Nehemiah 6:1-7:78

Conspiracy Against Nehemiah

1 Now when a Sanballat and Tobiah and b Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it ( c although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of d Ono." But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?" 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, "It is reported among the nations, and Geshem 1 also says it, that you and e the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, 'There is a king in Judah.' And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together." 8 Then I sent to him, saying, "No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind." 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, "Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done." But now, O God, 2 strengthen my hands.

10 Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was f confined to his home, he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night." 11 But I said, "Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? 3 I will not go in." 12 And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, g but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. 14 h Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also i the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.

The Wall Is Finished

15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And j when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, k for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. 17 Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah's letters came to them. 18 For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of l Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of m Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife. 19 Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.

Nehemiah 7

1 Now when the wall had been built n and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 I gave o my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of p the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was q a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. 3 And I said to them, "Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes." 4 The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt.

Lists of Returned Exiles

5 Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of r those who came up at the first, and I found written in it:

6 s These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town.

7 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, t Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel: 8 the sons of Parosh, 2,172. 9 The sons of Shephatiah, 372. 10 The sons of Arah, u 652. 11 The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. 12 The sons of v Elam, 1,254. 13 The sons of Zattu, 845. 14 The sons of Zaccai, 760. 15 The sons of w Binnui, 648. 16 The sons of Bebai, 628. 17 The sons of Azgad, 2,322. 18 The sons of Adonikam, 667. 19 The sons of Bigvai, 2,067. 20 The sons of Adin, 655. 21 The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98. 22 The sons of Hashum, 328. 23 The sons of x Bezai, 324. 24 The sons of Hariph, 112. 25 The sons of y Gibeon, 95. 26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188. 27 The men of Anathoth, 128. 28 The men z of Beth-azmaveth, 42. 29 The men of a Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. 30 The men of Ramah and Geba, 621. 31 The men of Michmas, 122. 32 The men of Bethel and Ai, 123. 33 The men of the other Nebo, 52. 34 The sons of b the other Elam, 1,254. 35 The sons of Harim, 320. 36 The sons of Jericho, 345. 37 The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721. 38 The sons of Senaah, 3,930.

39 The priests: the sons of c Jedaiah, namely the house of Jeshua, 973. 40 The sons of d Immer, 1,052. 41 The sons of e Pashhur, 1,247. 42 The sons of f Harim, 1,017.

43 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of g Hodevah, 74. 44 The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148. 45 The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, 138.

46 The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, 47 the sons of Keros, the sons of h Sia, the sons of Padon, 48 the sons of Lebana, the sons of i Hagaba, the sons of i Shalmai, 49 the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, 50 the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, 51 the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, 52 the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of j Nephushesim, 53 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 54 the sons of k Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 55 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, 56 the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha.

57 The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of l Perida, 58 the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 59 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of m Amon.

60 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392.

61 n The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, o Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove their fathers' houses nor their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: 62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642. 63 Also, of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). 64 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65 p The q governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise.

Totals of People and Gifts

66 The whole assembly together was 42,360, 67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337. And they had 245 singers, male and female. 68 Their horses were 736, their mules 245, 4 69 their camels 435, and their donkeys 6,720.

70 Now some of the heads of fathers' houses gave to the work. The q governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics 5 of gold, 50 basins, 30 priests' garments and 500 minas 6 of silver. 7 71 And some of the heads of fathers' houses gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. 72 r And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests' garments.

73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel, lived in their towns. s And when the seventh month had come, the people of Israel were in their towns.

  1. Cross References
    Nehemiah 2:10
    But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.
    Nehemiah 2:19
    But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?
    Nehemiah 4:1
    Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews.
    Nehemiah 4:7
    But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry.
  2. Cross References
    Nehemiah 6:6
    In it was written, "It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king.
  3. Cross References
    Nehemiah 3:1
    Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel.
    Nehemiah 3:3
    The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
  4. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 8:12
    The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod with its towns.
  5. Cross References
    Nehemiah 2:19
    But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?
  6. Cross References
    Jeremiah 36:5
    And Jeremiah ordered Baruch, saying, "I am banned from going to the house of the Lord.
  7. Cross References
    Ezekiel 13:17
    And you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own minds. Prophesy against them
    Ezekiel 13:22
    Because you have disheartened the righteous falsely, although I have not grieved him, and you have encouraged the wicked, that he should not turn from his evil way to save his life.
  8. Cross References
    Nehemiah 13:29
    Remember them, O my God, because they have desecrated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.
  9. Cross References
    Ezekiel 13:17
    And you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own minds. Prophesy against them
  10. Cross References
    Nehemiah 2:10
    But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant heard this, it displeased them greatly that someone had come to seek the welfare of the people of Israel.
    Nehemiah 4:1
    Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he jeered at the Jews.
    Nehemiah 4:7
    But when Sanballat and Tobiah and the Arabs and the Ammonites and the Ashdodites heard that the repairing of the walls of Jerusalem was going forward and that the breaches were beginning to be closed, they were very angry.
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 126:2
    Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things for them.
  12. Cross References
    Ezra 2:5
    The sons of Arah, 775.
  13. Cross References
    Ezra 8:16
    Then I sent for Eliezer, Ariel, Shemaiah, Elnathan, Jarib, Elnathan, Nathan, Zechariah, and Meshullam, leading men, and for Joiarib and Elnathan, who were men of insight.
  14. Cross References
    Nehemiah 6:1
    Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it ( although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates).
  15. Cross References
    Nehemiah 1:2
    That Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem.
  16. Cross References
    Nehemiah 2:8
    And a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy." And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.
  17. Cross References
    Nehemiah 13:13
    And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, and as their assistant Hanan the son of Zaccur, son of Mattaniah, for they were considered reliable, and their duty was to distribute to their brothers.
  18. Cross References
    Ezra 1:11
    All the vessels of gold and of silver were 5,400. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up, when the exiles were brought up from Babylonia to Jerusalem.
  19. Cross References
    Nehemiah 7:6 - 73
    These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town.
    Ezra 2:1 - 70
    Now these were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried captive to Babylonia. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town.
  20. Cross References
    Ezra 2:2
    They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, and Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
  21. Cross References
    Ezra 2:5
    The sons of Arah, 775.
  22. Cross References
    Nehemiah 7:34
    The sons of the other Elam, 1,254.
  23. Cross References
    Ezra 2:10
    The sons of Bani, 642.
  24. Cross References
    Ezra 2:17
    The sons of Bezai, 323.
  25. Cross References
    Ezra 2:20
    The sons of Gibbar, 95.
  26. Cross References
    Ezra 2:24
    The sons of Azmaveth, 42.
  27. Cross References
    Ezra 2:25
    The sons of Kiriath-arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743.
  28. Cross References
    Nehemiah 7:12
    The sons of Elam, 1,254.
  29. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 9:10
    Of the priests: Jedaiah, Jehoiarib, Jachin.
    1 Chronicles 24:7
    The first lot fell to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah.
  30. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 9:12
    And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah, and Maasai the son of Adiel, son of Jahzerah, son of Meshullam, son of Meshillemith, son of Immer.
    1 Chronicles 24:14
    The fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer.
  31. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 9:12
    And Adaiah the son of Jeroham, son of Pashhur, son of Malchijah, and Maasai the son of Adiel, son of Jahzerah, son of Meshullam, son of Meshillemith, son of Immer.
  32. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 24:8
    The third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim.
  33. Cross References
    Ezra 2:40
    The Levites: the sons of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the sons of Hodaviah, 74.
    Ezra 3:9
    And Jeshua with his sons and his brothers, and Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together supervised the workmen in the house of God, along with the sons of Henadad and the Levites, their sons and brothers.
  34. Cross References
    Ezra 2:44
    The sons of Keros, the sons of Siaha, the sons of Padon.
  35. Cross References
    Ezra 2:46
    The sons of Hagab, the sons of Shamlai, the sons of Hanan.
  36. Cross References
    Ezra 2:46
    The sons of Hagab, the sons of Shamlai, the sons of Hanan.
  37. Cross References
    Ezra 2:50
    The sons of Asnah, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephisim.
  38. Cross References
    Ezra 2:52
    The sons of Bazluth, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha.
  39. Cross References
    Ezra 2:55
    The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Hassophereth, the sons of Peruda.
  40. Cross References
    Ezra 2:57
    The sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, and the sons of Ami.
  41. Cross References
    Ezra 2:59
    The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, though they could not prove their fathers' houses or their descent, whether they belonged to Israel:
  42. Cross References
    Ezra 2:59
    The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer, though they could not prove their fathers' houses or their descent, whether they belonged to Israel:
  43. Cross References
    Ezra 2:63
    The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food, until there should be a priest to consult Urim and Thummim.
  44. Cross References
    Nehemiah 8:9
    And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.
    Nehemiah 10:1
    On the seals are the names of Nehemiah the governor, the son of Hacaliah, Zedekiah.
  45. Cross References
    Nehemiah 7:65
    The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise.
  46. Cross References
    Ezra 2:69
    According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work 61,000 darics of gold, 5,000 minas of silver, and 100 priests' garments.
  47. Cross References
    Ezra 3:1
    When the seventh month came, and the children of Israel were in the towns, the people gathered as one man to Jerusalem.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.