Nehemiah 4:2
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)
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Sanballat's scorn isn't just about questioning their ability; it's about ridiculing the nature of their work. He mocks the idea of "reviving burned stones," highlighting the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding with damaged materials, as if to say their efforts are futile from the start.
Sanballat, a prominent official from Samaria, along with his associates and the Samaritan army, openly mocks the struggling Jews who have begun rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He scoffs at their perceived weakness and questions their ability to accomplish such a monumental task, ridiculing the idea that they could possibly gather materials or finish the work quickly. This mockery sets the stage for increased opposition and sabotage as Sanballat rallies his forces to disrupt Nehemiah's efforts.
Sanballat's words drip with scorn. What exactly is he mocking, and why is it so effective?
Sanballat, speaking to his 'brethren' (likely fellow officials) and the 'army of Samaria' (local militia), unleashes a torrent of rhetorical questions designed to belittle the Jews and their project.
Mocking Their Weakness
He calls them 'feeble Jews,' immediately setting a tone of disdain. This isn't just a physical description; it's a psychological weapon, meant to undermine their confidence and the perceived legitimacy of their efforts.
Doubting Their Capabilities
The questions that follow are sharp and pointed:
Sanballat's strategy is to sow doubt, ridicule the effort, and discourage any hope of success, making the Jews feel both foolish and incapable in the eyes of others and perhaps even themselves.
Sanballat isn't just venting; he's plotting. What is the ultimate aim behind his scornful words?
Understand the original words
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.
Sanballat's scorn reveals the deep-seated animosity and contempt held by surrounding powers towards the returning Jewish exiles, who were seen as weak and insignificant. Their mockery highlights the immense political and social challenges faced by the Jewish community as they sought to re-establish themselves.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar II conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the First Temple, and deported many of its inhabitants, leaving much of the city in ruins.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Conquest of Babylon
The Persian Empire, led by Cyrus the Great, overthrew the Babylonian Empire, opening the way for Jewish exiles to return to Judah.
538 BC onwards
Return of Exiles and Rebuilding Efforts
Cyrus's decree allowed Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and begin rebuilding the Temple and the city. This was a gradual and often challenging process.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Arrival and Wall Reconstruction
Nehemiah, a Jewish cupbearer in the Persian court, received permission to return to Jerusalem and lead the rebuilding of the city walls. He faced immediate opposition from regional rivals.
This passage describes the rulers of the earth taking counsel together against the Lord and his Anointed, just as Sanballat and his allies plotted against the rebuilding efforts of the Jews, showing a similar pattern of opposition to God's work.
Isaiah 54:17This verse is a divine promise that no weapon formed against God's people will prosper, offering a hopeful counterpoint to the taunts of Sanballat who believed the 'feeble Jews' could not succeed.
Zechariah 4:10This verse speaks about not despising the day of small things and that God rejoices to see the work progressing, which directly challenges Sanballat's contemptuous dismissal of the rebuilding efforts.
Galatians 6:9This verse encourages believers not to grow weary in doing good, even when facing opposition, mirroring the perseverance Nehemiah and the people needed despite the scorn from their enemies.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29This passage highlights how God chooses the weak and lowly to shame the strong and wise, directly applying to the 'feeble Jews' who, through God's power, would accomplish what their powerful enemies deemed impossible.
pulpitNehemiah 4:2: "And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?"
Verse 2. - Before his brethren. By "his brethren" would seem to be meant his chief counsellors - probably Tobiah among them. The army of Samaria. Some understand by this a Persian garrison, stationed in Samaria under its own co…
clarkeNehemiah 4:2: "And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?"
The army of Samaria - As he was governor, he had the command of the army, and he wished to excite the soldiers to second his views against Nehemiah and his men. What do these feeble Jews? - We may remark here, in general, that…
Sanballat's scorn isn't just about questioning their ability; it's about ridiculing the nature of their work. He mocks the idea of "reviving burned stones," highlighting the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding with damaged materials, as if to say their efforts are futile from the start.
Sanballat, a prominent official from Samaria, along with his associates and the Samaritan army, openly mocks the struggling Jews who have begun rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He scoffs at their perceived weakness and questions their ability to accomplish such a monumental task, ridiculing the idea that they could possibly gather materials or finish the work quickly. This mockery sets the stage for increased opposition and sabotage as Sanballat rallies his forces to disrupt Nehemiah's efforts.
Sanballat, a prominent official from Samaria, along with his associates and the Samaritan army, openly mocks the struggling Jews who have begun rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. He scoffs at their perceived weakness and questions their ability to accomplish such a monumental task, ridiculing the idea that they could possibly gather materials or finish the work quickly. This mockery sets the stage for increased opposition and sabotage as Sanballat rallies his forces to disrupt Nehemiah's efforts.
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Sanballat's insults are not casual remarks; they are calculated psychological warfare aimed at achieving specific objectives.
Undermining and Discouraging
The primary goal is to demoralize the Jewish builders. By highlighting their perceived weakness ('feeble Jews') and the impossibility of their task, he seeks to crush their spirit and halt their progress. The questions are designed to make them question their own resolve and abilities.
Inciting Opposition
Speaking before his 'brethren' and the 'army of Samaria' serves a crucial purpose: to galvanize them against the Jews. He aims to stir up the local powers and military to intervene and stop the rebuilding efforts, possibly through direct action or by creating obstacles.
Creating False Hope (for himself)
Sanballat also uses this mockery to bolster his own confidence and that of his allies. He persuades himself and his companions that the Jewish endeavor is ridiculous and doomed to fail. This self-deception, described as a divine infatuation, blinds him to the true determination and divine backing of Nehemiah and his people. He believes they will be stopped before they can make significant progress.
Beneath the rubble and the scorn, a deeper conflict is raging. What spiritual reality does this encounter reveal?
Sanballat's contemptuous words are more than just political opposition; they represent a spiritual battle against God's purposes.
Mocking God's People and His Plan
When enemies mock God's people, they are often indirectly mocking God Himself and His redemptive plan. The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls was not just a political act but a sign of God's restoration and presence among His returned exiles. Sanballat's derision targets this divine endeavor.
The Power of Faith Over Futility
Sanballat frames the task as impossible, focusing on the burnt stones and heaps of rubbish. This is the language of human limitation and despair. The Jews, however, are driven by faith – faith in God's promises, His strength, and His guidance. Their 'feeble' state is contrasted with God's all-sufficiency. The rebuilding becomes an act of faith, demonstrating that what is impossible for humans is possible with God.
Divine Infatuation for the Enemy
As one commentator notes, God 'infatuated' Sanballat. This doesn't mean God directly caused his foolishness, but that He allowed Sanballat's pride and scorn to blind him to the reality of the situation. The enemy's contempt and miscalculation ultimately serve God's purpose, allowing the work to progress until it's too late for them to stop it.
c. 444 BC
Sanballat's Mockery and Opposition
Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, along with his allies like Tobiah and Geshem, mocked the Jews' efforts to rebuild the wall, questioning their strength and capability.
"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…" — Sanballat's scorn isn't just about questioning their ability; it's about ridiculing the nature of their work. He mocks the idea of "reviving burned stones," highlighting the seemingly impossible ta…
