King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ 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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
But when Sanvalat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious. Greatly enraged, he ridiculed the Judeans;
Berean Standard Bible:
Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews
American Standard Version:
But it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat{H5571} heard{H8085} that we builded{H1129} the wall{H2346}, he was wroth{H2734}, and took great{H7235} indignation{H3707}, and mocked{H3932} the Jews{H3064}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Nehemiah 2:10
- 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.
Hebrews 11:36
- And others had trial of [cruel] mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
Acts 5:17
- ¶ Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
Psalms 35:15
- But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: [yea], the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew [it] not; they did tear [me], and ceased not:
Psalms 35:16
- With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
Nehemiah 2:19
- But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard [it], they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What [is] this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
Matthew 27:29
- And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put [it] upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!
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Commentary for Nehemiah 4:1
Nehemiah 4:1 is set within the historical context of the post-exilic period, after the Babylonian exile when some Jews had returned to Jerusalem. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes I, received permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls, a task essential for the city's defense and the restoration of the Jewish community's identity.
The verse specifically addresses the reaction of Sanballat, a Horonite and one of the key adversaries to Nehemiah's efforts. Upon hearing of the progress in rebuilding the wall, Sanballat becomes angry and indignant, resorting to ridicule and mockery of the Jews. This reflects the broader theme of opposition that the returning exiles faced from neighboring peoples, who saw the reconstruction as a threat to their own interests and power in the region.
Sanballat's wrath and derision underscore the significant resistance that the Jewish community encountered in their efforts to restore their homeland. This resistance was not only physical but also psychological, as the mockery aimed to undermine the morale and determination of the people working on the wall. The verse sets the stage for the ensuing conflict and the resilience of the Jews, led by Nehemiah, in overcoming these obstacles through unity, prayer, and strategic defensive measures.
In summary, Nehemiah 4:1 captures a moment of conflict and tension in the restoration period of Jerusalem. It highlights the themes of external opposition, the importance of rebuilding as a symbol of communal resilience, and the psychological warfare that accompanied the physical threats to the Jewish people's mission to restore their city and their way of life.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5571
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: סַנְבַלַּט
Transliteration: Çanballaṭ
Pronunciation: san-bal-lat'
Description: of foreign origin; Sanballat, a Persian satrap of Samaria; Sanballat. - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H1129
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּנָה
Transliteration: bânâh
Pronunciation: baw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to build (literally and figuratively); (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. - Strong's Number: H2346
There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חוֹמָה
Transliteration: chôwmâh
Pronunciation: kho-maw'
Description: feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection; wall, walled. - Strong's Number: H2734
There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָרָה
Transliteration: chârâh
Pronunciation: khaw-raw'
Description: a primitive root (compare חָרַר); to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy; be angry, burn, be displeased, [idiom] earnestly, fret self, grieve, be (wax) hot, be incensed, kindle, [idiom] very, be wroth. See תַּחָרָה. - Strong's Number: H7235
There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָבָה
Transliteration: râbâh
Pronunciation: raw-baw'
Description: a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for רָבַב), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. - Strong's Number: H3707
There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כַּעַס
Transliteration: kaʻaç
Pronunciation: kaw-as'
Description: a primitive root; to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant; be angry, be grieved, take indignation, provoke (to anger, unto wrath), have sorrow, vex, be wroth. - Strong's Number: H3932
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לָעַג
Transliteration: lâʻag
Pronunciation: law-ag'
Description: a primitive root; to deride; by implication (as if imitating a foreigner) to speak unintelligibly; have in derision, laugh (to scorn), mock (on), stammering. - Strong's Number: H3064
There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהוּדִי
Transliteration: Yᵉhûwdîy
Pronunciation: yeh-hoo-dee'
Description: patronymically from יְהוּדָה; a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah); Jew.