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.

NEHEMIAH 4:3KJV
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Nehemiah 4:3 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 4:3 mean?

Nehemiah 4:3 records Tobiah the Ammonite mocking the Jews’ rebuilding efforts by saying that even a fox climbing on their stone wall would break it down. This shows the scorn and disbelief of Nehemiah’s opponents, who thought the Jews’ work was weak and doomed to fail.

Tobiah, standing beside another critic, voices this insult in front of others as the Jews rebuild Jerusalem’s walls. The verse highlights the ridicule and discouragement the builders faced from their enemies, emphasizing the hostile environment and the lack of respect for their work.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 4:3

  • "Fox" (שׁוּעָל, shu‘al) refers to a small, light animal. Tobiah’s choice of a fox underlines how fragile he thinks the wall is—if even a fox could topple it, the wall must be extremely weak.
  • "Break down" (פָּרַץ, parats) means to break through or demolish. Tobiah’s words suggest not just a minor crack but a complete collapse, intensifying his insult.
  • "Stone" (אֶבֶן, ’even) and "wall" (חוֹמָה, chômâh) both stress that the Jews are building with solid materials, yet Tobiah still mocks their strength, showing his deep skepticism.

Why Nehemiah 4:3 matters

  • This verse clears up that the opposition was not just physical but also psychological, as the builders faced open mockery meant to discourage and shame them.
  • The insult connects to the larger narrative, where Nehemiah and the people must persevere despite constant ridicule and threats, highlighting their determination.
  • Understanding Tobiah’s words helps readers see the depth of hostility from neighboring peoples and the pressure the Jews were under as they tried to restore their city.

Where else these words appear

“fox” Hebrew H7776 · used in 6 verses

  • Judges 15:4 And Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took firebrands, and turned tail to tail, and put a firebrand in the midst between two tails.
  • Psalms 63:10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.
  • Lamentations 5:18 Because of the mountain of Zion, which is desolate, the foxes walk upon it.

“Tobiah” Hebrew H2900 · used in 17 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 17:8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
  • 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;)
  • Nehemiah 7:62 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.

“Ammonite” Hebrew H5984 · used in 18 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:20 (That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims;
  • 1 Kings 11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
  • Ezra 9:1 Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.

“down” Hebrew H6555 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
  • Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.