BOOK 16 OF 66 · HISTORY · KING JAMES BIBLE

Nehemiah 6

Nehemiah book home•Chapter 6 of 13•19 verses

Chapter overviewAt a glance + deeper study

REVIEWED OVERVIEW

Nehemiah 6 Overview

Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem repeatedly try to pull Nehemiah away from the work, then circulate a false accusation that he plans rebellion and kingship. A hired prophet attempts to frighten him into hiding unlawfully in the temple. Nehemiah refuses the traps, and the wall is completed in fifty-two days despite continuing political connections between Tobiah and some Judean nobles.

NehemiahBook

6Chapter

19Verses

HistoryDivision

Before you read Nehemiah 6

Coming from

Chapter 5 resolved a dangerous internal economic crisis while the wall project continued.

In this chapter

External opponents use distraction, slander, intimidation, and religious deception, but Nehemiah stays on task until the wall is finished.

Leads into

Chapter 7 shifts from construction to securing and organizing the completed city, including guards and a renewed population register.

Key understandingExplore deeper

The enemies’ strategy changes because open intimidation has failed. Ono would remove Nehemiah from Jerusalem; the open letter is designed to spread scandal; Shemaiah’s proposal would compromise Nehemiah by making him act fearfully and improperly in the temple. Discernment is necessary because religious language can be used deceptively.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Truth 1

Not every invitation deserves acceptance; some opportunities are designed to distract from necessary work.

Truth 2

False accusations should not automatically dictate a faithful leader’s agenda.

Truth 3

Religious claims must be tested: Nehemiah rejects a supposed prophetic warning when the proposed action conflicts with his calling and proper conduct.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Connection 1

Deuteronomy 18 gives Israel tests and warnings concerning false prophetic claims.

Connection 2

First Kings 22 shows that religious messages must not be accepted merely because someone speaks confidently in God’s name.

Connection 3

Acts 20:29-31 later warns church leaders that danger can arise through deceptive voices, though Nehemiah’s setting remains civic and covenantal.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep this clear 1

“I am doing a great work” is Nehemiah’s answer in a specific rebuilding mission, not permission to label every personal project too important for accountability.

Keep this clear 2

Do not assume everyone who offers safety or spiritual counsel is trustworthy; the chapter specifically shows a paid deception.

Keep this clear 3

The wall’s fifty-two-day completion is remarkable but should not be turned into a guaranteed timetable for modern projects.

Read Nehemiah 6 watching for…

The repeated invitations to meet in the plain of Ono.

How the open letter changes the pressure tactic.

Nehemiah’s short prayer for strengthened hands.

Why he refuses Shemaiah’s temple proposal.

The significance of completing the wall despite continuing opposition.

Chapter outline5 sections

1-4Sanballat and Geshem repeatedly try to draw Nehemiah away from the work 5-9Sanballat sends an open letter accusing Nehemiah of planning rebellion 10-14A hired prophet tries to frighten Nehemiah into sin, but Nehemiah refuses 15-16The wall is finished in fifty-two days, and the enemies lose confidence 17-19Judah’s nobles keep close ties with Tobiah, who continues trying to frighten Nehemiah

Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)

That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

And I sent messengers unto them, saying, 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?

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

Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;

Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.

And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.

Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.

For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.

Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.

And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.

And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.

So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.

And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about us saw these things, they were much cast down in their own eyes: for they perceived that this work was wrought of our God.

Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.

For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.

Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

STUDY THIS VERSE

Nehemiah 6:16

Back to verse ↑

Cross References

Cross-reference storage is active. This passage does not yet have curated references loaded.

Related TWBC Resources

The Scripture resource graph is active. Sermons, Bible Overviews, courses, questions, and studies can attach here without changing the Bible text.