Nehemiah 6:1
What does Nehemiah 6:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 6:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 6:1 means
News reached Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and the rest of the hostile circle that the wall was now essentially complete. Only the gate doors remained to be set in place. This marks a turning point: the open vulnerabilities have been closed, and Jerusalem is on the brink of restored security and dignity. The enemies are informed and alert, watching for any last chance to stop the project. Nehemiah’s note that the doors were not yet hung reminds us that partial victory is still vulnerable. The adversaries see the progress and prepare a final push. The verse sets the tension: the work is nearly done, but the danger is not over.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now it came to pass, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and unto the rest of our enemies, that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein (though even unto that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now 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;)
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now it came to pass, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and unto the rest of our enemies, that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein (though even unto that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now when word was given to Sanballat and Tobiah and to Geshem the Arabian and to the rest of our haters, that I had done the building of the wall and that there were no more broken places in it (though even then I had not put up the doors in the doorways);
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And it cometh to pass, when it hath been heard by Sanballat, and Tobiah, and by Geshem the Arabian, and by the rest of our enemies, that I have builded the wall, and there hath not been left in it a breach, (also, till that time the doors I had not set up in the gates,)
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And it came to pass, when Sanaballat, and Tobias, and Gossem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it, (though at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates,)
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass when Sanballat, and Tobijah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it (though at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),
Context
This opening statement summarizes the situation after months of strenuous work under pressure. Nehemiah has coordinated the rebuilding so effectively that only the gates remain unfinished. The enemies, who have opposed the project since the start, are still present and active. The next verses show how they adapt their strategy from armed threat to subtler schemes. Understanding that the wall lacks only its doors helps the reader feel the urgency of the moment and the plausibility of last-minute attempts to derail everything.
v.1This passage
v.2that Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 3:6
And the old gate repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof.
- Nehemiah 2:10
And when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly, for that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
- Nehemiah 4:1
But it came to pass that, when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
- Nehemiah 3:3
And the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof.
- Nehemiah 4:6
So we built the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto half the height thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
- Daniel 9:25
Know therefore and discern, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the anointed one, the prince, shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: it shall be built again, with street and moat, even in troublous times.
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