Nehemiah 4:3,Nehemiah 4:7,Nehemiah 4:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-6

Here is, I. The spiteful scornful reflection which Sanballat and Tobiah cast upon the Jews for their attempt to build the wall about Jerusalem. The country rang of it presently; intelligence was brought of it to Samaria, that nest of enemies to the Jews and their prosperity; and here we are told how they received the tidings. 1. In heart. They were very angry at the undertaking, and had great indignation, Neh. 4:1. It vexed them that Nehemiah came to seek the welfare of the children of Israel... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:3

Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him ,.... Who was one of his brethren he spake before, Nehemiah 4:2 , and he said ; in the like contemptuous and scoffing manner: even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall ; signifying not only that it was so low that a fox could easily get up to it, or leap over it; but that the materials were so bad, and the work so poorly done, that the weight of a fox would break it down; of which creatures many were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-6

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-6

Ridicule of a good work. Sanballat and his friends had at first thought it impossible that Nehemiah would attempt to repair and restore the wall of Jerusalem, But when they found that the work was actually begun, and making good progress, their anger was equalled only by their astonishment, and they gave vent to their wrath in scoffs and ridicule. Happily they seem to have been so misled by their contempt for the feebleness of the Jews as to have deemed it impossible that they could really... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-6

Derision and devotion. Not the first nor the last instance was this one here recorded of— I. DEVOTION ASSAILED BY DERISION ( Nehemiah 4:1-3 ). Sanballat and Tobiah were contemptuously angry when they heard that the Jews had actually begun to build: they "took great indignation, and mocked the Jews" ( Nehemiah 4:1 ). "What do these feeble Jews?" said Sanballat ( Nehemiah 4:2 ). "If a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall," said Tobiah ( Nehemiah 4:3 ), using... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-23

The work and warfare of the Church. I. The weak of the Church. 1. Derided. "And mocked the Jews" ( Nehemiah 4:1 ). 2. Under-estimated. "These feeble Jews" ( Nehemiah 4:2 ). 3. Misrepresented. "If a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall" ( Nehemiah 4:3 ). 4. Prayerful. "Hear, O our God" ( Nehemiah 4:4 ). 5. Hearty. "For the people had a mind to work" ( Nehemiah 4:6 ). 6. Advancing. "Heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-23

This description of the building of the wall of Jerusalem may be taken as representing the life of the Church militant. The chief points are these:— I. THE SPIRIT which pervades and actuates it. "The people had a mind to work." Activity, self-denial, fellowship, and fortitude. II. THE METHOD . Division and distribution of the work. Builders, fighters, burden-bearers. Some in command, others waiting upon their word. A place for every one in which to work, and every one keeping... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:3

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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 4:3

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-23

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

Nehemiah 4:3,nehemiah 4:7,nehemiah 4:8

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 4:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 4:3

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 4:1-23

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