Nehemiah 4 Study Notes: Building the Wall Under Threat
Sanballat and Tobiah ridicule the Jews rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall, and Nehemiah prays for God to judge their scorn. When enemies plot an attack, the people pray and set guards, God foils the plan, and the builders work armed, half building and half on watch.
General
True or False: Despite the mockery, the builders closed up the whole wall halfway to its full height, because the people were set on working (Nehemiah 4:6).
Answer: True
This is true. After the prayer, the account returns to the building: the whole wall was linked up halfway to its full height, and the reason given is that the people were wholeheartedly committed to the work (4:6). The ridicule of Sanballat and Tobiah did not stop them. This eagerness matches their first response when Nehemiah told them how God’s gracious hand had been on him: they agreed to begin and committed themselves to the good work (2:18). Nehemiah had already told the opponents that heaven’s God would give success and that His servants would build (2:20).
- Nehemiah 4:6 (BSB)“So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.”The wall is joined together to half its height because the people were committed to the work.
- Nehemiah 2:18 (BSB)“I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me. “Let us start rebuilding,” they replied, and they set their hands to this good work.”The people’s first response to Nehemiah’s report was to commit themselves to the good work.
- Nehemiah 2:20 (BSB)“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.””Nehemiah had told the opponents that God would give success and His servants would build.
Theological
True or False: The whole wall was joined together halfway up because the people were committed to the work (Nehemiah 4:6).
Answer: True
This is true. The prayer is followed immediately by progress: the entire wall is linked halfway up, and the stated reason is the people’s wholehearted commitment to the work (4:6). Their resolve echoes their first response to Nehemiah’s report of God’s gracious hand (2:18) and rests on his confidence that heaven’s God would give success to His servants (2:20).
- Nehemiah 4:6 (BSB)“So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.”The wall is joined together to half its height because the people were committed to the work.
- Nehemiah 2:18 (BSB)“I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me. “Let us start rebuilding,” they replied, and they set their hands to this good work.”The people’s first response to Nehemiah’s report was to commit themselves to the good work.
- Nehemiah 2:20 (BSB)“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.””Nehemiah had told the opponents that God would give success and His servants would build.
General
What did the people in Judah themselves begin to say as the work went on (Nehemiah 4:10)?
Answer: The workers were worn out, and the rubble was too much to clear
Discouragement came not only from outside but from Judah itself. The people said that the workers’ strength was giving out and that the heaps of debris were so great they would never finish the wall (4:10). At the same time the enemies boasted that they would slip in unseen, kill the builders, and stop the work (4:11), and Jews living close by came again and again, ten times, warning that attacks would come from every side (4:12). Weakening the builders so the work would stop remained the enemies’ aim later as well (6:9). Long before, the Law had a priest tell Israel’s army before battle not to lose heart before their enemies, because the LORD Himself goes with His people (Deuteronomy 20:3-4).
- Nehemiah 4:10-12 (BSB)“Meanwhile, the people of Judah said: “The strength of the laborer fails, and there is so much rubble that we will never be able to rebuild the wall.” And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.” At that time the Jews who lived nearby came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.””Judah’s workers lose heart, the enemies plan a surprise attack, and nearby Jews repeat the warning.
- Nehemiah 6:9 (BSB)“For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands.”Weakening the builders’ hands so that the work would stop remained the enemies’ aim later on.
- Deuteronomy 20:3-4 (BSB)“saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.””Israel was told not to lose heart before enemies, because the LORD goes with His people.
Theological
What complaint arose from within Judah as the work continued (Nehemiah 4:10)?
Answer: The workers were worn out, and the rubble was too much to clear
The pressure now comes from inside: Judah laments that the laborers’ strength is failing and the debris too great for the wall ever to be finished (4:10). Meanwhile the enemies plan a surprise attack to kill the builders and halt the work (4:11), and Jews living near them warn ten times over that attack will come from every direction (4:12). Weakened hands and an unfinished work were exactly what the opponents sought (6:9). Under the Law a priest told Israel’s army before battle not to grow fainthearted before enemies, since the LORD goes with His people to fight for them (Deuteronomy 20:3-4).
- Nehemiah 4:10-12 (BSB)“Meanwhile, the people of Judah said: “The strength of the laborer fails, and there is so much rubble that we will never be able to rebuild the wall.” And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.” At that time the Jews who lived nearby came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.””Judah’s workers lose heart, the enemies plan a surprise attack, and nearby Jews repeat the warning.
- Nehemiah 6:9 (BSB)“For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands.”Weakening the builders’ hands so that the work would stop remained the enemies’ aim later on.
- Deuteronomy 20:3-4 (BSB)“saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.””Israel was told not to lose heart before enemies, because the LORD goes with His people.
General
True or False: The enemies gave up their plan because the builders defeated them in a battle outside the walls (Nehemiah 4:15).
Answer: False
This is false. No battle was fought. When the enemies learned that their scheme was known and that God Himself had brought it to nothing, everyone went back to building (4:15). The credit goes to God. He overturns what the nations plan (Psalm 33:10), and no wisdom or counsel can succeed against Him (Proverbs 21:30). People make many plans, but what the LORD intends is what stands (Proverbs 19:21).
- Nehemiah 4:15 (BSB)“When our enemies heard that we were aware of their scheme and that God had frustrated it, each of us returned to his own work on the wall.”The enemies learn that their scheme is known and that God has frustrated it, and the builders resume work.
- Psalm 33:10 (BSB)“The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples.”The LORD frustrates and thwarts the schemes of the nations, as He does here.
- Proverbs 21:30 (BSB)“There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.”No counsel or wisdom can stand against the LORD.
- Proverbs 19:21 (BSB)“Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.”People make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose is what stands.
Theological
True or False: The enemies abandoned their plan after the builders defeated them in battle (Nehemiah 4:15).
Answer: False
This is false. There is no battle. The enemies learn that their plot is known and that God has frustrated it, and the builders return to the wall (4:15). The outcome is ascribed to God’s sovereign hand: He brings to nothing what the nations devise (Psalm 33:10); no counsel prevails against Him (Proverbs 21:30); amid many human plans, His purpose stands (Proverbs 19:21).
- Nehemiah 4:15 (BSB)“When our enemies heard that we were aware of their scheme and that God had frustrated it, each of us returned to his own work on the wall.”The enemies learn that their scheme is known and that God has frustrated it, and the builders resume work.
- Psalm 33:10 (BSB)“The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples.”The LORD frustrates and thwarts the schemes of the nations, as He does here.
- Proverbs 21:30 (BSB)“There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.”No counsel or wisdom can stand against the LORD.
- Proverbs 19:21 (BSB)“Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail.”People make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose is what stands.
General
From then on, how did Nehemiah arrange the building (Nehemiah 4:16-18)?
Answer: Half the men built while half stood armed, and builders wore swords
From then on, half of Nehemiah’s servants did the building, and the others held weapons and wore armor, and the officers took their places behind Judah’s builders (4:16). Those who carried loads kept a weapon in one hand while working with the other, every builder had a sword fastened at his side, and the trumpeter stayed next to Nehemiah (4:17-18). Building and readiness went together for the remainder of the project, every day from first light until the stars appeared (4:21), and the wall was finished after just fifty-two days (6:15).
- Nehemiah 4:16-18 (BSB)“And from that day on, half of my servants did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers stationed themselves behind all the people of Judah who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.”Half of Nehemiah’s servants work and half stand armed; builders carry weapons as they work.
- Nehemiah 4:21 (BSB)“So we continued the work, while half of the men held spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out.”The arrangement continues every day from first light until dark.
- Nehemiah 6:15 (BSB)“So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of Elul.”Work carried on this way brings the wall to completion.
Theological
How was the work organized from that day forward (Nehemiah 4:16-18)?
Answer: Half the men built while half stood armed, and builders wore swords
Half of Nehemiah’s servants build while the rest stand armed, with officers posted behind Judah’s builders (4:16). Load carriers work one-handed with a weapon in the other, each builder works with a sword at his side, and the trumpeter stays beside Nehemiah (4:17-18). This pattern of labor and readiness holds from dawn to dusk (4:21) until the wall is finished after just fifty-two days (6:15).
- Nehemiah 4:16-18 (BSB)“And from that day on, half of my servants did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor. The officers stationed themselves behind all the people of Judah who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.”Half of Nehemiah’s servants work and half stand armed; builders carry weapons as they work.
- Nehemiah 4:21 (BSB)“So we continued the work, while half of the men held spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out.”The arrangement continues every day from first light until dark.
- Nehemiah 6:15 (BSB)“So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of Elul.”Work carried on this way brings the wall to completion.
General
What did Nehemiah tell the people to do when they heard the horn, and why (Nehemiah 4:19-20)?
Answer: Gather where it sounded, for their God would fight for them
Because the work was large and the builders were spread far apart along the wall, Nehemiah gave a plan: wherever the horn sounded, everyone was to gather there, and the reason he gave was that their God would fight on their behalf (4:19-20). The work went on from dawn until dark (4:21). Nehemiah also had everyone stay overnight inside Jerusalem so they could keep watch at night and build in the daytime, and he and his men did not even change their clothes, keeping weapons in hand even when fetching water (4:22-23). The promise that the LORD fights for His people runs through Israel’s story: at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:14), in Moses’ words to Joshua (Deuteronomy 3:22), and in Joshua’s last charge to Israel (Joshua 23:10).
- Nehemiah 4:19-20 (BSB)“Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is great and extensive, and we are spread out far from one another along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the horn, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!””With builders spread along the wall, the horn signals where to gather, and Nehemiah declares that God will fight for them.
- Exodus 14:14 (BSB)“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.””At the Red Sea the LORD promised to fight for His people.
- Deuteronomy 3:22 (BSB)“Do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God Himself will fight for you.””Moses told Joshua not to fear, because the LORD Himself would fight for Israel.
- Joshua 23:10 (BSB)“One of you can put a thousand to flight, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as He promised.”Joshua reminded Israel that the LORD fights for them as He promised.
Theological
What instruction and assurance did Nehemiah give concerning the horn (Nehemiah 4:19-20)?
Answer: Gather where it sounded, for their God would fight for them
With the work great and the builders scattered along the wall, the horn’s call becomes the rallying point, and Nehemiah grounds the plan in confidence that their God will do battle on their behalf (4:19-20). The work continues from dawn to dusk (4:21); everyone lodges inside Jerusalem to keep watch at night and labor by day, and Nehemiah and his men never change clothes, keeping weapons in hand even to fetch water (4:22-23). The assurance belongs to a long thread of promise: the LORD fights for His people at the sea (Exodus 14:14), in the conquest (Deuteronomy 3:22), and through Joshua’s day (Joshua 23:10).
- Nehemiah 4:19-20 (BSB)“Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is great and extensive, and we are spread out far from one another along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the horn, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!””With builders spread along the wall, the horn signals where to gather, and Nehemiah declares that God will fight for them.
- Exodus 14:14 (BSB)“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.””At the Red Sea the LORD promised to fight for His people.
- Deuteronomy 3:22 (BSB)“Do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God Himself will fight for you.””Moses told Joshua not to fear, because the LORD Himself would fight for Israel.
- Joshua 23:10 (BSB)“One of you can put a thousand to flight, because the LORD your God fights for you, just as He promised.”Joshua reminded Israel that the LORD fights for them as He promised.
General
In his prayer about the mockers, what did Nehemiah ask God to do (Nehemiah 4:4-5)?
Answer: Repay their contempt on them and not cover over their guilt
Nehemiah turned straight to God in prayer. He told God that His people were despised, asked Him to turn the enemies’ scorn back onto them and have them carried off as captives, and asked Him not to cover over their guilt or wipe away their sin, since they had provoked the builders (4:4-5). This is a prayer asking God to judge those who opposed the work. Jeremiah prayed in a similar way about those who plotted against him (Jeremiah 18:23), and a psalm asks God to repay the neighbors who taunted Him (Psalm 79:12).
- Nehemiah 4:4-5 (BSB)“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. Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.”Nehemiah’s prayer asks God to repay the mockers’ scorn and not to blot out their sin.
- Jeremiah 18:23 (BSB)“But You, O LORD, know all their deadly plots against me. Do not wipe out their guilt or blot out their sin from Your sight. Let them be overthrown before You; deal with them in the time of Your anger.”Jeremiah likewise asks God not to wipe out the guilt of those plotting against him, a close parallel to Nehemiah’s request.
- Psalm 79:12 (BSB)“Pay back into the laps of our neighbors sevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord.”A psalm asks God to pay back the neighbors who heaped reproach on Him, the same kind of prayer.
Theological
What does Nehemiah’s prayer ask God to do to the mockers (Nehemiah 4:4-5)?
Answer: Repay their contempt on them and not cover over their guilt
Nehemiah answers the taunts with prayer: God’s people are despised, so may God turn the enemies’ scorn back onto them, have them taken captive, and not cover over their iniquity or erase their sin, because they had provoked those building (4:4-5). It is an imprecatory prayer, one that calls on God to judge the opponents of His work, closely parallel to Jeremiah’s prayer about his persecutors (Jeremiah 18:23) and the psalmist’s plea for sevenfold repayment of the reproach hurled at God (Psalm 79:12).
- Nehemiah 4:4-5 (BSB)“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. Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.”Nehemiah’s prayer asks God to repay the mockers’ scorn and not to blot out their sin.
- Jeremiah 18:23 (BSB)“But You, O LORD, know all their deadly plots against me. Do not wipe out their guilt or blot out their sin from Your sight. Let them be overthrown before You; deal with them in the time of Your anger.”Jeremiah likewise asks God not to wipe out the guilt of those plotting against him, a close parallel to Nehemiah’s request.
- Psalm 79:12 (BSB)“Pay back into the laps of our neighbors sevenfold the reproach they hurled at You, O Lord.”A psalm asks God to pay back the neighbors who heaped reproach on Him, the same kind of prayer.
General
When their enemies plotted to attack Jerusalem, what did Nehemiah and the people do (Nehemiah 4:7-9)?
Answer: They prayed to God and kept a guard posted day and night
The enemies (Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the men of Ashdod) grew furious as the gaps in the wall were being closed, and they plotted together to attack Jerusalem and hinder the work (4:7-8). In response they prayed to their God and set a guard against the enemy around the clock (4:9). The attack never came: when the enemies learned their scheme was exposed and God had foiled it, everyone went back to building (4:15). Later in the chapter Nehemiah assures the people that their God will do battle on their behalf (4:20).
- Nehemiah 4:7-9 (BSB)“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, and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance. So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night.”The enemies conspire to attack, and the builders respond by praying and posting a guard.
- Nehemiah 4:15 (BSB)“When our enemies heard that we were aware of their scheme and that God had frustrated it, each of us returned to his own work on the wall.”God frustrated the enemies’ scheme, and the builders went back to work.
- Nehemiah 4:20 (BSB)“Wherever you hear the sound of the horn, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!””Nehemiah assures the people that their God will fight for them.
Theological
How did the builders respond to the conspiracy to attack Jerusalem (Nehemiah 4:7-9)?
Answer: They prayed to God and kept a guard posted day and night
As the breaches close, Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites conspire to attack Jerusalem and hinder the work (4:7-8). The builders pray to their God and post a guard day and night (4:9). The threatened attack never materializes: the enemies learn that their plot is known and that God has foiled it, and the builders return to the wall (4:15). Nehemiah later grounds his defensive arrangements in the confidence that God will do battle on their behalf (4:20).
- Nehemiah 4:7-9 (BSB)“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, and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance. So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night.”The enemies conspire to attack, and the builders respond by praying and posting a guard.
- Nehemiah 4:15 (BSB)“When our enemies heard that we were aware of their scheme and that God had frustrated it, each of us returned to his own work on the wall.”God frustrated the enemies’ scheme, and the builders went back to work.
- Nehemiah 4:20 (BSB)“Wherever you hear the sound of the horn, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!””Nehemiah assures the people that their God will fight for them.
General
After posting armed families at the weak spots, what did Nehemiah urge the leaders and the people to do (Nehemiah 4:13-14)?
Answer: Not to fear, but to remember the Lord and fight for their families
Nehemiah stationed armed men, grouped by families, at the low and exposed points of the wall (4:13). After looking things over, he spoke to the leaders and everyone else. He told them not to fear the enemy, to remember how great and awesome the Lord is, and to fight for their brothers, children, wives, and homes (4:14). Remembering who God is was the answer to their fear. Moses had given Israel the same reason not to be terrified: the LORD their God was among them, mighty and to be feared (Deuteronomy 7:21). The Law also had a priest assure the army before battle that the LORD goes with His people to fight for them (Deuteronomy 20:3-4).
- Nehemiah 4:13-14 (BSB)“So I stationed men behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows. After I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.””Nehemiah stations armed families at the weak points and calls the people to remember the Lord.
- Deuteronomy 7:21 (BSB)“Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.”Israel was not to be terrified, because the LORD among them is great and awesome, the same reason Nehemiah gives.
- Deuteronomy 20:3-4 (BSB)“saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.””God’s people need not fear in battle, because the LORD goes with them to fight for them.
Theological
What did Nehemiah exhort the leaders and people to do after arranging the defense (Nehemiah 4:13-14)?
Answer: Not to fear, but to remember the Lord and fight for their families
Having stationed armed families behind the low and exposed sections (4:13), Nehemiah inspects the defense and addresses everyone: do not fear them; remember how great and awesome the Lord is; defend your brothers, children, wives, and homes (4:14). The remedy for fear is a right view of God. Nehemiah’s words echo Moses’ charge not to be terrified because the great and awesome LORD is among His people (Deuteronomy 7:21), and the priest’s assurance before battle that the LORD goes with them to fight their enemies (Deuteronomy 20:3-4).
- Nehemiah 4:13-14 (BSB)“So I stationed men behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows. After I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.””Nehemiah stations armed families at the weak points and calls the people to remember the Lord.
- Deuteronomy 7:21 (BSB)“Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.”Israel was not to be terrified, because the LORD among them is great and awesome, the same reason Nehemiah gives.
- Deuteronomy 20:3-4 (BSB)“saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.””God’s people need not fear in battle, because the LORD goes with them to fight for them.
General
How did Sanballat and Tobiah respond when they heard that the Jews were building up the wall again (Nehemiah 4:1-3)?
Answer: They ridiculed the builders as weak and said a fox could topple it
Sanballat was enraged when he heard about the rebuilding, and he mocked the Jews in front of his companions and the Samarian troops (4:1-2). His taunts came as a string of questions: could these weak Jews finish the job by themselves, offer sacrifices, complete it in one day, or bring charred stones back from heaps of debris? Tobiah the Ammonite added that the wall was so flimsy that a fox climbing on it would knock it over (4:3). These two men had been troubled from the start that a man had arrived to help the Israelites (2:10), and they had already mocked the builders once (2:19). God’s people have long known what it is to bear the scorn of proud people and to cry to God for mercy (Psalm 123:3-4).
- Nehemiah 4:1-3 (BSB)“Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews 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?” 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!””Sanballat mocks the builders before his companions and troops, and Tobiah adds his own insult.
- Nehemiah 2:10 (BSB)“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.”From the first, Sanballat and Tobiah were troubled that anyone had come to help the Israelites.
- Nehemiah 2:19 (BSB)“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?””The same men had already scorned the builders once, so this mockery continues their opposition.
- Psalm 123:3-4 (BSB)“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.”God’s people cry to Him for mercy when they have borne the scorn of the proud, as the builders now do.
Theological
What was the response of Sanballat and Tobiah to news of the rebuilding (Nehemiah 4:1-3)?
Answer: They ridiculed the builders as weak and said a fox could topple it
Sanballat, enraged, ridicules the Jews in front of his companions and the Samarian troops with a volley of questions: can these weak Jews restore the wall alone, offer sacrifices, finish in a single day, or revive charred stones from the debris (4:1-2)? Tobiah the Ammonite adds that a fox would topple what they build (4:3). Their hostility goes back to Nehemiah’s arrival (2:10) and their earlier mockery (2:19). The builders stand where God’s people often stand, enduring the contempt of the proud and appealing to the LORD for mercy (Psalm 123:3-4).
- Nehemiah 4:1-3 (BSB)“Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews 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?” 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!””Sanballat mocks the builders before his companions and troops, and Tobiah adds his own insult.
- Nehemiah 2:10 (BSB)“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.”From the first, Sanballat and Tobiah were troubled that anyone had come to help the Israelites.
- Nehemiah 2:19 (BSB)“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?””The same men had already scorned the builders once, so this mockery continues their opposition.
- Psalm 123:3-4 (BSB)“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.”God’s people cry to Him for mercy when they have borne the scorn of the proud, as the builders now do.