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.

When Sanballat {H5571} the Horonite {H2772}, and Tobiah {H2900} the servant {H5650}, the Ammonite {H5984}, heard {H8085} of it, it grieved {H3415} them exceedingly {H7451}{H1419} that there was come {H935} a man {H120} to seek {H1245} the welfare {H2896} of the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}.

When Sanvalat the Horoni and Toviyah the servant, the 'Amoni, heard about this, they were very displeased that someone had come to promote the welfare of the people of Isra'el.

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.

And when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, for that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

Nehemiah 2:10 marks a pivotal moment in Nehemiah’s mission, revealing the immediate and intense opposition that arose as soon as his purpose became known. This verse introduces two key adversaries, Sanballat and Tobiah, whose hostile reaction foreshadows the challenges Nehemiah and the returning exiles would face in rebuilding Jerusalem.

Context

This verse follows Nehemiah's successful petition to King Artaxerxes, securing permission and resources to travel to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls (see Nehemiah 2:8). Having arrived in the province beyond the Euphrates, Nehemiah’s presence and clear intent to help the "children of Israel" immediately drew the attention of powerful regional figures. Sanballat the Horonite was likely the governor of Samaria, and Tobiah the Ammonite was a prominent official in the Ammonite territory. Their "grief" was not sorrow, but extreme displeasure and hostility towards any strengthening of Judah, which they perceived as a threat to their own regional influence and political stability.

Key Themes

  • Opposition to God's Work: A recurring biblical theme is that significant divine undertakings often face fierce human and spiritual opposition. Nehemiah's mission to restore Jerusalem's walls was God-ordained, and thus it provoked those who were against God's purposes for His people. This mirrors a broader spiritual battle against those who seek to advance God's kingdom.
  • Malicious Intent: Sanballat and Tobiah’s "grief" was rooted in malice and self-interest. They did not want the Jewish people to prosper or Jerusalem to regain its former strength. Their reaction was a clear sign of their hostile motives, which would continue to manifest in various forms of resistance throughout the rebuilding process (as seen in Nehemiah 4:1 and Nehemiah 6:1).
  • Divine Providence and Human Response: While Nehemiah’s journey was under God’s providential hand, his arrival served to expose the hearts of those who would resist God's plan for Israel's restoration.

Linguistic Insights

  • "grieved them exceedingly": The Hebrew phrase here is ra' lahem gedolah, which literally means "evil/bad was to them great." It conveys a sense of intense displeasure, annoyance, or a profound sense of something being wrong or threatening to them. It's not sorrow, but rather bitter resentment and hostility at the prospect of Israel’s well-being.
  • "welfare" (*tovah*): This term encompasses more than just physical safety; it refers to the overall goodness, prosperity, well-being, and success of the community. Sanballat and Tobiah were grieved by the idea of Israel flourishing in any aspect.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 2:10 offers timeless lessons for believers today. When you embark on a work that is clearly aligned with God's will, whether it's personal spiritual growth, ministry, or seeking justice, expect opposition. Not everyone will rejoice in your "welfare" or the progress of God's kingdom. Like Nehemiah, we must be prepared to face those who are "grieved exceedingly" by good and godly endeavors. This verse reminds us to discern motives and to persevere in our divine calling, knowing that God's plan will ultimately prevail despite human resistance. It encourages us to pray for wisdom and strength, just as Nehemiah did throughout his challenging mission (compare with Nehemiah's initial burden in Nehemiah 1:4).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Nehemiah 4:7

    ¶ 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,

  • 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?

  • Proverbs 27:4

    Wrath [is] cruel, and anger [is] outrageous; but who [is] able to stand before envy?

  • Nehemiah 13:4

    And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, [was] allied unto Tobiah:

  • Acts 19:26

    Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

  • Acts 19:27

    So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

  • Ezekiel 25:6

    For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped [thine] hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;

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