Nehemiah 6 8

Nehemiah 6:8 kjv

Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.

Nehemiah 6:8 nkjv

Then I sent to him, saying, "No such things as you say are being done, but you invent them in your own heart."

Nehemiah 6:8 niv

I sent him this reply: "Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head."

Nehemiah 6:8 esv

Then I sent to him, saying, "No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind."

Nehemiah 6:8 nlt

I replied, "There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing."

Nehemiah 6 verses

Nehemiah 6 8 Meaning

Nehemiah 6:8 records Nehemiah's immediate and unequivocal response to Sanballat's public accusation. Sanballat had sent an open letter claiming Nehemiah and the Jews were plotting rebellion, intending to make Nehemiah king, and that Nehemiah had even appointed prophets to proclaim his kingship. Nehemiah, facing these grave, false charges of sedition, flatly denied them, stating that no such events had occurred as Sanballat alleged. Furthermore, Nehemiah directly accused Sanballat of fabricating these lies purely from his own malicious intent.

Nehemiah 6 8 Context

Nehemiah chapter 6 unfolds the climax of external opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership. Having failed in direct military intimidation (Neh 4), and then attempts to lure Nehemiah into a compromised meeting (Neh 6:1-4), Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem resorted to psychological warfare and false accusations. Sanballat sends an "open letter" (Neh 6:5) – implying a public accusation for wider dissemination – charging Nehemiah with rebellion against the Persian king, intending to become Judah's king, and orchestrating false prophecies to support these claims (Neh 6:6-7). This was an extremely serious charge, punishable by death, aiming to halt the work, discredit Nehemiah, and provoke fear among the people. Nehemiah 6:8 is Nehemiah’s swift, concise, and bold response to this precise charge, utterly refuting the fabricated allegations and turning the accusation back onto its source. The verse exemplifies Nehemiah’s integrity, spiritual discernment, and reliance on God amid intense pressure.

Nehemiah 6 8 Word analysis

• Then I sent unto him: This phrase conveys Nehemiah's immediate and decisive action. It signifies his clear-headed resolve not to be deterred or intimidated, responding directly and without delay to the grave accusations.

• saying: (Hebrew: lē'mōr, לֵאמֹר) This standard Hebrew introductory particle signals that direct speech follows. It indicates Nehemiah's firm declaration.

• There are no such things done: (Hebrew: lō' hāyāh kadd'vārîm hā'ēlleh, לֹא הָיָה כַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה) This is a categorical and absolute denial. "No such things" signifies that not only are the specific accusations false, but that such actions have never occurred in any form or degree. It directly refutes the factual basis of Sanballat's claim.

• as thou sayest: (Hebrew: asher 'attāh 'ōmēr, אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה אֹמֵר) This part of the statement points the finger of falsehood back to Sanballat, making it clear that the origin of the false narrative lies solely with him. It's a precise rebuttal to his specific allegations.

• but thou feignest them: (Hebrew: kî 'attāh bōdeh, כִּי מִלִּבְּךָ אַתָּה בֹדֶה – the בֹדֶה bōdeh part, derived from בדא bada, "to invent," "to devise," "to make up"). This is a strong counter-accusation. "Feignest" goes beyond a simple lie; it implies active invention, fabrication, and deliberate concoction of a story. Sanballat didn't just mistakenly misrepresent; he creatively manufactured untruth. This reveals the premeditated nature of the slander.

• out of thine own heart: (Hebrew: millibb'kāh, מִלִּבְּךָ) In biblical understanding, the "heart" (lēv, לֵב) is not merely the seat of emotions, but the core of a person's being – their will, intellect, motives, and moral character. Stating that the fabrication comes "out of thine own heart" identifies the root source of the deception: Sanballat's own corrupt inner self and malicious intent. This highlights that the accusation isn't a political maneuver based on perceived facts, but a deeply ingrained evil scheme driven by personal malevolence.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest,": Nehemiah's response is swift, direct, and denies the fabricated reality completely. It's a statement of absolute truth against cunning falsehood, demonstrating clarity and unshakeable resolve in the face of grave accusations.
  • "but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.": This phrase goes beyond simple denial and becomes a powerful counter-accusation. It exposes Sanballat's method (fabrication) and, more importantly, his malicious motive (from his own heart). This moves the confrontation from merely external charges to an exposure of the accuser's wicked inner disposition, highlighting a spiritual battle against evil intent.

Nehemiah 6 8 Bonus section

• Propaganda as Spiritual Warfare: Sanballat's use of an "open letter" and specific, dangerous accusations (sedition against the king) shows a sophisticated strategy of propaganda and psychological warfare. His goal was to instil fear and discredit Nehemiah publicly, aiming to cause Nehemiah to flee or sin. Nehemiah’s response counters this directly by refuting the false narrative and revealing its source.
• Discerning Spirits: Nehemiah's immediate discernment that these claims were "feigned... out of thine own heart" speaks to his spiritual sensitivity. He did not waste time investigating the claims, for he knew them to be utter fabrications stemming from malice. This discernment protected him from falling into the traps set by his enemies, including later attempts involving false prophets in the same chapter (Neh 6:10-14).
• The Biblical Significance of "Heart": The repeated emphasis in Scripture that evil originates from the heart (e.g., Jer 17:9, Mk 7:21) makes Nehemiah's counter-accusation highly significant. He wasn't merely saying Sanballat was wrong, but that Sanballat was intrinsically wicked and that his accusations were a product of his sinful nature. This highlights the foundational issue beyond mere political dispute.

Nehemiah 6 8 Commentary

Nehemiah 6:8 encapsulates Nehemiah's wise and courageous response to malicious propaganda. He refuses to be drawn into endless discussion or panic, instead opting for a concise and decisive rebuttal. His response reveals not only the untruth of the accusations but also exposes the moral corruption and malicious intent of his adversaries. By pinpointing the source of the lies as Sanballat's "own heart," Nehemiah unmasks the spiritual dimension of the opposition: it wasn't merely a political disagreement, but a deliberate fabrication rooted in a wicked desire to intimidate and halt God's work. Nehemiah's conduct serves as a model for leaders and believers facing false accusations, demonstrating the power of speaking truth firmly and discerning the true nature and source of spiritual attacks.