Sanballat the Horonite

of the head and beard. Fasting was often added to prayer so the individual could concentrate wholly on the issue at hand, at the expense of physical needs (Walton, 472). In contrast, the initiative of rebuilding the wall was not pleasant before Sanballat eyes, a Samaritan leader and one of the Jews’ enemies, as he said: “Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish and burned ones at that?” (The Wheaton Standard Bible, Neh. 4.2). This phrase may refer to the ancient Near Eastern idea that

In the twentieth year of his reign, King Artaxerxes, observes Nehemiah feeling melancholy. He asks, “Why are you so sad?”   Nehemiah responds, "Why should my face not look so sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruin, and its gates have been destroyed by fire." (Nehemiah 1: 3)  "What is it you want?” the king then demands. (Nehemiah 1: 4) "Send me to the city where my fathers are buried so I can rebuild it,” Nehemiah replies. (Nehemiah 1: 5) To all reform minded priests: Follow