Devine Scripture

Nehemiah 4:1

What does Nehemiah 4:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Nehemiah 4:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Nehemiah 4:1 means

Sanballat’s rage and scorn show that the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall threatened the power and pride of hostile neighbors. Mockery is his first weapon, meant to shame the Jews into quitting. The verse highlights a common pattern: when God’s people undertake a good work, opposition often rises, first with ridicule. Nehemiah’s diary-like “we were building” underlines steady obedience despite contempt. The anger of opponents does not prove the work is wrong; rather, it can reveal how significant and right the task is. This verse sets the emotional climate: the work of restoring what is broken provokes enemies who prefer Jerusalem to remain weak and vulnerable.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now, Sanballat, hearing that we were building the wall, was very angry, and in his wrath made sport of the Jews.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And it came to pass that when Sanballat heard that we built the wall, he was angry and very indignant, and mocked the Jews.

Context

The chapter opens as the construction gains momentum from chapter 3’s organized labor lists. Immediately, the narrative introduces heightened opposition. Verse 1 sets the tone of hostility and ridicule that will intensify. In the verses that follow, the mockery grows into public taunts (verse 2) and dismissive sarcasm (verse 3), pushing the builders toward fear and discouragement. Nehemiah’s response—prayer and persistence—will become a controlling theme, contrasting human scorn with dependence on God and disciplined work.

v.1This passage

v.2And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What are these feeble Jews doing? 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 rubbish, seeing they are burned?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Nehemiah 2:19

    But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?

  • Psalms 44:13

    Thou makest us a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and a derision to them that are round about us.

  • Acts 5:17

    But the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him (which is the sect of the Sadducees), and they were filled with jealousy,

  • Matthew 27:29

    And they platted a crown of thorns and put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand; and they kneeled down before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

  • Ezra 4:1

    Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity were building a temple unto Jehovah, the God of Israel;

  • Hebrews 11:36

    and others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:

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