Nehemiah 6:1

KJV

¶ 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),

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 6:1 marks a critical turning point in the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls, signaling that the physical structure was largely complete with "no breach left therein." This significant achievement, however, was immediately met with a renewed and more insidious form of opposition from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. The verse subtly reveals a crucial vulnerability—the gates had not yet been fitted with doors—which the adversaries quickly sought to exploit, shifting their strategy from direct military threat to cunning deception and attempts to lure Nehemiah into a trap.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 6:1 serves as a pivotal transition from the intense physical labor and direct military threats described in earlier chapters (e.g., [Nehemiah 4](/nehemiah/4 "Nehemiah 4 - Opposition and Vigilance")) to a new phase of psychological warfare and attempted assassination. Prior to this verse, Nehemiah had successfully organized the people for the arduous task of rebuilding the wall, with each family working on a section, while simultaneously defending against the taunts and conspiracies of their enemies. The completion of the wall's structure, as indicated by "no breach left therein," represents a major triumph, fulfilling the vision articulated in [Nehemiah 2:17](/nehemiah/2-17 "Nehemiah 2:17 - Nehemiah's Vision for Jerusalem's Walls"). However, the parenthetical clause regarding the missing doors immediately sets the stage for the next, more subtle, and dangerous phase of opposition detailed in the remainder of [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Plots Against Nehemiah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Nehemiah unfold in post-exilic Jerusalem, during the Persian Empire's rule (mid-5th century BC). For decades, Jerusalem had lain in ruins, a stark reminder of Israel's disgrace and vulnerability following the Babylonian exile. The rebuilding of the city wall was not merely a construction project; it was an act of national and spiritual restoration, signifying security, identity, and the re-establishment of a distinct Jewish community centered around the temple. The adversaries—Sanballat, the Horonite (governor of Samaria); Tobiah, the Ammonite official; and Geshem, the Arabian—represented the regional powers whose political and economic interests were threatened by a strong, independent Jerusalem. Their relentless opposition, from mockery to armed conspiracy ([Nehemiah 4:7-8](/nehemiah/4-7 "Nehemiah 4:7-8 - The Conspiracy Against Jerusalem")), was aimed at preventing Jerusalem's resurgence. The detail about the missing doors highlights a common stage in ancient city construction, where the main defensive structure was completed before the heavy, often ornate, gates and their doors were installed, leaving a temporary but critical vulnerability.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Nehemiah. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **persistent opposition** to God's work; even significant progress does not eliminate the adversary but often provokes new, more cunning attacks. Secondly, it highlights the **vulnerability amidst progress**, illustrating that an unfinished task, even if seemingly minor (like missing doors), can be exploited by enemies. This teaches the importance of diligent completion and securing all potential weaknesses in any God-given endeavor. Thirdly, it sets the stage for demonstrating **Nehemiah's unwavering perseverance and leadership integrity** as he navigates these new threats, consistently relying on God and discerning the enemies' true intentions ([Nehemiah 4:9](/nehemiah/4-9 "Nehemiah 4:9 - Nehemiah's Prayer and Vigilance")). Finally, the entire struggle to rebuild Jerusalem's walls serves as a powerful metaphor for **spiritual warfare**, where physical challenges symbolize deeper spiritual battles against forces that oppose God's plans for His people and His kingdom ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - The Nature of Spiritual Warfare")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **breach (Hebrew, _perets'_):** This term refers to a break, rupture, or gap, specifically in a wall or defensive barrier. Its absence ("no breach left therein") signifies that the structural integrity of Jerusalem's wall was fully restored, meaning the physical gaps from its destruction were completely filled and the wall stood as a continuous, formidable barrier. This word emphasizes the thoroughness and success of Nehemiah's rebuilding effort.
* **doors (Hebrew, _delet_):** Literally meaning a "leaf" or "panel" of a door, this refers to the movable components that would be fitted into the gate frames. The fact that these were not yet set up indicates that while the main defensive structure (the wall) was complete, the final, crucial elements for controlling access and securing the city were still missing. This detail points to a specific, exploitable vulnerability.
* **gates (Hebrew, _sha'ar_):** More than just an opening, the "gate" in ancient cities was a significant architectural and social feature. It was a point of defense, commerce, legal proceedings, and public assembly. The gates were the primary points of entry and exit, and their security was paramount. The mention of the gates without their doors highlights that the city was still porous, despite the completed wall.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard":** This opening phrase signals a new development and emphasizes the immediate and widespread awareness among Jerusalem's adversaries regarding the progress of the wall. The naming of the three primary antagonists underscores their persistent and coordinated opposition, setting the stage for their next tactical move.
* **"that I had builded the wall, and [that] there was no breach left therein;":** This clause declares the monumental achievement of Nehemiah and the Jewish people. The wall, which had lain in ruins for decades, was now structurally complete. The phrase "no breach left therein" highlights the thoroughness of the work, signifying that the city's primary defensive perimeter was fully restored, a major victory against their enemies' expectations and efforts.
* **"(though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)":** This crucial parenthetical statement reveals the remaining vulnerability. While the wall itself was finished, the heavy wooden doors that would complete the gates and provide final security were not yet installed. This detail is not merely an observation but a strategic point that the enemies quickly recognized and sought to exploit, shifting their focus from direct assault on the wall to attempts to lure Nehemiah out of the city.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 6:1 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its message and heighten the narrative tension. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as the parenthetical note about the missing doors immediately signals to the reader that this vulnerability will be the focus of the enemies' next strategy, setting the stage for the cunning plots that follow in the chapter. There is also a subtle **irony** at play: the great achievement of completing the wall, which should bring security, is immediately undercut by the revelation of a critical, yet seemingly minor, unfinished detail that becomes the new point of attack. This creates a sense of **suspense**, as the reader anticipates how Nehemiah will respond to this new, more subtle form of opposition. The verse also uses **contrast** by juxtaposing the finished, unbreached wall with the unfinished gates, highlighting that victory in one area does not mean the battle is over, and that new challenges will arise from remaining vulnerabilities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 6:1 powerfully illustrates that the completion of one phase of God's work does not necessarily bring an end to opposition; rather, it often intensifies it or causes it to shift in nature. The adversaries, seeing their initial tactics of mockery and direct threat fail against the completed wall, pivot to more cunning, deceptive strategies. This teaches us that spiritual warfare is dynamic and persistent. God's people are called not only to build diligently but also to remain vigilant, 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, but the "no doors" reminds us that human responsibility for vigilance and completion remains until the very end.

* [Nehemiah 4:7-8](/nehemiah/4-7 "Nehemiah 4:7-8 - The Conspiracy Against Jerusalem")
* [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - The Nature of Spiritual Warfare")
* [1 Peter 5:8](/1_peter/5-8 "1 Peter 5:8 - Be Sober and Watchful")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 6:1 offers profound lessons for believers navigating their spiritual journeys and God-given tasks. It reminds us that progress in the kingdom of God often invites renewed and more sophisticated forms of opposition. When we experience breakthroughs or significant achievements, it is not a signal to let down our guard, but rather to increase our vigilance. The "no breach" in the wall speaks to the thoroughness 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, or addressing areas of weakness that the adversary could exploit. Nehemiah's example calls us to discernment—to recognize the enemy's changing tactics—and to unwavering perseverance, trusting in God's protection while remaining actively engaged in the work He has called us to.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life or ministry are you experiencing persistent opposition, even after significant progress?**
* **What "doors" or areas of vulnerability might you be leaving open in your spiritual walk or service that the enemy could exploit?**
* **How does Nehemiah's example encourage you to remain vigilant and reliant on God in the face of cunning adversaries?**
* **In what ways can you ensure that you are not only building but also securing every aspect of your spiritual foundation?**

### 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 the massive rebuilding project. Setting heavy wooden doors was a complex and time-consuming task, often one of the very last steps. It might have required specific materials, skilled labor, or a strategic moment for installation, perhaps to allow for easier movement of materials and workers 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. The gates were the primary points of access and defense, and without their doors, the city could not be fully secured or controlled. This vulnerability was precisely what Nehemiah's enemies, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, sought to exploit, shifting their strategy from direct assault to cunning attempts to lure Nehemiah outside the safety of the city.

**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 governor of Samaria, a region north of Judah, and held significant political power. Tobiah was an Ammonite official, likely a high-ranking administrator, who had close ties to the Jewish leadership (even marrying into a priestly family) but was deeply hostile to Nehemiah. Geshem was an Arabian chief, representing the Arab tribes to the south and east of Judah. Their opposition stemmed from a combination of political, economic, and ethnic motivations. A strong, fortified Jerusalem threatened their regional influence and control, potentially disrupting trade routes and diminishing their authority. They viewed the re-establishment of a strong 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, as they repeatedly tried to discredit, intimidate, and even assassinate Nehemiah, as seen in [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Plots Against Nehemiah").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah's monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem's physical walls, and the persistent opposition he faced, beautifully foreshadows the greater spiritual work of Christ and the ongoing nature of the spiritual battle. Just as Nehemiah built a physical city, Christ is building His spiritual temple, the Church, composed of living stones ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones of the Spiritual House")). The "no breach left therein" in Jerusalem's wall speaks to the completeness and perfection of Christ's redemptive work; through His sacrifice on the cross, He has fully secured our salvation, leaving no "breach" in our reconciliation with God ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness and Triumph Over Sin")). He is the ultimate "Gate" or "Door" through whom we enter into salvation and find true security ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus as the Gate")). Yet, the detail that the "doors upon the gates" were not yet set up also resonates with the Christian walk: while our salvation is 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 ([Ephesians 6:11](/ephesians/6-11 "Ephesians 6:11 - Put on the Whole Armor of God")). The ultimate security and full completion of God's redemptive plan will only be realized when Christ returns to establish His eternal kingdom, where there will be no more breaches, no more threats, and perfect peace ([Revelation 21:25](/revelation/21-25 "Revelation 21:25 - The Gates of New Jerusalem")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.