Bible Strands
Nehemiah 6:1
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates—
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Nehemiah narrates the moment when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and their allied enemies learn of the completed wall reconstruction. This report occurs before the gates are fitted with doors, marking the exact point when opposition shifts from mockery to active conspiracy.
The words — נִשְמַע (nish.Ma') = it was heard. This passive verb indicates the enemy's awareness arose from external reports rather than direct observation, framing their reaction as a response to intelligence gathering.
The thread — This coalition appears in Nehemiah 2:10, 2:19, and 4:1, each time reacting to the wall project with disturbance, mockery, or indignation. Their repeated presence tracks the escalating resistance to Judah's restoration efforts.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that communal work provokes organized opposition precisely when visible progress is achieved. It requires the reader to note the tactical timing of enemy awareness before the next phase of conflict begins.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
Cross-references
- Nehemiah 2:10 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.
- Nehemiah 2:19 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?”
- Nehemiah 4:1 Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews
- Nehemiah 3:1 At the Sheep Gate, Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests began rebuilding. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated the wall.
- Nehemiah 3:3 The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
- Nehemiah 4:6 So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.
- Nehemiah 3:6 The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
- Daniel 9:25 Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.