Nehemiah 6:2

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.

That Sanballat {H5571} and Geshem {H1654} sent {H7971} unto me, saying {H559}, Come {H3212}, let us meet {H3259} together {H3162} in some one of the villages {H3715} in the plain {H1237} of Ono {H207}. But they thought {H2803} to do {H6213} me mischief {H7451}.

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;

Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: β€œCome, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.

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

Commentary

Commentary on Nehemiah 6:2 (KJV)

Nehemiah 6:2 records a pivotal moment in the opposition Nehemiah faced during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. After failed attempts at open ridicule and direct military threats, the adversaries shift their strategy to cunning deception.

Context

By Nehemiah chapter 6, the wall of Jerusalem was nearing completion, presenting a significant threat to the regional power of figures like Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian. These adversaries had previously tried to discourage the workers (see Nehemiah 4:1-3) and conspired to attack Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 4:7-8). With these methods proving ineffective against Nehemiah's steadfast leadership and the people's determination, their tactics evolved. They now proposed a seemingly innocuous meeting in the "plain of Ono," a location strategically far from Jerusalem, about 25 miles northwest, making it a vulnerable spot for Nehemiah.

Key Themes

  • Deception and Cunning Opposition: The verse highlights the shift from overt hostility to subtle, deceptive invitations. The adversaries' true intent was hidden behind a facade of peaceful dialogue. This illustrates that spiritual and physical opposition can come in various forms, not just direct confrontation.
  • Discernment and Wisdom: Nehemiah's immediate understanding of their malevolent intentions ("But they thought to do me mischief") showcases his spiritual discernment and practical wisdom. He was not easily swayed by pleasantries or distractions from his crucial task.
  • Commitment to God's Work: Nehemiah's refusal to meet them, as detailed in the subsequent verse (Nehemiah 6:3), underscores his unwavering focus on the work God had called him to do. He understood that any distraction, even a seemingly minor meeting, could jeopardize the entire project.

Linguistic Insights

The word "mischief" in the KJV text comes from the Hebrew word ra'ah (Χ¨ΦΈΧ’ΦΈΧ”), which carries a strong meaning of "evil," "harm," or "wickedness." It implies not just annoyance but a deliberate intent to inflict serious damage, possibly even death, upon Nehemiah. This reinforces the severity of the plot and Nehemiah's correct assessment of the danger.

Practical Application

This verse offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Beware of Distractions: Just as Nehemiah faced invitations designed to pull him away from his purpose, we too must be vigilant against distractions that can derail our spiritual walk or God-given assignments. Not all invitations are benign; some may be subtle traps.
  • Cultivate Discernment: It is crucial to pray for and develop spiritual discernment to recognize the true intentions behind seemingly innocent proposals or relationships. The enemy often works through subtle schemes (Ephesians 6:11).
  • Stay Focused on Your Calling: Nehemiah's priority was the work of God. Similarly, we are called to prioritize God's will and purpose for our lives, refusing to be sidetracked by those who wish us harm or seek to undermine our efforts.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 8:12

    The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof:

  • Psalms 37:12

    The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

  • Nehemiah 11:35

    Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.

  • Ecclesiastes 4:4

    ΒΆ Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This [is] also vanity and vexation of spirit.

  • Psalms 37:32

    The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him.

  • 2 Samuel 3:27

    And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth [rib], that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

  • Ezekiel 33:31

    And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their covetousness.
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