Nehemiah 2:10
What does Nehemiah 2:10 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 2:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 2:10 means
Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant react with great displeasure when they hear that someone has come to seek the good of Israel’s people. Their grief reveals their interests are threatened by Jerusalem’s restoration. Opposition often arises not merely from theological dispute but from fear of losing influence and advantage. The verse names the adversaries early, alerting us that rebuilding will not be uncontested. The work of renewal, even when lawful and benevolent, can provoke scorn and resistance. Nehemiah’s mission is righteous and official, yet it will be tested by those who prefer Israel to remain weak and reproached.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, for that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
KJV
King James Version · 1611When 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, for that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, hearing of it, were greatly troubled because a man had come to the help of the children of Israel.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and Sanballat the Horonite heareth, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and it is evil to them--a great evil--that a man hath come in to seek good for the sons of Israel.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And Sanaballat the Horonite, and Tobias the servant, the Ammonite, heard it, and it grieved them exceedingly, that a man was come, who sought the prosperity of the children of Israel.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobijah the servant, the Ammonite, heard [of it], it grieved them exceedingly that there had come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
Context
This verse follows Nehemiah’s arrival and the presentation of royal credentials. It introduces the main opponents by name and motive—distress at Israel’s welfare. This sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, where Nehemiah will quietly assess the damage, rally the people, and then face open mockery. Recognizing the presence of adversaries helps explain the secrecy of Nehemiah’s night inspection and the firmness of his later reply.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 4:2
being sore troubled because they taught the people, and proclaimed in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
- Nehemiah 6:1
Now it came to pass, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and unto the rest of our enemies, that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein (though even unto that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),
- Proverbs 30:22
For a servant when he is king; And a fool when he is filled with food;
- Isaiah 15:5
My heart crieth out for Moab; her nobles flee unto Zoar, to Eglath-shelishi-yah: for by the ascent of Luhith with weeping they go up; for in the way of Horonaim they raise up a cry of destruction.
- Acts 19:26
And ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they are no gods, that are made with hands:
- Jeremiah 48:5
For by the ascent of Luhith with continual weeping shall they go up; for at the descent of Horonaim they have heard the distress of the cry of destruction.
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