Lexical Summary Sanballat: Sanballat Original Word: סַנְבַלַּט Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Sanballat Of foreign origin; Sanballat, a Persian satrap of Samaria -- Sanballat. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition a Samaritan leader NASB Translation Sanballat (10). Brown-Driver-Briggs סַנְבַּלַּט (so Baer; van d. H. Ginsb סַנְבַלַּט) proper name, masculine leader of Samaritan opponents of Nehemiah: Nehemiah 2:10,19; Nehemiah 3:33; Nehemiah 4:1; Nehemiah 6:1,2,5,12,14; Nehemiah 13:28; (Babylonian, = Sin-uballi‰, Sin gave life SchrCOT Nehemiah 2:10). Topical Lexicon Historical Setting Sanballat appears exclusively in the Book of Nehemiah and is linked to the mid-fifth century BC, during the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia. The Persian Empire governed Yehud (Judah) as a minor province, while Samaria retained a measure of regional influence north of Jerusalem. Sanballat is called “the Horonite” (Nehemiah 2:10), a designation that likely ties him to Beth-horon in the former territory of Ephraim, placing him among the Samaritan elite who had political motives for hindering any resurgence of Judah. Identity and Political Position Extra-biblical papyri from Elephantine mention a “Sanballat governor of Samaria,” dovetailing with Scripture’s portrait of a man wielding authority. As a regional governor under Persia, Sanballat would have held civil and military power, collected tribute, and protected imperial interests. The restoration of Jerusalem’s walls threatened both his revenue and his influence; a fortified Jewish capital could realign trade routes and diminish Samaria’s standing before the Persian court. Sanballat’s Opposition to Nehemiah and the Rebuilding of Jerusalem 1. Initial Displeasure (Nehemiah 2:10) – Sanballat’s first reaction is political alarm: “they were very displeased that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites”. Methods of Opposition • Political lobbying and false accusations before Persian authorities. Theological and Ministry Implications Sanballat embodies organized resistance to God’s redemptive plan. His tactics mirror perennial strategies Satan employs against covenant communities: distraction, intimidation, deception, and infiltration. Yet each assault proves the sovereignty of God, who uses Nehemiah’s steadfastness to accomplish His purpose. The narrative affirms: Later References and Legacy Jewish tradition connects Sanballat with the construction of a rival temple on Mount Gerizim, deepening the Samaritan schism that surfaces in John 4. Thus his legacy lingers into New Testament times as a symbol of sectarian opposition to revealed worship centered in Jerusalem and ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Lessons for Today 1. Restoration work—whether building congregations, families, or personal holiness—will attract resistance. Forms and Transliterations וְסַנְבַלַּ֖ט וּלְסַנְבַלַּ֖ט ולסנבלט וסנבלט לְסַנְבַלַּ֣ט לסנבלט סַנְבַלַּ֗ט סַנְבַלַּ֜ט סַנְבַלַּ֡ט סַנְבַלַּ֣ט סַנְבַלַּ֤ט סַנְבַלַּ֨ט סנבלט lə·san·ḇal·laṭ ləsanḇallaṭ lesanvalLat san·ḇal·laṭ sanḇallaṭ sanvalLat ū·lə·san·ḇal·laṭ ūləsanḇallaṭ ulesanvalLat vesanvalLat wə·san·ḇal·laṭ wəsanḇallaṭLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nehemiah 2:10 HEB: וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע סַנְבַלַּ֣ט הַחֹרֹנִ֗י וְטֽוֹבִיָּה֙ NAS: When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah KJV: When Sanballat the Horonite, INT: heard Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah Nehemiah 2:19 Nehemiah 4:1 Nehemiah 4:7 Nehemiah 6:1 Nehemiah 6:2 Nehemiah 6:5 Nehemiah 6:12 Nehemiah 6:14 Nehemiah 13:28 10 Occurrences |