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

¶ 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, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)

That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.

Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;

Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.

And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.

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

For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

The Threat of False Prophecy

¶ Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.

And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.

And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.

The Wall is Finished

¶ So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.

And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.

Internal Treachery Persists

Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.

For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.

Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And 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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Nehemiah6

Attempts to Lure Nehemiah Away

The Threat of False Prophecy

The Wall is Finished

Internal Treachery Persists

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