Nehemiah 6 12

Nehemiah 6:12 kjv

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.

Nehemiah 6:12 nkjv

Then I perceived that God had not sent him at all, but that he pronounced this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Nehemiah 6:12 niv

I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had prophesied against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Nehemiah 6:12 esv

And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Nehemiah 6:12 nlt

I realized that God had not spoken to him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Nehemiah 6 verses

Nehemiah 6 12 Meaning

Nehemiah 6:12 reveals Nehemiah's profound spiritual discernment regarding an attempt to discredit him and hinder God's work. He clearly perceived that Shemaiah, a supposed prophet, was not divinely appointed but was a mercenary agent hired by Nehemiah's adversaries, Tobiah and Sanballat. Shemaiah's pretense of divine warning was a malicious deception designed to incite fear, induce Nehemiah to sin by fleeing into the temple, and thus undermine his leadership and reputation. Nehemiah saw through the religious façade to the true, corrupt motive behind the advice.

Nehemiah 6 12 Context

Nehemiah chapter 6 details the various intensifying plots by Nehemiah's enemies—Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem—to halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall. After direct threats, open letters containing false accusations, and invitations to trap Nehemiah, their tactics escalated to involving supposed religious figures. Shemaiah, one of these, met Nehemiah under the guise of concern for his safety, warning him of an impending assassination attempt and urging him to flee into the temple for refuge (Neh 6:10). This specific advice was a calculated trap: firstly, it would brand Nehemiah a coward, undermining his strong leadership; secondly, by entering the Holy Place, Nehemiah, a non-priest, would desecrate the temple, committing a grave sin (Num 18:7; 2 Chr 26:16-21), thereby disqualifying him from leadership and discrediting his divine mandate for the work. Verse 12 immediately follows Nehemiah's recounting of Shemaiah's "prophecy," revealing Nehemiah's immediate and accurate understanding of the malicious intent and source. This understanding of his enemies' motives demonstrates Nehemiah's sharp spiritual and political astuteness crucial for the success of God's work in a hostile environment.

Nehemiah 6 12 Word analysis

• And I perceived: (וָאֵדַע, va'eida) From the root yada, meaning "to know," but here it carries the sense of deep, intuitive understanding, discernment, or spiritual insight. It implies a recognition that goes beyond mere observation, perhaps aided by divine revelation. Nehemiah "saw through" the deceptive appearance to the true nature of the situation.
• that God: (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim) Refers to the true God of Israel, indicating Nehemiah's standard for discerning authenticity. Shemaiah's message failed this fundamental test.
• had not sent him: (לֹא שְׁלָחוֹ, lo sh'lacho) A direct negation of any divine commission. The core issue of false prophecy is a claim to speak for God when God has not spoken. Nehemiah's assessment was definitive: this was not a divinely inspired messenger.
• but that he had pronounced this prophecy against me: This phrase reflects the purpose and effect of Shemaiah's communication, interpreted by Nehemiah. Shemaiah delivered what appeared to be a divinely given message ("prophecy"), but Nehemiah understood it was directed against him—intended to harm him—rather than to genuinely warn or guide him. The "prophecy" was a weapon.
• because Tobiah and Sanballat: Identifies the true orchestrators of the plot, revealing the deep-seated malice and their readiness to exploit religious figures for political ends.
• had hired him: (שְׂכָרוּהוּ, skaru hu) This Hebrew word unequivocally means "to rent" or "to hire for pay." It exposes the venal, mercenary motive of Shemaiah. His actions were not rooted in conviction or divine prompting but in financial gain, a stark contrast to true prophecy which is driven by God's will, not worldly profit. This mercenary act completely delegitimizes his prophetic claim.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And I perceived that God had not sent him": Highlights Nehemiah's spiritual maturity and reliance on divine discernment. He was able to detect the spiritual source (or lack thereof) behind a seemingly pious warning. This demonstrates a vital trait for leaders in God's service – distinguishing between genuine and counterfeit spiritual influence.
• "but that he had pronounced this prophecy against me": Unmasks the deceptive nature of the attack. What was presented as helpful prophecy was actually a cleverly disguised assault intended to make Nehemiah stumble or sin. It signifies that even spiritual-sounding counsel can be a snare if its intent is malicious.
• "because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him": This clause reveals the true nature of the plot: it was a coordinated attack rooted in earthly malice and monetary corruption. It emphasizes that those who oppose God's work will often use deceit and exploit vulnerable individuals, even those with religious pretense, for their own wicked ends. It underscores that behind many spiritual attacks are earthly, selfish motives.

Nehemiah 6 12 Bonus section

The account in Nehemiah 6:12 highlights that opposition to God's work often evolves in tactics. Initially, it might be open scorn (Neh 4:1-3) or direct military threats (Neh 4:7-8). When these fail, the enemy may resort to psychological warfare, intimidation, or, as seen here, religious deception and bribery. The fact that Tobiah and Sanballat hired a 'prophet' underscores that the adversaries understood the power of spiritual influence and sought to pervert it for their own gain. Shemaiah's very name, possibly meaning "YHWH has heard," adds a layer of bitter irony, as one whose name pointed to God was utterly corrupt. Nehemiah's spiritual sensitivity and strong grasp of biblical law (regarding temple entry) were his bulwarks against falling into the meticulously crafted trap. This narrative serves as a timeless example for believers to always test purported spiritual messages and messengers against Scripture and the known character of God, paying close attention not only to the content of the message but also the motives and fruits of those delivering it.

Nehemiah 6 12 Commentary

Nehemiah 6:12 serves as a powerful testament to the necessity of spiritual discernment, especially in leadership and amidst opposition to God's work. Nehemiah, facing threats from all sides, did not react out of fear or naivety. When a respected figure like Shemaiah offered seemingly spiritual counsel, Nehemiah did not accept it at face value. Instead, through the wisdom or Holy Spirit imparted to him, he recognized the voice was not of God. The phrase "I perceived" denotes a clear, divinely enabled insight into the true spiritual and mercenary nature of Shemaiah's counsel.

This verse reveals a crucial strategy of spiritual warfare: enemies often disguise their malicious intentions under a cloak of piety or concern. The "prophecy" was designed not only to stop the physical rebuilding of the wall but to destroy Nehemiah's moral authority by inducing him to sin (entering the sacred area unlawfully) and to appear cowardly. The underlying motive of greed and opposition to God's work, highlighted by the fact that Tobiah and Sanballat "hired him," strips away any spiritual pretense and exposes the worldly corruption at play. Nehemiah's unswerving resolve, founded on his relationship with God, enabled him to detect the trap, demonstrate integrity, and ultimately persevere in God's will.

Example for practical usage:

• A church leader receives "prophetic words" advising a course of action that seems to compromise biblical principles or encourage sin, perhaps suggesting fear-based decisions rather than faith. Recalling Nehemiah, the leader should critically discern the source and motive, asking, "Is God truly sending this, or is it a calculated attempt to make me or the congregation stumble?"