Nehemiah 6 14

Nehemiah 6:14 kjv

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.

Nehemiah 6:14 nkjv

My God, remember Tobiah and Sanballat, according to these their works, and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who would have made me afraid.

Nehemiah 6:14 niv

Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, my God, because of what they have done; remember also the prophet Noadiah and how she and the rest of the prophets have been trying to intimidate me.

Nehemiah 6:14 esv

Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.

Nehemiah 6:14 nlt

Remember, O my God, all the evil things that Tobiah and Sanballat have done. And remember Noadiah the prophet and all the prophets like her who have tried to intimidate me.

Nehemiah 6 verses

Nehemiah 6 14 Meaning

Nehemiah 6:14 is a prayer by Nehemiah, a heartfelt plea to God to remember and justly recompense his adversaries for their specific evil actions and intentions. It targets both political figures like Tobiah and Sanballat, who continually hindered the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall, and spiritual figures, specifically the prophetess Noadiah and other false prophets, who attempted to instill fear in Nehemiah to undermine the divine work. This is not a personal vendetta but an appeal for God's righteous judgment against those actively opposing His purposes.

Nehemiah 6 14 Context

Nehemiah 6 is a pivotal chapter describing the climax of opposition to the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. For 52 days, Nehemiah had faced continuous pressure from enemies like Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab. Their tactics evolved from ridicule (Ch. 4) and military threat (Ch. 4) to schemes of deception (Ch. 6), false accusations (Ch. 6), and intimidation. Specifically, they tried to lure Nehemiah to meet in Ono for an assassination plot (vv. 2-4), sent an open letter with false accusations of rebellion (vv. 5-7), and finally resorted to hiring false prophets, including Shemaiah (vv. 10-13) and Noadiah, to try to frighten Nehemiah into defiling the temple by seeking refuge there, thereby discrediting him. In this verse (v. 14), with the wall just completed (v. 15), Nehemiah prays for divine remembrance and judgment on all those who maliciously tried to hinder God's work and intimidate His servant.

Nehemiah 6 14 Word analysis

• My God (אֱלֹהַי, ʾElohai): This is a personal and intimate address, demonstrating Nehemiah’s close relationship with and trust in God. It underscores that the work being done is God's work, and the opposition is against God Himself.
• remember (זָכְרָה, zakherah): More than merely recalling to mind, in a biblical context, "remember" often implies actively intervening or taking punitive action based on past actions. Nehemiah is asking God to act justly concerning their deeds.
• Tobiah and Sanballat: These were the chief political adversaries, prominent foreign officials (Sanballat was the governor of Samaria, Tobiah an Ammonite official) who bitterly opposed Jerusalem's restoration out of jealousy and a desire to maintain regional control. Their names represent sustained political and military obstruction.
• according to these their works: This phrase emphasizes the principle of divine justice. God's judgment is not arbitrary but is directly proportional to the malicious deeds and intentions of the adversaries. It is an appeal for righteous recompense.
• and the prophetess Noadiah: The mention of a female prophetess among the adversaries is unique and significant. While genuine prophetesses like Huldah existed (2 Kgs 22:14), Noadiah represents the perversion of a divine office for wicked purposes. Her role, along with other false prophets, was to provide a deceptive "spiritual" dimension to the opposition.
• and the rest of the prophets: This indicates that Noadiah was not isolated but part of a wider network of false prophets operating against Nehemiah. This shows a coordinated spiritual attack intended to undermine God's servant from within or by spiritual manipulation.
• who wanted to make me afraid (הַמַּיְרִיאִם אֹתִי, hammāyrīʾim ʾōṯî): This highlights the specific tactic of these adversaries: intimidation and fear. Their aim was to break Nehemiah's spirit, cause him to falter in his leadership, or compromise his integrity, thereby stopping the work of God. It was psychological warfare.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "My God, remember ... according to these their works": This forms a structured prayer of imprecation. Nehemiah places the matter of justice firmly in God's hands, invoking God's attribute as a righteous judge who repays individuals according to their deeds. This distinguishes it from personal revenge, aligning with God's ultimate sovereignty.
• "Tobiah and Sanballat and the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets": This grouping illustrates the multifaceted nature of the opposition. It was not just external political pressure but also internal spiritual subversion through false religious leaders. This coordinated effort sought to attack Nehemiah on multiple fronts—physical, political, and spiritual.
• "who wanted to make me afraid": This phrase precisely identifies the ultimate goal of the enemies' varied tactics. Whether through false accusations, plots, or fabricated prophecies, their overarching intention was to instill crippling fear, doubt, and despair in Nehemiah, leading him to abandon God's work.

Nehemiah 6 14 Bonus section

The specific inclusion of "prophetess Noadiah" indicates the diverse methods and agents of spiritual attack. Unlike other historical mentions of prophets, this case highlights a professional class of deceivers, emphasizing the malicious and concerted nature of the spiritual opposition. Such spiritual deception often seeks to instill doubt or fear by using "divine" authority. The battle against Nehemiah was a spiritual battle against the very plan of God, reflected in his appeal for God's divine remembrance, which in the Old Testament often carries the connotation of God's active, intervening judgment. Nehemiah understood that his fight was not merely against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness. This verse reminds believers that true ministry often provokes spiritual resistance that can manifest through both political and religious means.

Nehemiah 6 14 Commentary

Nehemiah 6:14 serves as a powerful expression of spiritual resilience and dependence on God in the face of intense opposition. It reveals Nehemiah's discernment, not only recognizing the earthly enemies but also perceiving the spiritual warfare behind their actions. His prayer is a model of imprecatory prayer within its biblical context—a righteous appeal for divine justice against those who intentionally oppose God's redemptive purposes, rather than a vengeful outburst. It underscores that hindering God's work, whether through political maneuvering or spiritual deception, will face divine accountability. The mention of Noadiah highlights the grave danger of false prophecy and the corruption of spiritual gifts when used for personal gain or to thwart God’s will. This prayer is an affirmation of Nehemiah's unwavering trust that God is just and will bring recompense to those who actively persecute His servants and oppose His kingdom. It reminds us that reliance on God’s sovereign hand provides strength and peace when faced with malicious intent, and it calls for righteous judgment on those who distort truth to cause fear or thwart divine endeavors.