Nehemiah 4:1-2
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Sanballat's anger wasn't just a passing frustration; the Hebrew word used for his "great indignation" suggests a deep, almost burning rage. He didn't just dismiss the Jews, he jeered at them, likely with biting sarcasm, belittling their efforts and their people.
Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they restore it for themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish up in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, and burned ones at that?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nehemiah and the returned exiles have just begun rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, a project meant to restore their security and national identity. Upon hearing about their progress, a prominent official named Sanballat, along with his allies, reacts with intense anger and begins to mock the Jews' efforts, questioning their ability to complete such a daunting task. This marks the beginning of open opposition and ridicule as the enemies try to undermine the crucial work.
Ever notice how good things can stir up the worst in people? When Nehemiah and the people started rebuilding Jerusalem's walls, the reaction was immediate and intense.
The Spark of Anger
Sanballat, a powerful official from Samaria, hears about the wall construction. His immediate response isn't curiosity or concern, but 'great indignation' and mockery. This isn't just mild annoyance; it's a deep, furious resentment.
Why Such Fury?
This reaction reveals a powerful truth: when people of God earnestly pursue His work, it often triggers opposition from those who stand against Him. It's not necessarily personal; it's spiritual.
Sanballat and his allies saw Jerusalem as a rival power. The revival of its walls was a threat to their own influence and regional dominance. But more than that, it was a visible sign of God's favor and the Jews' devotion, something they couldn't stand.
Anger is one thing, but mockery cuts deep. What was Sanballat really trying to do by ridiculing the Jews?
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More Than Just Jabs
Sanballat didn't just get angry; he 'jeered at the Jews.' This wasn't just casual teasing; it was a deliberate attempt to belittle and demoralize.
The Power of Scorn
Mockery is a powerful weapon used to undermine confidence and sow doubt. By calling the Jews 'feeble' and questioning their ability to build, Sanballat aimed to:
He questioned their ability to 'fortify' and 'revive stones out of heaps of rubbish,' painting a picture of a pathetic, futile effort. This is a classic tactic: attack the character and capability of those doing the work to discredit the work itself.
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.
umlal · Hebrew Adjective
An adjective describing weakness, lacking strength or ability. In scripture, it is often used by enemies to disparage God’s people, though God frequently uses the weak to shame the strong.
zabach · Hebrew Verb
A term for a sacrificial offering, specifically the act of presenting an animal or gift to God. It is a central act of worship and covenant relationship in the Old Testament.
Yehudiy · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A term for the covenant people of God, chosen by Him to be a light to the nations. It signifies identity as part of God’s redemptive plan throughout history.
The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah wasn't just an engineering project; it was a highly charged political and spiritual act that ignited immediate hostility from regional powers like Sanballat, who saw it as a resurgence of Jewish autonomy and a challenge to their influence.
c. 457 BC
Ezra's Reforms and Second Return
Ezra the scribe returns to Jerusalem with a large group, empowered by an edict from Artaxerxes I to restore the Law and religious practice. This event likely heightened tensions with surrounding peoples who had intermarried with exiled Jews and maintained their own influence in the region.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Appointed Governor
King Artaxerxes I appoints his cupbearer, Nehemiah, as governor of Judah. Nehemiah travels to Jerusalem with royal authority and support to rebuild the city's walls.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Rebuilding of Jerusalem's Walls Begins
Nehemiah, after a secret survey, rallies the Jewish people to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. The work commences, uniting different social classes in the common effort.
c. 445 BC
Opposition and Mockery Arise
Sanballat the Horonite (governor of Samaria), Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab hear of the rebuilding and become enraged. They begin to mock the Jews and their efforts, viewing the restoration of Jerusalem as a threat.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Organizes Defense
Facing increasing threats and ridicule, Nehemiah organizes the workers, arming half of them while the other half continues building. A close watch is maintained day and night.
c. 444 BC
Completion of the Wall
Despite continuous opposition, conspiracy, and threats of violence, the wall of Jerusalem is completed in a remarkable fifty-two days, a testament to the people's resolve and divine favor.
This passage describes rulers and kings plotting against the Lord and His Anointed, mirroring the opposition Sanballat and his allies posed to God's people and their divinely appointed task.
Psalm 123:3-4The verse shows the scorn and contempt poured out upon the humble people of God, which directly parallels the mockery the Jews faced from Sanballat as they worked to rebuild Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 2:19-20Here, Sanballat and his associates attempt to intimidate Nehemiah with words, similar to their later mockery, revealing their underlying anger and opposition to the work of God.
Ezra 4:1-3This earlier account shows a similar opposition from neighboring peoples who offered to help rebuild but were rejected by Zerubbabel, leading them to discourage the people and thwart their plans through harassment.
Galatians 6:7This verse speaks of not being deceived, as whatever one sows, that will they also reap. Sanballat's sowing of mockery and anger against God's work would ultimately lead to his own downfall.
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 anger wasn't just a passing frustration; the Hebrew word used for his "great indignation" suggests a deep, almost burning rage. He didn't just dismiss the Jews, he jeered at them, likely with biting sarcasm, belittling their efforts and their people.
Nehemiah and the returned exiles have just begun rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, a project meant to restore their security and national identity. Upon hearing about their progress, a prominent official named Sanballat, along with his allies, reacts with intense anger and begins to mock the Jews' efforts, questioning their ability to complete such a daunting task. This marks the beginning of open opposition and ridicule as the enemies try to undermine the crucial work.
Nehemiah and the returned exiles have just begun rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, a project meant to restore their security and national identity. Upon hearing about their progress, a prominent official named Sanballat, along with his allies, reacts with intense anger and begins to mock the Jews' efforts, questioning their ability to complete such a daunting task. This marks the beginning of open opposition and ridicule as the enemies try to undermine the crucial work.
"Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews. And he said in the presence of his brothers and of the army of Samaria, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they rest…" — Sanballat's anger wasn't just a passing frustration; the Hebrew word used for his "great indignation" suggests a deep, almost burning rage. He didn't just dismiss the Jews, he jeered at them, likel…
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Last reviewed October 2026
