Tobiah the Ammonite was by him . The presence of Tobiah on this occasion, before the alliance was made with the Ammonites ( Nehemiah 4:8 ), is a strong indication that his position was not one of independent authority, but of dependence upon Sanballat. There is nothing to show that he was more than a favourite slave of the Samaritan governor. A fox . Or, "a jackal," which would be more likely than a fox to stray over a ruined wall into a town. read more
Nehemiah 4:1-2. And mocked the Jews Pretending contempt in his words, when he had grief, anger, and vexation in his heart. And he spake before his brethren Before Tobiah, Geshem, and others, whom Nehemiah calls his brethren, because of their conjunction with him in office and interest. And the army in Samaria Whom he hereby designed to incense against them, or, at least, whose minds he thought thus to learn. What do these feeble Jews? Will they fortify, &c. Do they intend to begin... read more
Nehemiah 4:3. If a fox go up He mentions foxes because they were very numerous in those parts, and because in the late desolation of Jerusalem, the foxes did frequent the mount and city of Zion, (Lamentations 5:18,) wherewith he seems to upbraid them. He shall even break down their stone wall It is so low that a fox can easily ascend to the top of it, and so weak, and built so hastily and carelessly, that the least weight or thrust will tumble it down. read more
Early opposition (4:1-23)Since the Jews had the Persian king’s approval for their building program, their opponents, being also under the government of Persia, hesitated to attack Jerusalem openly. However, they were still able to mock and ridicule, hoping that this would dishearten the people from building (4:1-5).But the Jews were not easily discouraged and the work continued (6). The enemies therefore planned to create confusion and uncertainty among the Jews by carrying out surprise... read more
But = And. SanbalLatin See note on Nehemiah 2:10 . builded = were building. wroth. The third form of opposition. See note on Nehemiah 2:10 . read more
army = force. What . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . fortify. Hebrew. Homonym, 'azab. See note on Exodus 23:5 . Margin note of Authorized Version and Revised Version neither needed nor correct. will they sacrifice? Showing that no altar was as yet built or sacrificial worship being carried on. read more
Tobiah. See note on Nehemiah 2:10 . read more
BITTER ENEMIES OF ISRAEL OPPOSE REBUILDING THE WALLTwo false interpretations of Nehemiah thus far must be rejected. One we have already noted, namely, the allegation that Nehemiah 3 was not written by Nehemiah and that it was "injected" into Nehemiah's narrative. The other is the inaccurate allegation that Nehemiah 3:3-6 "suggest the completion of the wall."[1] No such suggestion is found in Nehemiah 3. Oh yes, it says various workers "repaired!" this or that section of the wall; but that only... read more
Nehemiah 4:2. What do these feeble Jews, &c.— Mr. Peters observes upon this passage, which is remarkable for its phraseology, that it seems to give no obscure intimation, that the doctrine of the resurrection was the popular belief of the Jews in these days. "Reviving of stones," says he, "is a very easy metaphor to those who are acquainted with the doctrine of the resurrection; but, otherwise, not so easy or obvious." The word היחיו hayechaiiu, vivisicabunt, is the very same that is used... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:2
Before his brethren . By "his brethren" would seem to be meant his chief counsellors—probably Tobiah among them . The army of Samaria . Some understand by this a Persian garrison, stationed in Samaria under its own commander, with which Sanballat had influence, but there is no real ground for such a supposition. Psalms 83:1-18 , belongs probably to David's time; and as Samaria had doubtless its own native force of armed citizens, who were Sanballat's subjects, it is quite unnecessary to... read more