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.

Attempts to Lure Nehemiah Away

1
When it was reported to Sanvalat, Toviyah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and that not a single gap was left in it - although up to that time I hadn't yet set up the doors in the gateways - ​
2
Sanvalat and Geshem sent me a message which said, "Come, let's meet together in one of the villages of the Ono Valley." But they were planning to do me harm; ​
3
so I sent them messengers with this message: "I'm too busy with important work to come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?" ​
4
They kept sending this sort of message to me - four times - and I answered them the same way.
5
The fifth time, with the same purpose, Sanvalat sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand, ​
6
in which was written: "It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says it too, that you and the Judeans are planning a revolt, that this is why you are rebuilding the wall, and that you intend to be their king," and similar words; ​
7
"moreover, that you have also appointed prophets to proclaim about you in Yerushalayim, 'There is a king in Y'hudah!'A report along these lines is now going to be made to the king. Come now, therefore, and let's discuss this."
8
I sent him this answer; "Nothing like what you are saying is being done. You're making it all up in your head."
9
They were all just trying to scare us, thinking, "This will sap their strength and keep them from working." But now, [God,] increase my strength! ​

The Threat of False Prophecy

10
One day, when I went to the house of Sh'ma'yah the son of D'layah, the son of M'heitav'el, where he was confined, he said, "Let's meet together in the house of God, inside the temple, and let's shut the doors of the temple. For they are going to come and try to assassinate you; yes, they will come at night to kill you." ​
11
I replied, "Should a man like me run away? Can a man like me go into the temple to save his life? I refuse to go in." ​
12
Then I realized that God had not sent him, that he was making this prophecy against me, and that Toviyah and Sanvalat had bribed him to say it.
13
He had been hired to frighten me into following his suggestion and thus sin, so that they would have material for their unfavorable report about me and could taunt me with it. ​
14
My God, remember Toviyah and Sanvalat according to their deeds, also the prophet No'adyah and the other prophets trying to intimidate me. ​

The Wall is Finished

15
So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. ​
16
When all our enemies heard about it and the surrounding nations became afraid, our enemies' self-esteem fell severely; because they realized that this work had been accomplished by our God. ​

Internal Treachery Persists

17
During this same period of time, the nobles of Y'hudah sent many letters to Toviyah, and Toviyah kept sending them replies. ​
18
For there were many in Y'hudah who had sworn allegiance to him, because he was the son-in-law of Sh'khanyah the son of Arach, and his son Y'hochanan had taken as his wife the daughter of Meshulam the son of Berekhyah. ​
19
They would even praise his good deeds in my presence, and they passed on my words to him. And Toviyah kept sending 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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