Nehemiah6

Nehemiah's enemies, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, repeatedly attempted to lure him away from the wall-building work through deceptive invitations and false accusations of rebellion. They also hired a prophet, Shemaiah, to trick Nehemiah into sinning by fleeing into the temple. Despite these persistent threats and internal treachery from some nobles, Nehemiah remained resolute, and the wall was successfully completed in fifty-two days, recognized by enemies as a work of God.
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Attempts to Lure Nehemiah Away

1
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates— ​
2
Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me. ​
3
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?” ​
4
Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.
5
The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter ​
6
that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, ​
7
and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”
8
Then I sent him this reply: “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.”
9
For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands. ​

The Threat of False Prophecy

10
Later, I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house. He said: “Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you— by night they are coming to kill you!” ​
11
But I replied, “Should a man like me run away? Should one like me go into the temple to save his own life? I will not go!” ​
12
I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
13
He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would sin by doing as he suggested, so they could give me a bad name in order to discredit me. ​
14
O my God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat for what they have done, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the other prophets who tried to intimidate me. ​

The Wall is Finished

15
So the wall was completed in fifty-two days, on the twenty-fifth of Elul. ​
16
When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and disheartened, for they realized that this task had been accomplished by our God. ​

Internal Treachery Persists

17
Also in those days, the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came back to them. ​
18
For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah. ​
19
Moreover, these nobles kept reporting to me Tobiah’s good deeds, and they relayed my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me. ​

Study Notes for Nehemiah 6

Verse 1

Even though the wall was structurally complete, the failure to yet set the doors meant the city remained vulnerable. The enemies intensified psychological and political attacks when physical attacks failed.

Verse 2

Ono was a town in the region of Benjamin, far enough from Jerusalem to isolate Nehemiah, making him susceptible to ambush or capture outside the security of the restored city.

Verse 3

Nehemiah’s refusal is a powerful example of focused leadership, prioritizing the divine commission ('a great work') over political distractions or attempts at negotiation with known adversaries.

Verse 5

Sending an 'open letter' was a calculated tactic designed for public consumption. This ensured the serious accusation of treason (v. 6) would spread quickly among the populace and potentially reach Persian authorities, forcing Nehemiah’s hand.

Verse 6

The accusation of rebellion and seeking kingship was the most severe threat, punishable by death under Persian rule. Sanballat attempted to leverage this political fear to halt the construction.

Verse 9

Nehemiah responds to the enemies’ fear tactics not with counter-threats or political maneuvering, but with immediate, focused prayer, demonstrating his reliance on God for strength and resolution.

Verse 10

Shemaiah was likely hired to test Nehemiah's faith and integrity. As a layman, Nehemiah hiding within the sanctuary of the Temple (reserved for priests) would have been a sin and a public display of cowardice, destroying his credibility.

Verse 11

Nehemiah recognizes that fleeing and violating Temple rules would be unworthy of a leader entrusted by God. His resolute refusal shows outstanding moral and spiritual courage.

Verse 13

The true goal was not just murder, but entrapment. If Nehemiah sinned, the enemies would gain verifiable evidence for an evil report, successfully reproaching and discrediting his divinely ordained mission.

Verse 14

Nehemiah prays for divine retribution against the conspirators, including the prophetess Noadiah, revealing that the opposition contained both political figures and religious figures hired to intimidate him.

Verse 15

The completion in only 52 days is a remarkable feat, testifying to the intense focus, unity of the workers, and the evident blessing of God upon the project despite overwhelming opposition.

Verse 16

The demoralization of the surrounding enemies confirmed Nehemiah’s faith: they recognized the rapid, successful completion was not due to human skill alone, but 'wrought of our God.'

Verse 17

Even after the physical wall was finished, the internal political struggle continued. The Judean nobles maintained communication with Tobiah, viewing him as an ally rather than an enemy.

Verse 18

This verse explains the deep loyalty the nobles felt toward Tobiah; he had secured powerful alliances through marriage, intertwining his foreign interests with the local aristocracy.

Verse 19

The constant reporting of Nehemiah's actions and the praise of Tobiah’s 'good deeds' before Nehemiah reveal the corrosive influence of these traitors, who continually sought to undermine Nehemiah’s authority from within.

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