What does Nehemiah 4:1 mean?

"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." - Nehemiah 4:1

Nehemiah 4:1 - "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."

The verse Nehemiah 4:1 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible reads, "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."

This verse comes from the book of Nehemiah, a historical account of the efforts to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. The book is named after its main character, Nehemiah, who was a Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king, Artaxerxes. He was given permission by the king to return to Jerusalem and oversee the reconstruction of its walls.

The verse describes the opposition Nehemiah and his people faced as they sought to rebuild the wall. Sanballat was a regional governor who opposed the Jews' efforts and actively sought to hinder their progress. The verse illustrates his anger and scorn towards the Jews' work, as he took great indignation and mocked their efforts.

One of the central themes of this verse is the idea of facing opposition in fulfilling the will of God. The rebuilding of the wall was a significant undertaking for the Jewish people, and it was vital in restoring their identity and protection as a community. However, the enemy's opposition demonstrates the reality of opposition and resistance when one is engaged in God's work.

The verse also highlights the presence of opposition and ridicule that often accompanies the pursuit of righteous and noble endeavors. The mocking and scorn from Sanballat towards the Jews' work represent the external challenges and obstacles one may face when seeking to fulfill God's purpose.

This verse serves as a reminder that facing opposition and ridicule does not necessarily mean that one is out of God's will. It is a common experience for those who seek to do the Lord's work, and it requires persistence, faith, and reliance on God's strength to overcome such challenges.

In addition to the immediate context of the rebuilding of the wall, the verse can also be applied to a broader context of the Christian life. The opposition faced by Nehemiah and the Jews can be seen as an allegory for the spiritual opposition that believers face as they seek to live out their faith and fulfill God's purposes in their lives. It serves as a reminder that the Christian journey is not without its challenges and difficulties, but that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness.

The figure of Sanballat also serves as a symbol of the forces of evil and opposition that are constantly at work against the purposes of God. His hostility and mockery represent the spiritual forces of darkness that seek to hinder and discourage believers in their pursuit of righteousness.

Ultimately, this verse in Nehemiah speaks to the universal truth that God's people will face opposition and ridicule as they seek to fulfill His purposes. It calls for perseverance, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to the work of the Lord, trusting that God will ultimately overcome all opposition and bring about His purposes in His perfect timing.

Nehemiah 4:1 Artwork

Nehemiah 4:1 - "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."

Nehemiah 4:6

Nehemiah 10:4 - "Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,"

Nehemiah 12:4 - "Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,"

Nehemiah 1:1 - "The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,"

Nehemiah 10:1 - "Now those that sealed were, Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,"

Nehemiah 1:4 - "¶ And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,"

Nehemiah 4:8 - "And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it."

Nehemiah 4:17 – "Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other."

Nehemiah 4:4 - "Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:"

Nehemiah 4:17 – "Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other."

Nehemiah 7:4 - "Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded."

Nehemiah 4:17 – "Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other."

Nehemiah 13:4 - "¶ And before this, Eliashib the priest, having the oversight of the chamber of the house of our God, was allied unto Tobiah:"

Nehemiah 5:4 - "There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the king's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards."

Nehemiah 4:10 - "And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall."

Nehemiah 5:1 - "And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews."

A biblical scene from Nehemiah 1:5-11 - Nehemiah, a Caucasian male in middle-eastern garb, is depicted respectfully requesting time from the king, a Middle-Eastern male seated at the dinner table while Nehemiah is serving his drink. He is asking for the opportunity to return to Judah and help his people build a wall. The setting is a grand royal court marked by golden hues, opulent textiles, and architecturally rich columns.

Nehemiah 6:4 - "Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner."

Nehemiah 4:21 - "So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared."

Nehemiah 2:4 - "Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven."

Nehemiah 4:18 - "For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me."

Nehemiah 4:6 - "So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work."

Nehemiah 4:5 - "And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders."

Nehemiah 4:9 - "Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them."

Nehemiah 4:20 - "In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us."

A biblical scene from Nehemiah 1:5-11 - Nehemiah, a Caucasian male in middle-eastern garb, is depicted respectfully requesting time from the king, a Middle-Eastern male seated on a throne. He is asking for the opportunity to return to Judah and help his people build a wall. The setting is a grand royal court marked by golden hues, opulent textiles, and architecturally rich columns. Only the king and Nehemiah, the king's cup bearer, are in the room.