Nehemiah 6:3
What does Nehemiah 6:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 6:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 6:3 means
Nehemiah replied through messengers that he was engaged in a great work and could not come down to meet them. He refused to pause the mission for conversations that served no true purpose. His answer shows clarity of calling and priority: stopping a God-given task to entertain hostile negotiations is folly. He understood that leadership includes guarding time and attention. By staying on the wall, he kept the workers focused and signaled that the project mattered more than flattering or threatening invitations from opponents.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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?
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I sent men to them saying, I am doing a great work, so that it is not possible for me to come down: is the work to be stopped while I go away from it and come down to you?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I send unto them messengers, saying, `A great work I am doing, and I am not able to come down; why doth the work cease when I let it alone, and have come down unto you?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I sent messengers to them, saying: I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down, lest it be neglected whilst I come, and go down to you.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down. Why should the work cease, whilst I leave it and come down to you?
Context
This response follows the deceptive invitation of verse 2. Nehemiah’s refusal is not rude but resolute. It becomes a refrain as the enemies persist. The reader sees a leader who knows when ‘no’ is the wisest word. The next verse emphasizes the repetition of the request and the consistency of his reply, preparing the way for the enemies’ escalation to more aggressive measures when they find persuasion ineffective.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Timothy 4:15
Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.
- Luke 14:30
saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
- Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
- Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in Sheol, whither thou goest.
- John 9:4
We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
- Proverbs 14:15
The simple believeth every word; But the prudent man looketh well to his going.
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