Nehemiah 4:2 - He spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, since they are burned?”
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What does "Nehemiah 4:2" mean?
This verse, Nehemiah 4:2, expresses the contempt and mockery of Sanballat, one of the adversaries of the Jews rebuilding Jerusalem. He's trying to discourage and demoralize them. Let's break it down:
"He spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria..." This shows Sanballat is speaking publicly, attempting to sway his allies and the people of Samaria against the Jewish rebuilding effort. He's using propaganda.
"What are these feeble Jews doing?" This is a derogatory statement. Sanballat is trying to portray the Jews as weak, incapable, and insignificant. The adjective "feeble" highlights their perceived lack of strength and resources.
"Will they fortify themselves?" Sanballat is doubting their ability to build a proper defensive wall. He believes their efforts are futile and that they won't succeed in creating a secure city.
"Will they sacrifice?" This could be interpreted in a couple of ways:
It could be questioning their religious dedication. Are they truly devoted enough to God to complete this sacred task?
More likely, it's a sarcastic jab at the time and effort involved. Sacrifices often preceded significant undertakings, implying that the Jews are embarking on something beyond their capacity.
"Will they finish in a day?" This is clearly sarcastic. Building a wall takes time and effort, and Sanballat is ridiculing the idea that they could accomplish such a massive task so quickly.
"Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, since they are burned?" This highlights the seemingly hopeless state of the materials. The stones are burned, ruined, and considered rubbish. Sanballat is questioning their ability to reuse them or rebuild with such poor materials. He's emphasizing the enormity of the challenge and suggesting it's an impossible task.
In essence, the verse is a scathing attack on the Jewish people's rebuilding efforts. Sanballat is using mockery, sarcasm, and doubt to try to undermine their morale and halt the project. He believes they are too weak, their resources are inadequate, and the task is too difficult.
This verse sets the stage for the opposition Nehemiah and the Jews face and showcases the strategies used to try to stop them from rebuilding Jerusalem. It also highlights the importance of faith and perseverance in the face of adversity, themes that are central to the book of Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 4:2 - He spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they finish in a day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, since they are burned?”
What does "Nehemiah 4:2" mean?
This verse, Nehemiah 4:2, expresses the contempt and mockery of Sanballat, one of the adversaries of the Jews rebuilding Jerusalem. He's trying to discourage and demoralize them. Let's break it down:
"He spoke before his brothers and the army of Samaria..." This shows Sanballat is speaking publicly, attempting to sway his allies and the people of Samaria against the Jewish rebuilding effort. He's using propaganda.
"What are these feeble Jews doing?" This is a derogatory statement. Sanballat is trying to portray the Jews as weak, incapable, and insignificant. The adjective "feeble" highlights their perceived lack of strength and resources.
"Will they fortify themselves?" Sanballat is doubting their ability to build a proper defensive wall. He believes their efforts are futile and that they won't succeed in creating a secure city.
"Will they sacrifice?" This could be interpreted in a couple of ways:
It could be questioning their religious dedication. Are they truly devoted enough to God to complete this sacred task?
More likely, it's a sarcastic jab at the time and effort involved. Sacrifices often preceded significant undertakings, implying that the Jews are embarking on something beyond their capacity.
"Will they finish in a day?" This is clearly sarcastic. Building a wall takes time and effort, and Sanballat is ridiculing the idea that they could accomplish such a massive task so quickly.
"Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish, since they are burned?" This highlights the seemingly hopeless state of the materials. The stones are burned, ruined, and considered rubbish. Sanballat is questioning their ability to reuse them or rebuild with such poor materials. He's emphasizing the enormity of the challenge and suggesting it's an impossible task.
In essence, the verse is a scathing attack on the Jewish people's rebuilding efforts. Sanballat is using mockery, sarcasm, and doubt to try to undermine their morale and halt the project. He believes they are too weak, their resources are inadequate, and the task is too difficult.
This verse sets the stage for the opposition Nehemiah and the Jews face and showcases the strategies used to try to stop them from rebuilding Jerusalem. It also highlights the importance of faith and perseverance in the face of adversity, themes that are central to the book of Nehemiah.