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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 4:7 When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/4-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/16_Neh_04_07.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 4:7 - The Work is Ridiculed" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, 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src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/nehemiah/4-6.htm" title="Nehemiah 4:6">◄</a> Nehemiah 4:7 <a href="/nehemiah/4-8.htm" title="Nehemiah 4:8">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/nehemiah/4.htm">New International Version</a> But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem&#8217s walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. <a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious. <a href="/esv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry. <a href="/bsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious, <a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4.htm">King James Bible</a> But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, <a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/4.htm">New King James Version</a> Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry, <a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. <a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. <a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now it came about when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches began to be closed, they were very angry. <a href="/lsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now it happened that when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the places broken down began to be closed, they were very angry. <a href="/amp/nehemiah/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repair of the walls of Jerusalem went on, and that the breaches were being closed, they were very angry. <a href="/csb/nehemiah/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they became furious. <a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they became furious. <a href="/asv/nehemiah/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> But it came to pass that, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth; <a href="/cev/nehemiah/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people from the city of Ashdod saw the walls going up and the holes being repaired. So they became angry <a href="/erv/nehemiah/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> But it came to pass that, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth; <a href="/gwt/nehemiah/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people from Ashdod heard that the repair work on the walls of Jerusalem was making progress and that the gaps were being filled in, they became furious. <a href="/gnt/nehemiah/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> Sanballat, Tobiah, and the people of Arabia, Ammon, and Ashdod heard that we were making progress in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem and that the gaps in the wall were being closed, and they became very angry. <a href="/isv/nehemiah/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repair work on the Jerusalem wall was progressing and that its breaches were being repaired, they flew into a rage. <a href="/msb/nehemiah/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious, <a href="/net/nehemiah/4.htm">NET Bible</a> When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the people of Ashdod heard that the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem had moved ahead and that the breaches had begun to be closed, they were very angry. <a href="/nheb/nehemiah/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But it happened that when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be filled, then they were very angry; <a href="/wbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were set up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, <a href="/web/nehemiah/4.htm">World English Bible</a> But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be filled, they were very angry; <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And it comes to pass, when Sanballat has heard, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, that lengthening has gone up to the walls of Jerusalem, that the breeches have begun to be stopped, then it is very displeasing to them, <a href="/ylt/nehemiah/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And it cometh to pass, when Sanballat hath heard, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, that lengthening hath gone up to the walls of Jerusalem, that the breeches have begun to be stopped, then it is very displeasing to them, <a href="/slt/nehemiah/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it will be that when Sanballat heard, and Tobiah, and the Arabians and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, that healing ascended to the walls of Jerusalem, that the breaches began to be stopped, and it kindled to them greatly;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/nehemiah/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And it came to pass, when Sanaballat, and Tobias, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Azotians heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and the breaches began to be closed, that they were exceedingly angry. <a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now it happened that, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabs, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites had heard that the walls of Jerusalem had been closed, and that the breaches had begun to be repaired, they were exceedingly angry. <a href="/nabre/nehemiah/4.htm">New American Bible</a> When Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the restoration of the walls of Jerusalem was progressing—for the gaps were beginning to be closed up—they became extremely angry. <a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and the gaps were beginning to be closed, they were very angry,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabians and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that a time was set to complete the walls of Jerusalem, and the breaches began to be closed, then they were exceedingly grieved, <a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> Then, when Samblat and Tubia and the Arabians and the Ammonites and the Ashdudites heard that time was given for the wall of Jerusalem to be built, and the breach in it began to be closed, it grieved them greatly.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/nehemiah/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> But it came to pass that, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth; <a href="/sep/nehemiah/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> But it came to pass, when Sanaballat and Tobia, and the Arabians, and the Ammanites, heard that the building of the walls of Jerusalem was advancing, and that the breaches began to be stopped, that it appeared very grievous to them. <a href="/parallel/nehemiah/4-7.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=836" 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> …6So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. 7<a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ḵa·’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/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.">and Tobiah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6163.htm" title="6163: wə·hā·‘ar·ḇîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Arabian -- inhabitant of Arabia. Or marbiy; patrial from Arab; an Arabian or inhabitant of Arab.">together with the Arabs,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5984.htm" title="5984: wə·hā·‘am·mō·nîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Ammon. Patronymically from Ammown; an Ammonite or Ammonitish.">Ammonites,</a> <a href="/hebrew/796.htm" title="796: wə·hā·’aš·dō·w·ḏîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-proper-mp) -- An inhab. of Ashdod. Patrial from 'Ashdowd; an Ashdodite or inhabitant of Asdod.">and Ashdodites,</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/724.htm" title="724: ’ă·rū·ḵāh (N-fs) -- Healing, restoration. Or rarukah; feminine passive participle of 'arak; wholeness.">the repair</a> <a href="/hebrew/2346.htm" title="2346: lə·ḥō·mō·wṯ (Prep-l:: N-fpc) -- A wall. Feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection.">to the walls</a> <a href="/hebrew/3389.htm" title="3389: yə·rū·šā·lim (N-proper-fs) -- Probably foundation of peace, capital city of all Isr. ">of Jerusalem</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ā·lə·ṯāh (V-Qal-Perf-3fs) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">was progressing</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">and that</a> <a href="/hebrew/2490.htm" title="2490: hê·ḥêl·lū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; properly, to bore, i.e. to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane, to break, to begin; denom. to play."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6555.htm" title="6555: hap·pə·ru·ṣîm (Art:: V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-mp) -- To break through. A primitive root; to break out.">the gaps</a> <a href="/hebrew/5640.htm" title="5640: lə·his·sā·ṯêm (Prep-l:: V-Nifal-Inf) -- To stop up, shut up, keep close. Or satham; a primitive root; to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret.">were being closed,</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.">they were furious,</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc."></a> 8and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance.…<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/2-10.htm">Nehemiah 2:10</a> But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites. <a href="/nehemiah/6-1.htm">Nehemiah 6:1-2</a> 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. <a href="/psalms/83-3.htm">Psalm 83:3-5</a> 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.” / For with one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against You— <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="/nehemiah/6-16.htm">Nehemiah 6:16</a> When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and disheartened, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God. <a href="/acts/4-25.htm">Acts 4:25-28</a> 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.’ / In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. ... <a href="/nehemiah/13-28.htm">Nehemiah 13:28-29</a> Even one of the sons of Jehoiada son of Eliashib the high priest had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I drove him away from me. / Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. <a href="/psalms/2-1.htm">Psalm 2:1-2</a> 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: <a href="/nehemiah/13-4.htm">Nehemiah 13:4-8</a> Now before this, Eliashib the priest, a relative of Tobiah, had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God / and had prepared for Tobiah a large room where they had previously stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the temple articles, and the tithes of grain, new wine, and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, along with the contributions for the priests. / While all this was happening, I was not in Jerusalem, because I had returned to Artaxerxes king of Babylon in the thirty-second year of his reign. Some time later I obtained leave from the king ... <a href="/acts/13-45.htm">Acts 13:45-50</a> But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying. / Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. / For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” ... <a href="/nehemiah/1-10.htm">Nehemiah 1:10</a> They are Your servants and Your people. You redeemed them by Your great power and mighty hand. <a href="/1_thessalonians/2-14.htm">1 Thessalonians 2:14-16</a> For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews, / who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, / hindering us from telling the Gentiles how they may be saved. As a result, they continue to heap up their sins to full capacity; the utmost wrath has come upon them. <a href="/nehemiah/5-9.htm">Nehemiah 5:9</a> So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies? <a href="/matthew/10-22.htm">Matthew 10:22</a> You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,Sanballat<a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1</a> 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.<a href="/nehemiah/2-10.htm">Nehemiah 2:10,19</a> When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel… the Ammonites<a href="/judges/10-7.htm">Judges 10:7</a> And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.<a href="/judges/11-12.htm">Judges 11:12</a> And Jephthah sent messengers unto the king of the children of Ammon, saying, What hast thou to do with me, that thou art come against me to fight in my land?<a href="/1_samuel/11-2.htm">1 Samuel 11:2</a> And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.Ashdodites<a href="/nehemiah/13-23.htm">Nehemiah 13:23,24</a> In those days also saw I Jews that had married wives of Ashdod, of Ammon, and of Moab: … <a href="/1_samuel/5-1.htm">1 Samuel 5:1,2</a> And the Philistines took the ark of God, and brought it from Ebenezer unto Ashdod… <a href="/2_chronicles/26-6.htm">2 Chronicles 26:6-8</a> And he went forth and warred against the Philistines, and brake down the wall of Gath, and the wall of Jabneh, and the wall of Ashdod, and built cities about Ashdod, and among the Philistines… heard<a href="/ezra/4-4.htm">Ezra 4:4-16</a> Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, … <a href="/ezra/5-8.htm">Ezra 5:8</a> Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.were made up.<a href="/genesis/3-15.htm">Genesis 3:15</a> And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.<a href="/acts/4-17.htm">Acts 4:17,18</a> But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name… <a href="/acts/5-33.htm">Acts 5:33</a> When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/18-46.htm">Ahead</a> <a href="/ezra/9-1.htm">Ammonites</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-7.htm">Arabians</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-7.htm">Arabs</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/26-6.htm">Ashdod</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-6.htm">Ashdodites</a> <a href="/2_kings/22-5.htm">Breaches</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/32-30.htm">Closed</a> <a href="/ezra/3-13.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-2.htm">Full</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-32.htm">Good</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-12.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-32.htm">Jerusalem's</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-7.htm">Places</a> <a href="/ezra/9-9.htm">Repair</a> <a href="/ezra/4-12.htm">Repairing</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-32.htm">Repairs</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Sanballat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Sanbal'lat</a> <a href="/ezra/4-24.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Tobiah</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-3.htm">Tobi'ah</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Tobijah</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-4.htm">Walls</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Wrath</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Wroth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/105-17.htm">Ahead</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-14.htm">Ammonites</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-6.htm">Angry</a> <a href="/acts/2-10.htm">Arabians</a> <a href="/acts/2-11.htm">Arabs</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-23.htm">Ashdod</a> <a href="/joshua/13-3.htm">Ashdodites</a> <a href="/psalms/60-2.htm">Breaches</a> <a href="/job/17-4.htm">Closed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-15.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/job/6-11.htm">Forward</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-25.htm">Full</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-9.htm">Good</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-15.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-8.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/isaiah/5-14.htm">Jerusalem's</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-12.htm">Places</a> <a href="/psalms/60-2.htm">Repair</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-9.htm">Repairing</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-5.htm">Repairs</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-1.htm">Sanballat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-2.htm">Sanbal'lat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-3.htm">Stopped</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-1.htm">Tobiah</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-12.htm">Tobi'ah</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-12.htm">Tobijah</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-13.htm">Walls</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-18.htm">Wrath</a> <a href="/esther/1-12.htm">Wroth</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>When Sanballat and Tobiah Sanballat and Tobiah were prominent figures opposing Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. Sanballat was the governor of Samaria, and Tobiah was an Ammonite official. Their opposition represents the broader resistance from surrounding regions to the restoration of Jerusalem, highlighting the political and social tensions of the time. This opposition can be seen as a reflection of the enmity between the Israelites and their neighbors, which is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament.Together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites These groups represent the various peoples surrounding Judah. The Arabs were likely nomadic tribes from the desert regions, the Ammonites were descendants of Lot and traditional enemies of Israel, and the Ashdodites were Philistines from the coastal city of Ashdod. This coalition of adversaries underscores the widespread opposition to the Jewish community's efforts to reestablish itself. Historically, these groups had vested interests in keeping Jerusalem weak and vulnerable.Heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls was a significant undertaking, symbolizing the restoration of the Jewish community and their covenant with God. The progress of the repairs was a threat to the surrounding nations, as a fortified Jerusalem would be a political and military power. This phrase highlights the determination and resilience of the Jewish people under Nehemiah's leadership, despite external pressures.And that the gaps were being closed Closing the gaps in the walls was crucial for the security and defense of Jerusalem. It also symbolized the closing of spiritual and communal breaches among the Jewish people. The physical act of repairing the walls can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual renewal and unity. This effort reflects the fulfillment of God's promises to restore His people, as seen in prophecies like those in Isaiah and Jeremiah.They were furious The anger of Sanballat, Tobiah, and their allies reflects the threat they perceived from a restored and fortified Jerusalem. Their fury can be seen as a manifestation of the spiritual warfare against God's plans and His people. This opposition is reminiscent of the broader biblical theme of the conflict between God's purposes and the forces that seek to thwart them. The hostility faced by Nehemiah and the Jews is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are warned of opposition in their spiritual journey.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/sanballat.htm">Sanballat</a> A Samaritan leader who opposed Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. His name is associated with hostility towards the Jewish people. 2. <a href="/topical/t/tobiah.htm">Tobiah</a> An Ammonite official who, along with Sanballat, opposed the rebuilding efforts. His opposition is rooted in political and personal interests. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_arabs.htm">The Arabs</a> A group of people living in the region who were also opposed to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Their opposition was likely due to political and territorial concerns. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_ammonites.htm">The Ammonites</a> Descendants of Lot, historically in conflict with Israel. Their opposition to Nehemiah's work reflects longstanding enmity. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_ashdodites.htm">The Ashdodites</a> Inhabitants of Ashdod, a Philistine city. Their anger towards the rebuilding efforts highlights the regional tension and opposition to Israel's restoration.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/r/recognizing_opposition.htm">Recognizing Opposition</a> Just as Nehemiah faced opposition from various groups, Christians today should be aware of the spiritual and worldly opposition to God's work in their lives. <a href="/topical/p/perseverance_in_god's_work.htm">Perseverance in God's Work</a> Nehemiah's determination to continue rebuilding despite opposition is a model for believers to persevere in their God-given tasks. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_purpose.htm">Unity in Purpose</a> The opposition from multiple groups highlights the need for unity among God's people. Believers should work together to overcome challenges. <a href="/topical/p/prayer_and_preparation.htm">Prayer and Preparation</a> Nehemiah's response to opposition included prayer and strategic planning. Christians should likewise combine prayer with practical steps in facing challenges. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a> Despite the anger and plots of their enemies, Nehemiah and the Jews trusted in God's sovereignty. Believers are encouraged to trust that God is in control, even amidst opposition.<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/what_do_ezra_and_nehemiah_teach.htm">What lessons do Ezra and Nehemiah's stories teach us?</a> <a href="/q/do_psalm_126_and_nehemiah_4_conflict.htm">Do the joyful descriptions in Psalm 126:2, 5–6 conflict with other biblical accounts (e.g., Nehemiah 4) that depict the return from exile as difficult and fraught with opposition? </a> <a href="/q/who_were_sanballat,_tobiah,_geshem.htm">Who were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem in history?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_ashdod's_biblical_significance.htm">What is Ashdod's biblical significance?</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>(7) Were made up.--Arose to the height before mentioned.Began to be stopped.--The wall, they heard, was continuous. The tribes here enumerated were only small parties under the immediate influence of Sanballat: nothing beyond that would have been likely to occur among subjects in common of Persia.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 7. - It came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, at Samaria, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, in their respective residences, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, or "that the (entire) wall of Jerusalem was of a (good) height," they were wroth. Observe that Tobiah is here quite separated from the nation of the Ammonites, and in no way represented as their leader. Jealousy of Jerusalem on the part of the Ammonites and Philistines is quite natural; and, if the Arabs are the Edomites, their opposition would be equally a matter of course (<a href="/psalms/137-7.htm">Psalm 137:7</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/25-12.htm">Ezekiel 25:12</a>; <a href="/amos/1-11.htm">Amos 1:11</a>; <a href="/obadiah/1-10.htm">Obadiah 1:10, 14</a>); but the Edomites are not called Arabs in Scripture, nor do Arabs appear very often among the enemies of the Jews. It has been suggested that the "Arabians" here mentioned are the descendants of a colony which Sargon planted in Samaria itself. This, of course, is possible; but they may perhaps have been one of the desert tribes, induced to come forward by the hope of plunder (Ewald), and influenced by the Ammonites, their neighbours. <a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When כַאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ḵa·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that Sanballat סַנְבַלַּ֡ט (san·ḇal·laṭ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5571.htm">Strong's 5571: </a> Sanballat -- a Samaritan leader and Tobiah, וְ֠טוֹבִיָּה (wə·ṭō·w·ḇî·yāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2900.htm">Strong's 2900: </a> Tobiah -- 'Yah is my good', three Israelites, also an Ammonite together with the Arabs, וְהָעַרְבִ֨ים (wə·hā·‘ar·ḇîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6163.htm">Strong's 6163: </a> Arabian -- inhabitant of Arabia Ammonites, וְהָעַמֹּנִ֜ים (wə·hā·‘am·mō·nîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5984.htm">Strong's 5984: </a> Ammonite -- descendants of Ammon and Ashdodites, וְהָאַשְׁדּוֹדִ֗ים (wə·hā·’aš·dō·w·ḏîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_796.htm">Strong's 796: </a> Ashdodites -- an inhabitant of Ashdod heard שָׁמַ֣ע (šā·ma‘) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently that כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction the repair אֲרוּכָה֙ (’ă·rū·ḵāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_724.htm">Strong's 724: </a> Healing, restoration to the walls לְחֹמ֣וֹת (lə·ḥō·mō·wṯ) Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2346.htm">Strong's 2346: </a> A wall of protection of Jerusalem יְרוּשָׁלִַ֔ם (yə·rū·šā·lim) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3389.htm">Strong's 3389: </a> Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel was progressing עָלְתָ֤ה (‘ā·lə·ṯāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively and that כִּי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction the gaps הַפְּרֻצִ֖ים (hap·pə·ru·ṣîm) Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6555.htm">Strong's 6555: </a> To break through were being closed, לְהִסָּתֵ֑ם (lə·his·sā·ṯêm) Preposition-l | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5640.htm">Strong's 5640: </a> To stop up, to repair, to keep secret they were furious, וַיִּ֥חַר (way·yi·ḥar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2734.htm">Strong's 2734: </a> To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/nehemiah/4-7.htm">Nehemiah 4:7 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-7.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 4:7 But it happened that when Sanballat Tobiah (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/4-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/4-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 4:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 4:8" /></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>