Introduction to Nehemiah 4:1
Nehemiah 4:1 describes the reaction of Sanballat upon hearing that the Israelites were rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. His response is one of anger and mockery, as captured by the Hifil verb וַיַּלְעֵג (vayyilʿēg). This verb is key to understanding the intensity and direction of his scorn, as the Hifil stem often implies causative action. This analysis will explore the morphology, syntactic function, and semantic implications of וַיַּלְעֵג in Biblical Hebrew.
וַיְהִ֞י כַּאֲשֶׁ֧ר שָׁמַ֣ע סַנְבַלַּ֗ט כִּֽי־אֲנַ֤חְנוּ בֹונִים֙ אֶת־הַ֣חֹומָ֔ה וַיִּ֣חַר לֹ֔ו וַיִּכְעַ֖ס הַרְבֵּ֑ה וַיַּלְעֵ֖ג עַל־הַיְּהוּדִֽים׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
The Hifil verb וַיַּלְעֵג (vayyilʿēg) appears in the phrase:
וַיַּלְעֵ֖ג עַל־הַיְּהוּדִֽים
This phrase consists of:
- וַיַּלְעֵג (vayyilʿēg) – “He mocked” (Hifil verb).
- עַל־הַיְּהוּדִים (ʿal ha-Yəhudim) – “against the Jews” (prepositional phrase).
The verb וַיַּלְעֵג is the focus of our grammatical analysis.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
Morphological Analysis of וַיַּלְעֵג
The verb וַיַּלְעֵג is derived from the root לָעַג (l-ʿ-g), meaning “to mock, ridicule, or scorn.” It appears in the Hifil stem, which typically conveys causative action, meaning that the subject causes someone or something to experience the action.
Parsing Details
- Root: לָעַג (l-ʿ-g)
- Form: Hifil Wayyiqtol 3rd Masculine Singular
- Translation: “He mocked” or “He caused to be ridiculed.”
The Function of the Hifil Stem
The Hifil binyan generally conveys:
- Causative Voice: The subject causes an action to happen (e.g., “He caused laughter”).
- Intensified Action: The action is made stronger or more deliberate.
In this verse, וַיַּלְעֵג most likely carries a causative meaning, indicating that Sanballat actively incited or engaged in mocking the Jews, rather than merely observing their efforts with disdain.
Lexical and Semantic Nuances
The root לָעַג (l-ʿ-g) is used in various biblical passages to describe acts of derision, humiliation, or scorn, often in a confrontational setting:
- Psalm 2:4 – יֹושֵׁב בַּשָּׁמַיִם יִשְׂחָק אֲדֹנָי יִלְעַג לָמוֹ (yōšēv baššāmayim yiśḥāq; ʾădōnāy yilʿag lāmō), “He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord mocks them.”
- Proverbs 1:26 – גַּם־אֲנִי בְּאֵידְכֶם אֶשְׂחָק אֶלְעַג בְּבֹא פַּחְדְּכֶם (gam-ʾăni bəʾēḏəkem ʾeśḥāq ʾelʿag bəḇōʾ paḥdəkem), “I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes.”
In Nehemiah 4:1, the Hifil form intensifies this act, suggesting deliberate derision and public humiliation aimed at discouraging the builders.
Word Order and Syntax
The phrase וַיַּלְעֵג עַל־הַיְּהוּדִים follows a verb-preposition-object structure, typical in Biblical Hebrew:
- וַיַּלְעֵג – “He mocked” (verb).
- עַל־הַיְּהוּדִים – “Against the Jews” (prepositional phrase, marking the object of the ridicule).
The preposition עַל (ʿal) often introduces negative verbal actions, indicating hostility or opposition.
The Role of וַיַּלְעֵג in Nehemiah 4:1
The Hifil verb וַיַּלְעֵג in Nehemiah 4:1 is central to the passage’s depiction of Sanballat’s hostility toward the rebuilding efforts. The causative aspect of the Hifil binyan emphasizes that this was not mere passive scorn but an active, public campaign to ridicule and demoralize the Jews.
By using this verb, the passage highlights the psychological warfare Sanballat employed, portraying him as an aggressor in the opposition to Nehemiah’s mission. The grammatical choice underscores the deliberate and vocal nature of his contempt.
