The term Nehemiah uses to describe Sanballat’s conduct conveys deep hostility and even contempt. By heaping mockery on the objects of his contempt, Sanballat is communicating his own sense of superiority over the targets of his derision. Nehemiah later captures this sense of the word jeer
when he admits to God that we are despised
(Nehemiah 4:4).
1 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews.