נחמיה, פרק ב׳, פסוק י״ט

The news of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls sparks immediate anger among the enemies of Judah, launching a psychological and political campaign against the builders. The leaders of this opposition come from complex backgrounds. Sanballat the Horonite is an apostate Jew from Beit Horon, and Tobiah the Ammonite servant was originally tied to the servants of the House of David. Geshem the Arab is identified either as a convert from Arabia [ר' סעדיה גאון] or as a local Arab leader [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Upon hearing about the fortification of the wall, these leaders resort to mockery and contempt, hurling insults at the builders [רש"י, מצודת דוד]. At this early stage, their primary weapons against Jerusalem are propaganda and slander [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, the root cause of their mockery stems from a deeper sense of rejection. Originally, these opponents asked to help build the city so they could claim a share and a legacy in Jerusalem. Nehemiah turned them away because they engaged in idol worship alongside the worship of God. Angered by this rejection, they exposed their true malicious intent, positioned themselves as enemies, and actively tried to halt the construction [רלב"ג].

Beyond mere insults, the enemies level a severe political accusation, claiming that fortifying the city is a direct rebellion against the Persian king, intended to free the Jews from his rule. This charge is not entirely baseless but relies on a legal precedent. A previous royal decree had halted all construction in Jerusalem, explicitly forbidding any new work without a fresh license. Unaware that Nehemiah has already secured official permission from the king to continue building, the enemies assume the Jews are violating the old order and staging a revolt [מלבי"ם].