Nehemiah 4:1

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 4:1 marks a dramatic shift in the narrative of Jerusalem's restoration, introducing the intensified opposition faced by Nehemiah and the Jewish people. Upon hearing of the significant progress made on the city wall, Sanballat the Horonite, a formidable adversary, reacted with profound anger, deep indignation, and open mockery towards the builders. This verse signals the transition from the internal organization and diligent labor described in the preceding chapter to the onset of external conflict and psychological warfare against God's work.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 4:1 immediately follows the detailed account in [Nehemiah 3](/nehemiah/3 "Nehemiah 3 - Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem"), which meticulously lists the various families and groups diligently working on specific sections of the wall. Chapter 3 highlights the remarkable unity, organization, and progress of the rebuilding effort. The conjunction "But" at the beginning of Nehemiah 4:1 sharply contrasts this productive activity with the emergence of external hostility. This verse serves as a narrative pivot, transitioning the focus from the internal dynamics of construction to the external challenges of opposition, setting the stage for the escalating threats, conspiracies, and the need for vigilance and prayer that characterize the remainder of the chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold in post-exilic Jerusalem, during the Persian period. The Jewish people, having returned from Babylonian captivity, were under Persian suzerainty, but their efforts to re-establish their national and religious identity through rebuilding the city walls were viewed as a political threat by neighboring officials. Sanballat, likely the governor of Samaria, along with his allies Tobiah the Ammonite and Geshem the Arabian, saw a fortified Jerusalem as a challenge to their regional influence and a potential reassertion of Judean independence. In ancient Near Eastern culture, public mockery was a potent psychological weapon, designed to demoralize, shame, and undermine the legitimacy and resolve of an enemy without resorting to immediate military confrontation. This cultural practice explains Sanballat's chosen tactic.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces several key themes that permeate the book of Nehemiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Opposition to God's Work**: any significant undertaking for God's kingdom will inevitably encounter resistance, often intensifying as progress is made. Sanballat's wrath is not merely political but reflects a spiritual hostility to God's redemptive plan for His people and city, as foreshadowed by his initial displeasure upon Nehemiah's arrival in [Nehemiah 2:10](/nehemiah/2-10 "Nehemiah 2:10 - Sanballat and Tobiah's Initial Displeasure"). Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Spiritual Warfare**, where the enemy employs psychological tactics like mockery and intimidation to sow doubt and discourage believers, rather than solely relying on physical force. Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **Perseverance Amidst Adversity**, demonstrating that despite such intense indignation and ridicule, Nehemiah and the Jews would continue their vital task, embodying unwavering commitment, prayer, and vigilance, as seen in their continued work in [Nehemiah 4:6](/nehemiah/4-6 "Nehemiah 4:6 - The People's United Effort").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wroth (Hebrew, _charah'_):** This verb conveys a deep, burning anger, often indicating intense displeasure or a heated fury. It describes an emotional state that is hot, inflamed, and passionate, suggesting Sanballat's reaction was not merely annoyance but a profound, visceral rage. The success of the Jews ignited a furious indignation within him.
* **Indignation (Hebrew, _qetsaph'_):** This noun signifies rage, wrath, or fury, often implying a violent outburst or a settled, vengeful anger. When combined with "great," as in the text, it emphasizes the magnitude and severity of Sanballat's emotional response, indicating a profound and active hostility that moved beyond mere displeasure into a state of active outrage.
* **Mocked (Hebrew, _la'ag'_):** This verb implies scornful derision, ridicule, and contempt, often with the specific intent to humiliate and discourage. It suggests a taunting, scoffing attitude, aiming to invalidate the efforts of the Jews and break their spirit through public shame and ridicule rather than direct physical confrontation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall,"**: The opening "But" signals a sharp and immediate transition from the successful, unified building efforts detailed in chapter 3 to the emergence of external opposition. Sanballat's reaction is triggered by the news of the *progress* or *completion* of the wall, indicating that success in God's work often provokes intensified resistance from adversaries who perceive it as a threat to their own power or agenda.
* **"he was wroth,"**: This clause describes Sanballat's immediate, intense, and personal emotional response. His anger is not a calculated political maneuver but a visceral, burning fury, suggesting that the rebuilding of Jerusalem's defenses was a deep affront to his authority and a challenge to his aspirations for regional dominance.
* **"and took great indignation,"**: This phrase amplifies the preceding one, emphasizing the depth and magnitude of Sanballat's wrath. It indicates a profound displeasure that has settled into a state of active hostility and outrage, signifying a determined and vengeful opposition rather than a fleeting emotion. The "great" underscores the severity of his inner turmoil.
* **"and mocked the Jews."**: This final clause describes the outward manifestation of Sanballat's internal rage. Mockery here is a deliberate psychological weapon, a calculated act of scornful derision designed to demoralize the builders, sow doubt among them, and undermine their confidence. It's an attempt to halt the work not through immediate physical force, but through ridicule and contempt, questioning their ability, their right, and the divine backing of their endeavor.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 4:1 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The verse immediately follows the detailed account of cooperative building in Nehemiah 3, creating a stark **antithesis** between diligent, unified construction and fierce, external opposition. This contrast highlights the reality that divine progress often invites demonic resistance. Sanballat's choice to "mock the Jews" demonstrates a clear strategy of **psychological warfare**. Rather than immediate physical assault, he employs ridicule and contempt to demoralize the builders, sow seeds of doubt, and undermine their resolve. This tactic aims to break their spirit before breaking their defenses. Furthermore, the intense reaction of Sanballat serves as **foreshadowing** for the escalating conflict that will characterize the remainder of the chapter, indicating that the rebuilding effort will be fraught with significant challenges and requiring constant vigilance and divine protection.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates the spiritual principle that significant progress in God's kingdom often provokes intense opposition. Sanballat's wrath is not merely political; it is a manifestation of the spiritual forces that resist God's redemptive work. This mirrors the ongoing battle between light and darkness, where the enemy seeks to discourage, distract, and destroy those who are building God's purposes. The mockery is a tactic to instill fear and doubt, challenging the legitimacy and divine backing of the work, and serving as a reminder that those who commit to God's will should anticipate resistance.

* [Psalm 2:1-4](/psalms/2-1 "Psalm 2:1-4 - The Futility of Earthly Rebellion")
* [Matthew 5:11-12](/matthew/5-11 "Matthew 5:11-12 - Blessed are the Persecuted")
* [1 Peter 4:12-14](/1_peter/4-12 "1 Peter 4:12-14 - Suffering for Christ's Sake")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 4:1 serves as a timeless reminder for believers engaged in God's work today. Whether we are building up our families in faith, serving in the church, pursuing personal holiness, or advocating for righteousness in the world, we should anticipate opposition. This opposition may not always be physical; often, it comes in the form of ridicule, criticism, discouragement, or attempts to undermine our efforts. Sanballat's reaction teaches us that the enemy's fury is often a sign that we are indeed making progress in God's kingdom. Instead of being deterred, we are called to recognize these tactics, stand firm in our calling, and press on with unwavering faith, just as Nehemiah and the Jews did. Our response to mockery and indignation should be rooted in prayer and a renewed commitment to the divine mandate, understanding that God's purposes will ultimately prevail despite all opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "walls" is God calling you to build in your life or community today?**
* **How have you experienced "Sanballat-like" opposition (mockery, indignation, anger) when pursuing God's will?**
* **What is your immediate, natural reaction to such opposition, and how might you respond more faithfully, like Nehemiah?**

### FAQ
**Who was Sanballat, and why was he so angry?**

Answer: Sanballat the Horonite was a prominent official, likely the governor of Samaria, a region north of Judah. He, along with Tobiah the Ammonite and Geshem the Arabian, viewed the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls as a direct threat to their regional power and influence. A fortified Jerusalem meant a resurgence of Jewish autonomy and a potential challenge to their authority. His anger stemmed from a combination of political apprehension, personal animosity, and likely a spiritual opposition to the restoration of God's people and city, as detailed in [Nehemiah 2:10](/nehemiah/2-10 "Nehemiah 2:10 - Sanballat and Tobiah's Displeasure").

**Why did Sanballat choose to "mock" the Jews instead of immediately attacking them?**

Answer: Mockery was a deliberate psychological tactic, a form of **psychological warfare**. In ancient warfare, demoralizing the enemy was often as crucial as military might. By ridiculing the Jews, Sanballat aimed to undermine their confidence, sow doubt about their ability and God's support, and create internal division and discouragement. This was an attempt to halt the work through intimidation and shame, hoping they would abandon the project themselves, thereby avoiding a costly direct military confrontation. This strategy is further elaborated in [Nehemiah 4:2-3](/nehemiah/4-2 "Nehemiah 4:2-3 - Sanballat's Mockery and Taunts").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The opposition faced by Nehemiah and the Jews in building the wall profoundly foreshadows the intense resistance encountered by Christ and His followers in building God's ultimate kingdom. Just as Sanballat's wrath was ignited by the visible progress of God's people, so too was the ministry of Jesus met with escalating hostility from religious and political authorities. They mocked Him, ridiculed His claims, and sought to undermine His work, culminating in the ultimate act of public scorn on the cross, as recounted in [Matthew 27:39-44](/matthew/27-39 "Matthew 27:39-44 - Mockery at the Cross"). Yet, through His death and resurrection, Christ triumphed over all opposition, establishing an unshakable kingdom. For believers today, who are called to be living stones in God's spiritual temple ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")), the "building" of God's church and the advancement of His gospel will inevitably provoke the same spiritual opposition, expressed often through scorn and ridicule, as Jesus Himself warned His disciples, "If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you" ([John 15:18-20](/john/15-18 "John 15:18-20 - The World's Hatred of Believers")). However, like Nehemiah, we are called to persevere, knowing that our ultimate victory is secured in Christ, who has already overcome the world ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.