Nehemiah 4:1 - But when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and was very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
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What does "Nehemiah 4:1" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 4:1 describes the immediate reaction of Sanballat to the news that the Jews had begun rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"But when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall...": This sets the scene. Sanballat, a foreign official (likely the governor of Samaria) who opposed the Jews, learned that Nehemiah and the Jewish people had started the work of rebuilding the defensive wall around Jerusalem. This was a direct challenge to his authority and influence in the region.
"...he was angry, and was very indignant...": Sanballat's reaction wasn't mild. He felt a strong mix of anger (furious or enraged) and indignation (resentment and outrage, feeling wronged or offended). This is because:
The rebuilding of the wall would strengthen Jerusalem, making it more independent and less susceptible to Samarian control.
It represented a revival of Jewish power and identity, something he likely opposed.
He probably saw it as a direct affront to his position and a challenge to his authority in the region.
"...and mocked the Jews.": Sanballat's anger wasn't just internal. He expressed it through mockery and derision. He likely used sarcasm, taunts, and ridicule to belittle the Jews and their efforts. This was a way to:
Discourage them and try to stop the rebuilding project by making them feel inadequate or foolish.
Publicly undermine their credibility and leadership.
Attempt to rally support from others against the Jews by portraying them as weak and incapable.
In essence, this verse reveals Sanballat's intense opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall. He reacted with anger, indignation, and mockery, using these tactics to try to thwart the project and maintain his own power and influence. It sets the stage for the subsequent opposition and challenges that Nehemiah and the Jews would face in their endeavor.
Nehemiah 4:1 - But when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and was very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
What does "Nehemiah 4:1" mean?
This verse from Nehemiah 4:1 describes the immediate reaction of Sanballat to the news that the Jews had begun rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"But when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall...": This sets the scene. Sanballat, a foreign official (likely the governor of Samaria) who opposed the Jews, learned that Nehemiah and the Jewish people had started the work of rebuilding the defensive wall around Jerusalem. This was a direct challenge to his authority and influence in the region.
"...he was angry, and was very indignant...": Sanballat's reaction wasn't mild. He felt a strong mix of anger (furious or enraged) and indignation (resentment and outrage, feeling wronged or offended). This is because:
The rebuilding of the wall would strengthen Jerusalem, making it more independent and less susceptible to Samarian control.
It represented a revival of Jewish power and identity, something he likely opposed.
He probably saw it as a direct affront to his position and a challenge to his authority in the region.
"...and mocked the Jews.": Sanballat's anger wasn't just internal. He expressed it through mockery and derision. He likely used sarcasm, taunts, and ridicule to belittle the Jews and their efforts. This was a way to:
Discourage them and try to stop the rebuilding project by making them feel inadequate or foolish.
Publicly undermine their credibility and leadership.
Attempt to rally support from others against the Jews by portraying them as weak and incapable.
In essence, this verse reveals Sanballat's intense opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall. He reacted with anger, indignation, and mockery, using these tactics to try to thwart the project and maintain his own power and influence. It sets the stage for the subsequent opposition and challenges that Nehemiah and the Jews would face in their endeavor.