Bible Strands
Nehemiah 6:6
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,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Sanballat delivers a fifth unsealed message to Nehemiah during the wall's construction, using Geshem to circulate a rumor that the Jews are plotting revolt and intend to crown Nehemiah king.
The words — The Hebrew נִשְׁמָע (nish.Ma') means "it has been heard," establishing the claim as hearsay, while חֹשְׁבִים (cho.she.Vim) translates to "are planning," framing the accusation as a calculated political maneuver rather than a verified event.
The thread — This same pattern of using unverified reports to intimidate Jewish leaders appears in Nehemiah 2:19 and Ezra 4:12, and the broader principle of distorting truth for malicious ends is explicitly condemned in Romans 3:8.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to distinguish between circulated political rumors and actual divine instruction, demanding that obedience to God's mandate remain unmoved by unverified accusations.
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
Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
Cross-references
- 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?”
- Ezra 4:12 Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring its walls and repairing its foundations.
- Romans 3:8 Why not say, as some slanderously claim that we say, “Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is deserved!
- 1 Peter 3:16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
- Ezra 4:15 that a search should be made of the record books of your fathers. In these books you will discover and verify that the city is a rebellious city, harmful to kings and provinces, inciting sedition from ancient times. That is why this city was destroyed.
- 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—
- Jeremiah 9:3 “They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD.
- Jeremiah 20:10 For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”
- Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
- Luke 23:2 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.”