Nehemiah 6
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, insidiously desire a conference with Nehemiah, which he refuses, Neh 6:1-4. They then charge him with the design of rebelling, and causing himself to be made king, Neh 6:5-7; which he denies, and prays to God for support, Neh 6:8, Neh 6:9. A false prophet is hired by Tobiah and Sanballat, to put him in fear; he discovers the imposture, and defeats their design, Neh 6:10-13. He prays to God against them, Neh 6:14. The wall is finished in fifty-two days, Neh 6:15. He discovers a secret and treasonable correspondence between Tobiah and some of the Jewish nobles, Neh 6:16-19.
Open source ↗SANBALLAT PRACTISES AGAINST NEHEMIAH BY INSIDIOUS ATTEMPTS. (Neh. 6:1-19) Then Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me--The Samaritan leaders, convinced that they could not overcome Nehemiah by open arms, resolved to gain advantage over him by deceit and stratagem. With this in view, under pretext of terminating their differences in an amicable manner, they invited him to a conference. The place of rendezvous was fixed "in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono." "In the villages" is, Hebrew, "in Cephirim," or "Chephirah," the name of a town in the territory of Benjamin (Jos 9:17; Jos 18:26). Nehemiah, however, apprehensive of some intended mischief, prudently declined the invitation. Though it was repeated four times, [Nehemiah's] uniform answer was that his presence could not be dispensed with from the important work in which he was engaged. This was one, though not the only, reason. The principal ground of his refusal was that his seizure or death at their hands would certainly put a stop to the further progress of the fortifications.
Open source ↗Now it came to pass, when Sanballat and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall,.... Quite finished it: and that there was no breach left therein; but all was made up firm and strong: though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates; not upon all of them, though some might by the particular builders of them; and they all of them might be ready made, though not as yet put upon the hinges.
Open source ↗When Sanballat and the enemies associated with him were unable to obstruct the building of the wall of Jerusalem by Open violence (Neh 4), they endeavoured to ruin Nehemiah by secret snares. They invited him to meet them in the plain of Ono (Neh 6:1, Neh 6:2); but Nehemiah, perceiving that they intended mischief, replied to them by messengers, that he could not come to them on account of the building. After receiving for the fourth time this refusal, Sanballat sent his servant to Nehemiah with an open letter, in which he accused him of rebellion against the king of Persia. Nehemiah, however, repelled this accusation as the invention of Sanballat (Neh 6:3-9). Tobiah and Sanballat, moreover, hired a false prophet to make Nehemiah flee into the temple from fear of the snares prepared for him, that they might then be able to calumniate him (Neh 6:10-14). The building of the wall was completed in fifty-two days, and the enemies were disheartened (Neh 6:15-17), although at that time many nobles of Judah had entered into epistolary correspondence with Tobiah, to obstruct the proceedings of Nehemiah (Neh 6:18, Neh 6:19). Neh 6:1-2 The attempts of Sanballat and his associates to ruin Nehemiah. - Neh 6:1, Neh 6:2. When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of the enemies, heard that the wall was built, and that no breaches were left therein, though the doors were then not yet set up in the gates, he sent, etc. לו נשׁמע, it was heard by him, in the indefinite sense of: it came to his ears. The use of the passive is more frequent in later Hebrew; comp. Neh 6:6, Neh 6:7, Neh 13:27; Est 1:20, and elsewhere. On Sanballat and his allies, see remarks on Neh 2:19. The "rest of our enemies" were, according to Neh 4:1 (Neh 4:7, A.V.), Ashdodites, and also other hostile indivi…
Open source ↗Two plots upon Nehemiah we have here an account of, how cunningly they were laid by his enemies and how happily frustrated by God's good providence and his prudence. I. A plot to trepan him into a snare. The enemies had an account of the good forwardness the work was in, that all the breaches of the wall were made up, so that they considered it as good as done, though at that time the doors of the gates were off the hinges (Neh 6:1); they must therefore now or never, by one bold stroke, take off Nehemiah. They heard how well guarded he was, so that there was no attacking him upon the spot; they will therefore try by all the arts of wheedling to get him among them. Observe, 1. With what hellish subtlety they courted him to meet them, not in any city, lest that should excite a suspicion that they intended to secure him, but in a village in the lot of Benjamin: "Come, let us meet together to consult about the common interests of our provinces." Or they would have him think that they coveted his friendship, and would be glad to be better acquainted with him, in order to a good understanding between them and the settling of a good correspondence. But they thought to do him a mischief. It is probable that he had some secret intelligence given him that they designed to imprison or murder him; or he knew them so well that, without breach of charity, he concluded they aimed at his life, and therefore, when they spoke fair, he believed them not. 2. See with what heavenly wisdom he declined the motion. His God did instruct him to give them that prudent answer by messengers of his own: "I am doing a great work, am very busy, and am loth to let the work stand still while I leave it to come down to you," Neh 6:3. His care was that the work might not cease; he knew it would if he left…
Open source ↗6:1-19 With the financial crisis solved (ch 5), the narrative returns to how the enemies of rebuilding tried to intimidate or eliminate Nehemiah.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
סַנְבַלַּט (Çanballaṭ, H5571) — Sanballat, a Persian satrap of Samaria טוֹבִיָּה (Ṭôwbîyâh, H2900) — Tobijah, the name of three Israelites and of one Samaritan גֶּשֶׁם (Geshem, H1654) — Geshem or Gashmu, an Arabian עֲרָבִי (ʻĂrâbîy, H6163) — an Arabian or inhabitant of Arab (i.e. Arabia) יֶתֶר (yether, H3499) — properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection פֶּרֶץ (perets, H6556) — a break (literally or figuratively) יָתַר (yâthar, H3498) — to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left;… גַּם (gam, H1571) — properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as… עַד (ʻad, H5704) — as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until)… עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.
Open source ↗סַנְבַלַּט (Çanballaṭ, H5571) — Sanballat, a Persian satrap of Samaria גֶּשֶׁם (Geshem, H1654) — Geshem or Gashmu, an Arabian שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) יָעַד (yâʻad, H3259) — to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to… יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly כְּפִיר (kᵉphîyr, H3715) — a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane) בִּקְעָה (biqʻâh, H1237) — properly, a split, i.e. a wide level valley between mountains אוֹנוֹ (ʼÔwnôw, H207) — Ono, a place in Palestine חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… שָׁבַת (shâbath, H7673) — to repose, i.e. desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causative,… אֲשֶׁר (ʼăsher, H834) — who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because,… רָפָה (râphâh, H7503) — to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four פַּעַם (paʻam, H6471) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) סַנְבַלַּט (Çanballaṭ, H5571) — Sanballat, a Persian satrap of Samaria נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause חֲמִישִׁי (chămîyshîy, H2549) — fifth; also a fifth פַּעַם (paʻam, H6471) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow) פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve אִגֶּרֶת (ʼiggereth, H107) — an epistle יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… גֶּשֶׁם (Geshem, H1654) — Geshem or Gashmu, an Arabian אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) חָשַׁב (châshab, H2803) — properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to… מָרַד (mârad, H4775) — to rebel כֵּן (kên, H3651) — properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or… בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection הָוָא (hâvâʼ, H1933) — to be (in the sense of existence) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
Open source ↗עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve יַחַד (yachad, H3162) — properly, a unit, i.e. (adverb) unitedly
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) הָיָה (hâyâh, H1961) — to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause בָּדָא (bâdâʼ, H908) — (figuratively) to invent לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the…
Open source ↗יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רָפָה (râphâh, H7503) — to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative) מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שְׁמַעְיָה (Shᵉmaʻyâh, H8098) — Shemajah, the name of twenty-five Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… דְּלָיָה (Dᵉlâyâh, H1806) — Delajah, the name of five Israelites מְהֵיטַבְאֵל (Mᵉhêyṭabʼêl, H4105) — Mehetabel, the name of an Edomitish man and woman עָצָר (ʻâtsâr, H6113) — to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָעַד (yâʻad, H3259) — to fix upon (by agreement or appointment); by implication, to meet (at a stated time), to… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre הֵיכָל (hêykâl, H1964) — a large public building, such as a palace or temple סָגַר (çâgar, H5462) — to shut up; figuratively, to surrender דֶּלֶת (deleth, H1817) — something swinging, i.e. the valve of adoor
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) כְּמוֹ (kᵉmôw, H3644) — a form of the prefix 'k-', but used separately as, thus, so אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בָּרַח (bârach, H1272) — to bolt, i.e. figuratively, to flee suddenly בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) הֵיכָל (hêykâl, H1964) — a large public building, such as a palace or temple חָיַי (châyay, H2425) — to live; causatively to revive
Open source ↗נָכַר (nâkar, H5234) — properly, to scrutinize, i.e. look intently at; hence (with recognition implied), to… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… נְבוּאָה (nᵉbûwʼâh, H5016) — a prediction (spoken or written) טוֹבִיָּה (Ṭôwbîyâh, H2900) — Tobijah, the name of three Israelites and of one Samaritan סַנְבַלַּט (Çanballaṭ, H5571) — Sanballat, a Persian satrap of Samaria שָׂכַר (sâkar, H7936) — to hire
Open source ↗שָׂכַר (sâkar, H7936) — to hire יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… חָרַף (châraph, H2778) — to pull off, i.e. (by implication) to expose (as by stripping); specifically, to betroth…
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… טוֹבִיָּה (Ṭôwbîyâh, H2900) — Tobijah, the name of three Israelites and of one Samaritan סַנְבַלַּט (Çanballaṭ, H5571) — Sanballat, a Persian satrap of Samaria מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… נְבִיאָה (nᵉbîyʼâh, H5031) — a prophetess or (generally) inspired woman; by implication, a poetess; by association a… נוֹעַדְיָה (Nôwʻadyâh, H5129) — Noadjah, the name of an Israelite, and a false prophetess יֶתֶר (yether, H3499) — properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a… נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”
Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews
At the Sheep Gate, Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests began rebuilding. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated the wall.
The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.
The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.