Nehemiah 4:3

Now Tobiah the Ammonite [was] by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.

Now Tobiah {H2900} the Ammonite {H5984} was by him {H681}, and he said {H559}, Even that which they build {H1129}, if a fox {H7776} go up {H5927}, he shall even break down {H6555} their stone {H68} wall {H2346}.

Toviyah the 'Amoni was with him, and he said, "Whatever they're building, why, if even a fox went up it, he'd knock their stone wall down!"

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!”

Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they are building, if a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall.

Commentary

Nehemiah 4:3 captures a moment of intense ridicule and opposition faced by Nehemiah and the Jewish people as they diligently worked to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Context

Following the Babylonian exile, the returned Jewish community in Jerusalem faced immense challenges, not least the dilapidated state of their capital's defenses. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the Persian king, received a divine burden to restore the city walls, an act crucial for their security and national identity. This verse introduces Tobiah the Ammonite, a prominent adversary alongside Sanballat the Horonite (Nehemiah 4:1). These officials from neighboring regions viewed the reconstruction as a threat to their own influence and sought to undermine the Jewish efforts through various means, including mockery and intimidation.

Key Themes

  • Scorn and Ridicule: Tobiah's statement is a deliberate act of contempt, designed to demoralize the builders. He suggests their work is so flimsy and amateurish that even a small animal like a fox could cause it to collapse, implying utter worthlessness and futility.
  • Opposition to God's Work: The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls was not merely a construction project; it was a divinely inspired mission to restore the glory and security of God's chosen people. Tobiah's mockery, therefore, was an attack on God's purposes through His people.
  • Psychological Warfare: Beyond physical threats, the adversaries employed psychological tactics to sow doubt, fear, and discouragement among the workers, hoping they would abandon the project.

Linguistic Insights

The term "fox" (Hebrew: shu'al) in this context is used to symbolize insignificance and destructiveness. While a fox is a relatively small animal, its ability to undermine foundations or cause minor collapses suggests the perceived fragility of the builders' efforts. Tobiah's insult highlights the contempt he held for their labor, implying that their "stone wall" was nothing more than a pile of loosely stacked rubble, easily disturbed.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 4:3 offers timeless lessons for believers today. When undertaking a significant work, especially one aligned with God's will, one should anticipate opposition and ridicule. Critics, like Tobiah, may seek to belittle efforts, sow doubt, or discourage progress. This verse reminds us:

  • Persevere Despite Mockery: True faith and commitment are tested by adversity. Nehemiah and the builders did not succumb to Tobiah's taunts but continued their labor (Nehemiah 4:6).
  • Focus on the Divine Calling: Understanding that the work is for God's glory helps to withstand human scorn. The value of the work is not determined by the critics but by its divine purpose.
  • Spiritual Warfare: Opposition to righteous endeavors often has a spiritual dimension, aiming to hinder God's kingdom. Recognizing this can strengthen resolve and encourage reliance on divine strength.

This verse serves as an encouragement that even in the face of dismissive and discouraging words, perseverance and faith in God's plan ultimately prevail.

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 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?

  • 1 Kings 20:10

    And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me.

  • 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.

  • 2 Kings 18:23

    Now therefore, I pray thee, give pledges to my lord the king of Assyria, and I will deliver thee two thousand horses, if thou be able on thy part to set riders upon them.

  • 1 Kings 20:18

    And he said, Whether they be come out for peace, take them alive; or whether they be come out for war, take them alive.

  • Lamentations 5:18

    Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.

  • 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;)
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