God's promises.<p><b>he would break down their wall of stones!'</b><br />The wall of stones represents the physical and spiritual fortification of Jerusalem. Tobiah's mockery of the wall's strength is an attempt to undermine the morale of the builders. Historically, walls were crucial for a city's defense and identity, and their restoration was vital for Jerusalem's renewal. Spiritually, this highlights the importance of building strong foundations in faith, as well as the resilience required to withstand external criticism and internal doubt. The verse encourages believers to trust in God's provision and protection, knowing that what is built on His foundation cannot be easily destroyed.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Tobiah the Ammonite was by him</span>. The presence of Tobiah on this occasion, before the alliance was made with the Ammonites (ver. 8), is a strong indication that his position was not one of independent authority, but of dependence upon Sanballat. There is nothing to show that he was more than a favourite slave of the Samaritan governor. <span class="cmt_word">A fox</span>. Or, "a jackal," which would be more likely than a fox to stray over a ruined wall into a town. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/4-3.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">Then Tobiah</span><br /><span class="heb">וְטוֹבִיָּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ṭō·w·ḇî·yāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2900.htm">Strong's 2900: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tobiah -- 'Yah is my good', three Israelites, also an Ammonite</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the Ammonite,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעַמֹּנִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘am·mō·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5984.htm">Strong's 5984: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ammonite -- descendants of Ammon</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who was beside him,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶצְל֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’eṣ·lōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_681.htm">Strong's 681: </a> </span><span class="str2">A joining together, proximity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֗אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“If</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">even</span><br /><span class="heb">גַּ֚ם</span> <span class="translit">(gam)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1571.htm">Strong's 1571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a fox</span><br /><span class="heb">שׁוּעָ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(šū·‘āl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7776.htm">Strong's 7776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fox, perhaps jackal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">were to climb up on</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲלֶ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁר־</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer-)</span><br /><span class="parse">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">they</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are building,</span><br /><span class="heb">בּוֹנִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(bō·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">it would break down</span><br /><span class="heb">וּפָרַ֖ץ</span> <span class="translit">(ū·p̄ā·raṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6555.htm">Strong's 6555: </a> </span><span class="str2">To break through</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their wall</span><br /><span class="heb">חוֹמַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·w·maṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<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">of stones!”</span><br /><span class="heb">אַבְנֵיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’aḇ·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_68.htm">Strong's 68: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stone</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Nehemiah 4:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Nehemiah 4:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Nehemiah 4:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Nehemiah 4:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Nehemiah 4:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Nehemiah 4:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Nehemiah 4:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Nehemiah 4:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Nehemiah 4:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Nehemiah 4:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/4-3.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/4-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/4-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:4" /></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>