Atomic Bible

Governor of Samaria, opposed Nehemiah's rebuilding of Jerusalem

Sanballat

Named in 10 verses of Nehemiah, first in Nehemiah 2:10.

סַנְבַלַּטSanballat

The name means “bramble-bush; enemy in secret.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869

Children
Daughter of Sanballat

About Sanballat Written by AI

Sanballat was the governor of Samaria during the time of Nehemiah, who led the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:10). When Sanballat heard that Nehemiah had come to seek the welfare of the children of Israel, he was deeply disturbed (Nehemiah 2:10). Along with Tobiah the Ammonite and Geshem the Arab, Sanballat mocked and ridiculed the Jews' efforts to rebuild the wall (Nehemiah 2:19). When the wall was being built, Sanballat became furious and plotted with others to attack Jerusalem and create confusion (Nehemiah 4:7 to 8). Despite these threats, Nehemiah and the people continued to work on the wall, setting up guards to protect against potential attacks (Nehemiah 4:9 to 23). Sanballat, along with Tobiah and Geshem, tried to lure Nehemiah away from the city to harm him, but Nehemiah refused to meet with them (Nehemiah 6:1 to 4). They also accused Nehemiah of rebelling against the king of Persia, but Nehemiah denied these allegations (Nehemiah 6:5 to 9). Later, Nehemiah discovered that one of the priests, Eliashib, had allied himself with Tobiah and prepared a room for him in the courts of the house of God (Nehemiah 13:4 to 7). Nehemiah also learned that one of Eliashib's grandsons had married Sanballat's daughter, and he drove him away (Nehemiah 13:28). Throughout the book of Nehemiah, Sanballat is portrayed as a persistent enemy who sought to hinder the rebuilding of Jerusalem and undermine Nehemiah's leadership.

Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.

Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897

Held some place of authority in Samaria when Nehemiah went up to Jerusalem to rebuild its ruined walls. He vainly attempted to hinder this work (Neh. 2:10, 19; 4:1-12; 6). His daughter became the wife of one of the sons of Joiada, a son of the high priest, much to the grief of Nehemiah (13:28).

M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.

GenesisMatthewRevelation

Where the Bible names him

  1. Nehemiah 2:10

    But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.

  2. Nehemiah 2:19

    But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”

  3. Nehemiah 4:1

    Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews

  4. Nehemiah 4:7

    When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious,

  5. Nehemiah 6:1

    When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates—

  6. Nehemiah 6:2

    Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.

  7. Nehemiah 6:5

    The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter

  8. Nehemiah 6:12

    I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

  9. Nehemiah 6:14

    O my God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the other prophets who tried to intimidate me.

  10. Nehemiah 13:28

    Even one of the sons of Jehoiada son of Eliashib the high priest had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I drove him away from me.

From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.