Nehemiah 4:1
New International Version
When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews,

New Living Translation
Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews,

English Standard Version
Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews.

Berean Standard Bible
Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews

King James Bible
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.

New King James Version
But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews.

New American Standard Bible
Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry, and he mocked the Jews.

NASB 1995
Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews.

NASB 1977
Now it came about that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious and very angry and mocked the Jews.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and very vexed and mocked the Jews.

Amplified Bible
But when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious, completely enraged, and he ridiculed the Jews.

Christian Standard Bible
When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious. He mocked the Jews

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became furious. He mocked the Jews

American Standard Version
But it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.

Contemporary English Version
When Sanballat, the governor of Samaria, heard that we were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, he became angry and started insulting our people.

English Revised Version
But it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Sanballat heard we were rebuilding the wall, he became enraged and made fun of the Jews.

Good News Translation
When Sanballat heard that we Jews had begun rebuilding the wall, he became furious and began to ridicule us.

International Standard Version
When Sanballat heard that we were reconstructing the wall, he flew into a rage, became indignant, and mocked the Jews.

Majority Standard Bible
Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews

NET Bible
Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall he became angry and was quite upset. He derided the Jews,

New Heart English Bible
But it happened that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.

Webster's Bible Translation
But it came to pass that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.

World English Bible
But when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and was very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, when Sanballat has heard that we are building the wall, that it is displeasing to him, and he is very angry and mocks at the Jews,

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, when Sanballat hath heard that we are building the wall, that it is displeasing to him, and he is very angry and mocketh at the Jews,

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be that when Sanballat heard that we are building the wall, and it will kindle to him, and he will be greatly angry, and he will mock against the Jews.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it came to pass, that when Sanaballat heard that we were building the wall he was angry: and being moved exceedingly he scoffed at the Jews.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now it happened that, when Sanballat had heard that we were building the wall, he was very angry. And having been moved exceedingly, he ridiculed the Jews.

New American Bible
When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and very much incensed. He ridiculed the Jews,

New Revised Standard Version
Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he mocked the Jews.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
BUT when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was grieved and very angry, and he mocked the Jews.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when Samblat heard that we were building a wall, it grieved him, and his anger grew and he mocked at the Jews.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Now it came to pass, when Sanaballat heard that we were building the wall, that it was grievous to him, and he was very angry, and railed against the Jews.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Work is Ridiculed
1Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews 2before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?”…

Cross References
Nehemiah 2:19
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”

Ezra 4:1-5
When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, / they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the families, saying, “Let us build with you because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to Him since the time of King Esar-haddon of Assyria, who brought us here.” / But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of the families of Israel replied, “You have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as Cyrus king of Persia has commanded us.” ...

Psalm 2:1-4
Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” ...

Acts 4:25-26
You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of Your servant, our father David: ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His Anointed One.’

Nehemiah 6:1-2
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates— / Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.

1 Samuel 17:43
“Am I a dog,” he said to David, “that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.

Matthew 5:11-12
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Acts 5:41
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.

2 Kings 19:22-23
Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! / Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest outposts, the densest of its forests.

Luke 6:22-23
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man. / Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.

2 Chronicles 32:17
He also wrote letters mocking the LORD, the God of Israel, and saying against Him: “Just as the gods of the nations did not deliver their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my hand.”

John 15:18-20
If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. / If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. / Remember the word that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you as well; if they kept My word, they will keep yours as well.

Psalm 83:2-4
See how Your enemies rage, how Your foes have reared their heads. / With cunning they scheme against Your people and conspire against those You cherish, / saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.”

Acts 13:45
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.

1 Peter 4:14
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.


Treasury of Scripture

But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we built the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.

Sanballat

Nehemiah 2:10,19
When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel…

Ezra 4:1-5
Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; …

Acts 5:17
Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,

mocked

Psalm 35:15,16
But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: …

Psalm 44:13,14
Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and a derision to them that are round about us…

Matthew 27:29
And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

Jump to Previous
Angry Builded Building Built Displeasing Enraged Furious Great Greatly Heard Hearing Incensed Indignant Indignation Jews Mocked Mocketh Rebuilding Ridiculed Sanballat Sanbal'lat Wall Wrath Wroth
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Angry Builded Building Built Displeasing Enraged Furious Great Greatly Heard Hearing Incensed Indignant Indignation Jews Mocked Mocketh Rebuilding Ridiculed Sanballat Sanbal'lat Wall Wrath Wroth
Nehemiah 4
1. While the enemies scoff, Nehemiah prays and continues the work
7. Understanding the wrath and secrets of the enemy, he sets a watch
13. He arms the laborers
19. and gives military precepts














Now when Sanballat heard
The mention of Sanballat introduces us to a key antagonist in the narrative of Nehemiah. Sanballat was a Samaritan leader, and his opposition to Nehemiah's efforts is rooted in the historical animosity between the Samaritans and the Jews. The Hebrew root for "heard" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies not just the act of hearing but also understanding and reacting to the news. This sets the stage for the conflict, as Sanballat's awareness of the rebuilding project triggers his subsequent actions.

that we were rebuilding the wall
The phrase highlights the collective effort of the Jewish people under Nehemiah's leadership. The Hebrew word for "rebuilding" (בָּנָה, banah) signifies not only construction but also restoration and renewal. The wall of Jerusalem was more than a physical structure; it symbolized the restoration of the Jewish community's identity and security. Historically, the walls of a city were crucial for protection and represented the strength and autonomy of its people.

he became furious
Sanballat's fury is a reaction to the perceived threat that a fortified Jerusalem posed to his influence and control in the region. The Hebrew word for "furious" (חָרָה, charah) conveys a deep, burning anger. This intense emotional response underscores the seriousness of the opposition Nehemiah faced. From a spiritual perspective, this reflects the broader theme of resistance that God's people often encounter when pursuing His purposes.

and he mocked the Jews
Mockery is a common tactic used by opponents to undermine and discourage. The Hebrew root for "mocked" (לָעַג, laag) suggests scorn and derision. Sanballat's mockery was intended to belittle the efforts of the Jews and sow doubt among them. This reflects a spiritual truth that believers often face ridicule when they step out in faith. However, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and reliance on God in the face of opposition.

(1) Mocked the Jews.--The mockery comes afterwards. Here, as often in Nehemiah, a general statement is made which is afterwards expanded.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now
וַיְהִ֞י (yə·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

when
כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Sanballat
סַנְבַלַּ֗ט (san·ḇal·laṭ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5571: Sanballat -- a Samaritan leader

heard
שָׁמַ֣ע (šā·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

we
אֲנַ֤חְנוּ (’ă·naḥ·nū)
Pronoun - first person common plural
Strong's 587: We

were rebuilding
בוֹנִים֙ (ḇō·w·nîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 1129: To build

the wall,
הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה (ha·ḥō·w·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

he became furious
וַיִּ֣חַר (way·yi·ḥar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2734: To glow, grow warm, to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

and was filled with indignation.
וַיִּכְעַ֖ס (way·yiḵ·‘as)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3707: To trouble, to grieve, rage, be indignant

He ridiculed
וַיַּלְעֵ֖ג (way·yal·‘êḡ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3932: To deride, to speak unintelligibly

the Jews
הַיְּהוּדִֽים׃ (hay·yə·hū·ḏîm)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3064: Jews -- Jewish


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OT History: Nehemiah 4:1 But it happened that when Sanballat heard (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 3:32
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