TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ 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;)
KJV (with Strong's)
Now it came to pass, when Sanballat H5571, and Tobiah H2900, and Geshem H1654 the Arabian H6163, and the rest H3499 of our enemies H341, heard H8085 that I had builded H1129 the wall H2346, and that there was no breach H6556 left H3498 therein;(though H1571 H5704 at that time H6256 I had not set up H5975 the doors H1817 upon the gates H8179;)
Complete Jewish Bible
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 -
Berean Standard Bible
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—
American Standard Version
Now it came to pass, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and unto the rest of our enemies, that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein (though even unto that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),
World English Bible Messianic
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;)
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall, and that there were no more breaches therein, (though at that time I had not set vp the doores vpon the gates)
Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, when it hath been heard by Sanballat, and Tobiah, and by Geshem the Arabian, and by the rest of our enemies, that I have builded the wall, and there hath not been left in it a breach, (also, till that time the doors I had not set up in the gates,)
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Commentary on Nehemiah 6 verses 1–9
1 ¶ 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;)
2 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.
3 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?
4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
6 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.
7 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.
8 Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
9 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.
Two plots upon Nehemiah we have here an account of, how cunningly they were laid by his enemies and how happily frustrated by God's good providence and his prudence.
I. A plot to trepan him into a snare. The enemies had an account of the good forwardness the work was in, that all the breaches of the wall were made up, so that they considered it as good as done, though at that time the doors of the gates were off the hinges (Neh 6:1); they must therefore now or never, by one bold stroke, take off Nehemiah. They heard how well guarded he was, so that there was no attacking him upon the spot; they will therefore try by all the arts of wheedling to get him among them. Observe, 1. With what hellish subtlety they courted him to meet them, not in any city, lest that should excite a suspicion that they intended to secure him, but in a village in the lot of Benjamin: "Come, let us meet together to consult about the common interests of our provinces." Or they would have him think that they coveted his friendship, and would be glad to be better acquainted with him, in order to a good understanding between them and the settling of a good correspondence. But they thought to do him a mischief. It is probable that he had some secret intelligence given him that they designed to imprison or murder him; or he knew them so well that, without breach of charity, he concluded they aimed at his life, and therefore, when they spoke fair, he believed them not. 2. See with what heavenly wisdom he declined the motion. His God did instruct him to give them that prudent answer by messengers of his own: "I am doing a great work, am very busy, and am loth to let the work stand still while I leave it to come down to you," Neh 6:3. His care was that the work might not cease; he knew it would if he left it ever so little; and why should it cease while I come down to you? He says nothing of his jealousies, nor reproaches them for their treacherous design, but gives them a good reason and one of the true reasons why he would not come. Compliment must always give way to business. Let those that are tempted to idle merry meetings by their vain companions thus answer the temptation, "We have work to do, and must not neglect it." Four times they attacked him with the same solicitation, and he as often returned the same answer, which, we may suppose, was very vexatious to them; for really it was the ceasing of the work that they aimed at, and it would make them despair of breaking the undertaking to see the undertaker so intent upon it. I answered them (says he) after the same manner, Neh 6:4. Note, We must never suffer ourselves to be overcome by the greatest importunity to do any thing sinful or imprudent; but, when we are attacked with the same temptation, must still resist it with the same reason and resolution.
II. A plot to terrify him from his work. Could they but drive him off, the work would cease of course. This therefore Sanballat attempts, but in vain. 1. he endeavours to possess Nehemiah with an apprehension that his undertaking to build the walls of Jerusalem was generally represented as factious and seditious, and would be resented accordingly at court, Neh 6:5-7. The best men, even in their most innocent and excellent performances, have lain under this imputation. This is written to him in an open letter, as a thing generally known and talked of, that it was reported among the nations, and Gashmu will aver it for truth, that Nehemiah was aiming to make himself king and to shake off the Persian yoke. Note, It is common for that which is the sense only of the malicious to be falsely represented by them as the sense of the many. Now Sanballat pretends to inform Nehemiah of this as a friend, that he might hasten to court to clear himself, or stay his proceedings, for fear they should be thus misconstrued; at least, upon this surmise, he urges him to give him the meeting - "Let us take counsel together how to quell the report," hoping by this means either to take him off, or at least to take him off from his business. Thus were his words softer than oil, and yet war was in his heart, and he hoped, like Judas, to kiss and kill. But surely in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird. Nehemiah was soon aware what they aimed at, to weaken their hands from the work (Neh 6:9), and therefore not only denied that such things were true, but that they were reported; he was better known than to be thus suspected. 2. Thus he escaped the snare and kept his ground, nor would he be frightened by winds and clouds from sowing and reaping. Suppose it was thus reported, we must never omit known duty merely for fear it should be misconstrued; but, while we keep a good conscience, let us trust God with our good name. But indeed it was not thus reported. God's people, though sufficiently loaded with reproach, yet are not really so low in reputation as some would have them thought to be.
In the midst of his complaint of their malice, in endeavouring to frighten him, and so weaken his hands, he lifts up his heart to Heaven in this short prayer: Now therefore, O God! strengthen my hands. It is the great support and relief of good people that in all their straits and difficulties they have a good God to go to, from whom, by faith and prayer, they may fetch in grace to silence their fears and strengthen their hands when their enemies are endeavouring to fill them with fears and weaken their hands. When, in our Christian work and warfare, we are entering upon any particular services or conflicts, this is a good prayer for us to put up: "I have such a duty to do, such a temptation to grapple with; now therefore, O God! strengthen my hands." Some read it, not as a prayer, but as a holy resolution (for O God is supplied in our translation): Now therefore I will strengthen my hands. Note, Christian fortitude will be sharpened by opposition. Every temptation to draw us from duty should quicken us so much the more to duty.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–9. Public domain.
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BedeAD 735
Commentary on Ezra and Nehemiah
Now it happened that when Sanaballat and Tobiah heard, etc. The enemies of the holy city urge Nehemiah to descend to the plains and enter into a covenant of peace with them, with calves slain together as a testimony of the contracted covenant. However, he, to avoid neglecting the religious work, perseveres in the mountains. Similarly, heretics and false Catholics seek to have the companionship of peace with true Catholics on the condition that the true Catholics do not consent to ascend to the stronghold of ecclesiastical faith or operation, but rather force those who dwell in the heights of virtues to descend from the depths of wicked works or doctrines. And it is well that they wish to make a pact with Nehemiah in one field; because undoubtedly they desire to release all those whom they can seduce into the same liberty of a more luxurious life, which they themselves follow. It is fitting that they wish to make the same pact with him with calves slain together because false brothers eagerly offer sacrifices of their prayer or action with true Catholics to God so that, being truly believed as faithful themselves, they can corrupt the same true Catholics through the proximity of communion. However, Nehemiah representing the role of faithful teachers, senses neither to descend to the profane nor to be tainted by their sacrifices, but devoutly persists in the conceived works of virtues; and the more ferociously the enemies tried to frighten him, the more he strives to become formidable to the same enemies by doing good works. Hence it is also said in the following.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Nehemiah 6:1 marks a pivotal moment in the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls, signifying the near-completion of the physical structure with "no breach left therein." This monumental achievement, however, did not bring an end to opposition but rather provoked a shift in strategy from Nehemiah's adversaries—Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. The verse subtly reveals a critical, albeit temporary, vulnerability: the gates had not yet been fitted with doors, a detail the enemies quickly sought to exploit by shifting from overt military threats to cunning deception and attempts to lure Nehemiah into a fatal trap.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Nehemiah 6:1 masterfully employs several literary devices to advance the narrative and heighten the dramatic tension. Foreshadowing is prominently featured, as the parenthetical note about the missing doors immediately signals to the astute reader that this specific vulnerability will become the focal point of the enemies' subsequent strategies, setting the stage for the cunning plots detailed later in the chapter. There is also a subtle layer of irony present: the monumental achievement of completing the wall, which should logically usher in a period of security and relief, is immediately undercut by the revelation of a critical, yet seemingly minor, unfinished detail. This creates a palpable sense of suspense, as the reader is left to anticipate how Nehemiah will respond to this new, more subtle, and potentially more dangerous form of opposition. Furthermore, the verse utilizes contrast by juxtaposing the finished, unbreached wall with the still-incomplete gates, powerfully illustrating that victory or progress in one area does not necessarily mean the entire battle is over, and that new challenges will inevitably arise from remaining vulnerabilities.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 6:1 profoundly illustrates a timeless spiritual truth: the completion of one phase of God's work does not necessarily bring an end to opposition. Instead, it often intensifies the adversary's efforts or causes their tactics to shift in nature. Seeing their initial strategies of mockery and direct military threat fail against the completed wall, Nehemiah's enemies pivot to more cunning, deceptive, and insidious approaches. This teaches believers that spiritual warfare is dynamic, relentless, and requires constant vigilance. God's people are called not only to build diligently but also to remain acutely aware, understanding that the enemy will always seek an opportune moment or an overlooked vulnerability. The "no breach" signifies God's enabling power in bringing His plans to fruition and securing His people, but the "no doors" reminds us that human responsibility for diligent completion, vigilance, and securing all potential weaknesses remains until the very end of any God-given task or spiritual journey.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 6:1 offers profound and practical lessons for believers navigating their spiritual journeys and engaging in God-given tasks. It serves as a powerful reminder that progress in the kingdom of God, while celebrated, often invites renewed and more sophisticated forms of opposition. When we experience breakthroughs, significant achievements, or periods of spiritual growth, it is not a signal to let down our guard, but rather to increase our vigilance and discernment. The "no breach" in the wall speaks to the thoroughness and effectiveness of God's work through us, but the missing "doors" highlight that we must diligently complete every aspect of our calling, securing all potential vulnerabilities in our lives, ministries, or spiritual walk. This might mean fortifying our prayer lives, strengthening our relationships, addressing areas of unconfessed sin, or shoring up doctrinal weaknesses that the adversary could exploit. Nehemiah's example calls us to keen discernment—to recognize the enemy's changing tactics from overt aggression to subtle deception—and to unwavering perseverance, consistently trusting in God's protection while remaining actively engaged in the work He has called us to complete.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were the doors not yet set up on the gates, and what was the significance of this omission?
Answer: The omission of the doors on the gates was likely a logistical and strategic decision during the final stages of a massive ancient rebuilding project. Setting heavy wooden doors, often reinforced with metal and requiring complex mechanisms, was a time-consuming and labor-intensive task, typically one of the very last steps in fortifying a city. It might have required specific materials, highly skilled artisans, or a strategic moment for installation—perhaps to allow for easier movement of materials, workers, and supplies in and out of the city during the final construction phases. The significance of this omission was profound: while the wall itself provided a formidable barrier, the lack of doors meant the city was still vulnerable to infiltration and lacked complete control over access. The gates were the primary points of entry and defense, and without their doors, the city could not be fully secured or controlled. This temporary vulnerability was precisely what Nehemiah's enemies—Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem—sought to exploit, shifting their strategy from direct assault on the wall to cunning attempts to lure Nehemiah outside the safety of the city walls, as detailed in the remainder of Nehemiah 6.
Who were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, and why were they so opposed to Nehemiah's work?
Answer: Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem were the primary antagonists who consistently opposed Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. Sanballat was the Horonite, likely the governor of Samaria, a region north of Judah, and held significant political power. Tobiah was an Ammonite official, possibly a high-ranking administrator in the Transjordan region, who had surprisingly close ties to certain Jewish leaders and priestly families through intermarriage, yet was deeply hostile to Nehemiah's mission. Geshem was an Arabian chief, representing the Arab tribes to the south and east of Judah. Their collective opposition stemmed from a complex mix of political, economic, and ethnic motivations. A strong, fortified Jerusalem threatened their regional influence, potentially disrupting established trade routes, diminishing their authority over surrounding territories, and challenging their perceived control over the Jewish populace. They viewed the re-establishment of a strong, independent Jewish presence as a direct challenge to their power and sought to maintain Jerusalem in a weakened, dependent state. Their animosity was not just political but deeply personal, leading them to repeatedly attempt to discredit, intimidate, and even assassinate Nehemiah, as vividly recounted throughout Nehemiah 4 and Nehemiah 6.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah's monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem's physical walls, and the persistent, evolving opposition he faced, beautifully foreshadows the greater spiritual work of Christ and the ongoing nature of the spiritual battle for His Church. Just as Nehemiah diligently built a physical city, Christ is building His spiritual temple, the Church, composed of living stones (1 Peter 2:5). The declaration that "no breach left therein" in Jerusalem's wall powerfully speaks to the completeness and perfection of Christ's redemptive work. Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, He has fully secured our salvation, leaving no "breach" in our reconciliation with God (Colossians 2:13-14). He is the ultimate "Gate" or "Door" through whom we enter into salvation and find true security and abundant life (John 10:9). Yet, the detail that the "doors upon the gates" were not yet set up also resonates deeply with the Christian walk: while our salvation is eternally secure in Christ, we, as His followers, must remain vigilant and actively participate in the ongoing work of building His kingdom, knowing that spiritual adversaries will continually seek out vulnerabilities in our lives and communities (Ephesians 6:11). The ultimate security and full completion of God's redemptive plan will only be realized when Christ returns to establish His eternal kingdom, the New Jerusalem, where there will be no more breaches, no more threats, and perfect, unending peace (Revelation 21:25).