Nehemiah 4:3 - Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, “What they are building, if a fox climbed up it, he would break down their stone wall.”
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What does "Nehemiah 4:3" mean?
This verse is part of the story of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in the book of Nehemiah. It describes the mockery and opposition the Jewish people faced as they tried to rebuild their city after the Babylonian exile.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:
"Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him..." This establishes the context. Tobiah was an Ammonite official who was allied with Sanballat (mentioned in previous verses). They were both actively trying to hinder the rebuilding efforts. The "him" likely refers to Sanballat, indicating that Tobiah was supporting and egging on Sanballat's ridicule.
"...and he said, “What they are building, if a fox climbed up it, he would break down their stone wall.”" This is the core of the verse. Tobiah is mocking the weakness and flimsiness of the wall the Jews are building. He's saying that the wall is so poorly constructed that even a small animal like a fox, with its relatively light weight, could easily knock it down or damage it.
Meaning and Significance:
Devaluation and Discouragement: Tobiah's statement is designed to belittle the Jews' efforts and discourage them. He's trying to make them feel like their work is futile and that the wall is not strong enough to protect them. This is a common tactic used by opponents to undermine morale and hinder progress.
Insult to Craftsmanship: The statement implies that the builders are incompetent and that their work is of poor quality.
Psychological Warfare: This is a form of psychological warfare. By making fun of the wall, Tobiah and Sanballat are trying to intimidate the Jews and make them question their ability to complete the project.
In essence, this verse highlights the challenges the Jews faced beyond the physical labor of rebuilding the wall. They had to deal with constant opposition, ridicule, and attempts to demoralize them. It's a reminder that sometimes the greatest obstacles we face are not physical, but mental and emotional.
Nehemiah 4:3 - Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, “What they are building, if a fox climbed up it, he would break down their stone wall.”
What does "Nehemiah 4:3" mean?
This verse is part of the story of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem in the book of Nehemiah. It describes the mockery and opposition the Jewish people faced as they tried to rebuild their city after the Babylonian exile.
Here's a breakdown of the verse and its meaning:
"Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him..." This establishes the context. Tobiah was an Ammonite official who was allied with Sanballat (mentioned in previous verses). They were both actively trying to hinder the rebuilding efforts. The "him" likely refers to Sanballat, indicating that Tobiah was supporting and egging on Sanballat's ridicule.
"...and he said, “What they are building, if a fox climbed up it, he would break down their stone wall.”" This is the core of the verse. Tobiah is mocking the weakness and flimsiness of the wall the Jews are building. He's saying that the wall is so poorly constructed that even a small animal like a fox, with its relatively light weight, could easily knock it down or damage it.
Meaning and Significance:
Devaluation and Discouragement: Tobiah's statement is designed to belittle the Jews' efforts and discourage them. He's trying to make them feel like their work is futile and that the wall is not strong enough to protect them. This is a common tactic used by opponents to undermine morale and hinder progress.
Insult to Craftsmanship: The statement implies that the builders are incompetent and that their work is of poor quality.
Psychological Warfare: This is a form of psychological warfare. By making fun of the wall, Tobiah and Sanballat are trying to intimidate the Jews and make them question their ability to complete the project.
In essence, this verse highlights the challenges the Jews faced beyond the physical labor of rebuilding the wall. They had to deal with constant opposition, ridicule, and attempts to demoralize them. It's a reminder that sometimes the greatest obstacles we face are not physical, but mental and emotional.