Nehemiah 2:19 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The adversaries mock and accuse the builders, charging them with rebellion against the king.
What Does Nehemiah 2:19 Mean?
No sooner do the people resolve to build than opposition returns, now with a third figure, Geshem the Arabian. The enemies meet the work with ridicule and a sharp accusation, will ye rebel against the king? They twist a lawful, king-sanctioned project into a charge of treason.
Mockery and false accusation are ancient weapons against the work of God. The scorn aims to shame the builders into stopping; the charge of rebellion aims to frighten them. Yet the accusation is hollow, for the king himself had authorized the work. The faithful must expect that good labor will be misnamed and despised, and they need not be moved by taunts that have no truth behind them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 2:19
What does Nehemiah 2:19 mean?
The adversaries mock and accuse the builders, charging them with rebellion against the king.