Nehemiah Chapter 4

The Work is Ridiculed

1But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. 2And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? 3Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.

4Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity: 5And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.

6So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

7But 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, 8And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.

Discouragement Overcome

9Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

10And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.

11And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease. 12And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you. 13Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.

15And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. 16And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. 17They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. 18For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me. 19And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. 20In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.

21So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. 22Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day. 23So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

The Work Ridiculed

1 But it happened that when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. 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?” 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.”

4 “Hear, our God; for we are despised; and turn back their reproach on their own head, give them up for a spoil in a land of captivity; 5 don’t cover their iniquity, and don’t let their sin be blotted out from before you; for they have insulted the builders.”

6 So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together to half its height: for the people had a mind to work.

7 But it happened that when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabians, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem went forward, and that the breaches began to be filled, then they were very angry; 8 and they conspired all of them together to come and fight against Jerusalem, and to cause confusion therein.

Discouragement Overcome

9 But we made our prayer to our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.

10 Judah said, “The strength of the bearers of burdens is fading, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.”

11 Our adversaries said, “They shall not know, neither see, until we come into their midst, and kill them, and cause the work to cease.” 12 It happened that when the Jews who lived by them came, they said to us ten times from all places, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.” 13 Therefore set I in the lowest parts of the space behind the wall, in the open places, I set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14 I looked, and rose up, and said to the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them! Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.”

15 It happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and God had brought their counsel to nothing, that we returned all of us to the wall, everyone to his work. 16 It happened from that time forth, that half of my servants worked in the work, and half of them held the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the coats of mail; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. 17 They all built the wall and those who bore burdens loaded themselves; everyone with one of his hands worked in the work, and with the other held his weapon; 18 and the builders, everyone wore his sword at his side, and so built. He who sounded the trumpet was by me. 19 I said to the nobles, and to the rulers and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and large, and we are separated on the wall, one far from another. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally there to us. Our God will fight for us.”

21 So we worked in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning until the stars appeared. 22 Likewise at the same time said I to the people, “Let everyone with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and may labor in the day.” 23 So neither I, nor my brothers, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard who followed me, none of us took off our clothes. Everyone took his weapon to the water.

The Work Ridiculed

1 Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews 2 before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? a 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?”

3 Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”

4 Hear us, O God, for we are despised. Turn their scorn back upon their own heads, and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity. 5 Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders. b

6 So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

7 When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious, 8 and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance.

Discouragement Overcome

9 So we prayed to our God and posted a guard against them day and night.

10 Meanwhile, the people of Judah said: c

“The strength of the laborer fails,

and there is so much rubble

that we will never be able

to rebuild the wall.”

11 And our enemies said, “Before they know or see a thing, we will come into their midst, kill them, and put an end to the work.”

12 At that time the Jews who lived nearby came and told us ten times over, “Wherever you turn, they will attack us.”

13 So I stationed men behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows.

14 After I had made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.”

15 When our enemies heard that we were aware of their scheme and that God had frustrated it, each of us returned to his own work on the wall. 16 And from that day on, half of my servants did the work while the other half held spears, shields, bows, and armor.

The officers stationed themselves behind all the people of Judah 17 who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other. 18 And each of the builders worked with his sword strapped at his side. But the trumpeter stayed beside me.

19 Then I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people: “The work is great and extensive, and we are spread out far from one another along the wall. 20 Wherever you hear the sound of the horn, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us!”

21 So we continued the work, while half of the men held spears from the break of dawn until the stars came out. 22 At that time I also said to the people, “Let every man and his servant spend the night inside Jerusalem, so that they can stand guard by night and work by day.”

23 So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the guards with me changed out of our clothes; each carried his weapon, even to go for water. d

Footnotes:

2 a Or Will they commit themselves to God?
5 b Or have provoked You to anger before the builders
10 c Or Meanwhile, Judah said
23 d Or each carried his weapon in his right hand

The Work is Ridiculed

1And 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, 2and saith before his brethren and the force of Samaria, yea, he saith, 'What are the weak Jews doing? are they left to themselves? do they sacrifice? do they complete in a day? do they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish? -- and they burnt!' 3And Tobiah the Ammonite is by him and saith, 'Also, that which they are building -- if a fox doth go up, then it hath broken down their stone wall.'

4Hear, O our God, for we have been despised; and turn back their reproach on their own head, and give them for a spoil in a land of captivity; 5and do not cover over their iniquity, and their sin from before Thee let not be blotted out, for they have provoked to anger -- over-against those building.

6And we build the wall, and all the wall is joined -- unto its half, and the people have a heart to work.

7And it cometh to pass, when Sanballat hath heard, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, that lengthening hath gone up to the walls of Jerusalem, that the breeches have begun to be stopped, then it is very displeasing to them, 8and they conspire, all of them together, to come in to fight against Jerusalem, and to do to it injury.

Discouragement Overcome

9And we pray unto our God, and appoint a watch against them, by day and by night, because of them.

10And Judah saith, 'The power of the burden-bearers hath become feeble, and the rubbish is abundant, and we are not able to build on the wall.'

11And our adversaries say, 'They do not know, nor see, till that we come in to their midst, and have slain them, and caused the work to cease.' 12And it cometh to pass, when the Jews have come who are dwelling near them, that they say to us ten times from all the places whither ye return -- they are against us. 13And I appoint at the lowest of the places, at the back of the wall, in the clear places, yea, I appoint the people, by their families, with their swords, their spears, and their bows. 14And I see, and rise up, and say unto the freemen, and unto the prefects, and unto the rest of the people, 'Be not afraid of them; the Lord, the great and the fearful, remember ye, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.'

15And it cometh to pass, when our enemies have heard that it hath been known to us, and God doth frustrate their counsel, and we turn back, all of us, unto the wall, each unto his work; 16yea, it cometh to pass, from that day, half of my servants are working in the business, and half of them are keeping hold of both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the coats of mail; and the heads are behind all the house of Judah. 17The builders on the wall, and the bearers of the burden, those lading, each with one of his hands is working in the business, and one is laying hold of the missile. 18And the builders are each with his sword, girded on his loins, and building, and he who is blowing with a trumpet is beside me. 19And I say unto the freemen, and unto the prefects, and unto the rest of the people, 'The work is abundant, and large, and we are separated on the wall, far off one from another; 20in the place that ye hear the voice of the trumpet thither ye are gathered unto us; our God doth fight for us.'

21And we are working in the business, and half of them are keeping hold of the spears, from the going up of the dawn till the coming forth of the stars. 22Also, at that time I said to the people, 'Let each with his servant lodge in the midst of Jerusalem, and they have been to us by night a guard, and by day for the work:' 23and there are none -- I and my brethren and my servants, the men of the guard who are after me -- there are none of us putting off our garments, each hath his vessel of water.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of Nehemiah 4?

1.1Introduction to Nehemiah 4

1.2Context of Nehemiah 4

1.3Ancient Key Word Study

1.4Compare & Contrast

1.5Nehemiah 4 Unique Insights

1.6Nehemiah 4 Connections to Yeshua

1.7Nehemiah 4 Scriptural Echoes

1.8Nehemiah 4 Devotional

1.9Did You Know

What is the meaning of Nehemiah 4?

Introduction to Nehemiah 4

Nehemiah 4 stands as a powerful testament to the interplay between faith and action, prayer and preparation in the face of opposition. This pivotal chapter captures a crucial moment in Jewish history when the returned exiles, under Nehemiah’s leadership, faced intense resistance while rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls. The narrative masterfully weaves together themes of spiritual warfare, communal unity, and unwavering trust in God’s protection, presenting timeless principles for overcoming obstacles in kingdom work.

More than just a historical account, this chapter serves as a prophetic template for understanding how God’s people can triumph over opposition through a combination of spiritual vigilance and practical wisdom. The text reveals profound insights into spiritual leadership and the importance of balancing trust in God with responsible action.

Context of Nehemiah 4

Within the book of Nehemiah, chapter 4 marks a critical escalation in the opposition faced by the Jewish people during their rebuilding efforts. Following Nehemiah’s successful motivation of the people to rebuild in chapter 3, this chapter demonstrates how external resistance intensifies when God’s people begin to make significant progress. The passage falls strategically between the initial organization of the work (chapter 3) and the internal challenges that would later emerge (chapter 5), highlighting the multi-faceted nature of opposition to God’s work.

In the broader biblical narrative, Nehemiah 4 connects thematically to other passages about rebuilding and restoration, such as Ezra 4:1-5 and Haggai 1:2-11. It represents a crucial moment in the post-exilic period, where God’s people were reestablishing not just physical structures but their identity as His covenant community. This chapter also foreshadows future spiritual battles faced by God’s people, including the opposition to rebuilding the spiritual temple of God described in the New Testament (Ephesians 6:10-18).

The historical context is particularly significant as it occurred during the Persian period, approximately 445 BCE, under the reign of Artaxerxes I. This timing places the events within the broader framework of God’s prophetic timeline, specifically within Daniel’s prophecy of the seventy weeks (Daniel 9:25), marking the beginning of the countdown to the Messiah’s first coming.

Ancient Key Word Study

Sanballat (סַנְבַלַּט) – This name appears as a key antagonist and literally means “Sin (the moon god) gives life.” The choice of including his name serves to highlight the pagan opposition to God’s work, while also demonstrating how God often allows His enemies to be clearly identified for His people’s benefit.
Laughed to scorn (וַיַּלְעֵג) – The Hebrew word used here, from the root לעג (la’ag), implies more than mere mockery. It carries the connotation of speaking in a foreign or barbarous tongue, suggesting that the opposition tried to create confusion and discord among God’s people.
Prayer (תְּפִלָּה) – From the root פלל (palal), this word implies judicial intervention, suggesting that Nehemiah’s prayers were legal appeals to the Divine Judge, not merely personal petitions.
Watch (מִשְׁמָר) – This term derives from שמר (shamar), meaning to guard or protect. Its usage here carries both physical and spiritual connotations, emphasizing the dual nature of their defensive strategy.
Remember (זְכֹר) – From זכר (zakar), this word implies more than mental recall; it suggests acting upon memory. When Nehemiah asks God to “remember,” he’s invoking divine intervention based on covenant promises.
Fight (לחם) – The Hebrew root carries a dual meaning of both “to fight” and “to eat bread,” creating a powerful word play that connects the people’s physical sustenance with their spiritual warfare.
Burden bearers (הַנֹּשְׂאִים) – This term describes those carrying heavy loads and comes from the root נשא (nasa), which is also used for “lifting up” in prayer, creating a beautiful parallel between physical and spiritual work.
Sword (חרב) – Beyond its literal meaning, this word in Hebrew thought represents authority and judgment, connecting to the concept of the “sword of the Spirit” mentioned later in Ephesians 6:17.
Built (בנה) – This root word appears frequently and carries connotations of both physical construction and establishing a family line, foreshadowing the Messiah’s role in building both the physical and spiritual temple.

Compare & Contrast

Verse 3’s mention of “Even what they build, if a fox should jump on it, he would break down their stone wall” uses the word שועל (shual) for fox, rather than the more common term for predator. This choice emphasizes the perceived weakness of the wall while also alluding to the “little foxes” that spoil the vineyards in Song of Solomon 2:15, suggesting that even small opposition can threaten God’s work if not addressed.
Verse 9’s construction “We prayed to our God AND set a watch” uses the Hebrew vav (ו) consecutive, emphasizing that prayer and action were not separate responses but integrated parts of the same strategy. This grammatical choice reinforces the biblical principle of faith working together with works.
The phrase “half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears” in verse 16 uses a unique Hebrew word order that places “half” (חצי) at the beginning of both clauses, creating a powerful parallel structure that emphasizes the equal importance of both spiritual and physical warfare.
Verse 14’s declaration “Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome” uses the term הַגָּדוֹל (hagadol), which is typically reserved for God’s covenant name. This choice emphasizes that their confidence was rooted in God’s covenant faithfulness rather than human strength.
The description of the builders working with one hand and holding a weapon in the other (verse 17) uses specific Hebrew terminology that suggests skilled craftsmanship rather than mere labor, implying that defensive measures shouldn’t compromise the quality of God’s work.

Can a Bible Come to Life over a Coffee?

This biblical entry has a unique origin story. Find out how it came to be—and why your visit today is about so much more than words. Get your coffee ready—God’s about to visit. But will you open the door for Him?

I’m ready

Nehemiah 4 Unique Insights

The chapter contains several layers of prophetic significance that point to deeper spiritual truths. The opposition faced by Nehemiah and the people mirrors the spiritual warfare pattern described in Rabbinic literature, particularly in the Midrash Rabbah, which speaks of how every divine restoration faces three levels of opposition: mockery, physical threat, and spiritual warfare. This pattern is seen clearly in Nehemiah 4, where the enemies first mock (verses 1-3), then threaten violence (verses 7-8), and finally attempt to create fear and spiritual discouragement (verses 10-12).

The ancient Jewish commentary Pirkei D’Rabbi Eliezer draws a fascinating parallel between Nehemiah’s wall-building project and the creation of the world, noting that both involved separation (between holy and profane) and were accomplished despite opposition. This connects to the Messianic theme of Yeshua as both Creator and Restorer, building His spiritual temple despite satanic opposition.

The strategic positioning of the workers around the wall, as described in verses 13-14, follows the same pattern as the tribal encampments around the Tabernacle in the wilderness, suggesting a deeper spiritual significance to their defensive arrangement. This organizational structure prefigures the New Testament concept of the body of Messiah working together in unity while maintaining spiritual vigilance.

The repeated mention of the trumpet signal (verse 20) carries significant prophetic overtones, connecting to the future trumpet call that will gather God’s people (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The Hebrew term used here, שׁוֹפָר (shofar), is the same instrument associated with key moments of divine intervention throughout Scripture.

Nehemiah 4 Connections to Yeshua

The rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls under opposition presents a powerful type of Yeshua’s work in building His spiritual temple, the Church. Just as Nehemiah faced mockery, threats, and attempts to discourage the work, so did Yeshua face similar opposition in establishing His kingdom. The enemies’ mockery of the wall’s weakness parallels the mockery Yeshua endured on the cross, yet both resulted in the establishment of God’s purposes.

The dual emphasis on prayer and practical action in Nehemiah 4 reflects Yeshua’s ministry, where He both prayed to the Father and took concrete steps to accomplish His mission. This pattern continues in His body today, as believers are called to both pray and work in building God’s kingdom. The chapter’s focus on community defense and mutual support foreshadows the New Testament’s teaching on the body of Messiah working together in unity (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

Nehemiah 4 Scriptural Echoes

The opposition faced in rebuilding the walls echoes earlier accounts of resistance to God’s work, such as the opposition to building the first temple under Solomon (1 Kings 5:4) and the second temple under Zerubbabel (Ezra 4). These parallel accounts establish a pattern of spiritual warfare that continues throughout Scripture.

The theme of divine protection amidst opposition connects to numerous Psalms, particularly Psalm 127:1: “Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” This principle is demonstrated practically in Nehemiah’s combination of trust in God and practical vigilance.

The strategic organization of the workers finds parallels in David’s military arrangements (1 Chronicles 27) and the prophetic description of the Church’s spiritual warfare in Ephesians 6. The concept of being ready for both work and warfare echoes throughout Scripture, finding its ultimate fulfillment in the spiritual readiness required of believers.

Nehemiah 4 Devotional

In our own walks with God, Nehemiah 4 provides crucial lessons about handling opposition to divine purposes in our lives. Like the builders of Jerusalem’s walls, we too face mockery, discouragement, and active resistance when pursuing God’s calling. The chapter teaches us to respond with a balanced approach of prayer and practical action, never neglecting either spiritual or natural preparation.

Just as the workers needed to maintain both their tools and their weapons, we must cultivate both our spiritual gifts and practical skills in service to God. The communal aspect of their defense strategy reminds us that we weren’t meant to face spiritual battles alone – we need the support and protection of the body of believers.

Nehemiah’s leadership example challenges us to maintain courage in the face of opposition, remembering that God is “great and awesome” regardless of the size of our obstacles. His pattern of immediately taking concerns to God in prayer, then acting decisively based on divine wisdom, provides a practical model for handling challenges in our own lives.

Did You Know

The opposition described in Nehemiah 4 came from a coalition of leaders representing all the territories surrounding Jerusalem – Samaria (north), Ammon (east), Arabia (south), and Ashdod (west) – suggesting a coordinated attempt to prevent Israel’s restoration.
The phrase “gaps in the walls” (verse 7) uses a Hebrew term that literally means “healing began to rise up in the walls,” painting a beautiful picture of restoration as a healing process.
Archaeological evidence from this period has uncovered what appears to be the actual foundations of the walls Nehemiah rebuilt, confirming the biblical account’s historical accuracy.
The workers’ arrangement of building with one hand while holding a weapon in the other became a rabbinic metaphor for maintaining spiritual vigilance while engaging in worldly occupation.
The trumpet signal system mentioned in verse 20 was likely adapted from military strategies used in the wilderness period under Moses, showing continuity with Israel’s earlier history.
The mention of people staying within Jerusalem (verse 22) represented a significant shift, as many had previously lived in surrounding villages due to the city’s vulnerable state.
The workers’ clothing remained on “except for washing” (verse 23) uses a Hebrew euphemism that implies they maintained ritual purity while staying combat-ready.
Recent archaeological discoveries have found Persian period arrowheads around Jerusalem’s walls, potentially dating to this period of opposition described in Nehemiah 4.
The geographic positioning of the enemies mentioned in the chapter aligns perfectly with known political boundaries from Persian period records, supporting the text’s historical reliability.

Have you been blessed?

This website has over 46,000 Biblical resources, made possible through the generosity of the 0.03% of supporters like you. If you’ve been blessed today, please consider sending a gift.

send a gift

Bible Themes

Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

Articles: 46924

0 Comments

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments