Nehemiah 4:8

And conspired all of them together to come [and] to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.

And conspired {H7194} all of them together {H3162} to come {H935} and to fight {H3898} against Jerusalem {H3389}, and to hinder {H6213}{H8442} it.

All of them together plotted to come and fight against Yerushalayim and thus throw us into confusion.

and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance.

and they conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion therein.

Commentary

Nehemiah 4:8 vividly describes the escalating opposition faced by Nehemiah and the Jewish people as they diligently worked to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Context

Following their return from Babylonian exile, the Jewish community under Nehemiah's leadership embarked on the monumental task of restoring Jerusalem's defenses. This endeavor, a clear act of faith and obedience to God, immediately drew the ire of neighboring adversaries. Figures like Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, who had initially mocked and scorned the builders (Nehemiah 2:19), grew increasingly enraged as the work progressed (Nehemiah 4:7). Verse 8 marks a critical turning point, revealing their transition from verbal abuse and ridicule to a concrete, malicious plan of attack. They saw the rebuilding of Jerusalem as a direct threat to their regional influence and sought to prevent its restoration.

Key Themes

  • Escalating Opposition: The verse highlights the progression of animosity from mere scorn to a full-blown conspiracy to use force. This often mirrors the nature of spiritual opposition to God's work, where initial ridicule can escalate into active hindrance and direct attacks.
  • Conspiracy and Malice: The enemies were not merely annoyed; they "conspired all of them together," indicating a unified, deliberate plot driven by malice to thwart the divine purpose. Their intent was twofold: "to come and to fight against Jerusalem," signifying a direct military confrontation, and "to hinder it," meaning to stop the rebuilding efforts entirely.
  • Threat to Progress: The core aim of the conspiracy was to create a "stumbling block" or an insurmountable obstacle that would halt the restoration of Jerusalem's walls and its people's security.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "conspired" is qashar (ืงึธืฉึทืืจ), which literally means to bind together, to league, or to plot. It carries the strong connotation of a secret agreement or a treacherous plot, emphasizing the deliberate and malicious nature of the enemies' intentions. The phrase "to hinder it" conveys the idea of causing a stumbling block or creating an impediment, illustrating their desire to completely obstruct the work God had commissioned.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 4:8 serves as a powerful reminder that whenever God's people commit to a divine task, they should anticipate opposition. This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Opposition is Real: Just as Nehemiah faced external threats from those who opposed God's plan, believers today can expect resistance when pursuing God's will. This can manifest as criticism, discouragement, or direct attacks on their efforts or faith.
  • Vigilance is Necessary: The enemies conspired in secret, necessitating vigilance and preparedness. Nehemiah's immediate response, as detailed in the very next verse, involved prayer and setting a watch, a model for how to respond to such threats.
  • Perseverance is Key: Despite the serious threat of physical attack, the work on the walls did not stop. This verse underscores the importance of perseverance and faithfulness in the face of adversity, trusting that God is able to protect His work and His people.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 83:3 (3 votes)

    They have taken crafty counsel against thy people, and consulted against thy hidden ones.
  • Psalms 83:11 (3 votes)

    Make their nobles like Oreb, and like Zeeb: yea, all their princes as Zebah, and as Zalmunna:
  • Psalms 2:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
  • Psalms 2:3 (2 votes)

    Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
  • Isaiah 8:9 (2 votes)

    ยถ Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.
  • Isaiah 8:10 (2 votes)

    Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand: for God [is] with us.
  • Jeremiah 20:10 (2 votes)

    For I heard the defaming of many, fear on every side. Report, [say they], and we will report it. All my familiars watched for my halting, [saying], Peradventure he will be enticed, and we shall prevail against him, and we shall take our revenge on him.