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Nehemiah 2:19

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 2:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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?” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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?
Nehemiah 2:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
17Then said I unto them, Ye see the evil case that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
18And I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me, as also of the king`s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for the good [work].
19But 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?
20Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
← Nehemiah 2:18Nehemiah 2:20 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, etc.] This third man might be both an Arabian by birth, and governor of some part of Arabia near Judea: heard it; of their beginning to build: they laughed us to scorn, and despised us; as very silly people, that undertook what they could never perform: and said; adding threatenings to their scoffs: what is this thing that ye do? do ye know what ye are about? have ye any authority to do it? it is unlawful, you will certainly suffer for it: will ye rebel against the king? the king of Persia; it will be deemed rebellion and treason, and you will be taken up and treated as rebels and traitors; take…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Geshem the Arabian - The discovery that Sargon populated Samaria in part with an Arab colony explains why Arabs should have opposed the fortification of Jerusalem. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Nehemiah 2". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/nehemiah-2.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:19 Nehemiah’s enemies immediately scoffed and tried to stop progress. These opponents were dangerous because of their potential ability to discourage the people and undermine Nehemiah’s credibility. • Are you rebelling against the king? This serious charge could bring death (see also Ezra 4:6-23).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Sanballat: Neh 2:10, Neh 6:1, Neh 6:2 Geshem: Neh 6:9, Gashmu they: Job 30:1; Psa 44:13, Psa 44:14, Psa 79:4, Psa 80:6; Jer 20:8; Mar 5:40; Heb 11:36 will ye rebel: Neh 6:6; Ezr 4:15, Ezr 4:16; Luk 23:2; Joh 19:12; Act 24:5 Nehemiah 2:20”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“When the adversaries of the Jews heard this, they derided their resolution. Beside Sanballat and Tobiah (comp. Neh 2:10), Geshem the Arabian is also named as an adversary: so, too, Neh 6:1-2, and Neh 6:6, where Gashmu, the fuller pronunciation of his name, occurs. He was probably the chief of some Arab race dwelling in South Palestine, not far from Jerusalem (comp. the Arabians, Neh 6:1). These enemies ironically exclaimed: What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? The irony lies in the fact that they did not give the Jews credit for power to build fortifications, so as to be able to rebel. Comp. Neh 6:6, where Sanballat, in an open letter to Nehemiah, again reproaches…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification