Nehemiah 2:10 - When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
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What does "Nehemiah 2:10" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 2:10 describes the reaction of Sanballat and Tobiah to Nehemiah's arrival in Jerusalem. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it...": This identifies two individuals, Sanballat and Tobiah, who were already in positions of power or influence in the region. They were not Israelites but likely held some authority under the Persian Empire.
Sanballat the Horonite: The "Horonite" likely indicates his place of origin, perhaps Beth-horon. He was a governor of Samaria, a region north of Judea.
Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite: Tobiah's title "servant" suggests he was likely a high-ranking official or servant of the Persian king, with connections to the region of Ammon (east of the Jordan River).
"...it grieved them exceedingly...": This reveals their emotional response to the news of Nehemiah's arrival. The word "grieved" implies a deep feeling of displeasure, worry, or distress. The fact that it was "exceedingly" indicates a very strong negative reaction.
"...because a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.": This explains the reason for their distress. Nehemiah, a Jewish official from the Persian court, had come to Jerusalem with the intention of improving the situation and well-being of the Jewish people. In particular, he was there to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.
In essence, the verse means that Sanballat and Tobiah were very upset to learn that Nehemiah had arrived in Jerusalem with the goal of helping the Israelites.
Why were they grieved?
Several reasons could explain their negative reaction:
Loss of Power and Influence: Sanballat and Tobiah had likely benefited from the weakened state of the Israelites and the dilapidated condition of Jerusalem. Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the city and restore the Jewish community's strength threatened their own positions of power and influence in the region. A strong, fortified Jerusalem would pose a threat to their regional authority.
Religious and Ethnic Hostility: There was likely existing animosity between these groups and the Israelites. They may have opposed the Jews on religious or ethnic grounds. The revitalization of Jerusalem and Jewish identity would challenge their own cultural and religious beliefs.
Political Intrigue: Nehemiah had been appointed by the Persian king and given royal authority to rebuild Jerusalem. Sanballat and Tobiah may have perceived this as a threat to the existing political order and a potential shift in the balance of power in the region.
In short, Nehemiah's arrival was bad news for Sanballat and Tobiah because it jeopardized their status, power, and influence in the region and challenged the status quo that had benefited them. They feared a resurgent Jewish community that could undermine their interests. This verse sets the stage for the opposition Nehemiah would face as he attempted to rebuild Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 2:10 - When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, because a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
What does "Nehemiah 2:10" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 2:10 describes the reaction of Sanballat and Tobiah to Nehemiah's arrival in Jerusalem. Here's a breakdown of what it means:
"When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it...": This identifies two individuals, Sanballat and Tobiah, who were already in positions of power or influence in the region. They were not Israelites but likely held some authority under the Persian Empire.
Sanballat the Horonite: The "Horonite" likely indicates his place of origin, perhaps Beth-horon. He was a governor of Samaria, a region north of Judea.
Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite: Tobiah's title "servant" suggests he was likely a high-ranking official or servant of the Persian king, with connections to the region of Ammon (east of the Jordan River).
"...it grieved them exceedingly...": This reveals their emotional response to the news of Nehemiah's arrival. The word "grieved" implies a deep feeling of displeasure, worry, or distress. The fact that it was "exceedingly" indicates a very strong negative reaction.
"...because a man had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.": This explains the reason for their distress. Nehemiah, a Jewish official from the Persian court, had come to Jerusalem with the intention of improving the situation and well-being of the Jewish people. In particular, he was there to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.
In essence, the verse means that Sanballat and Tobiah were very upset to learn that Nehemiah had arrived in Jerusalem with the goal of helping the Israelites.
Why were they grieved?
Several reasons could explain their negative reaction:
Loss of Power and Influence: Sanballat and Tobiah had likely benefited from the weakened state of the Israelites and the dilapidated condition of Jerusalem. Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the city and restore the Jewish community's strength threatened their own positions of power and influence in the region. A strong, fortified Jerusalem would pose a threat to their regional authority.
Religious and Ethnic Hostility: There was likely existing animosity between these groups and the Israelites. They may have opposed the Jews on religious or ethnic grounds. The revitalization of Jerusalem and Jewish identity would challenge their own cultural and religious beliefs.
Political Intrigue: Nehemiah had been appointed by the Persian king and given royal authority to rebuild Jerusalem. Sanballat and Tobiah may have perceived this as a threat to the existing political order and a potential shift in the balance of power in the region.
In short, Nehemiah's arrival was bad news for Sanballat and Tobiah because it jeopardized their status, power, and influence in the region and challenged the status quo that had benefited them. They feared a resurgent Jewish community that could undermine their interests. This verse sets the stage for the opposition Nehemiah would face as he attempted to rebuild Jerusalem.