Nehemiah 2 10

Nehemiah 2:10 kjv

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.

Nehemiah 2:10 nkjv

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.

Nehemiah 2:10 niv

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.

Nehemiah 2:10 esv

But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.

Nehemiah 2:10 nlt

But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of my arrival, they were very displeased that someone had come to help the people of Israel.

Nehemiah 2 verses

Nehemiah 2 10 Meaning

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official learned of Nehemiah's arrival and his intent, they were greatly displeased and angered that someone had come with the purpose of seeking and promoting the good, well-being, and prosperity of the Israelites. This verse introduces the principal adversaries who would strongly oppose Nehemiah's divinely inspired mission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls and restore its people. Their disturbance indicates a deep-seated antagonism toward the welfare of God's people and the restoration of His city.

Nehemiah 2 10 Context

Nehemiah chapter 2 marks a pivotal turn in the narrative. Having mourned, prayed, and gained favor with King Artaxerxes in chapter 1, Nehemiah now acts. The king, noting Nehemiah's sadness, grants him permission to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls and provides royal letters guaranteeing safe passage and supplies. This extraordinary royal patronage validates Nehemiah's divinely-appointed mission. Nehemiah's arrival in Judah, specifically mentioned in verse 9, signaled the imminent commencement of his restorative work. Verse 10 immediately introduces the forces of opposition that would emerge to counter this divine endeavor. The historical setting is the post-exilic Persian period, specifically around 445 BC, when Judah was a Persian province, and its recovery remained incomplete due to internal weakness and external hostility from surrounding factions who had benefited from Jerusalem's previous state of ruin.

Nehemiah 2 10 Word analysis

• When Sanballat: Sanballat (סַנְבַלַּט) - A prominent figure, governor of Samaria, probably a satrap of the Persian province "Samaria". His name is likely Babylonian or West Semitic. Archaeological evidence from Elephantine papyri confirms a "Sanballat, governor of Samaria" in this period. His animosity toward Jerusalem stemmed from a combination of geopolitical interests (a rebuilt Jerusalem threatened Samaritan authority/prestige) and likely inherent disdain for Judah.
• the Horonite: Derived from "Beth-Horon," a town on the border of Samaria and Judah, within his probable sphere of influence, rather than an ethnic indicator of Horite origin (descendants of Seir, Gen 36). This geographical descriptor emphasizes his territorial power and vested interest in maintaining the status quo.
• and Tobiah: Tobiah (טוֹבִיָּה) - "Yahweh is good" or "My good is Yahweh." Despite his name having a Hebrew/Yahwistic meaning, he was an Ammonite official. This might indicate mixed parentage or a Jewish connection for political reasons, possibly even a family who adopted the worship of Yahweh but retained ties to the Ammonite nation. He was part of the Tobiad dynasty, prominent landowners east of the Jordan, often connected with intermarriage into prominent Judean families (Neh 6:17-19, Neh 13:4-7). This gave him influential access within Jerusalem itself.
• the Ammonite official: Ammonite - A people historically hostile to Israel, descended from Ben-Ammi, son of Lot (Gen 19:38). Their exclusion from Israel's assembly for ten generations (Deut 23:3-6) highlights this historical animosity. Tobiah's status as an "official" implies he held power and influence, probably in the Ammonite territory east of the Jordan, under Persian authority. His association with Sanballat shows a common cause in opposing Judean resurgence.
• heard about this: Refers to Nehemiah's arrival and the nature of his mission. News of a royal delegate, particularly one granted significant authority, would travel quickly through administrative channels and local intelligence networks. This indicates that these adversaries were actively monitoring developments in Judah.
• they were very much disturbed: Hebrew phrase chārâ lāhem (חָרָה לָהֶם) literally means "it burned to them" or "it was hot to them." This expresses intense anger, indignation, and resentment, indicating strong emotional agitation and opposition. This is not mild displeasure but furious consternation.
• that someone had come: This "someone" (literally "a man") is Nehemiah. It conveys their recognition that a purposeful individual had arrived, rather than just an ordinary traveler, making it clear they understood the threat he posed to their interests.
• to promote the welfare of the Israelites: Hebrew le-vaqqesh tovah li-venei Yisra'el (לְבַקֵּשׁ טוֹבָה לִבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל) means "to seek good/well-being for the children/sons of Israel." Tovah (טוֹבָה) signifies general good, prosperity, advantage, or blessing. This phrase directly contrasts with their disturbed state; their animosity is against good being done for Israel. This immediately establishes the nature of the conflict: light vs. darkness, constructive vs. destructive. It reveals their intrinsic opposition to God's redemptive plans for His people.

Nehemiah 2 10 Bonus section

The intensity of Sanballat's and Tobiah's disturbance, "it burned to them," reveals a spiritual animosity beneath the political. Their fury stemmed from the idea that the "good" or "welfare" (Hebrew: tovah) of Israel was being promoted. This aligns with a biblical worldview where the adversaries of God's people are ultimately adversaries of God Himself. The good that Nehemiah sought for Israel was divinely intended. Thus, the opposition represents a form of spiritual warfare, a direct conflict between the forces that desire to build God's kingdom and those that desire to thwart it. This initial reaction sets a precedent for all subsequent opposition detailed in Nehemiah, emphasizing that rebuilding walls (or any divine endeavor) invariably invites malevolent resistance from those who stand against God's purpose for His people.

Nehemiah 2 10 Commentary

Nehemiah 2:10 is foundational in understanding the core conflict of the book of Nehemiah: the forces of God's redemptive purposes versus the persistent opposition of those threatened by spiritual and physical restoration. The intense displeasure of Sanballat and Tobiah—expressed by the powerful Hebrew idiom "it burned to them"—underscores that their opposition was not merely political rivalry, but a deep-seated hatred for the well-being and advancement of God's chosen people. Their anger reveals an inherent malice towards divine favor and blessing. Whenever God's kingdom work progresses, or His people experience blessing, opposition will inevitably arise from those whose interests (whether power, prestige, or a general antagonism toward righteousness) are threatened. This verse sets the stage for the recurring theme throughout Nehemiah that God's plan is unstoppable, even in the face of furious adversaries who perceive "good" done for God's people as a grave affront to their own dominion.