Devine Scripture

Nehemiah 6:12

What does Nehemiah 6:12 mean?

A plain-English look at Nehemiah 6:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Nehemiah 6:12 means

Nehemiah discerned that God had not sent Shemaiah. The so-called prophecy was actually a hired message, bought by Tobiah and Sanballat. This insight unmasks the scheme: the enemies used religious authority to add weight to their intimidation. Nehemiah’s discernment likely rested on the mismatch between the counsel and God’s character and law, as well as the broader context of opposition. Recognizing that the word was purchased, not inspired, he refused it. Leaders must test messages, even from those who claim spiritual authority, by truth and by fruit.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I discerned, and, lo, God had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophecy against me: and Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I discerned, and, lo, God had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophecy against me: and Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then it became clear to me that God had not sent him: he had given this word of a prophet against me himself: and Tobiah and Sanballat had given him money to do so.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I discern, and lo, God hath not sent him, for in the prophecy he hath spoken unto me both Tobiah and Sanballat hired him,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I understood that God had not sent him, but that he had spoken to me as if he had been prophesying, and Tobias, and Sanaballat had hired him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I perceived, and behold,God had not sent him; for he pronounced this prophecy against me; and Tobijah and Sanballat had hired him.

Context

Having rejected the plan to hide in the temple, Nehemiah now tells the reader why: the message was not divine. The revelation of bribery confirms the deep corruption of the opposition. Verse 13 will unpack the purpose behind hiring Shemaiah—to induce fear, lead Nehemiah into sin, and secure grounds for accusation. This deepens the reader’s sense of the stakes: the attack is not only political but moral and spiritual.

v.11And 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.

v.12This passage

v.13For this cause was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Jeremiah 14:14

    Then Jehovah said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name; I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake I unto them: they prophesy unto you a lying vision, and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their own heart.

  • Jeremiah 23:25

    I have heard what the prophets have said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.

  • Jeremiah 28:15

    Then said the prophet Jeremiah unto Hananiah the prophet, Hear now, Hananiah: Jehovah hath not sent thee; but thou makest this people to trust in a lie.

  • 1 John 4:1

    Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

  • Ezekiel 13:19

    And ye have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hearken unto lies.

  • 1 Timothy 3:3

    no brawler, no striker; but gentle, not contentious, no lover of money;

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