Nehemiah6
English Standard Version
1Now and and the and the of our I had the and that there was in it ( up that I had the in the ),
2 and to me, , and let us at in the of . But they to me .
3And I them, , am a and I . should the I it and to you?
4And they to me in , and I them in the .
5In the for the his to me with an in his .
6In it was , It is among the , and also it, that you and the to ; that is you are the . And according to you wish to their .
7And you have to you in , There is a in . And the will of . So and let us take .
8Then I to him, , you have been , you are them of your own .
9 they wanted to us, , Their will the , and it will be . But , O God, my .
10Now when the of the of , of , who was confined to his , he , Let us in the of , the . Let us the of the , they are to you. They are to you by .
11But I , Should a as I run ? And man such as could go the and ? I will .
12And I and that had him, he had the me because and had him.
13For this he was , I should be and in this and , and so they could give me a in to me.
14 and , O my , according to these that they , and the and the of the wanted to make me .
15So the was on the day of the , in .
16And our of it, the were and in their own , they that this had been with the help of our .
17 , in those the of to , and letters to them.
18 in were by to him, he was the of the of : and his had the of the of as his .
19 they of his in my and my to him. And to make me .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Nehemiah 6.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Sanballat's plot to hinder Nehemiah. (1–9). False prophets try to frighten Nehemiah. (10–14). The wall finished, Treachery of some among the Jews. (15–19).
vv1-9
Let those who are tempted to idle merry meetings by vain companions, thus answer the temptation, We have work to do, and must not neglect it. We must never suffer ourselves to be overcome, by repeated urgency, to do anything sinful or imprudent; but when attacked with the same temptation, must resist it with the same reason and resolution. It is common for that which is desired only by the malicious, to be falsely represented by them as desired by the many. But Nehemiah knew at what they aimed, he not only denied that such things were true, but that they were reported; he was better known than to be thus suspected. We must never omit any known duty for fear it should be misconstrued; but, while we keep a good conscience, let us trust God with our good name. God's people, though loaded with reproach, are not really fallen so low in reputation as some would have them thought to be. Nehemiah lifted up his heart to Heaven in a short prayer. When, in our Christian work and warfare, we enter upon any service or conflict, this is a good prayer, I have such a duty to do, such a temptation to grapple with; now, therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. Every temptation to draw us from duty, should quicken us the more to duty.
vv10-14
The greatest mischief our enemies can do us, is, to frighten us from our duty, and to lead us to do what is sinful. Let us never decline a good work, never do a bad one. We ought to try all advice, and to reject what is contrary to the word of God. Every man should study to be consistent. Should I, a professed Christian, called to be a saint, a child of God, a member of Christ, a temple of the Holy Ghost, should I be covetous, sensual, proud, or envious? Should I yield to impatience, discontent, or anger? Should I be slothful, unbelieving, or unmerciful? What effects will such conduct have upon others? All that God has done for us, or by us, or given to us, should lead us to watchfulness, self-denial, and diligence. Next to the sinfulness of sin, we should dread the scandal.
vv15-19
The wall was begun and finished in fifty-two days, though they rested on the sabbaths. A great deal of work may be done in a little time, if we set about it in earnest, and keep close to it. See the mischief of marrying with strangers. When men once became akin to Tobiah, they soon became sworn to him. A sinful love leads to a sinful league. The enemy of souls employs many instruments, and forms many projects, to bring reproach on the active servants of God, or to take them from their work. But we should follow the example of Him who laid down his life for the sheep. Those that simply cleave to the Lord and his work will be supported.
Key Words
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
סַנְבַלַּט: Sanballat, a Persian satrap of Samaria
טוֹבִיָּה: Tobijah, the name of three Israelites and of one Samaritan
גֶּשֶׁם: Geshem or Gashmu, an Arabian
עֲרָבִי: an Arabian or inhabitant of Arab (i.e. Arabia)
יֶתֶר: properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a small rope (as hanging free)
אֹיֵב: hating; an adversary
שָׁמַע: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בָּנָה: to build (literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Nehemiah 6Prophetic fulfillment of Jerusalem's wall being built in troublous times.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the rapid and successful completion of Jewish restoration projects (Temple and walls).
Traces the ongoing opposition from the triad of Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem.
Establishes the location of Ono as a city belonging to the tribe of Benjamin.
Supported by Matthew Poole
A historic parallel of enemies falsely accusing Jerusalem builders of plotting rebellion.
Condemns false prophets and prophetesses who exploit divine authority to terrify.
Illustrates the wicked plotting mischief against the just, matching Sanballat's scheme.
Warns against the deceitful, flattering invitations of enemies who harbor deep malice.
Previous instance where adversaries tried to weaken the builders' hands through fear.
Echoes Nehemiah's recurring prayer for God to 'think upon' deeds.
Shows the ongoing danger of compromised nobles intermarrying with foreign adversaries.
Contrasts Samson's capitulation to persistent pressure with Nehemiah's steadfast resistance.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Echoes the dynamic of enemies reporting rumors and slander to trap the righteous.
Identifies Arah's family, proving Tobiah's deep alliances within Jerusalem's aristocracy.