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?

But when Sanballat {H5571} the Horonite {H2772}, and Tobiah {H2900} the servant {H5650}, the Ammonite {H5984}, and Geshem {H1654} the Arabian {H6163}, heard {H8085} it, they laughed us to scorn {H3932}, and despised {H959} us, and said {H559}, What is this thing {H1697} that ye do {H6213}? will ye rebel {H4775} against the king {H4428}?

When Sanvalat the Horoni, Toviyah the servant, the 'Amoni, and Geshem the Arab heard about it, they began mocking us and jeering, "What is this you are doing? Are you going to rebel against the king?"

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?”

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?

Commentary

Nehemiah 2:19 describes the initial, hostile reaction Nehemiah and the returning exiles faced from their adversaries as they began the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. This verse introduces the primary antagonists who would continually seek to hinder God's work.

Context

Having secretly inspected the ruined walls of Jerusalem and shared his vision with the Jewish leaders, Nehemiah had just received an enthusiastic response: "Let us rise up and build" (Nehemiah 2:18). This verse immediately follows that moment of hopeful resolve, highlighting that divine endeavors often provoke human opposition. The three figures mentioned—Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian—were powerful regional leaders whose territories bordered Judah. They viewed the rebuilding of Jerusalem as a threat to their own influence and control.

Key Themes

  • Immediate Opposition to God's Work: The moment Nehemiah's intent became known, enemies surfaced. This illustrates a common biblical pattern: significant spiritual undertakings often encounter significant resistance.
  • Ridicule and Scorn: The adversaries' initial response was not physical attack but psychological warfare—"they laughed us to scorn, and despised us." This mockery was intended to demoralize and discourage the builders, seeking to undermine their confidence and commitment.
  • False Accusations: The charge, "will ye rebel against the king?" (referring to Artaxerxes, the Persian monarch), was a serious and politically dangerous accusation. It was a thinly veiled threat designed to intimidate Nehemiah and halt the project by implying treason, which could lead to severe penalties from the Persian Empire.
  • Perseverance in Leadership: Nehemiah's leadership is immediately tested. His ability to stand firm against such intimidation is a critical aspect of his character and a lesson for all who lead in God's service.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "laughed us to scorn" (לָעַג לָנוּ - la'ag lanu) conveys a deep sense of derision and mocking, often accompanied by contempt. Similarly, "despised us" (בָּזָה - bazah) indicates looking down upon someone with utter contempt and disdain. These terms emphasize the intense psychological and emotional pressure the enemies sought to exert on Nehemiah and the Jewish people.

Related Scriptures

  • For Nehemiah's initial prayer and burden for Jerusalem, see Nehemiah 1:4-11.
  • The continued opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah is a recurring theme throughout Nehemiah, notably in Nehemiah 4:1-8 and Nehemiah 6:1-9.
  • The theme of God's people facing scorn and ridicule is echoed in passages like Psalm 2:4, where God is depicted as laughing at the schemes of the wicked.
  • Jesus taught about the blessing of facing persecution for righteousness' sake in Matthew 5:11-12.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that undertaking any work for God's kingdom often invites opposition. Whether it's ridicule, false accusations, or attempts to discourage, believers should expect resistance from those who oppose divine purposes. Like Nehemiah, we are called to remain focused on our God-given task, not allowing the scorn or threats of adversaries to deter us. Our confidence should rest in God's plan and power, not in the absence of opposition.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 6:6

    Wherein [was] written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith [it, that] thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.

  • Nehemiah 6:1

    ¶ 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 [that] there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)

  • Nehemiah 6:2

    That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in [some one of] the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

  • Psalms 44:13

    Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us.

  • Psalms 44:14

    Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.

  • Mark 5:40

    And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

  • 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.
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