CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Nehemiah 6:5 The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/6-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/16_Neh_06_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 6:5 - Sanballat's Conspiracy" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/nehemiah/6-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/nehemiah/6-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/nehemiah/">Nehemiah</a> > <a href="/nehemiah/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/nehemiah/6-4.htm" title="Nehemiah 6:4">◄</a> Nehemiah 6:5 <a href="/nehemiah/6-6.htm" title="Nehemiah 6:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/nehemiah/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way a fifth time with an open letter in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same manner a fifth time with an open letter in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same manner a fifth time with an open letter in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Sanballat sent his young man to me in the same manner a fifth time with an open letter in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sanballat sent me this same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sanballat sent me this same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Finally, Sanballat sent an official to me with an unsealed letter, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When Sanballat sent me the same message a fifth time, his servant held in his hand an unsealed letter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then Sanballat sent one of his servants to me with a fifth message, this one in the form of an unsealed letter. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Sanballat sent his assistant to me the fifth time. But this time the letter was sent unsealed, and <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The fifth time that Sanballat sent his assistant to me in this way, he had an open letter in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then Sanballat sent his servant to me the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then Sanballat sent his servant to me the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Sanballat sends to me, according to this word, a fifth time, his servant, and an open letter in his hand;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Sanballat sendeth unto me, according to this word, a fifth time, his servant, and an open letter in his hand;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Sanballat will send his young man to me according to this word the fifth time, and a letter opened in his hand;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Sanaballat sent his servant to me the fifth time according to the former word, and he had a letter in his hand written in this manner: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Sanballat sent his servant to me a fifth time, with the former word, and he had a letter in his hand written in this manner:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent me the same message by one of his servants, who bore an unsealed letter<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with a letter in his hand<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Samblat sent his young man to me concerning this matter for the fifth time, and a letter was in his hand<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Then Sanaballat sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=1302" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/6.htm">Sanballat's Conspiracy</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2549.htm" title="2549: ḥă·mî·šîṯ (Number-ofs) -- Fifth. Or chamishshiy; ord. From chamesh; fifth; also a fifth.">The fifth</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6471.htm" title="6471: pa·‘am (N-fs) -- A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence. Or pa;amah; from pa'am; a stroke, literally or figuratively.">time,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5571.htm" title="5571: san·ḇal·laṭ (N-proper-ms) -- A Samaritan leader. Of foreign origin; Sanballat, a Persian satrap of Samaria.">Sanballat</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·yiš·laḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">sent me</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: kad·dā·ḇār (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">same message</a> <a href="/hebrew/5288.htm" title="5288: na·‘ă·rōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- A boy, lad, youth, retainer. From na'ar; a boy, from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also, a girl.">by his young servant,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: bə·yā·ḏōw (Prep-b:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)">who had in his hand</a> <a href="/hebrew/6605.htm" title="6605: pə·ṯū·ḥāh (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fs) -- To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve. A primitive root; to open wide; specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve.">an unsealed</a> <a href="/hebrew/107.htm" title="107: wə·’ig·ge·reṯ (Conj-w:: N-fsc) -- A letter. Feminine of 'iggra'; an epistle.">letter</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king,…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/4-6.htm">Ezra 4:6-16</a></span><br />At the beginning of the reign of Xerxes, an accusation was lodged against the people of Judah and Jerusalem. / And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in Aramaic and then translated. / Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/4-1.htm">Nehemiah 4:1-3</a></span><br />Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews / before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” / Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/2-19.htm">Nehemiah 2:19-20</a></span><br />But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” / So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/3-8.htm">Esther 3:8-9</a></span><br />Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. / If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-4.htm">Daniel 6:4-9</a></span><br />Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.” / So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said, “O King Darius, may you live forever! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/36-11.htm">Jeremiah 36:11-16</a></span><br />When Micaiah son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, heard all the words of the LORD from the scroll, / he went down to the scribe’s chamber in the king’s palace, where all the officials were sitting: Elishama the scribe, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials. / And Micaiah reported to them all the words he had heard Baruch read from the scroll in the hearing of the people. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/18-19.htm">2 Kings 18:19-22</a></span><br />The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours? / You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. In whom are you now trusting, that you have rebelled against me? / Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/15-1.htm">2 Samuel 15:1-6</a></span><br />Some time later, Absalom provided for himself a chariot with horses and fifty men to run ahead of him. / He would get up early and stand beside the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone had a grievance to bring before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out and ask, “What city are you from?” And if he replied, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel,” / Absalom would say, “Look, your claims are good and right, but the king has no deputy to hear you.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/24-5.htm">Acts 24:5-9</a></span><br />We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. / but Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-11.htm">Acts 6:11-14</a></span><br />Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” / So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-59.htm">Matthew 26:59-61</a></span><br />Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward / and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-55.htm">Mark 14:55-59</a></span><br />Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. / For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. / Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-2.htm">Luke 23:2-5</a></span><br />And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.” / So Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. / Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/11-47.htm">John 11:47-53</a></span><br />Then the chief priests and Pharisees convened the Sanhedrin and said, “What are we to do? This man is performing many signs. / If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” / But one of them, named Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/17-6.htm">Acts 17:6-7</a></span><br />But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then sent Sanballat his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/18-26.htm">2 Kings 18:26-28</a></b></br> Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand <i>it</i>: and talk not with us in the Jews' language in the ears of the people that <i>are</i> on the wall… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/2-11.htm">2 Corinthians 2:11</a></b></br> Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_corinthians/11-13.htm">2 Corinthians 11:13-15</a></b></br> For such <i>are</i> false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/9-25.htm">Aide</a> <a href="/ezra/7-9.htm">Fifth</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-16.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-8.htm">Letter</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-4.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-4.htm">Message</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-13.htm">Open</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-2.htm">Sanballat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-2.htm">Sanbal'lat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-22.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-4.htm">Time</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/6-11.htm">Unsealed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-4.htm">Way</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-4.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/acts/12-20.htm">Aide</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-15.htm">Fifth</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-4.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/esther/3-14.htm">Letter</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-18.htm">Manner</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-8.htm">Message</a> <a href="/nehemiah/8-5.htm">Open</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-12.htm">Sanballat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-12.htm">Sanbal'lat</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-14.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-27.htm">Time</a> <a href="/jeremiah/32-11.htm">Unsealed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-13.htm">Way</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-12.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Nehemiah 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/6-1.htm">Sanballat practices by craft, by rumors, and by hired prophecies, to terrify Nehemiah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/6-15.htm">The work is finished, to the terror of the enemies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/6-17.htm">Secret intelligence passes between the enemies and the nobles of Judah</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nehemiah/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nehemiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/nehemiah/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The fifth time</b><br>This phrase indicates persistence and determination on the part of Sanballat. In biblical numerology, the number five can symbolize grace, but here it underscores the relentless opposition Nehemiah faced. The repeated attempts to distract and intimidate Nehemiah highlight the spiritual warfare often encountered by those doing God's work. This persistence can be compared to the persistent widow in <a href="/luke/18.htm">Luke 18:1-8</a>, emphasizing the need for perseverance in the face of opposition.<p><b>Sanballat sent me</b><br>Sanballat was a prominent leader of the Samaritans and an adversary of Nehemiah. His opposition to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls reflects the historical animosity between the Samaritans and the Jews, which is also evident in the New Testament (<a href="/john/4-9.htm">John 4:9</a>). Sanballat's actions are typical of the political and social tensions of the time, as local leaders often resisted changes that threatened their power or influence.<p><b>this same message</b><br>The message Sanballat sent was a repeated attempt to lure Nehemiah away from his work. This reflects a common tactic of the enemy: distraction. In the broader biblical narrative, similar strategies are used by adversaries to divert God's people from their mission, as seen in the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (<a href="/matthew/4.htm">Matthew 4:1-11</a>).<p><b>by his young servant</b><br>The use of a young servant to deliver the message may indicate a strategy to make the communication seem less threatening or official. In ancient Near Eastern culture, messengers often held positions of trust and were used to convey important information. This detail highlights the subtlety and cunning often employed by those opposing God's work.<p><b>who had in his hand an unsealed letter</b><br>An unsealed letter was unusual for official correspondence, which was typically sealed to ensure privacy and authenticity. The unsealed nature of the letter suggests an intention for the contents to become public, potentially to spread rumors or incite fear. This tactic of spreading false information is reminiscent of the accusations against Jesus, where false witnesses were used to undermine His mission (<a href="/mark/14-56.htm">Mark 14:56-59</a>). The openness of the letter also reflects the transparency of the enemy's tactics, which can be a reminder of the need for discernment and wisdom in dealing with opposition.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/nehemiah.htm">Nehemiah</a></b><br>The central figure in the book, Nehemiah is a Jewish leader who is overseeing the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. He is known for his strong leadership and dedication to God's work.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/sanballat.htm">Sanballat</a></b><br>A persistent adversary of Nehemiah, Sanballat is a Samaritan leader who opposes the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. His actions are characterized by deceit and manipulation.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_young_servant.htm">The Young Servant</a></b><br>An unnamed messenger sent by Sanballat to deliver the unsealed letter to Nehemiah. His role highlights the persistence of Sanballat's attempts to intimidate Nehemiah.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_unsealed_letter.htm">The Unsealed Letter</a></b><br>A strategic move by Sanballat to publicly intimidate Nehemiah. In ancient times, an unsealed letter could be read by anyone, increasing the pressure on Nehemiah.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city whose walls Nehemiah is rebuilding. Jerusalem is central to Jewish identity and worship, and its restoration is crucial for the community's spiritual and physical security.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/discernment_in_leadership.htm">Discernment in Leadership</a></b><br>Nehemiah's response to Sanballat's tactics teaches us the importance of discernment and wisdom in leadership. Leaders must be vigilant against deceit and manipulation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_persistence.htm">The Power of Persistence</a></b><br>Sanballat's repeated attempts to intimidate Nehemiah highlight the need for persistence in the face of opposition. Believers are called to remain steadfast in their mission.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/public_pressure_and_integrity.htm">Public Pressure and Integrity</a></b><br>The unsealed letter represents public pressure. Nehemiah's integrity and commitment to God's work serve as a model for maintaining one's values despite external pressures.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The opposition Nehemiah faces is a reminder of the spiritual warfare believers encounter. We must rely on God's strength and guidance to overcome challenges.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_support.htm">Community and Support</a></b><br>Nehemiah's leadership is not in isolation; he relies on the support of the Jewish community. This underscores the importance of community in achieving God's purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_nehemiah_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_nehemiah_rebuild_and_restore.htm">How did Nehemiah rebuild Jerusalem's walls and restore faith?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_were_sanballat,_tobiah,_geshem.htm">Who were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem in history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_rumors_impact_trust.htm">How do rumors affect relationships and trust?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_49_8_align_with_history.htm">Isaiah 49:8 depicts a grand restoration--how does this align with historical records of Israel's exiles and returns that appear less triumphant?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/nehemiah/6.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">The fifth time with an open letter in his hand.</span>--Four times they strive to induce Nehemiah to meet them, under various pretexts, with the intention of doing him personal harm. Each time his reply was to the effect that he was finishing his own work, not without a touch of irony. This answer has an universal application, which preachers have known how to use. In the fifth letter the tactics are changed: the silken bag containing the missive was not sealed, and it was hoped that Nehemiah would be alarmed by the thought that its contents had been read by the people.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">An open letter</span>. Letters in the East are usually placed in silken bags, which are then tied up and carefully sealed. An "open letter" invited perusal; and the object of sending this one "open' must have been to create alarm among the Jews, and to excite them against Nehemiah. Compare the conduct of Sennacherib's ambassadors (<a href="/2_kings/18-27.htm">2 Kings 18:27-33</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The fifth</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲמִישִׁ֖ית</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·mî·šîṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - ordinal feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2549.htm">Strong's 2549: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fifth, a fifth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">time,</span><br /><span class="heb">פַּ֥עַם</span> <span class="translit">(pa·‘am)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6471.htm">Strong's 6471: </a> </span><span class="str2">A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Sanballat</span><br /><span class="heb">סַנְבַלַּ֜ט</span> <span class="translit">(san·ḇal·laṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5571.htm">Strong's 5571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sanballat -- a Samaritan leader</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sent</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁלַח֩</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·laḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">same message</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּדָּבָ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(kad·dā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">by his young servant,</span><br /><span class="heb">נַעֲר֑וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(na·‘ă·rōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5288.htm">Strong's 5288: </a> </span><span class="str2">A boy, lad, youth, retainer</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who had in his hand</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיָדֽוֹ׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yā·ḏōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3027.htm">Strong's 3027: </a> </span><span class="str2">A hand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an unsealed</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּתוּחָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(pə·ṯū·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6605.htm">Strong's 6605: </a> </span><span class="str2">To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve</span><br /><br /><span class="word">letter</span><br /><span class="heb">וְאִגֶּ֥רֶת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·’ig·ge·reṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_107.htm">Strong's 107: </a> </span><span class="str2">An epistle</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/6-5.htm">Nehemiah 6:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/6-5.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 6:5 Then sent Sanballat his servant to me (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/6-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 6:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 6:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/6-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 6:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 6:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>