Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Sanballat’s reaction isn't just anger; the Hebrew describes a deep, burning indignation. He not only mocked the Jews with his words but also expressed a profound, almost existential vexation that these people were daring to rebuild what had been destroyed.
Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Having just begun rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah and the returned exiles face immediate ridicule and rage from their neighbors, particularly Sanballat, a regional governor. Sanballat, deeply angered and contemptuous, mocks the Jews' efforts, questioning their ability to complete such a monumental task with their seemingly meager resources. This opposition sets the stage for a period of intense conflict and strategic countermeasures as Nehemiah endeavors to protect his people and their sacred city.
It's amazing how quickly good news can turn sour for those who don't want to see it succeed. When Nehemiah and the people started rebuilding, the reaction was immediate and intense.
Building Invites Attack
When Nehemiah brought the news that the wall was being rebuilt, Sanballat's reaction was swift: 'he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews.' This wasn't just mild annoyance; the original language suggests a deep, burning anger.
It’s a powerful reminder that when God’s people start to move forward, especially in a way that reflects God’s purposes, opposition often follows. The building of the wall wasn't just about bricks and mortar; it was about restoring the heart and security of Jerusalem, and that threatened those who benefited from its weakened state.
The Anger of Enmity
The intensity of Sanballat's emotion, described as 'great indignation,' shows that this wasn't simply a political disagreement. It was a visceral hatred for what the Jews represented and what they were doing. Their progress was a direct challenge to his own power and influence, and it stirred a deep-seated animosity.
Words can wound deeply. Sanballat didn't just get angry; he immediately started mocking the Jews. What's the power behind this kind of verbal attack?
Undermining with Insults
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Sanballat's anger quickly turned into ridicule: 'he jeered at the Jews.' This mockery wasn't just random teasing; it was a deliberate strategy to demoralize and undermine the builders. He wanted to make them feel foolish, weak, and incapable.
Think about the specific taunts mentioned later in the chapter (which follow this initial reaction): 'What do these feeble Jews mean by undertaking this?... Will they finish in a day?... Can they revive stones from heaps of rubbish—and burnt ones at that?' These weren't neutral observations; they were designed to highlight the perceived absurdity and hopelessness of the task, aiming to crush the builders' spirit.
Scoffing at God's Work
When people mock God's work or His people, it's often a deflection. Instead of confronting the reality of God's power and purpose, they resort to scorn. It's an attempt to minimize what God is doing and to sow seeds of doubt in the hearts of believers. This mockery reveals more about the attackers' own insecurity and hatred than it does about the weakness of God's people.
Understand the original words
Sanballat · Hebrew Proper Noun
A term often denoting a leader or governor, specifically here representing an opponent of the work of God in restoring Jerusalem. In a broader biblical context, it signifies those who resist God's purposes and his people.
ka'as · Hebrew Verb
A state of intense mental or emotional displeasure, often associated with opposition to God's will. In scripture, it can refer to both human reaction and the righteous judgment of God.
la'ag · Hebrew Verb
To mock, scorn, or ridicule. It is frequently used in the Bible to describe the attitude of the ungodly toward those who follow the Lord or trust in His promises.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Destruction of Walls
The Babylonian army, under Nebuchadnezzar, conquered Jerusalem, destroyed its walls, and deported many of its inhabitants. This event left the city vulnerable and in ruins for decades.
c. 455 BC
Nehemiah Appointed Governor of Judah
King Artaxerxes of Persia appointed Nehemiah, his cupbearer, as governor of Judah, granting him permission and resources to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.
c. 455 BC— this verse
Nehemiah Begins Wall Construction
Nehemiah secretly surveyed the ruined walls and then rallied the Jews to begin the daunting task of rebuilding, facing immediate opposition.
c. 455 BC
Sanballat and Allies Mock the Builders
Sanballat the Horonite (likely governor of Samaria), Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab heard of the rebuilding and responded with anger, ridicule, and threats.
c. 455 BC
Nehemiah Organizes Armed Laborers
In response to the threats and mockery, Nehemiah organized the workers, arming them and assigning guards to protect the construction sites.
This passage describes rulers taking counsel together against the Lord and his Anointed, mirroring Sanballat and his allies plotting against Nehemiah's God-given work.
Psalm 74:10-11The psalmist cries out, 'How long, O God, will the enemy revile?... Why do you hold back your hand, even your right hand, from your bosom? Withdraw it!' This echoes the frustration and anger directed at God's people and their endeavors, as seen in Nehemiah's situation.
Matthew 5:11Jesus speaks of persecution and slander for His followers: 'Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.' This directly relates to the mockery and opposition Nehemiah and the Jews faced.
Galatians 5:11Paul mentions being persecuted for the 'offense of the cross,' highlighting that even in his time, standing for God's purposes invited hostility and ridicule from those who opposed it.
1 Peter 4:4This verse speaks about the surprise and condemnation from outsiders when believers don't join in their 'scurrilous ways,' showing that faithfulness to God often leads to being mocked by those living contrary lives.
cambridgeNehemiah 4:1: "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."
Ch. Nehemiah 4:1-23 . The Opposition to the Work. ( a ) 1–6 . The ridicule of the Samaritans. ( b ) 7–23. The menaces of the foe, and the precautions taken by Nehemiah 1 . The IVth Chapter in ordinary editions of the Hebrew text does not begin till Nehemiah 4:7 . and took great indignation ] The form of the word here used in the original is of r…
ellicottNehemiah 4:1: "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."
(1) Mocked the Jews. —The mockery comes afterwards. Here, as often in Nehemiah, a general statement is made which is afterwards expanded.
Sanballat’s reaction isn't just anger; the Hebrew describes a deep, burning indignation. He not only mocked the Jews with his words but also expressed a profound, almost existential vexation that these people were daring to rebuild what had been destroyed.
Having just begun rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah and the returned exiles face immediate ridicule and rage from their neighbors, particularly Sanballat, a regional governor. Sanballat, deeply angered and contemptuous, mocks the Jews' efforts, questioning their ability to complete such a monumental task with their seemingly meager resources. This opposition sets the stage for a period of intense conflict and strategic countermeasures as Nehemiah endeavors to protect his people and their sacred city.
Having just begun rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah and the returned exiles face immediate ridicule and rage from their neighbors, particularly Sanballat, a regional governor. Sanballat, deeply angered and contemptuous, mocks the Jews' efforts, questioning their ability to complete such a monumental task with their seemingly meager resources. This opposition sets the stage for a period of intense conflict and strategic countermeasures as Nehemiah endeavors to protect his people and their sacred city.
"Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews." — Sanballat’s reaction isn't just anger; the Hebrew describes a deep, burning indignation. He not only mocked the Jews with his words but also expressed a profound, almost existential vexation that the…
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Last reviewed October 2026