Nehemiah 6

Conspiracy Against Nehemiah

1 Now it happened a when Sanballat, Tobiah, 1 Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it b (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates), 2 that Sanballat and 2 Geshem c sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together 3 among the villages in the plain of d Ono." But they e thought to do me harm. 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?" 4 But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner. 5 Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written:
It is reported among the nations, and 4 Geshem says, that you and the Jews plan to rebel; therefore, according to these rumors, you are rebuilding the wall, f that you may be their king.
7 And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, "There is a king in Judah!" Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together. 8 Then I sent to him, saying, "No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart." 9 For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, "Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done."
Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

10 Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, "Let us meet together in the house of God, within the 5 temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you." 11 And I said, "Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!" 12 Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that g he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this reason he was hired, that I should be afraid and act that way and sin, so that they might have cause for an evil report, that they might reproach me. 14 h My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the i prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.

The Wall Is Finished

15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And it happened, j when all our enemies heard of it, and all the nations around us saw these things, that they were very disheartened in their own eyes; for k they perceived that this work was done by our God. 17 Also in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came to them. 18 For many in Judah were pledged to him, because he was the l son-in-law of Shechaniah the son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of m Meshullam the son of Berechiah. 19 Also they reported his good deeds before me, and reported my 6 words to him. Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.

  1. Cross References
    Nehemiah 2:10
    When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.
    Nehemiah 2:19
    But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?
    Nehemiah 4:1
    But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
    Nehemiah 4:7
    Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry.
    Nehemiah 13:28
    And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I drove him from me.
  2. Cross References
    Nehemiah 3:1
    Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel.
    Nehemiah 3:3
    Also the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars.
  3. Cross References
    Proverbs 26:24
    He who hates, disguises it with his lips, And lays up deceit within himself.
    Proverbs 26:25
    When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart.
  4. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 8:12
    The sons of Elpaal were Eber, Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod with its towns.
    Nehemiah 11:35
    In Lod, Ono, and the Valley of Craftsmen.
  5. Cross References
    Psalms 37:12
    The wicked plots against the just, And gnashes at him with his teeth.
    Psalms 37:32
    The wicked watches the righteous, And seeks to slay him.
  6. Cross References
    Nehemiah 2:19
    But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?
  7. Cross References
    Ezekiel 13:22
    Because with lies you have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and you have strengthened the hands of the wicked, so that he does not turn from his wicked way to save his life.
  8. Cross References
    Nehemiah 13:29
    Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.
  9. Cross References
    Ezekiel 13:17
    Likewise, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who prophesy out of their own heart; prophesy against them.
  10. Cross References
    Nehemiah 2:10
    When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.
    Nehemiah 2:20
    So I answered them, and said to them, "The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem.
    Nehemiah 4:1
    But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews.
    Nehemiah 4:7
    Now it happened, when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites heard that the walls of Jerusalem were being restored and the gaps were beginning to be closed, that they became very angry.
    Nehemiah 6:1
    Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates).
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 126:2
    Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them.
  12. Cross References
    Nehemiah 13:4
    Now before this, Eliashib the priest, having authority over the storerooms of the house of our God, was allied with Tobiah.
    Nehemiah 13:28
    And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was a son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite; therefore I drove him from me.
  13. Cross References
    Ezra 10:15
    Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah opposed this, and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite gave them support.
    Nehemiah 3:4
    And next to them Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, made repairs. Next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok the son of Baana made repairs.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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