Nehemiah 4:8 KJV

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Nehemiah 4:7-8

Nehemiah 4:7-8. When Sanballat and Tobiah, &c.— The ingenious publisher of the Ruins of Balbeck tells us, that in Palestine he has often seen the husbandman sowing, accompanied by an armed friend, to prevent his being robbed of the seed by the Arabs. This robbing the husbandman of his seed seems to have been an ancient practice of theirs, and to have been referred to, Psa 126:5-6 and made an image by the Psalmist of the happy issue of the first essays of the Jews to re-people their country.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Nehemiah 4:1-23

2. The opposition to the workers ch. 4Any attempt to fulfill God’s desires will almost certainly draw opposition from God’s enemies."The real test of a leader is how he or she faces crises and reacts to opposition. This chapter recounts several forms of opposition and how Nehemiah confronted them." [Note: Breneman, p. 193.] The Jews’ enemies used ridicule (Nehemiah 4:1-6), as well as armed resistance (Nehemiah 4:8), to oppose the work. A better translation of the Hebrew word rendered "wealthy"... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 4:1-23

The Machinations of the Enemies of the Jews1. Sanballat] His irritation at Nehemiah’s arrival (Nehemiah 2:10) was increased by the work accomplished by the latter. 2. Fortify themselves] The same word as that used in Nehemiah 3:8, with a like uncertainty of meaning. Some render ’will they (the Persian authorities) let them alone?’ Will they sacrifice?] i.e. in the hope of obtaining supernatural assistance. 4. In the land of captivity] Nehemiah’s desire for the confusion of his enemies not... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Nehemiah 4:8

(8) And conspired.—Not fearing the Persian authority, they resolved to attack the city; but it will be seen that they soon abandoned that project.To hinder it.—Rather, to do it hurt. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Nehemiah 4:1-23

Enfeebled Burden-bearers Nehemiah 4:10 How often this happens! We frequently have to receive the disquieting intimation which was made to Nehemiah. Not seldom we have to make this announcement to ourselves, 'The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed'. We have not travelled far from the workers upon the walls of Jerusalem. Geographically we are remote from them, but sympathetically we are near by. There are many points of affinity between us and them. Observe some of the links which... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-23

elete_me Nehemiah 2:19ON GUARDNehemiah 2:10; Nehemiah 2:19; Nehemiah 4:1-23ALL his arrangements for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem show that Nehemiah was awake to the dangers with which he was surrounded. The secrecy of his night ride was evidently intended to prevent a premature revelation of his plans. The thorough organisation, the mapping out of the whole line of the wall, and the dividing of the building operations among forty-two bands of workpeople secured equal and rapid progress on... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Nehemiah 4:1-23

CHAPTER 4 1. The indignation and sneers of the enemies (Nehemiah 4:1-3 ) 2. Nehemiah’s ejaculatory prayer (Nehemiah 4:4-6 ) 3. Conspiracy, and more prayer (Nehemiah 4:7-9 ) 4. Nehemiah’s precautions and confidence (Nehemiah 4:10-23 ) Nehemiah 4:1-3 . Sanballat (hate in disguise) having heard of the successful building of the wall, became very angry and mocked the Jews. And Tobiah the Ammonite used sarcasm. He said that which they build will be so weak that one of the foxes, which... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 4:1-23

DECISION IN THE FACE OF OPPOSITION (vv. 1-23) The diligent labor of the Jews drew out more bitter anger on the part of the enemy. Sanballat was furious and resorted to the moral weakness of mockery, speaking contemptuously of "these feeble Jews" (vv. 1-2). "Will they fortify themselves?" he asked. His very attitude showed that it was necessary for them to fortify themselves against him! Also, "Will they offer sacrifices?" In other words, he did not want them to honor God by sacrificing to... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-23

BUILDING THE WALLS PRAYER AND ITS ANSWER (Nehemiah 1-2:8) In this book it is to be kept in mind that the previous commissions to Zembbabel and Ezra concerned only the repair of the temple at Jerusalem, and certain internal arrangements for the moral and material well-being of the people in their home towns. The walls and gates of the city, however, were still in the ruined condition in which they were left by Nebuchadnezzar after the siege. The consequences were detrimental to the people’s... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Nehemiah 4:1-23

Nehemiah 4:0 "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" ( Neh 4:1 ). How Nehemiah Built the Wall WE have heard of Sanballat before. We heard of him in the second chapter, where we read the following words: "When 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." The word in... read more