But translates the Hebrew construction with the connective conjunction and the verb “to be.” This construction introduces a new episode (see the comments on verse 1 above), which is also signaled by the punctuation of the Hebrew text. The dramatic level of the narrative is raised as the opponents of the Jews react to the progress that is being made with the rebuilding of the wall. The narrative continues, but the new development needs to be marked on the level of discourse. “Now it happened” brings in the new event in New King James Version .

Opposition came from all four directions: Sanballat representing Samaria north of Judah; the Arabs south of Judah (see the comments on Neh 2.19); the Ammonites, including Tobiah, east of Judah (see the comments on Ezra 9.1); and the Ashdodites west of Judah. Ashdod was a Philistine city. This also became the name of the Assyrian province that included all of Philistia except the cities of Gaza and Ashkelon. The opposition of all these people was stirred up by the news that the work was progressing very quickly.

The repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward: The work of rebuilding the wall was advancing.

The breaches were beginning to be closed: Breaches were the “gaps in the wall” (Good News Translation). These were the sections of the wall that had been broken down or that had been damaged and that needed to be rebuilt. As the wall was being repaired and rebuilt, the gaps needed to be filled in or closed, and this was beginning to happen. The work was not yet complete, but the Jews were making progress toward finishing the rebuilding of the wall.

They were very angry: Here angry is a simple verb of becoming angry modified by the adverb very (compare verse 1 above). For comments on angry, see Ezra 9.14, where a different verb is used in Hebrew.

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 .