Nehemiah 6 4

Nehemiah 6:4 kjv

Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.

Nehemiah 6:4 nkjv

But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.

Nehemiah 6:4 niv

Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.

Nehemiah 6:4 esv

And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner.

Nehemiah 6:4 nlt

Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.

Nehemiah 6 verses

Nehemiah 6 4 Meaning

Nehemiah 6:4 states, "Four times they sent me the same message, and I answered them in the same way." This verse succinctly captures the relentless and repetitive attempts by Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem to derail Nehemiah's work and leadership. It highlights the persistence of the adversaries' deceptive overtures, aiming to draw Nehemiah into a compromised position, and equally emphasizes Nehemiah's unwavering resolve and consistent refusal to be diverted or intimidated by their cunning tactics.

Nehemiah 6 4 Context

Nehemiah 6:4 falls within the broader narrative of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. By this point, significant progress has been made, nearing completion. This chapter focuses on a new phase of opposition, characterized by cunning deception rather than overt force (as seen in earlier chapters like Nehemiah 4). Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, frustrated by the lack of success with ridicule, threats, and plots to attack, shift their strategy. Their new approach involves inviting Nehemiah to meetings outside Jerusalem, specifically in the plain of Ono. This specific verse (Neh 6:4) illustrates the repetitive nature of these invitations, each carrying the same deceptive intent: to harm Nehemiah. This tactic aimed to stop the work by incapacitating its leader. Nehemiah, however, clearly discerns their malicious intent and steadfastly refuses their propositions, responding consistently each time.

Nehemiah 6 4 Word analysis

• Four times (אַרְבַּע פְּעָמִים, arba' pe'amim):
  • "Four" (arba'): A specific numerical detail that underscores the consistent and methodical nature of the enemies' persistent efforts. In biblical numerology, 'four' can sometimes symbolize totality or universal scope, suggesting they had exhausted a full range of attempts within this specific deceptive tactic.
  • "times" (pe'amim): Denotes repeated instances, emphasizing not an isolated event but a pattern of renewed effort by the adversaries. It highlights their unwavering commitment to obstruct Nehemiah, not giving up easily. This persistence serves to test Nehemiah's resolve and resilience.
• they sent me (שָׁלְחוּ אֵלַי, shal'ḥu elai):
  • "they sent" (shal'ḥu): This is a verb indicating intentional dispatching or delegating, showing that Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem acted in a coordinated and deliberate manner. They were actively pursuing their scheme to trap Nehemiah.
  • "me" (elai): Highlights Nehemiah as the specific target of their malice. They understood that dismantling the leadership would halt the work. This focuses the intensity of the opposition directly on the divinely appointed leader.
• the same message (כַּדָּבָר הַזֶּה, ka-davâr ha-zeh):
  • "the same message" (ka-davâr ha-zeh literally "according to this word/thing"): Refers to the identical proposition (to meet in the plain of Ono, with malicious intent behind it). It signifies that the adversaries kept repeating the same deceptive invitation, perhaps hoping that persistence or psychological fatigue would eventually wear Nehemiah down or make him doubt his initial refusal. Their strategy was to reuse a known failure.
• and I answered them (וָאָשׁוֹב אוֹתָם, va'ashuv otam):
  • "I answered" (va'ashuv, related to shuv, 'to return/answer'): This personal pronoun "I" and the direct verb emphasizes Nehemiah's active and personal response. He did not ignore or delegate; he directly engaged with and rejected their repeated propositions. It underscores his direct leadership and unwavering stance.
  • "them": Clearly identifies the persistent opponents—Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem—as the recipients of Nehemiah's resolute refusal.
• in the same way (כַּדְּבָרִים הָרִאשֹׁנִים, ka-devârîm ha-rishônîm literally "according to the former words/matters"):
  • This phrase emphasizes Nehemiah's absolute consistency. His response was firm and unchanging. He did not waver, concede, or alter his position, demonstrating an immovable integrity and a clear discernment of their wicked intent. This consistency reveals his faithfulness to God and the task.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Four times they sent me the same message": This phrase details the relentless, calculated, and uniform nature of the enemy's deceptive attacks. It suggests a sustained effort to wear down Nehemiah's resistance by sheer repetition, banking on the possibility that a continuous barrage of the same enticement might eventually succeed. The 'same message' underscores the enemies' limited repertoire of deceitful tactics once direct opposition failed, highlighting their cunning yet unoriginal malice.
• "and I answered them in the same way": This counter-phrase highlights Nehemiah's exceptional steadfastness, wisdom, and consistency. His identical response each time reveals his unyielding determination and clear discernment of their motives. It serves as a powerful model of unshakeable conviction and faithfulness in the face of persistent spiritual or personal attacks. This consistency signifies not only his strength of character but also his profound reliance on God, whose principles are unchanging.

Nehemiah 6 4 Bonus section

The phrase "in the same way" for Nehemiah's response not only highlights his unwavering stance but also implicitly reveals his prayerful and discerning spirit. It was not mere stubbornness, but a Spirit-led conviction that these invitations were traps. This repetitive pattern of attack and resistance mirrors the broader Christian experience where adversaries often use similar tactics and temptations repeatedly. For instance, the temptation of Christ in the wilderness, though varied, contained an underlying consistent attempt to make Jesus swerve from His divinely ordained path (Luke 4:1-13). Nehemiah's steadfastness acts as a clear model for leadership, underscoring that discernment of evil intentions and unyielding commitment to God’s calling are crucial to enduring sustained opposition. His refusal wasn't based on suspicion alone, but on clear revelation of their wicked plot, highlighting the spiritual aspect of his discernment (Neh 6:2b).

Nehemiah 6 4 Commentary

Nehemiah 6:4 vividly illustrates the relentless nature of spiritual warfare against those engaged in God's work. Sanballat and his allies move beyond overt aggression to subtle, repeated deception, recognizing Nehemiah as the linchpin of the rebuilding project. Their strategy, sending the "same message" repeatedly, aims to exhaust Nehemiah's resolve or trap him into a vulnerable position outside Jerusalem. However, Nehemiah’s response, also given "in the same way," signifies his unwavering integrity and wisdom. He remains consistent because he is convinced of their evil intentions and dedicated to his divine mission. This consistency of resistance, paralleled in many biblical narratives of faithfulness under trial, emphasizes the necessity for discernment, unyielding prayer, and persistent focus on God's will when facing spiritual opposition. It teaches that not all attacks are overt; often, the most dangerous ones come dressed as innocuous invitations, and steadfastness in response is a mark of true discipleship.