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
Now when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and to the rest of our enemies, that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though even to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates;) ​
2
Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to harm me. ​
3
I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I can’t come down. Why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you?” ​
4
They sent to me four times after this sort; and I answered them the same way.
5
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand, ​
6
in which was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel. Because of that, you are building the wall. You would be their king, according to these words. ​
7
You have also appointed prophets to proclaim of you at Jerusalem, saying, ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now it will be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.”
8
Then I sent to him, saying, “There are no such things done as you say, but you imagine them out of your own heart.”
9
For they all would have made us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened from the work, that it not be done.” But now, strengthen my hands. ​

The Threat of False Prophecy

10
I went to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home; and he said, “Let us meet together in God’s house, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple; for they will come to kill you; yes, in the night will they come to kill you.” ​
11
I said, “Should such a man as I flee? Who is there that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.” ​
12
I discerned, and behold, God had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophecy against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
13
He hired so that I would be afraid, do so, and sin, and that they might have material for an evil report, that they might reproach me. ​
14
“Remember, my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and also the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.” ​

The Wall is Finished

15
So the wall was finished in the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. ​
16
When all our enemies heard of it, all the nations that were around us were afraid, and were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was worked of our God. ​

Internal Treachery Persists

17
Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters came to them. ​
18
For there were many in Judah sworn to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as wife. ​
19
Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear. ​

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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