Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building—even a fox climbing up on it would break down their wall of stones!” New Living Translation Tobiah the Ammonite, who was standing beside him, remarked, “That stone wall would collapse if even a fox walked along the top of it!” English Standard Version Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Yes, what they are building—if a fox goes up on it he will break down their stone wall!” Berean Standard Bible Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!” Berean Literal Bible And Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Even whatever they are building, if a fox goes up on it, it will break down the wall of their stones.” King James Bible Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall. New King James Version Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.” New American Standard Bible Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him, and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox were to jump on it, it would break their stone wall down!” NASB 1995 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, “Even what they are building— if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!” NASB 1977 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!” Legacy Standard Bible Now Tobiah the Ammonite was near him and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox should jump on it, he would break their stone wall down!” Amplified Bible Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Even what they are building—if a fox should get up on it, he would break down their stone wall.” Berean Annotated Bible Then Tobiah (YHWH is good) the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones! Christian Standard Bible Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall! ” Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “Indeed, even if a fox climbed up what they are building, he would break down their stone wall!” American Standard Version Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they are building, if a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall. Contemporary English Version Tobiah from Ammon was standing beside Sanballat and said, "Look at the wall they are building! Why, even a fox could knock over this pile of stones." English Revised Version Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall. GOD'S WORD® Translation Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside Sanballat, said, "Even a fox would make their stone wall collapse if it walked on top of what they're building!" Good News Translation Tobiah was standing there beside him, and he added, "What kind of wall could they ever build? Even a fox could knock it down!" International Standard Version Tobiah the Ammonite stood to the side, commenting, "If a fox were to jump onto what they're building, it would collapse their stone wall!" NET Bible Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was close by, said, "If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!" New Heart English Bible Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, "What they are building, if a fox climbed up it, he would break down their stone wall." Webster's Bible Translation Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox should go up, he would even break down their stone wall. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!” World English Bible Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, “What they are building, if a fox climbed up it, he would break down their stone wall.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Tobiah the Ammonite [is] by him and says, “Also, that which they are building—if a fox goes up, then it has broken down their stone wall.” Berean Literal Bible And Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Even whatever they are building, if a fox goes up on it, it will break down the wall of their stones.” Young's Literal Translation And Tobiah the Ammonite is by him and saith, 'Also, that which they are building -- if a fox doth go up, then it hath broken down their stone wall.' Smith's Literal Translation And Tobiah the Ammonite near him, and he will say, Also that they are building, if a fox shall go up, and he brake their walls of stones. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleTobias also the Ammonite who was by him said : Let them build: if a fox go up, he will leap over their stone wall. Catholic Public Domain Version Then too, Tobiah, an Ammonite, his assistant, said: “Let them build. When the fox climbs, he will leap over their stone wall.” New American Bible Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said: “Whatever they are building—if a fox attacks it, it will breach their wall of stones!” New Revised Standard Version Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “That stone wall they are building—any fox going up on it would break it down!” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow Tobiah the Ammonite was standing by him, and he said, No matter how much they build, I know, if a fox climbs it, he shall break down their stone wall. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Tubia an Ammonite was standing with him and said: “However they build, I know that a fox may climb and overturn the stones of their wall!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said: 'Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall break down their stone wall.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And Tobias the Ammanite came near to him, and said to them, Do they sacrifice or eat in their place? shall not a fox go up and pull down their wall of stones? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Work is Ridiculed…2before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” 3Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!” 4Hear us, O God, for we are despised. Turn their scorn back upon their own heads, and let them be taken as plunder to a land of captivity.… Cross References Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, Nehemiah 2:19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 2 Kings 19:21-22 This is the word that the LORD has spoken against him: ‘The Virgin Daughter of Zion despises you and mocks you; the Daughter of Jerusalem shakes her head behind you. / Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! Psalm 22:7-8 All who see me mock me; they sneer and shake their heads: / “He trusts in the LORD, let the LORD deliver him; let the LORD rescue him, since He delights in him.” “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, Songs 2:15 Catch for us the foxes—the little foxes that ruin the vineyards—for our vineyards are in bloom. Luke 14:28-30 Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? / Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, / saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’ Nehemiah 2:18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me. “Let us start rebuilding,” they replied, and they set their hands to this good work. it would break down their wall of stones!” Ezekiel 13:14-15 I will tear down the wall you whitewashed and level it to the ground, so that its foundation is exposed. The city will fall, and you will be destroyed within it. Then you will know that I am the LORD. / And after I have vented My wrath against the wall and against those who whitewashed it, I will say to you: ‘The wall is gone, and so are those who whitewashed it— Isaiah 30:13-14 this iniquity of yours is like a breach about to fail, a bulge in a high wall, whose collapse will come suddenly—in an instant! / It will break in pieces like a potter’s jar, shattered so that no fragment can be found. Not a shard will be found in the dust large enough to scoop the coals from a hearth or to skim the water from a cistern.” Micah 1:6 Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of rubble in the open field, a planting area for a vineyard. I will pour her stones into the valley and expose her foundations. Psalm 123:3-4 Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy, for we have endured much contempt. / We have endured much scorn from the arrogant, much contempt from the proud. Psalm 44:13-14 You have made us a reproach to our neighbors, a mockery and derision to those around us. / You have made us a byword among the nations, a laughingstock among the peoples. Isaiah 37:23 Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! 2 Kings 19:22 Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! Psalm 79:4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors, a scorn and derision to those around us. Lamentations 3:61-63 O LORD, You have heard their insults, all their plots against me— / the slander and murmuring of my assailants against me all day long. / When they sit and when they rise, see how they mock me in song. 1 Samuel 17:43-44 “Am I a dog,” he said to David, “that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. / “Come here,” he called to David, “and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!” Treasury of Scripture Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall. Tobiah Nehemiah 2:10,19 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… Nehemiah 6:1 Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) 1 Kings 20:10,18 And Benhadad sent unto him, and said, The gods do so unto me, and more also, if the dust of Samaria shall suffice for handfuls for all the people that follow me… Jump to Previous Ammonite Break Broken Build Building Climbed Fox Goes Side Stone Stones Tobiah Tobi'ah WallJump to Next Ammonite Break Broken Build Building Climbed Fox Goes Side Stone Stones Tobiah Tobi'ah WallNehemiah 4 1. While the enemies scoff, Nehemiah prays and continues the work7. Understanding the wrath and secrets of the enemy, he sets a watch 13. He arms the laborers 19. and gives military precepts Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, Tobiah, an Ammonite official, is mentioned here as an adversary to Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. The Ammonites were descendants of Lot and often in conflict with Israel (Genesis 19:36-38). Tobiah's presence indicates the political and social opposition Nehemiah faced. His position "beside him" suggests he was aligned with Sanballat, another opponent, highlighting the coalition against the Jewish restoration efforts. “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!” Persons / Places / Events 1. Tobiah the AmmoniteTobiah is an Ammonite official who, along with Sanballat, opposes the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. His mockery reflects the disdain and opposition faced by the Israelites. 2. The Wall of Jerusalem The wall represents the physical and spiritual restoration of Jerusalem. Its rebuilding is central to Nehemiah's mission and symbolizes the renewal of the Jewish community. 3. The Rebuilding Effort Led by Nehemiah, the rebuilding of the wall is a significant event that demonstrates the perseverance and faith of the Jewish people in the face of external opposition. Teaching Points Facing Opposition with FaithJust as Nehemiah and the Israelites faced ridicule, believers today may encounter mockery when pursuing God's work. Faith and perseverance are essential. The Power of Words Tobiah's words were meant to discourage. We must be mindful of the power of words, both in how we speak to others and how we respond to criticism. God's Strength in Our Weakness The wall, though mocked as weak, was completed through God's strength. In our weaknesses, God’s power is made perfect. Community and Unity in God's Work The rebuilding effort required unity and cooperation. Similarly, the church must work together in unity to accomplish God's purposes. Spiritual Warfare The opposition faced by Nehemiah is a reminder of the spiritual warfare believers face. We must be equipped with prayer and the Word of God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Nehemiah 4:3?2. How does Nehemiah 4:3 illustrate the enemy's tactics against God's work today? 3. What does Tobiah's mockery reveal about opposition to God's plans? 4. How can we respond to ridicule when serving God, as seen in Nehemiah 4:3? 5. Compare Nehemiah 4:3's opposition to Jesus' experiences in the Gospels. 6. How can we strengthen our faith when facing discouragement like in Nehemiah 4:3? 7. What does Nehemiah 4:3 reveal about the opposition faced by the Israelites during rebuilding? 8. How does Nehemiah 4:3 illustrate the theme of perseverance in the face of ridicule? 9. What historical context is essential to understanding Nehemiah 4:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 4? 11. Who were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem in history? 12. How were Jerusalem's walls rebuilt? 13. Why would priests allow Tobiah, an Ammonite official, to occupy temple storerooms (Nehemiah 13:4-9) if this risks defiling the sanctuary? 14. Nehemiah 4:1-3: How reliable is the account of mocking enemies if there's limited external historical evidence of such opposition during the wall's rebuilding? What Does Nehemiah 4:3 Mean Then Tobiah the AmmoniteTobiah is introduced again as an adversary. Earlier we met him when “it displeased [him] greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the Israelites” (Nehemiah 2:10). The label “Ammonite” reminds us: • Ammon had long stood opposed to Israel (Deuteronomy 23:3-4). • Enemies often resurface when God’s people advance (Exodus 17:8-16; 1 Peter 5:8). Tobiah embodies the recurring resistance that seeks to discourage every fresh move of God. who was beside him Tobiah isn’t isolated; he is “beside” Sanballat, linking arms in opposition. Scripture warns about the company we keep: “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked… or sit in the seat of mockers” (Psalm 1:1). Their alliance illustrates: • Evil naturally networks (Psalm 83:3-5). • Partnerships amplify hostility (Proverbs 13:20). Standing shoulder-to-shoulder against God’s work always backfires (2 Chronicles 20:22). said Words matter. “The tongue has the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21). Here the enemies choose death-dealing speech: • Mockery aims to erode morale (Psalm 123:3-4). • Verbal assaults often precede physical ones (Matthew 27:39-40). Yet their taunts can’t override God’s promises (Numbers 23:19). If even a fox were to climb up A fox is light-footed, scarcely able to disturb solid masonry. By picking the tiniest creature, Tobiah chooses pure ridicule. Similar scorn was heaped on Jesus: “Herod wants to kill you.” Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox…” (Luke 13:32). God’s people have always faced belittlement, but “fox-sized” mockery cannot derail a God-sized mission (1 Samuel 17:42-47). on what they are building The remnant is “building” under divine commission: “The God of heaven will give us success; therefore we His servants will arise and build” (Nehemiah 2:20). Every believer today is likewise “God’s fellow worker… building on the foundation” (1 Corinthians 3:9-10). • Our tasks are visible targets for ridicule. • Still, obedience keeps the hammers swinging (Philippians 2:13). it would break down their wall of stones! Tobiah claims the wall is so feeble that a mere fox could topple it. In reality Nehemiah’s wall would stand completed in fifty-two days (Nehemiah 6:15). God turns insults into testimony: • “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone… the one who believes will be unshaken” (Isaiah 28:16). • “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:5). Opposition forecasts failure, but God guarantees endurance: “No weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17). summary Tobiah’s sarcastic jab spotlights a timeless clash: mockers belittle what God’s people build, yet the Lord Himself secures every stone. The verse exposes the enemy’s strategy—scorn, alliances, and discouraging words—while underscoring God’s strategy—steadfast purpose, unified builders, and walls that endure fox-sized taunts and far more. Stand firm; the wall will hold. Verse 3. - Tobiah the Ammonite was by him. The presence of Tobiah on this occasion, before the alliance was made with the Ammonites (ver. 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.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Tobiahוְטוֹבִיָּ֥ה (wə·ṭō·w·ḇî·yāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 2900: Tobiah -- 'Yah is my good', three Israelites, also an Ammonite the Ammonite, הָעַמֹּנִ֖י (hā·‘am·mō·nî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5984: Ammonite -- descendants of Ammon who was beside him, אֶצְל֑וֹ (’eṣ·lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 681: A joining together, proximity said, וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not even גַּ֚ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and a fox שׁוּעָ֔ל (šū·‘āl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7776: Fox, perhaps jackal were to climb up on יַעֲלֶ֣ה (ya·‘ă·leh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively what אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that they הֵ֣ם (hêm) Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They are building, בּוֹנִ֔ים (bō·w·nîm) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 1129: To build it would break down וּפָרַ֖ץ (ū·p̄ā·raṣ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 6555: To break through their wall חוֹמַ֥ת (ḥō·w·maṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 2346: A wall of protection of stones!” אַבְנֵיהֶֽם׃ (’aḇ·nê·hem) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 68: A stone Links Nehemiah 4:3 NIVNehemiah 4:3 NLT Nehemiah 4:3 ESV Nehemiah 4:3 NASB Nehemiah 4:3 KJV Nehemiah 4:3 BibleApps.com Nehemiah 4:3 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 4:3 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 4:3 French Bible Nehemiah 4:3 Catholic Bible OT History: Nehemiah 4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him (Neh Ne) |
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