Nehemiah 6:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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;

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 6:2 records a cunning attempt by Nehemiah's adversaries, Sanballat and Geshem, to lure him away from the critical work of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls under the guise of a peaceful meeting. Their invitation to convene in the remote plain of Ono was, in reality, a deceptive plot designed to inflict harm upon Nehemiah, highlighting the persistent and evolving nature of opposition faced by those committed to God's purposes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a crucial juncture in the book of Nehemiah. Chapters 4 and 5 detail the initial, more overt forms of opposition—ridicule, threats of military attack, and internal economic strife. By Nehemiah 6:1, the wall is reported to be nearly complete, with only the gates remaining to be set. This imminent completion intensifies the desperation of Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, who recognize that a fortified Jerusalem would solidify Judah's autonomy and Nehemiah's leadership, thereby diminishing their regional influence. The shift from open hostility to subtle deception in Nehemiah 6:2 marks an escalation in the adversaries' cunning, immediately followed by Nehemiah's wise refusal in [Nehemiah 6:3](/nehemiah/6-3 "Nehemiah's Refusal to Meet").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events unfold during the post-exilic period, likely in the mid-5th century BC, under the Persian Empire's rule. Sanballat was the governor of Samaria, Tobiah an Ammonite official, and Geshem an Arabian chieftain, all powerful figures in the Trans-Euphrates satrapy who viewed a strong, independent Judah as a threat to their political and economic interests. The "plain of Ono" (modern Kafr 'Ana) was located about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem, near the border between Judah and Samaria. This location was strategically chosen because it was far enough from Jerusalem to isolate Nehemiah from his supporters and the protection of the city, making him vulnerable to ambush, kidnapping, or assassination. Culturally, invitations to "meet together" often carried an expectation of diplomatic dialogue, but in this context, it was a thinly veiled trap, a common tactic in ancient Near Eastern political intrigue.

* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 6:2 powerfully illustrates several enduring themes. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **deception and cunning opposition**, revealing that spiritual and physical adversaries often shift tactics from overt aggression to subtle, seemingly benign invitations when direct confrontation fails. This echoes the biblical understanding of the enemy's "schemes" or "wiles" (as seen in [Ephesians 6:11](/ephesians/6-11 "Ephesians 6:11 - The Whole Armor of God")). Secondly, the verse underscores the critical importance of **discernment and wisdom**. Nehemiah's immediate understanding of their malevolent intentions, despite the seemingly peaceful overture, demonstrates his spiritual insight and practical acumen, a quality consistently praised in wisdom literature (e.g., [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5-6 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord")). Finally, it foreshadows the theme of **unwavering commitment to God's work** as Nehemiah's subsequent refusal (in [Nehemiah 6:3](/nehemiah/6-3 "Nehemiah's Steadfastness")) prioritizes the divine mission over personal safety or political maneuvering.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mischief (Hebrew, _ra'ah'_):** The Hebrew word רָעָה (_ra'ah_) is a broad term that encompasses a spectrum of negative meanings, including "evil," "harm," "wickedness," "calamity," or "adversity." In this context, it signifies a deliberate and malicious intent to inflict serious injury, damage, or even death upon Nehemiah. It's not merely annoyance or distraction, but a deep-seated desire to thwart God's work by eliminating its leader. This word choice underscores the severity of the plot and validates Nehemiah's immediate and decisive rejection of the invitation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together":** This opening clause establishes the source of the invitation—Nehemiah's primary adversaries, Sanballat (governor of Samaria) and Geshem (an Arabian chieftain). Their joint action indicates a coordinated effort. The phrase "Come, let us meet together" presents a seemingly innocuous and diplomatic proposal, suggesting a desire for negotiation or resolution. This is the deceptive facade they present.
* **"in [some one of] the villages in the plain of Ono":** This specifies the proposed meeting location. The "plain of Ono" was a geographical area known for its relative isolation and distance from Jerusalem (approximately 25 miles northwest). The phrase "some one of the villages" suggests a remote, perhaps less populated, area where privacy could be assured, but also where Nehemiah would be vulnerable, far from the safety of the fortified city and his loyal supporters. The choice of location is critical to understanding the underlying malicious intent.
* **"But they thought to do me mischief":** This concluding clause reveals Nehemiah's immediate and accurate discernment of their true intentions. The conjunction "But" signals a stark contrast between the adversaries' stated purpose (a meeting) and their actual motive (to harm him). Nehemiah, by divine insight and practical wisdom, saw through the deceptive invitation, recognizing that their aim was not dialogue but to inflict serious harm, potentially to assassinate him or capture him to stop the rebuilding work. This phrase highlights Nehemiah's vigilance and the spiritual insight God granted him.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is prominent, as the invitation for a "meeting" (implying peace and dialogue) is directly contrasted with the underlying intent "to do me mischief" (implying violence and harm). This creates a tension that highlights the adversaries' duplicity. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between the overt, seemingly benign proposal and the covert, malevolent scheme. Nehemiah's immediate understanding of their true intentions demonstrates his **Discernment**, a key character trait emphasized throughout the book. The verse also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the continued and evolving nature of the opposition Nehemiah will face, including further attempts at deception and intimidation in the subsequent verses of [Nehemiah 6](/nehemiah/6 "Nehemiah 6 - Plots Against Nehemiah").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 6:2 serves as a powerful reminder that opposition to God's work often evolves from overt attacks to subtle, deceptive schemes. Just as Nehemiah faced adversaries who cloaked their malicious intent in seemingly peaceful invitations, believers today must cultivate spiritual discernment to recognize the "wiles of the devil" (as described in [Ephesians 6:11](/ephesians/6-11 "Ephesians 6:11 - The Whole Armor of God")). This discernment is not merely human cleverness but a divine gift, enabling us to see beyond appearances and understand the true nature of spiritual warfare. The steadfastness required to resist such temptations and distractions is rooted in a deep commitment to God's calling, prioritizing His kingdom work above personal comfort or perceived diplomatic necessity.

* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")
* [Matthew 10:16](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Wise as Serpents, Innocent as Doves")
* [2 Corinthians 2:11](/2_corinthians/2-11 "2 Corinthians 2:11 - Not Ignorant of Satan's Devices")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 6:2 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. In a world full of distractions and subtle temptations, we are called to emulate Nehemiah's vigilance and unwavering focus on God's assigned task. Not every open door is a divine invitation; some are cleverly disguised traps designed to pull us away from our purpose, compromise our integrity, or simply waste our precious time and energy. We must constantly pray for and cultivate spiritual discernment, asking God to reveal the true intentions behind seemingly innocent proposals, relationships, or opportunities that might divert us from our ultimate calling. Our commitment to God's work should be so resolute that we are not easily swayed by flattery, fear, or the allure of "peaceful" negotiations that are, in reality, designed to cause "mischief" to our souls or our mission.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "plains of Ono" might the enemy be inviting me to today, attempting to distract me from God's work in my life?**
* **How can I cultivate greater spiritual discernment to recognize subtle deceptions and hidden agendas?**
* **In what areas of my life am I most susceptible to being sidetracked from my God-given priorities?**
* **What steps can I take to strengthen my resolve and remain steadfastly focused on my divine calling, even when faced with cunning opposition?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of the "plain of Ono" as a meeting place?**

Answer: The plain of Ono was strategically significant because of its location. It was approximately 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem, placing it far enough from the city to isolate Nehemiah from his supporters and the protection of the newly fortified walls. This distance and relative remoteness would have made him vulnerable to ambush, kidnapping, or assassination. By luring him to a neutral, isolated territory, Sanballat and Geshem aimed to remove Nehemiah from his stronghold and eliminate him, thereby stopping the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Nehemiah's discernment of this malicious intent was crucial to his survival and the project's completion.

**Who were Sanballat and Geshem, and why were they opposed to Nehemiah?**

Answer: Sanballat the Horonite was the governor of Samaria, and Geshem the Arabian was a powerful chieftain in the region, likely controlling territories to the south and east of Judah. Along with Tobiah the Ammonite, they were regional leaders who viewed the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the re-establishment of a strong, independent Judah under Nehemiah's leadership as a direct threat to their own political and economic interests. A fortified Jerusalem meant a more secure and autonomous Jewish province, which would diminish their control and authority in the Trans-Euphrates satrapy. Their opposition was rooted in a desire to maintain their power and prevent the resurgence of Jewish strength.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah's unwavering focus on God's work and his discernment of the enemy's deceptive schemes powerfully foreshadow the perfect steadfastness and discernment of Jesus Christ. While Nehemiah faced external plots, Jesus, the ultimate builder of God's spiritual temple, encountered cunning temptations and malicious opposition throughout His earthly ministry. Just as Sanballat and Geshem sought to lure Nehemiah to a place of vulnerability, Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, offering Him worldly kingdoms and power if He would deviate from His divine mission ([Matthew 4:8-10](/matthew/4-8-10 "Matthew 4:8-10 - The Temptation of Jesus")). Jesus, like Nehemiah, perfectly discerned the evil intent behind these seemingly appealing offers and remained steadfastly committed to His Father's will. His refusal to be sidetracked, even by the well-intentioned but misguided Peter ([Matthew 16:21-23](/matthew/16-21-23 "Matthew 16:21-23 - Peter Rebukes Jesus")), demonstrates His single-minded devotion to the cross and the salvation it would bring. Ultimately, Nehemiah's commitment to building a physical wall points to Christ's foundational work in building His Church, against which "the gates of hell shall not prevail" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter's Confession and the Church")). Jesus' perfect discernment and triumph over all the "mischief" of the enemy provide the ultimate example and the means for believers to stand firm in their own spiritual battles.

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.

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

¶ 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.