Nehemiah 6:11
What does Nehemiah 6:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 6:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 6:11 means
Nehemiah replied with courage and integrity: a man in his position should not flee. Entering the temple to save his life would be out of character and wrong for him. He refused to go in. He saw that abandoning leadership at the hint of danger would harm the community and betray the calling he bore. His answer shows that true prudence includes moral fitness—what is fitting for the one entrusted with responsibility. Nehemiah places faithfulness above self-protection, signaling to the people that the work and God’s honor outweigh his personal safety.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I said, Am I the sort of man to go in flight? what man, in my position, would go into the Temple to keep himself safe? I will not go in.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I say, `A man such as I--doth he flee? and who as I, that doth go in unto the temple, and live? --I do not go in.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I said: Should such a man as I flee? and who is there that being as I am, would go into the temple, to save his life? I will not go in.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, could go into the temple, and live? I will not go in.
Context
This verse answers Shemaiah’s counsel and continues the theme of resisting fear. Nehemiah’s stance echoes his earlier refusals to be drawn off the wall. The narrative next explains how he discerned the true source of the message: it did not come from God, but from enemies who hired the prophet to induce fear and sin. This revelation in verses 12–13 clarifies that religious-sounding advice can be a weapon when truth and holiness are not its source.
v.10And I went unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.
v.11This passage
v.12And I discerned, and, lo, God had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophecy against me: and Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 112:8
His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, Until he seehis desireupon his adversaries.
- Luke 13:31
In that very hour there came certain Pharisees, saying to him, Get thee out, and go hence: for Herod would fain kill thee.
- Ecclesiastes 10:1
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
- Philippians 2:30
because for the work of Christ he came nigh unto death, hazarding his life to supply that which was lacking in your service toward me.
- Hebrews 11:27
By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
- Nehemiah 6:9
For they all would have made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. But now, O God, strengthen thou my hands.
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