Nehemiah 6:7
What does Nehemiah 6:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 6:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 6:7 means
The letter further alleged that Nehemiah had appointed prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem, “There is a king in Judah,” and threatened to report this to the Persian king. Then it offered, “Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together,” as if to resolve matters. The mix of accusation and invitation is manipulative: create fear of imperial reprisal, then propose a meeting as the only safe path. The enemies try to force Nehemiah onto their ground. The claims are designed to sound pious and political, but they are fabricated to halt the work and discredit the leader.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And that you have prophets preaching about you in Jerusalem, and saying, There is a king in Judah: now an account of these things will be sent to the king. So come now, and let us have a discussion.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And also, prophets thou hast appointed to call for thee in Jerusalem, saying, A king <FI>is<Fi> in Judah, and now it is heard by the king according to these words; and now come, and we take counsel together.'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thou hast also set up prophets, to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying: There is a king in Judea. The king will hear of these things: therefore come now, that we may take counsel together.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And thou hast also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning thee at Jerusalem saying, There is a king in Judah! And now it will be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
Context
This verse completes the contents of the open letter: public rumor, political danger, and a demand to negotiate. The strategy is pressure by potential imperial intervention. With the charge laid out, the narrative turns to Nehemiah’s response. In the next verse he flatly denies the allegations, refusing to concede any legitimacy to the claims. Then, in verse 9, he interprets their intent and prays for strength, showing the spiritual backbone behind his leadership decisions.
v.6wherein 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.
v.7This passage
v.8Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 23:15
Now therefore do ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you, as though ye would judge of his case more exactly: and we, before he comes near, are ready to slay him.
- Proverbs 26:24
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:
- 1 Kings 1:18
And now, behold, Adonijah reigneth; and thou, my lord the king, knowest it not:
- 1 Kings 1:25
For he is gone down this day, and hath slain oxen and fatlings and sheep in abundance, and hath called all the king’s sons, and the captains of the host, and Abiathar the priest; and, behold, they are eating and drinking before him, and say, Long live king Adonijah.
- 2 Samuel 15:10
But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom is king in Hebron.
- 1 Kings 1:7
And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him.
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