Definition: 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?

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 2:19. It’s a really important story about how people reacted to the Jewish community in Jerusalem after they were accused of rebellion. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Core Situation: The Accusation: The Jewish community in Jerusalem was accused of rebelling against the king – meaning they were challenging his authority and potentially trying to overthrow him. The Players: There’s a group of people present who were arguing about this accusation: Sanballat: A high-ranking official in the Horonite (which is basically the palace in Jerusalem). He was skeptical and didn't believe it was serious. Tobiah: A servant to King Nehemiah. Ammonite: An Egyptian official. Geshem: An Arabian official. What They Did – The Laughing & Derision: They laughed and despised us: They didn't just disagree; they actively mocked the Jewish community! They made fun of what they perceived as their actions, essentially saying "This is ridiculous!" Said, “What is this thing that ye do?” – This is a crucial part. They were asking, “What are you doing? What’s going on here?” They were trying to figure out why they were being accused of rebellion. The Meaning & Significance: This verse highlights a few important things: Pride and Arrogance: The people behind the laughter were puffed up with pride and thinking they had a right to challenge the king. They were displaying arrogance, believing their actions were somehow justified or important. Lack of Humility: Their reaction shows a lack of humility – they weren't willing to listen to the truth or consider the king’s perspective. They were focused on defending themselves rather than understanding what was happening. In essence, this story is about how pride and disrespect can lead to hostility and opposition. It’s a warning against being arrogant and challenging authority without seeking wisdom and understanding. --- To help me explain it even further or answer any specific questions you have, could you tell me: What specifically are you curious about? (e.g., Do you want a more detailed explanation of the context? Do you want to know how this relates to other stories?)