Nehemiah 6:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Yet they sent {H7971} unto me four {H702} times {H6471} after this sort {H1697}; and I answered {H7725} them after the same manner {H1697}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They kept sending this sort of message to me - four times - and I answered them the same way.

Berean Standard Bible

Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 6:4 powerfully illustrates the relentless and deceptive opposition faced by Nehemiah during the critical rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, and his unwavering, discerning commitment to his divinely appointed mission. Despite repeated attempts by his adversaries to distract, intimidate, and harm him, Nehemiah consistently refused to be diverted, prioritizing the "great work" of God above all personal concerns or political machinations. This verse underscores the spiritual nature of the conflict and the essential virtue of steadfastness in the face of persistent adversity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in the book of Nehemiah, specifically within a series of escalating threats and deceptions orchestrated by Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem. Chapters 4 and 5 detail the initial ridicule, threats of violence, and internal economic strife that Nehemiah skillfully navigated. Chapter 6 opens with the enemies' shift in strategy from overt confrontation to cunning deception. In [Nehemiah 6:1-3](/nehemiah/6-1-3 "Nehemiah 6:1-3 - The Deceptive Invitation to Ono"), they invite Nehemiah to a meeting in the plain of Ono, ostensibly for discussion, but with the stated malicious intent to "do me mischief." Nehemiah, discerning their true motives, famously responds, "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?" Nehemiah 6:4 reveals that this was not a one-off attempt but a sustained campaign of psychological warfare, with the enemies sending the same deceptive invitation four times, each time met with Nehemiah's identical, resolute refusal. This repetition highlights the intensity of the spiritual battle and Nehemiah's unshakeable resolve as the wall nears completion ([Nehemiah 6:15](/nehemiah/6-15 "Nehemiah 6:15 - The Wall Completed")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Nehemiah unfold around 445 BC, during the Persian Empire's dominion over the former Judean kingdom. Nehemiah, a high-ranking cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I, received royal permission and resources to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls, which had lain in ruins since the Babylonian destruction in 586 BC. This task was not merely architectural; it was deeply symbolic, representing the restoration of Israel's national identity, security, and covenant faithfulness. The primary adversaries—Sanballat, the governor of Samaria; Tobiah, an Ammonite official; and Geshem, an Arabian chieftain—were powerful regional figures whose influence and control over Judea were threatened by a strong, fortified Jerusalem. Their opposition stemmed from political ambition, economic interests, and likely religious animosity towards the returning Jewish community. The plain of Ono, located northwest of Jerusalem, was a strategic choice for a meeting: it was remote, providing an isolated setting for an ambush, and far enough from the city to draw Nehemiah away from the protective presence of his people and the ongoing work.
* **Key Themes:** Nehemiah 6:4 encapsulates several profound themes central to the book and applicable to the life of faith. Firstly, it vividly portrays **Persistent Opposition** to God's work. The "four times" underscores the relentless, unyielding nature of the enemy's efforts to thwart divine purposes, illustrating that spiritual and divinely appointed endeavors often attract sustained and varied forms of resistance. Secondly, Nehemiah's consistent response highlights **Unwavering Focus and Steadfastness**. His refusal to be distracted, even by seemingly reasonable invitations, demonstrates a singular devotion to the "great work" God had called him to. This steadfastness is a crucial virtue for those engaged in ministry or pursuing God's will, echoing the biblical call to be "[steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord](/1_corinthians/15-58 "1 Corinthians 15:58 - Steadfastness in the Lord's Work")". Thirdly, the verse showcases **Wisdom and Discernment**. Nehemiah's ability to see through the deceptive facade of the enemies' invitations was not mere stubbornness but a profound spiritual insight into their malicious intent. This discernment allowed him to avoid their traps and protect the integrity of the rebuilding effort, demonstrating the importance of being "[shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves](/matthew/10-16 "Matthew 10:16 - Be Shrewd as Snakes and Innocent as Doves")" in navigating a hostile world.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **four (Hebrew, _ʼarbaʻ'_):** This word, H702, denotes the specific quantity of four. Its use here emphasizes the *multiplicity* and *repetition* of the adversaries' attempts. It's not a single, isolated incident but a deliberate, sustained campaign of psychological pressure, highlighting the persistent nature of the opposition Nehemiah faced.
* **times (Hebrew, _paʻam'_):** H6471, meaning "a stroke" or "time," indicates distinct instances or occurrences. When combined with "four," it underscores the sequential and deliberate nature of the enemy's efforts. Each "time" represents a renewed attempt to divert Nehemiah, revealing their determination and the prolonged nature of the spiritual conflict.
* **manner (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** H1697, a versatile word meaning "word," "matter," or "thing," is used here to describe the *nature* or *method* of communication. "After this sort" refers to the deceptive and malicious nature of the enemies' invitations, while "after the same manner" highlights Nehemiah's consistent, identical refusal, signifying his unwavering resolve and clear discernment of their true intentions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort;":** This clause reveals the relentless and strategic nature of the opposition Nehemiah faced. The adversaries, having failed with overt threats, shifted to a cunning, deceptive tactic: repeated invitations to a meeting in Ono. The specific number "four times" emphasizes their persistence and determination to wear Nehemiah down, exhaust his resolve, or create an opportunity for ambush. The phrase "after this sort" confirms that each of these four attempts carried the same underlying malicious intent, despite their outward appearance of diplomacy or negotiation.
* **"and I answered them after the same manner.":** This clause highlights Nehemiah's remarkable consistency, spiritual discernment, and unwavering resolve. His response was not a varied negotiation or a hesitant refusal, but an identical, firm rejection based on his clear understanding of their true motives and his steadfast commitment to the "great work" of rebuilding the walls. It demonstrates his spiritual wisdom in prioritizing God's mission above all else, refusing to be drawn into a trap that would halt the crucial rebuilding effort.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 6:4 is **Repetition**. The phrases "four times" and "after the same manner" are central to this. The numerical repetition of the enemy's attempts ("four times") emphasizes their relentless persistence and the intensity of the psychological warfare. This is mirrored by the repetition of Nehemiah's response ("after the same manner"), which underscores his unwavering steadfastness and consistent discernment. Furthermore, there is a clear **Contrast** established: the persistent, deceptive, and malicious actions of the adversaries are set against Nehemiah's consistent, discerning, and righteous refusal. This contrast highlights the spiritual battle between those who seek to hinder God's purposes and those who are committed to fulfilling them. The entire narrative of the wall's rebuilding, and Nehemiah's resistance to diversion, also functions as **Symbolism**, representing the ongoing spiritual warfare faced by believers as they endeavor to advance God's kingdom, often encountering opposition disguised as opportunities or necessities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 6:4 offers profound theological insights into the nature of spiritual warfare and the character required for faithful service. It affirms that those engaged in God's work will inevitably face persistent, often cunning, opposition from forces that seek to derail divine purposes. This opposition is not merely human but has a spiritual dimension, aiming to distract, discourage, or destroy the work of the Kingdom. Nehemiah's response serves as a powerful model of discernment, unwavering focus, and steadfastness, demonstrating that prioritizing God's call and maintaining integrity are essential for overcoming such challenges. His refusal to be drawn away from the "great work" underscores the importance of guarding one's calling and resisting diversions, no matter how subtly they are presented.

* [Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare Against Powers of Darkness")
* [Galatians 6:9](/galatians/6-9 "Galatians 6:9 - Do Not Grow Weary in Doing Good")
* [James 1:12](/james/1-12 "James 1:12 - Blessed is the One Who Perseveres Under Trial")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 6:4 provides timeless lessons for believers navigating the complexities of modern life and ministry. We, too, are often faced with "four times" or more of persistent attempts to pull us away from our core responsibilities, whether spiritual, professional, or personal. These distractions can come in many forms: tempting offers, seemingly urgent but ultimately unproductive tasks, subtle criticisms, or even well-intentioned but misdirected advice. Like Nehemiah, it is crucial for us to cultivate spiritual discernment to recognize the true motives behind such diversions and to understand their potential to halt the "great work" God has called us to. This requires a clear understanding of our God-given priorities, a steadfast commitment to them, and the courage to consistently say "no" to anything that compromises our devotion. Our unwavering focus and consistent response, rooted in prayer and reliance on God, become a powerful testimony to our faith and a bulwark against the enemy's schemes, enabling us to persevere and complete the tasks entrusted to us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "great work" has God called you to, and how are you actively protecting it from diversions and distractions?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need greater spiritual discernment to recognize hidden motives or deceptive invitations?**
* **How can you cultivate Nehemiah's unwavering consistency and steadfastness in your commitment to God's will, even when faced with persistent opposition?**
* **What specific steps can you take to identify and resist the "four times" of distraction that attempt to pull you away from your priorities?**

### FAQ
**Why did Nehemiah's enemies persist despite his clear refusal?**

Answer: Nehemiah's enemies, Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, were driven by deep-seated political and personal animosity. Their goal was not genuine negotiation but to disrupt, intimidate, and ultimately harm Nehemiah, thereby halting the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. They persisted because they believed that repeated attempts, even if initially rebuffed, might eventually wear Nehemiah down, expose him to danger, or create an opportunity for their malicious plans to succeed. Their persistence underscores the relentless nature of opposition to God's work, which often employs various tactics until a weakness is found or the target is diverted.

**What does "after this sort" and "after the same manner" imply about the communication?**

Answer: The phrase "after this sort" (or "in this manner") refers to the *nature* of the enemies' repeated invitation to meet in the plain of Ono. As revealed in [Nehemiah 6:2](/nehemiah/6-2 "Nehemiah 6:2 - Their Malicious Intent"), their intent was to "do me mischief" (to harm him). So, "after this sort" implies that each of the four invitations carried the same deceptive facade and malicious intent. Conversely, "after the same manner" describes Nehemiah's consistent, unwavering response. It means he gave them the identical refusal each time, based on his clear discernment of their true intentions and his firm commitment to the "great work" he was doing ([Nehemiah 6:3](/nehemiah/6-3 "Nehemiah 6:3 - Nehemiah's Refusal")). This highlights his steadfastness and refusal to be swayed or distracted.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah's steadfastness in the face of persistent, deceptive opposition powerfully foreshadows the ultimate unwavering focus of Jesus Christ on His redemptive mission. Just as Nehemiah refused to be diverted from building the physical walls of Jerusalem, Christ, the true Builder, consistently rejected every attempt to pull Him away from His divine task of building His spiritual [church, against which the gates of hell shall not prevail](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter's Confession and the Church"). From the wilderness temptations where He rebuffed Satan's cunning offers to divert Him from the Father's will ([Matthew 4:1-11](/matthew/4-1-11 "Matthew 4:1-11 - The Temptation of Jesus")), to His resolute journey towards Jerusalem and the cross despite the pleas of His disciples ([Mark 8:31-33](/mark/8-31-33 "Mark 8:31-33 - Jesus Predicts His Death")), Jesus maintained an unparalleled focus. His discernment of the true nature of opposition, whether from religious leaders or the "prince of this world" ([John 14:30](/john/14-30 "John 14:30 - The Prince of This World")), allowed Him to consistently answer "after the same manner" – with unwavering obedience to God's will. Ultimately, Nehemiah's commitment to a temporary physical structure points to Christ's perfect and complete fulfillment of God's eternal plan, culminating in His sacrifice as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), a mission from which He could not be, and was not, diverted.

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

Galatians 2:5

To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Proverbs 7:21

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

Proverbs 14:15

¶ The simple believeth every word: but the prudent [man] looketh well to his going.

1 Corinthians 15:58

¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Luke 18:5

Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

Judges 16:10

And Delilah said unto Samson, Behold, thou hast mocked me, and told me lies: now tell me, I pray thee, wherewith thou mightest be bound.

Judges 16:15

And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart [is] not with me? thou hast mocked me these three times, and hast not told me wherein thy great strength [lieth].