Sanballat, Governor of Samaria
The Samarians, headed by Sanballat, governor of Samaria, were greatly vexed when they heard that Nehemiah and the Jews were attempting to rebuild the walls.
Nehemiah 2:10
When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard [of Nehemiah's intention to rebuild Jerusalem], it displeased them greatly that a man had come, asking for the welfare of the children of Israel.
The Elephantine Temple Papyrus, circa 407 BCE mentions Sanballat:
"Moreover, all the news we have sent in one letter in our name to Delayah and Shelemyah, the sons of Sanballat, governor of Samaria.
"Pictured here is the bulla or seal impression of "Sanballat, Governor of Samaria"
Bulla of Sanballat
Israel Antiquities Authority
Ardon Bar-Hama
Elephantine Temple Papyrus
Berlin State Museums, Egyptian Museum and Papyrus Collection
Sandra Steiss
Overview
Elephantine (Egypt) Temple Papyrus, 407 BCE
"Moreover, all the news we have sent in one letter in our name to Delayah and Shelemyah, the sons of Sanballat, governor of Samaria."
In the Bible
When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard [of Nehemiah's intention to rebuild Jerusalem], it displeased them greatly that someone had come, intent on improving the condition of the Israelites.
"וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע סַנְבַלַּ֣ט הַחֹֽרֹנִ֗י וְטֽוֹבִיָּה֙ הָעֶ֣בֶד הָֽעַמֹּנִ֔י [עַל כַּוָּנָתוֹ שֶׁל נְחֶמְיָה לִבְנוֹת מֵחָדָשׁ אֶת יְרוּשָׁלַיִם] וַיֵּ֥רַע לָהֶ֖ם רָעָ֣ה גְדֹלָ֑ה אֲשֶׁר־בָּ֣א אָדָ֔ם לְבַקֵּ֥שׁ טוֹבָ֖ה לִבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל."
Life lessons
Humor
Advocacy
Fun fact
Antisimetism
.jpeg)
