Nehemiah 6:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.

Complete Jewish Bible:

I sent him this answer; "Nothing like what you are saying is being done. You're making it all up in your head."

Berean Standard Bible:

Then I sent him this reply: “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.”

American Standard Version:

Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then I sent^{H7971} unto him, saying^{H559}, There are^{H1961} no such things^{H1697} done^{H1961} as thou sayest^{H559}, but thou feignest^{H908} them out of thine own heart^{H3820}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Nehemiah 6:8

Nehemiah 6:8 is a verse set within the broader context of Nehemiah's leadership in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah, a Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, received permission to return to Jerusalem to oversee the reconstruction efforts amidst significant opposition from neighboring peoples, including Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab.

In verse 6:8, Nehemiah is responding to a series of accusations and plots aimed at discrediting him and halting the construction. Specifically, his adversaries had accused him of rebellion against the Persian king and of planning to make himself king of Judah (Nehemiah 6:6-7). Nehemiah, recognizing these claims as false and slanderous, sends a message back to his accusers, denying the allegations and asserting that they are fabricating these stories out of their own imaginations or malicious intent.

The themes present in this verse include:

1. **Leadership under duress**: Nehemiah's role as a leader is challenged by external forces seeking to undermine his authority and the morale of the people working on the wall.

2. **Integrity and truth**: Nehemiah maintains his integrity by directly confronting the lies with the truth, refusing to allow false accusations to derail his mission.

3. **Spiritual warfare**: The verse reflects the spiritual dimension of the conflict, as Nehemiah's opponents are not just physical adversaries but also represent opposition to God's plans for His people.

4. **Godly governance**: Nehemiah's response demonstrates a model of governance that is honest and God-fearing, standing in contrast to the corrupt leadership that had previously led to the exile of the Israelites.

5. **Providence of God**: The historical context underscores the theme of God's providence, as Nehemiah's strategic responses and the eventual completion of the wall are seen as the result of divine favor and protection over His faithful servant.

In summary, Nehemiah 6:8 captures a moment of direct confrontation between Nehemiah and his detractors, highlighting his commitment to truth and his trust in God amidst a backdrop of political intrigue and the physical and spiritual rebuilding of Jerusalem.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7971
   There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁלַח
   Transliteration: shâlach
   Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1961
   There are 72 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: הָיָה
   Transliteration: hâyâh
   Pronunciation: haw-yaw
   Description: a primitive root (compare הָוָא); to exist, i.e. be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary); beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
5. Strong's Number: H908
   There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּדָא
   Transliteration: bâdâʼ
   Pronunciation: baw-daw'
   Description: a primitive root; (figuratively) to invent; devise, feign.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3820
   There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵב
   Transliteration: lêb
   Pronunciation: labe
   Description: a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything; [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom.