What is the context?
The wall is completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, after fifty-two days. The surrounding nations lose confidence because they recognize that the work has been accomplished with God’s help.
The completion does not end every source of pressure. Nobles in Judah exchange letters with Tobiah, and many are bound to him by oath through family connections. They praise him to Nehemiah and report Nehemiah’s words back to him.
Tobiah continues sending letters to intimidate Nehemiah. The passage sets a completed wall beside relationships within the community that still give an opponent influence.
How is this passage commonly understood?
Henry and Gill emphasize God’s help in completing the wall despite sustained opposition. They also notice the continuing danger from those within Judah who favor Tobiah. Success in the building work has exposed the opponents’ failure without bringing every divided loyalty to an end.
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.