Plots Against Nehemiah and His Steadfastness
Nehemiah 6:1-14
Neh.6.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- נשמע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- לסנבלט: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וטוביה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולגשם: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הערבי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וליתר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- איבינו: NOUN,m,pl,def+PRON,1,pl
- כי: CONJ
- בניתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,com,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- החומה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ולא: CONJ
- נותר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- פרץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גם: ADV
- עד: PREP
- העת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ההיא: DEM,f,sg
- דלתות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- העמדתי: VERB,hiphil,perf,1,m,sg
- בשערים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Ezra 4:1-5 (thematic): Adversaries of Judah and Benjamin hear of rebuilding and oppose or attempt to join then frustrate the work—parallel theme of outside opposition to the wall.
- Nehemiah 4:7-8 (verbal): Same opponents named (Sanballat, Tobiah, Arabs) who mock, plot, and conspire against the builders—close verbal and narrative parallel within the same conflict.
- Nehemiah 6:2 (structural): Immediate continuation of the episode: Sanballat’s invitation (or summons) to meet in the plain—shows the tactics used after hearing the wall was nearly finished.
- Nehemiah 6:16 (thematic): Reports the outcome when surrounding nations heard the wall was finished—the enemies’ reaction confirms the significance of the completed work mentioned in 6:1.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now it came about when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no break left in it—though at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates—
- When it became known to Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and to the rest of our enemies that I had built the wall and that no breach remained in it—though at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates—
Neh.6.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- סנבלט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וגשם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- לכה: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- ונועדה: VERB,qal,cohort,1,?,pl
- יחדו: ADV
- בכפירים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בבקעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,const
- אונו: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והמה: PRON,3,m,pl
- חשבים: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
- לעשות: VERB,qal,inf
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- רעה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Nehemiah 6:3 (structural): Immediate intratextual parallel — Nehemiah's reply refusing to meet because he perceived their intent to harm, continuing the narrative of the same attempt to lure him away.
- Ezra 4:7-16 (thematic): Enemies employ letters and political slander to Persian authorities to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem — parallels Sanballat/Tobiah's use of deceptive tactics and conspiratorial intrigue against the project and its leader.
- Jeremiah 11:18-19 (verbal): Jeremiah describes people devising plots against him ('they devised devices/planned to harm me') — similar language and situation of leaders plotting to ambush a faithful servant or prophet.
- Psalm 55:12-14,20-21 (thematic): The psalm laments treachery by a close companion who 'intended evil' and plotted betrayal — echoes Nehemiah's recognition that an invitation was a trap intended to harm him.
- Proverbs 1:11-12 (thematic): An invitation to join in lying in wait and ambushing the innocent — thematically parallels the offer to 'meet in the plain of Ono' as a potential ambush with malicious intent.
Alternative generated candidates
- that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together at the plain of Ono." But they plotted to do me harm.
- Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, 'Come, let us meet together at the plain of Ono.' But they were devising to do me harm.
Neh.6.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואשלחה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- מלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- מלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- אני: PRON,1,sg
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- אוכל: VERB,qal,part,1,m,sg
- לרדת: VERB,qal,inf
- למה: ADV
- תשבת: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- המלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כאשר: CONJ
- ארפה: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- וירדתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- אליכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
Parallels
- Ezra 4:7-23 (structural): Opponents send letters and official complaints to Persian authorities to frustrate the rebuilding of Jerusalem — the same tactic of external pressure and political intimidation found in Nehemiah's account.
- Nehemiah 6:4 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same episode: enemies repeatedly lure Nehemiah to meetings and attempt to distract or trap him; Nehemiah's refusals here continue the same theme of resisting diversion from the work.
- Psalm 127:1 (thematic): Speaks of building being ultimately dependent on the Lord (’Unless the LORD builds the house...’). Connects to Nehemiah’s concern for the ongoing work and the need not to abandon it.
- Joshua 1:7-9 (thematic): Exhortation to be strong, courageous, and not turn aside from the task God has given — parallels Nehemiah’s determination to persevere and not be drawn away from rebuilding.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 (thematic): Paul’s admonition to be steadfast and immovable in the Lord’s work echoes Nehemiah’s resolve (‘I am doing a great work and cannot come down’) to continue despite opposition.
Alternative generated candidates
- So I sent word to them, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?"
- I sent messengers to them with this reply: 'I am engaged in a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come to you?'
Neh.6.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- פעמים: NOUN,m,du,abs
- ואשיב: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Nehemiah 6:3 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same episode—Nehemiah reports prior messages and gives the same form of refusal ('I am doing a great work; I cannot come down'), showing the repeated pattern of being summoned and replying alike.
- Nehemiah 2:19 (thematic): Same opponents (Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem) using taunts and attempts to derail the rebuilding; both verses show hostile communications aimed at stopping the wall and Nehemiah's determined response.
- Ezra 4:7-16, 23 (verbal): Opponents send written accusations to the Persian court to obstruct the rebuilding of Jerusalem—parallels Neh. 6's motif of adversaries' messages and attempts to hinder the work by correspondence.
- Jeremiah 36:4-32 (thematic): Pattern of repeated communication (writing/reading of a prophetic scroll), reception and official responses; echoes the narrative motif of messages sent, read, and answered amid political opposition to prophetic/administrative action.
Alternative generated candidates
- They sent to me this same message four times, and I answered them in the same way.
- They sent to me in this way four times, and each time I returned the same answer.
Neh.6.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- סנבלט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- פעם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חמישית: NUM,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- נערו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואגרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- פתוחה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- בידו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- Ezra 4:7-16 (structural): Local opponents send a formal letter to the Persian court accusing the Jews and urging that work on the temple/walls be stopped—parallel instance of hostile correspondence to royal authority seeking to halt building projects.
- Nehemiah 6:6-7 (verbal): Immediate continuation of the same episode: the content of the 'open letter' is given here, accusing Nehemiah of insurrection and illustrating the tactic of false charges delivered by messengers.
- Esther 3:12 (thematic): Haman secures and dispatches official letters to the provinces ordering the destruction of the Jews—another example of enemies using written decrees/letters to endanger the Jewish community.
- Daniel 6:8 (thematic): Adversaries petition the king to enact a law forbidding prayer to entrain a faithful official (Daniel), showing the motif of opponents manipulating royal authority via written petitions/requests to neutralize a rival.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Sanballat sent his servant to me a fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.
- Then Sanballat sent his young man to me a fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.
Neh.6.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כתוב: ADJ,ptcp,pass,m,sg
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- בגוים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- נשמע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- וגשמו: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- והיהודים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- חשבים: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
- למרוד: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- בונה: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- החומה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואתה: CONJ+PRON,2,m,sg
- הוה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כדברים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- האלה: DEM,pl
Parallels
- Ezra 4:6-16 (structural): Foreign officials send written accusations to the Persian king to halt work on Jerusalem — same tactic of using letters and charges to stop the rebuilding.
- Ezra 5:6-17 (structural): Further correspondence and formal accusations brought before Persian authorities (Tattenai/Darius) concerning the temple/wall work — parallels the political-legal maneuvering against the builders.
- 1 Kings 21:8-16 (thematic): Jezebel engineers false accusations and letters to eliminate Naboth and seize his vineyard — an analogous use of fabricated charges and official-looking documents to achieve political ends.
- Jeremiah 26:8-11 (thematic): Prophets (and leaders) face charges of sedition and calls for execution based on accusations of plotting against the king/temple — similar pattern of alleging rebellion to discredit and threaten opponents.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it was written in it, "It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says it: ‘You and the Jews are plotting to rebel; therefore you are building the wall, and you would be their king, like these things.’"
- And in it was written, 'It has been reported among the nations, and Geshem declares it:
Neh.6.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- נביאים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- העמדת: VERB,hif,perf,2,m,sg
- לקרא: VERB,qal,infc
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ביהודה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועתה: CONJ
- ישמע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כדברים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ועתה: CONJ
- לכה: VERB,qal,imp,2,f,sg
- ונועצה: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- יחדו: ADV
Parallels
- Ezra 4:6-16 (thematic): Enemies of Judah use royal correspondence and accusations to the Persian king to obstruct Jerusalem’s rebuilding—parallel tactic of using the royal court and false reports to defeat the builders.
- 1 Kings 22:6-28 (thematic): Ahab assembles a council of prophets who proclaim what the king wants to hear while one true prophet opposes them—parallel to setting up prophets to deliver a politically convenient message to influence royal judgment.
- Jeremiah 23:16, 23:30-32 (thematic): Condemnation of false prophets who prophesy lies and mislead the people—the passage resonates with the tactic of establishing prophets to deceive and manipulate political outcomes.
- Nehemiah 6:5 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel in the same episode: adversaries invite Nehemiah to ‘take counsel together’ using false appearances of concern—this verse is part of the same stratagem of staged prophets and meetings.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moreover, you have appointed prophets to proclaim about you at Jerusalem, saying, "There is a king in Judah!" Now the king will hear of these things; therefore come, let us take counsel together.
- Moreover, you have appointed prophets to proclaim about you in Jerusalem, saying, 'There is a king in Judah.' Now the king will hear of these things; therefore come, let us take counsel together.
Neh.6.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואשלחה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- לא: PART_NEG
- נהיה: VERB,niphal,impf,1,pl
- כדברים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- האלה: DEM,pl
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- אומר: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- מלבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- בודאם: VERB,qal,ptcp,2,m,sg+3,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 64:2-6 (thematic): Imagery of enemies secretly plotting and devising evil against the righteous—parallels Nehemiah’s accusation that his opponents are devising things in their hearts.
- Jeremiah 17:10 (verbal): God searches hearts and weighs motives; connects to Nehemiah’s focus on the inner intent (‘from your heart you devise’) as decisive for action and judgment.
- Genesis 6:5 (thematic): Statement that the intent of human hearts is evil continually—echoes the idea that harmful actions originate in inward devising.
- Proverbs 24:8 (verbal): Uses the language of devising plots/evil (מזימות) to characterize wicked counsel—linguistic and conceptual parallel to accusing someone of devising schemes in his heart.
- Matthew 15:19 (thematic): Jesus’ teaching that evil thoughts and intentions spring from the heart and lead to wrongdoing, reflecting the biblical motif that inward intent precedes external harm as in Nehemiah’s charge.
Alternative generated candidates
- I sent him this answer: "It shall not be as you say; for you devise them in your heart."
- I replied to him, 'Nothing of what you say is so; you are inventing it in your heart.'
Neh.6.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- כלם: PRON,3,m,pl
- מיראים: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,pl
- אותנו: PRON,1,pl,acc
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- ירפו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ידיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- המלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ולא: CONJ
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- ועתה: CONJ
- חזק: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- ידי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
Parallels
- Ezra 4:4-5 (thematic): Opponents sought to discourage and frighten the Judean builders so the work would cease—directly parallels the tactic described in Neh 6:9 of intimidating workers so their 'hands' will be weakened.
- Nehemiah 6:3 (structural): Immediate intra-book parallel: Nehemiah refuses to be drawn away from the rebuilding by threats, echoing the same situation of opponents trying to stop the work and Nehemiah's resolve to continue.
- Isaiah 35:3 (verbal): Isaiah urges, 'Strengthen the weak hands,' a close verbal and thematic echo of Nehemiah's plea or declaration, 'strengthen my hands,' centering on divine or communal strengthening amid weakness.
- Isaiah 41:10 (thematic): God's command 'fear not... I will strengthen you' resonates with Nehemiah's appeal for strength in the face of intimidation and fear intended to paralyze the workers.
- Proverbs 24:10 (thematic): Proverbs warns that fainting in adversity shows insufficient strength—paralleling the motif in Neh 6:9 where the enemy hopes the workers' 'hands' will fail under pressure.
Alternative generated candidates
- For they all were trying to intimidate us, saying, "Their hands will slacken in the work, and it will not be done." Now therefore, strengthen my hands.
- For all of them were trying to intimidate us, saying, 'Their hands will grow weak in the work and it will not be done.' Now therefore strengthen my hands.
Neh.6.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- באתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמעיה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דליה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מהיטבאל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- עצור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נועד: VERB,qal,imperfect,cohort,1,_,pl
- אל: NEG
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- תוך: PREP
- ההיכל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ונסגרה: VERB,niphal,perf,3,f,sg
- דלתות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ההיכל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- באים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- להרגך: PREP+VERB,hif,inf+2m-suf
- ולילה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- באים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- להרגך: PREP+VERB,hif,inf+2m-suf
Parallels
- Matthew 26:3-4 (thematic): The Jewish leaders conspire to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him (they say 'not during the feast' / 'by subtlety'), paralleling enemies' night plot to kill Nehemiah and the covert, treacherous nature of the scheme.
- Jeremiah 38:4-6 (thematic): Officials plot to silence and leave Jeremiah to die (they cast him into a cistern), comparable to the conspiratorial attempt to trap and eliminate a prophetic/leadership figure and the violent intent against him.
- 1 Kings 22:24-25 (structural): After Micaiah prophesies against Ahab, he is seized and imprisoned—an example of political/religious leaders using false counsel and coercion to neutralize a truthful spokesman, echoing the attempt to manipulate or endanger Nehemiah via a staged meeting.
- Psalm 55:12-15 (thematic): The psalmist laments friends' betrayal and conspiracies ('they lay snares by day' / 'it is not an enemy who taunted me'), reflecting the motif of trusted associates or insiders plotting treachery and violent ambush (night attacks) similar to Nehemiah’s situation.
Alternative generated candidates
- I went into the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel; and he had shut himself in. He said, "Let us meet in the house of God, inside the sanctuary; and let the doors of the temple be shut, for they will come to kill you by night."
- I went into the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah son of Mehetabel; he had shut himself in, and he said, 'Let us meet together in the house of God, inside the sanctuary; and let the doors of the sanctuary be shut, for they are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.'
Neh.6.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כמוני: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- יברח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ומי: PRON,interr
- כמוני: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יבוא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- ההיכל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וחי: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- אבוא: VERB,qal,impf,1,NA,sg
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 6:6-7 (verbal): Uzzah is struck down for touching the ark—an example of sudden death associated with improper presence in a holy place, echoing the fear that one entering the sanctuary might not live.
- 1 Chronicles 13:9-10 (verbal): Parallel account of Uzzah’s death (as in 2 Sam 6) reinforcing the motif that approaching or handling sacred objects/space can bring lethal judgment—the background for warnings about entering the temple.
- Jeremiah 26:1-15 (thematic): Jeremiah is threatened with death for prophesying in the temple; officials warn that a man who acts/stands in the temple will be put to death—closely parallels the tactic of warning someone that entry into the sanctuary would mean death.
- Ezra 4:4-5 (structural): Opponents use intimidation and false reports to hinder the rebuilding and to make the workers afraid—structurally similar to the attempts in Nehemiah 6 to frighten Nehemiah from coming to the temple/work.
- Acts 21:27-33 (thematic): Paul’s entry into the temple leads to violent accusation and threat to his life from opponents—a New Testament instance where presence in the sacred precinct becomes the occasion for danger and plots against a leader.
Alternative generated candidates
- I said, "Should such a man as I run away? Who, like me, would go into the sanctuary and live? I will not go."
- But I said, 'Should such a man as I flee? And who is there like me who would go into the sanctuary and live? I will not go.'
Neh.6.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואכירה: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- והנה: ADV
- לא: PART_NEG
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- שלחו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- הנבואה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- וטוביה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וסנבלט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שכרו: NOUN,m,sg,suff,3,m
Parallels
- 1 Kings 22:6-28 (thematic): Narrative of Micaiah vs. the king’s court prophets: false/procured prophecy given to please patrons and a true prophet exposed the deception—parallels Nehemiah’s discovery that the prophets were not sent by God but were aligned with Sanballat and Tobiah.
- Jeremiah 23:16-22 (verbal): God repudiates prophets who speak without his commission (‘I did not send them’/‘I have not sent them’), condemning their misleading prophecies—language and theme echo Neh 6:12’s claim that they were not sent by God.
- Ezekiel 13:2-9 (thematic): Condemnation of ‘false prophets’ who see lies and prophesy confidence when there is no word from the Lord; like Nehemiah’s case, these prophets give deceptive assurances and are denounced for not speaking God’s word.
- Deuteronomy 18:20-22 (structural): Legal criterion for discerning true prophecy (if what a prophet predicts does not come to pass, he is not sent by God); provides the background principle by which Nehemiah could judge that the prophecies against him were not from God.
- Jeremiah 28:15-17 (thematic): Hananiah’s false prophecy of imminent relief and Jeremiah’s rebuke that he was not sent by the LORD (and will die for his lie) — a closely parallel episode of a prophet exposed as false and not divinely authorized.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I perceived and understood that God had not sent him, but that he had pronounced the prophecy against me, for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
- Then I perceived and realized that God had not sent him, but that the prophet had uttered this to me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
Neh.6.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- למען: PREP
- שכור: ADJ,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- למען: PREP
- אירא: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ואעשה: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- כן: ADV
- וחטאתי: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- למען: PREP
- יחרפוני: VERB,piel,impf,3,pl,acc:1,sg
Parallels
- Nehemiah 6:9 (structural): Same episode—opponents repeatedly try to intimidate the builders (’make us afraid’) and Nehemiah prays for strength rather than yielding to fear or ceasing the work.
- Psalm 56:11 (Heb. 56:4) (thematic): Expresses the opposite response to fear: trust in God instead of succumbing to fear of men (‘In God I trust; I shall not be afraid’), paralleling Nehemiah’s refusal to give the adversaries a foothold.
- Proverbs 29:25 (thematic): Declares that the fear of man is a snare—the verse highlights the danger of allowing intimidation to lead one into sin or compromise, which is precisely the adversaries’ aim in Nehemiah 6:13.
- Isaiah 8:12–13 (thematic): God’s word warns not to fear conspiracies or the panic stirred by enemies; thematically parallels Nehemiah’s discernment and resistance to fear-driven manipulation.
- Daniel 3:16–18 (thematic): The three youths’ refusal to bow under threat illustrates steadfastness under intimidation to avoid sinful compromise—similar to Nehemiah’s refusal to be frightened into sin or to abandon the rebuilding.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he was hired for this purpose—to make me afraid, that I should do so and sin, and thus they might have an evil report against me to reproach me.
- Indeed he was hired to make me afraid, to make me act so as to sin, and that they might have an evil report to discredit me.
Neh.6.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- זכרה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- לטוביה: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולסנבלט: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כמעשיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,sg(suff)
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- וגם: CONJ
- לנועדיה: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- הנביאה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וליתר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנביאים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מיראים: VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,pl
- אותי: PRON,1,sg,acc
Parallels
- Ezra 4:1-6 (structural): Sanballat and Tobiah are named opponents of the Jerusalem rebuilding in Ezra; the passage records the same adversaries and their organized opposition to the restoration project.
- Nehemiah 6:17-19 (structural): Immediate book-context: later verses describe the nobles' correspondence with Tobiah and his influence, further documenting the same hostile activity and attempts to discredit Nehemiah.
- Psalm 28:4 (verbal): Uses similar language of divine retribution—asking God to 'give them according to their deeds'—paralleling Nehemiah's petition that God remember Tobiah and Sanballat according to their actions.
- Jeremiah 29:24-26 (thematic): Describes a false prophet (Shemaiah) who wrote to discredit Jeremiah and intimidate the faithful; parallels Noadiah and other prophets who sought to intimidate and undermine God's messenger.
Alternative generated candidates
- Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to their deeds; also remember Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who sought to intimidate me.
- Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to their deeds, also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who sought to frighten me.
And it came to pass, when it was heard by Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies, that I had built the wall and there was no breach left in it—yet up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates. And Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, 'Come, let us meet together at the plain of Ono.' But they intended to do me harm. And I sent to them messengers, saying, 'I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?'
They sent to me four times in like manner, and I answered them in the same way.
Then Sanballat sent to me one more time—his servant bearing an open letter in his hand. And in it was written, 'It is reported among the nations, and Geshem says it: “You and the Jews intend to rebel; therefore you are building the wall—so that you may be their king.”' And moreover there were the prophets who proclaimed in Jerusalem, 'There is a king in Judah!' And now it will be reported to the king; so come, and let us take counsel together.' And I sent to him, saying, 'No, such things as you say are not so; but you are devising them in your heart.'
For they all intended to frighten us, saying, 'Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.' Now therefore strengthen my hands.
I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel; and he was shut up. He said, 'Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let the doors of the temple be shut; for they are coming to kill you by night.' And I said, 'Should such a man as I flee? And who is there like me who would go into the temple and live? I will not enter.'
Then I perceived and realized that God had not sent him, but that he had uttered the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
For he was hired for the purpose of frightening me, that I might act wickedly, and that they might have an occasion to reproach me.
Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to their deeds; also remember Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who sought to intimidate me.