Nehemiah 6 1

Nehemiah 6:1 kjv

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;)

Nehemiah 6:1 nkjv

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),

Nehemiah 6:1 niv

When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it?though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates?

Nehemiah 6:1 esv

Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),

Nehemiah 6:1 nlt

Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained ? though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates.

Nehemiah 6 verses

Nehemiah 6 1 Meaning

Nehemiah 6:1 signifies a pivotal moment in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall, as it communicates to the enemies that the physical construction work is complete and no breaches remain. Despite this major accomplishment, a critical vulnerability persists: the gate doors have not yet been hung, leaving the city unprotected at its key entry points. This news ignites renewed plots from the adversaries, who recognize that while the wall is structurally sound, the city is not yet secure.

Nehemiah 6 1 Context

Nehemiah 6:1 follows intense periods of external opposition and internal challenges during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. Chapter 4 detailed plots by Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, alongside Nehemiah's leadership in organizing defense and maintaining work. Chapter 5 addressed economic oppression among the Jewish people, which Nehemiah resolved by advocating for justice and challenging usury. By the time of chapter 6, the physical construction of the wall has reached a remarkable near-completion, indicating perseverance through significant adversity. This verse sets the stage for the final, most cunning and concentrated attempts by the adversaries to stop Nehemiah, specifically targeting his person through treachery rather than merely disrupting the work itself.

Nehemiah 6 1 Word analysis

• Now it came to pass: Wayehî (וַיְהִי) - A common Hebrew connective particle indicating sequence, introducing a new stage or event in the narrative. It signals a shift to the next phase of interaction between Nehemiah and his enemies.
• when Sanballat: Sanbal·laṭ (סַנְבַלַּט) - Governor of Samaria, likely of Horonite (Transjordanian) origin. His name is Semitic, possibly Akkadian, Sin-uballit meaning "Sin (the moon god) has given life." He consistently represents the primary political opposition, hostile to Jerusalem's restoration and any threat to his regional influence. His antagonism embodies political and territorial jealousy against the Judeans.
• Tobiah: Ṭōbiyyāh (טוֹבִיָּה) - An Ammonite official, specifically referred to as "the Ammonite slave" (Neh 2:10). Ironically, his name means "Yahweh is good," yet he is a steadfast enemy of Yahweh's work and people. He likely held influence due to intermarriage with Jewish elites (cf. Neh 13:4, 7). His opposition reflects internal treachery and administrative sabotage.
• Geshem the Arab: Geshem ha-ʿArabi (גֶשֶׁם הָעַרְבִי) - An Arabian chieftain, possibly from the Qedarite confederacy, representing the power and interests of southern and eastern desert tribes. His involvement highlights the regional and diverse nature of the opposition against Judah. ʿArabi (Arab) denotes his identity and origin.
• and the rest of our enemies: wĕyeter ʿōyenû (וְיֶתֶר אֹיְבֵינוּ) - Signifies a broader coalition of adversaries, emphasizing that the main figures were not alone in their opposition. ʾōyeb (אוֹיֵב) means "enemy" or "adversary."
• heard: shāmaʿ (שָׁמַע) - "To hear," but often implies "to understand" or "to receive intelligence." This indicates the enemies were well-informed about the progress of the wall.
• that I had rebuilt the wall: nifneṭah (נִפְצָתָה) - Passive form indicating the completion of the work. The wall (ḥômāh, חוֹמָה) symbolizes the identity, security, and separation of God's people. Its restoration signified Judah's re-establishment as a distinct community.
• and that there was no break left in it: wĕlo-nôtar-bô perets (וְלֹא נוֹתַר-בּוֹ פֶרֶץ) - perets (פֶּרֶץ) means a "breach" or "rupture." This emphasizes that the wall was structurally complete, without any vulnerabilities in its main body, a remarkable engineering and communal feat.
• though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates: wĕʿad haʿēth loʾ-hāʿemadĕtî dělāthôt bashĕʿārîm (וְעַד הָעֵת לֹא-הֶעֱמַדְתִּי דְּלָתוֹת בַּשְּׁעָרִים) - This is the crucial detail. The dělāthôt (דְּלָתוֹת), "doors" or "leaves" of the gate, were the final elements for security. shĕʿārîm (שְּׁעָרִים), "gates," were the main access points, vital for defense and commerce. Leaving them unhung rendered the wall’s completion largely superficial in terms of actual protection, creating a strategic weakness the enemies could exploit. This detail also explains their shift from trying to stop the wall's construction to now trying to apprehend Nehemiah himself.
• words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard": This collective hearing signifies their coordinated intelligence gathering and unified, ongoing opposition. Their identity as "our enemies" underscores the spiritual and national conflict.
  • "that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there was no break left in it": This part highlights the successful completion of the main structural work despite their continuous efforts to thwart it. It is a declaration of victory for Nehemiah and Judah, a direct fulfillment of God's purpose through them.
  • "though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates": This critical qualifier reveals a remaining, significant vulnerability. The wall without its fortified gates is like a secure house without locks on its doors. It sets up the next phase of conflict where the enemies exploit this strategic opening.

Nehemiah 6 1 Bonus section

The mention of "the Arab" (Geshem the Arab) here is significant as it shows the growing power and presence of Arab tribes in the region during the Achaemenid Persian period, particularly the Nabataeans, who would later dominate much of Transjordan and northern Arabia. This also illustrates the long-standing geopolitical conflicts faced by God's people in the land. The adversaries’ knowledge of the unhung doors implies an inside source or highly effective reconnaissance. This highlights the ever-present danger of intelligence breaches or betrayal even within one's own community. The near completion but crucial lack of the final element (doors) teaches a vital lesson about the necessity of fully securing God's work, not stopping short. Many efforts fail not in construction, but in protection and preservation due to leaving a key vulnerability.

Nehemiah 6 1 Commentary

Nehemiah 6:1 marks a transition from open conflict to deceptive cunning by Jerusalem's enemies. The report of the wall's completion, lacking only the gates, signifies God's faithfulness in bringing His work to near fruition through His servant Nehemiah, despite persistent opposition. Yet, the incomplete security – the unhung doors – signals a window of vulnerability that the adversaries immediately seize upon. This is a common pattern in spiritual warfare: enemies often intensify their efforts when a significant work of God is nearing completion but not yet fully secured, shifting tactics from direct obstruction to more subtle plots, particularly against the leadership. Nehemiah's constant awareness of both visible and hidden dangers, alongside his reliance on God, would be tested even more in the subsequent verses.