Nehemiah 6:2
What does Nehemiah 6:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 6:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 6:2 means
Sanballat and Geshem proposed a diplomatic meeting in the villages of the plain of Ono. On the surface, it sounded reasonable: meet, talk, normalize relations. But Nehemiah discerned their intent—to do him harm. The invitation was a lure to draw him away from the work and his protective context, likely to isolate and attack him or at least delay the project. Wisdom often means recognizing that not every peaceful-sounding proposal is in good faith. Nehemiah’s discernment protected both his life and the mission entrusted to him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000that 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901that 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Sanballat and Geshem sent to me saying, Come, let us have a meeting in one of the little towns in the lowland of Ono. But their purpose was to do me evil.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that Sanballat sendeth, also Geshem, unto me, saying, `Come and we meet together in the villages, in the valley of Ono;' and they are thinking to do to me evil.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Sanaballat and Gossem sent to me, saying: Come, and let us make a league together in the villages, in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come, let us meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
Context
Following the report of near-completion, the adversaries switch to a tactic that avoids open conflict and uses pretense. The proposed meeting is the first of several escalating attempts to sideline Nehemiah. The reader needs to see how clever and persistent the opposition has become. The next verse records Nehemiah’s firm refusal, and the verses after that show the repeated invitations and then the shift to public slander when private enticements fail.
v.1Now 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),
v.2This passage
v.3And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 37:32
The wicked watcheth the righteous, And seeketh to slay him.
- Ecclesiastes 4:4
Then I saw all labor and every skilful work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.
- Psalms 37:12
The wicked plotteth against the just, And gnasheth upon him with his teeth.
- 1 Chronicles 8:12
And the sons of Elpaal: Eber, and Misham, and Shemed, who built Ono and Lod, with the towns thereof;
- 2 Samuel 3:27
And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there in the body, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.
- Proverbs 26:24
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Nehemiah 6
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Nehemiah 6.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Confession of Sin
Confession of sin is an essential step in drawing near to God and receiving His forgiveness and cleansing.
Topic
Bible Verses About Fasting
Fasting in the Bible is a spiritual discipline involving abstinence from food for a period, often coupled with prayer and repentance.
What the Bible says about…