Definition: But it came to pass, [that] when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, [and] that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 4:7. Here's a simplified explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where people who know about a problem – that the walls of Jerusalem are being weakened – became very angry and hostile towards the people building them. It’s a story of anger and resistance fueled by information. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “But it came to pass…” : This is an introductory phrase, like saying "This is what happened..." It's setting up a narrative. “…when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites…” : These are different groups of people – they’re diverse, meaning they come from various places and have different backgrounds. They all heard about the wall being strengthened. “…that the walls of Jerusalem were made up…” : This is the key part! They knew the walls were being built. It implies they were actively involved in construction or had some knowledge of its progress. “…and that the breaches began to be stopped…” : This means the wall was already starting to weaken – cracks and openings were appearing. “Then they were very wroth” : This is where it gets interesting. The people who knew about the problem reacted with anger and hostility. It wasn’t a peaceful discussion; it escalated into antagonism. So, what's the big takeaway? The verse highlights that knowing something bad is happening can lead to negative feelings and conflict. It shows how even when information is revealed, people can react defensively and aggressively. In short: The story illustrates a situation where knowledge of a problem leads to anger and hostility among those who know about it. --- Would you like me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the context of this passage (when did it happen, why was it significant)?