Nehemiah6
New Living Translation
1Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates.
2So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me,
3so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?”
4Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.
5The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand,
6and this is what it said: “There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king.
7He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’ “You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.”
8I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.”
9They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination.
10Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.”
11But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it!”
12I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
13They were hoping to intimidate me and make me sin. Then they would be able to accuse and discredit me.
14Remember, O my God, all the evil things that Tobiah and Sanballat have done. And remember Noadiah the prophet and all the prophets like her who have tried to intimidate me.
15So on October 2 the wall was finished—just fifty-two days after we had begun.
16When our enemies and the surrounding nations heard about it, they were frightened and humiliated. They realized this work had been done with the help of our God.
17During those fifty-two days, many letters went back and forth between Tobiah and the nobles of Judah.
18For many in Judah had sworn allegiance to him because his father-in-law was Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan was married to the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah.
19They kept telling me about Tobiah’s good deeds, and then they told him everything I said. And Tobiah kept sending threatening 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.