Nehemiah 6 11

Nehemiah 6:11 kjv

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.

Nehemiah 6:11 nkjv

And I said, "Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!"

Nehemiah 6:11 niv

But I said, "Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!"

Nehemiah 6:11 esv

But I said, "Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in."

Nehemiah 6:11 nlt

But I replied, "Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won't do it!"

Nehemiah 6 verses

Nehemiah 6 11 Meaning

Nehemiah 6:11 reveals Nehemiah's resolute rejection of a fear-based and law-breaking proposition designed to discredit him. Faced with the deceptive counsel to seek refuge in the sacred Temple—an act forbidden to him as a non-priest—Nehemiah emphatically declares his refusal to flee or to compromise God's holy law, thereby upholding his integrity, demonstrating courage, and trusting in divine protection rather than a false sense of security. His words underscore a leader's responsibility to remain steadfast in their calling, prioritizing obedience to God above personal safety or public opinion.

Nehemiah 6 11 Context

Nehemiah 6:11 marks a critical point in the escalating opposition Nehemiah faces during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall. His adversaries—Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem—had attempted various tactics: mocking, forming conspiracies, threatening military action, spreading rumors of rebellion, and luring Nehemiah into a dangerous meeting on the plain of Ono (Neh 6:1-9). When these overt strategies failed, they resorted to psychological warfare and spiritual deception, employing a seemingly respected prophet, Shemaiah, to plant fear and induce a morally compromising act.

In this verse, Nehemiah directly responds to Shemaiah's false "prophecy" (Neh 6:10). Shemaiah, confined to his house (possibly feigning spiritual revelation or self-imposed isolation for credibility), advises Nehemiah that enemies are coming to kill him that very night and suggests he save himself by hiding in the heikal (the inner sanctuary) of the Temple, even locking the doors. Nehemiah's reply in verse 11 is his immediate and forceful rejection of this treacherous counsel.

Historically, the Temple in Jerusalem was the consecrated dwelling place of God, governed by strict laws concerning access. Only priests could enter the holy place, and only the High Priest the Most Holy Place, and only at specified times. For Nehemiah, a governor and not a priest, to enter the Temple's holy section would be an act of sacrilege, defying divine law, disrespecting the sanctity of God's house, and mimicking the sin of King Uzziah (2 Chr 26). Such an act would provide his enemies with undeniable grounds to accuse him of defiling the Temple and betraying God, thus discrediting his divinely appointed leadership and potentially stopping the wall's construction.

Nehemiah 6 11 Word analysis

• And I said, "Should such a man as I flee?"

  • אֲנִי (ani): "I." This Hebrew pronoun is emphatic. Nehemiah asserts his personal identity and God-given position. It contrasts with "any other man"; he is not just "any other man" but God's appointed leader.
  • כָּזֶה (kazeh): "such a man," or "like this." Refers to his standing, reputation, and divine commission. It emphasizes his position as a leader entrusted by God, a non-combatant, and one protected by divine providence.
  • אֲבֹרֵחַ (avoreach): "flee," or "should flee." This is a rhetorical question that functions as a strong negation. It challenges the idea of retreating from one's divine assignment, implying cowardice and abandonment of duty. For a leader in his position, fleeing would imply guilt, fear, and a lack of trust in God.

• "And who is there that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!"

  • וּמִי (u'mi): "and who," or "and who is there." Another rhetorical question, asserting the illogicality and impropriety of the suggestion.
  • יָבוֹא (yavo): "would go in," or "enter." Refers to the physical act of entering a sacred space.
  • אֶל הַהֵיכָל (el haheichal): "into the temple," or specifically, "into the sanctuary/holy place." הֵיכָל (heichal) denotes the main part of the Temple, the holy place where priests performed their daily duties. For a layman, entering this area was a grave offense against divine law (Num 3:10, 18:7), punishable by death. It signifies compromising spiritual integrity for perceived physical safety.
  • וָחָי (vachai): "and live," or "so that he might save his life." This phrase presents the deceptive rationale. Shemaiah presents entering the Temple as a way to preserve life, but for Nehemiah, it would mean spiritual death through disobedience. Nehemiah recognizes that true life and security come from obedience, not compromise.
  • לֹא אָבוֹא (lo avo): "I will not go in!" An absolute, firm, and decisive negation. This emphatic declaration shuts down any further discussion or temptation. It signifies unwavering commitment to God's law and mission, prioritizing obedience above self-preservation. It is a declaration of his conviction and integrity.

Nehemiah 6 11 Bonus section

The immediate danger for Nehemiah wasn't primarily a physical attack within the Temple walls, but the far greater threat of being discredited as a leader. If Nehemiah, the one leading the revival, broke God's explicit law regarding Temple entry, his credibility would be destroyed, the wall-building would lose its spiritual mandate, and the people's trust in his divine appointment would evaporate. His enemies would then have ammunition to say he was not serving God but was just a self-interested individual. Shemaiah, having been bribed (Neh 6:12), likely framed his "prophecy" to exploit a common human weakness: the fear of death and the desire for survival. However, Nehemiah correctly perceived the trap not just as a physical one, but a spiritual and reputational one that aimed to sabotage God's work by corrupting His chosen instrument. Nehemiah's strength derived from his theological clarity: God does not command or condone sin as a means to achieve safety or success. His answer therefore was a triumph of discernment and devotion.

Nehemiah 6 11 Commentary

Nehemiah 6:11 encapsulates the essence of spiritual leadership, integrity, and discerning divine truth from human manipulation. Shemaiah’s "prophecy" was a sophisticated trap, not merely an offer of refuge. Its goal was multifaceted: to cause Nehemiah to break Mosaic Law by illegally entering the Temple, thereby discrediting him as God's chosen leader; to induce fear, making him abandon his mission; and to establish him as a coward in the eyes of the people, demoralizing them. Nehemiah’s powerful retort stems from several deep convictions: his self-awareness of his God-given stature and calling ("such a man as I"); his understanding of God's law and the sanctity of the Temple ("go into the Temple"); his discernment that physical safety gained through disobedience is a false security that jeopardizes spiritual life and witness ("to save his life"); and his unwavering trust in God’s protection, which removes the need for cowardly acts. His final "I will not go in!" is a definitive rejection of fear, compromise, and sin. This verse serves as a timeless example of courage, wisdom, and steadfast obedience to God's commands in the face of immense pressure and deception, highlighting that true leadership means unwavering devotion to righteousness, even when it appears perilous.