SanbalLatin An Aramaic papyrus, recently (1909) discovered at Elephantine (in Egypt), was written by two Jews (Delaya and Shelemya) to the sons of this Sanballat, who is called the "governor of Samaria". Here ends the fourth of the ten Sedarim (or, Cycles for public reading) which commenced with Ezra 8:35. thus showing that the two books were and are to be regarded as one.
Tobiah the servant. Probably. freed slave.
heard. Nehemiah had come through Samaria. Compare Nehemiah 4:1-13.
it grieved them. This is the first of six (see App-10) forms which the opposition took.
children. sons.
Israel. Again used of Judah. See note on Ezra 2:2, and 1 Kings 12:17.