Nehemiah6
New International Version
1When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates—
2Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me;
3so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”
4Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.
5Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter
6in which was written: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king
7and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.”
8I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”
9They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”
10One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.”
11But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!”
12I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
13He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.
14Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me.
15So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days.
16When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God.
17Also, in those days the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, and replies from Tobiah kept coming to them.
18For many in Judah were under oath to him, since he was son-in-law to Shekaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah.
19Moreover, they kept reporting to me his good deeds and then telling him what I said. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate 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.