Nehemiah 6:13
What does Nehemiah 6:13 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 6:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 6:13 means
The hireling’s purpose was to make Nehemiah afraid so that he would act on the counsel, commit sin, and give the enemies material for an evil report and reproach. Their aim was not only to stop the work but to ruin the leader’s credibility. If Nehemiah had yielded, they would have publicized his failure as proof he was unfit. The verse reveals the chain: fear leads to compromise; compromise yields accusation; accusation discredits God’s cause. Nehemiah’s refusal spared both himself and the community from this trap.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For this reason they had given him money, in order that I might be overcome by fear and do what he said and do wrong, and so they would have reason to say evil about me and put shame on me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862so that he <FI>is<Fi> an hireling, that I may fear and do so, and I had sinned, and it had been to them for an evil name that they may reproach me.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For he had taken money, that I being afraid should do this thing, and sin, and they might have some evil to upbraid me withal.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have wherewith to spread an evil report, that they might reproach me.
Context
This statement concludes the exposure of the false prophecy’s intent. It explains why the counsel was framed in pious terms: to bait Nehemiah into a misstep that could be loudly condemned. With the plot unmasked, Nehemiah turns again to prayer in the next verse, asking God to remember the guilty parties. The narrative will then move to the completion of the wall, showing that, despite all devices, the work reaches its goal.
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.
v.13This passage
v.14Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and also the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 13:17
And thou, son of man, set thy face against the daughters of thy people, that prophesy out of their own heart; and prophesy thou against them,
- Proverbs 22:1
Agoodname is rather to be chosen than great riches, And loving favor rather than silver and gold.
- James 4:17
To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
- Acts 6:13
and set up false witnesses, who said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place, and the law:
- Daniel 6:4
Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
- Nehemiah 6:6
wherein was written, It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause thou art building the wall: and thou wouldest be their king, according to these words.
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