Nehemiah 4 7

Nehemiah 4:7 kjv

But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,

Nehemiah 4:7 nkjv

Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry,

Nehemiah 4:7 niv

But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the people of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry.

Nehemiah 4:7 esv

But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry.

Nehemiah 4:7 nlt

But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the work was going ahead and that the gaps in the wall of Jerusalem were being repaired, they were furious.

Nehemiah 4 verses

Nehemiah 4 7 Meaning

Nehemiah 4:7 describes the escalating opposition faced by the Jewish people under Nehemiah's leadership as they diligently worked to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. Upon hearing that the repair work was progressing well and the broken sections were being closed, Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites became exceedingly enraged. Their fury arose from the tangible progress towards Jerusalem's restoration and the strengthening of the Jewish community, which they perceived as a direct threat to their regional influence and antagonistic stance towards Judah.

Nehemiah 4 7 Context

Nehemiah 4:7 falls within the historical account of the post-exilic period, approximately in the mid-5th century BCE. The Jewish people, having returned from Babylonian exile, were struggling to re-establish themselves and rebuild Jerusalem. Chapter 1 introduces Nehemiah's burden for Jerusalem. Chapter 2 describes his prayer, journey to Jerusalem with Persian King Artaxerxes' permission, and initial opposition from regional officials Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. Chapter 3 details the remarkable collective effort of rebuilding the city walls, with various families and groups taking responsibility for specific sections. As the wall building progresses effectively and efficiently, the scene is set for renewed and intensified opposition. This verse specifically marks a turning point where the adversaries' mockery turns into overt anger and malicious plotting because their initial disdain failed to stop the work, and the reality of Jerusalem's restoration began to manifest.

Nehemiah 4 7 Word analysis

• But: (וַיְהִי, wayhiy) – Conjunction often used to introduce a significant change or shift in narrative. Here, it marks the escalation from scorn (Neh 4:1) to outright anger and plotting.
• when: (כַּאֲשֶׁר, ka’ǎšer) – "As, when, that." Indicates the precise moment or condition that triggered the adversaries' response.
• Sanballat: (סַנְבַלַּט, Sanballaṭ) – A Horonite, governor of Samaria, a persistent adversary. His name possibly has Babylonian or Aramaic origins. He represents official, regional authority against Jerusalem.
• and Tobiah: (וְטוֹבִיָּה, wəṬōwbiya) – An Ammonite official (possibly "the servant," as in Neh 2:10). His name means "Yahweh is good," ironically, as he consistently opposed God's people. He represents foreign, ethnic opposition.
• and the Arabs: (וְהָעֲרָבִים, wəhā‘Ărābîm) – These were likely Qedarite Arabs to the south or southeast of Judah, allied with Geshem (Neh 2:19), indicating a confederation of hostile parties. They represent tribal, nomadic threats.
• and the Ammonites: (וְהָעַמֹּנִים, wəhā‘Ammōnnîm) – Descendants of Lot, perpetual enemies to the east of Israel, known for their animosity. They represent a long-standing historical ethnic hostility.
• and the Ashdodites: (וְהָאַשְׁדֹּדִים, wəhā’Ašdōḏîm) – Inhabitants of Ashdod, one of the five Philistine cities to the west. Their involvement signifies opposition from the coastal plain, making the threat encirclement from multiple directions. They represent the Philistine or coastal threat.
• heard: (שָׁמְעוּ, shām‘û) – Simple past tense, "they heard." Indicates the concrete information received, validating the Jewish progress.
• that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem: (כִּי הָרְכֻבָּה לְחֹמוֹת יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, kî hārĕkhubbāh lĕḥômôṯ Yərūšālayim) – Literally "the healing/completion for the walls of Jerusalem." The term "healing" (related to ‘arukah) implies recovery and restoration to wholeness.
• was going forward: (עָלְתָה אֲרֻכָה, ‘ālᵉṯāh ’ărūkhāh) – Meaning "healing had gone up," conveying progress toward complete restoration, not just patchwork. It points to a substantial rebuilding, signaling Jerusalem's resurgence.
• and that the breaches: (כִּי הֵחֵלּוּ פְרוּצוֹת, kî hēḥēlû pĕrūṣōṯ) – "that the breaches began." Pĕrūṣōṯ refers to the broken, crumbled sections of the wall, results of destruction.
• were beginning to be closed: (לְהִסָּתֵם, lĕhissātēm) – "to be stopped up, blocked." Implies active restoration and removal of vulnerabilities, signifying physical and strategic fortification.
• they were very angry: (וַיִּחַר לָהֶם מְאֹד, wayyiḥar lâhem mə’ōḏ) – Literally "it was very hot/burned fiercely for them." Expresses intense, uncontrolled rage, a deeper emotion than initial disdain. Their anger reflects the spiritual opposition to God’s redemptive plan for His people.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites": This comprehensive list shows a united, multi-ethnic, and geographically surrounding front of adversaries. It demonstrates the widespread and organized nature of the opposition, coming from various directions – north (Samaria), east (Ammonites), south/southeast (Arabs), west (Ashdodites/Philistia). This confederacy of enemies is a significant detail, illustrating the immense challenge faced by the exiles. It also reflects a long history of enmity against Israel from these surrounding nations, now renewed against the rebuilding.
• "heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed": The adversaries were not angry about the intention or the mere start of the work, but about its tangible progress and success. The phrase "healing/going forward" implies the wall was becoming fully restored, not just patched. The "breaches beginning to be closed" indicated that the vulnerable points of the city were being secured. This progression, a sign of Judah's potential strength and independence, directly fueled their anger.
• "they were very angry": This phrase, literally "it burned greatly to them," denotes profound and uncontrollable rage, moving beyond mere annoyance or scorn (Neh 4:1). This heightened emotion signifies that the work on the walls was perceived as a real, imminent threat to their power and influence, rather than just an annoying, futile effort. This rage is not simply political; it reflects an underlying spiritual animosity against God's purpose for His people and city.

Nehemiah 4 7 Bonus section

The mention of "breaches were beginning to be closed" using a term related to 'healing' (אֲרֻכָה, arukah, often used for restoration from wounds or sickness) hints at the restoration of Jerusalem's health and integrity as a body. The city itself, after decades of desolation, was being 'healed'. This implies more than just physical construction; it points to the restoration of hope, community, and national identity for the returned exiles. The adversaries recognized this spiritual and national healing, and it fueled their animosity even more. Their opposition was fundamentally against the Lord's redemptive plan for His people.

Nehemiah 4 7 Commentary

Nehemiah 4:7 encapsulates the transition of opposition from scoffing to outright fury. The concerted effort to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, an act of faith and national restoration, was directly threatening to the established powers of the region, led by Sanballat, Tobiah, and their various ethnic allies. Their intense anger stemmed from seeing God's redemptive work visibly progressing and the vulnerability of Jerusalem turning into strength. This was not merely political rivalry but a manifestation of spiritual antagonism against divine purpose. For those laboring, this rage signaled an intensification of the spiritual battle, demanding vigilance and continued reliance on God amidst increased adversity. This anger mirrors the reaction of spiritual forces whenever God's kingdom work moves forward.