Nehemiah 6:19
What does Nehemiah 6:19 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 6:19 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 6:19 means
The nobles spoke of Tobiah’s good deeds to Nehemiah, seeking to put him in a favorable light, while at the same time they reported Nehemiah’s words back to Tobiah. In response, Tobiah sent letters to frighten Nehemiah. The closing picture is sobering: despite the wall’s completion and the enemies’ public loss of face, intimidation continues through covert channels. Nehemiah remains the target of fear tactics. The verse warns that victories do not end spiritual warfare; integrity must be guarded in ongoing, ordinary exchanges where trust can be misplaced.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Also they spake of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Also they spake of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they said much before me of the good he had done, and gave him accounts of my words. And Tobiah sent letters with the purpose of causing me fear.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862also, his good deeds they have been saying before me, and my words they have been taking out to him; letters hath Tobiah sent to make me afraid.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And they praised him also before me, and they related my words to him: And Tobias sent letters to put me in fear.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. [And] Tobijah sent letters to put me in fear.
Context
This final verse ties together the chapter’s themes. External threats gave way to slander, then to religious manipulation, and finally to internal compromise. The wall was finished and enemies acknowledged God’s hand, yet opposition persisted through alliances and letters. The chapter ends with unresolved tension—Tobiah still writing to instill fear—setting the stage for the administrative and protective measures that follow in the narrative. The reader closes with gratitude for God’s help and awareness of the need for continued vigilance.
v.18For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah to wife.
v.19This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 37:10
Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.
- Acts 4:18
And they called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
- John 7:7
The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that its works are evil.
- Proverbs 28:4
They that forsake the law praise the wicked; But such as keep the law contend with them.
- 1 John 4:5
They are of the world: therefore speak they as of the world, and the world heareth them.
- 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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