Now is a discourse marker that introduces a new episode in the account. It represents the Hebrew construction with the connective conjunction and the verb “to be.” This construction draws attention to a new situation (see Neh 1.1). It occurs 5 times in this chapter alone (at the beginning of verses 1, 7, 12, 15, 16). Here it presents a contrast with the preceding situation as New King James Version makes clear with “But it so happened.” This new development in the narration, which is also signaled by the punctuation in the Hebrew text, must be indicated by appropriate discourse marking by the translator.

When Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged: By the time Sanballat learned that the Jews were planning to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, the rebuilding was already in progress. His first reaction was to become angry and greatly enraged. This was perhaps because his status and economic power were being threatened (see the comments on Neh 2.10). Good News Translation treats the two near synonyms that are used to describe Sanballat’s emotional reaction as a unit and expresses them with one word, which is “furious.” Bible en français courant renders them with a French idiomatic expression: “he entered into a very violent fury.”

Then Sanballat ridiculed or “mocked” the Jews (see Neh 2.19). In his anger, he made fun of the Jews. He “jeered at” them (New English Bible). Contemporary English Version says “he started insulting” them. In some cultures insults are expressed in a certain formulaic manner. Here, the meaning is not simply that Sanballat hurled insults at the Jews, but rather that he belittled and heaped scorn upon their actions. Later he decided to try to stop them (see verse 8 below). Sanballat is mentioned first in each statement in the account of the events. He was the main instigator of trouble against the Jews.

The Hebrew text specifies the Jews as the object of Sanballat’s ridicule. Good News Translation uses the first person plural pronoun “us” to make it clear that the writer includes himself with the Jews as an object of Sanballat’s anger and ridicule. The Hebrew expression for the Jews in this verse is very dramatic. Good News Translation says “we Jews” near the beginning of the verse to establish the focus on the Jews while at the same time including himself among them in the first person plural pronoun “we.” The translator must recognize the importance of both focus and emphasis through the repetition of certain words, such as the Jews in this context. The translator must also respect the principles of clarity and natural narrative style in the receptor language. For Jews see Ezra 4.12.

Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .