Nehemiah 6:1-9 | The Way of Scripture

Nehemiah 6:1-9

How does Nehemiah respond to repeated attempts to draw him away?

Berean Standard Bible

1 When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates— 2 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. 3 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?” 4 Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.
5 The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter 6 that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, 7 and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.” 8 Then I sent him this reply: “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.” 9 For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands.

What is the context?

The wall’s gaps have been closed, although the gate doors have not yet been installed. Sanballat and Geshem repeatedly invite Nehemiah to a meeting outside Jerusalem. Nehemiah recognizes an intention to harm him and refuses to leave the work.

After four invitations receive the same answer, Sanballat sends an unsealed letter. It alleges that Nehemiah intends to rebel, become king and have prophets proclaim him. Nehemiah denies the allegations as inventions. The account presents the letter as an attempt to frighten the workers into giving up.

Nehemiah answers briefly and turns to God for strength to continue. The passage moves from an invitation that would remove him from the work to an accusation designed to make staying at it appear dangerous.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Henry and Gill understand the invitations and letter as connected efforts to stop the rebuilding. Gill sees the unsealed letter as a way to spread the allegation more widely. Both emphasize Nehemiah’s steady attention to the task and his reliance on God.

The account gives specific reasons for recognizing this plot: the intention to harm him and the accusations he identifies as fabricated. It does not treat every question or criticism of a leader as the same kind of threat.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

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