As the enemies of Israel saw how unavailing were their efforts, they were filled with rage. Hitherto they had not dared employ violent measures, for they knew that Nehemiah and his companions were acting under the king's commission, and they feared that active opposition against him might bring upon them the monarch's displeasure. But now in their anger they themselves became guilty of the crime of which they had accused Nehemiah. Assembling for counsel, they "conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem."

Israels fjender blev rasende, da de så, at deres anstrengelser var frugtesløse. Hidtil var de ikke gået over til håndgribeligheder, for de vidste, at Nehemias og hans medarbejdere havde fået kongens tilladelse til at arbejde; desuden var de bange for at pådrage sig kongens mishag, hvis de gik til direkte modstand. I deres vrede gjorde de sig nu selv skyldige i den samme forbrydelse, som de havde beskyldt Nehemias for. "De sammensvor sig alle om at drage hen og angribe Jerusalem."