Amplified Bible
Nehemiah 6:11
11But I said, “Should a man like me flee [in fear and hide]? Should someone like me enter the temple [for sanctuary] to save his life? I will not go.”
Nehemiah 6:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
- New International Version (NIV)But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Or should someone like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go!”
- English Standard Version (ESV)But I said, "Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? I will not go in."
- New King James Version (NKJV)And I said, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!”
Context of Nehemiah 6:11
9For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, [O God,] strengthen my hands. 10When I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was confined at home, he said, “Let us meet [and take refuge] together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple, because they are coming to kill you, and they are coming to kill you at night.” But I said, “Should a man like me flee [in fear and hide]? Should someone like me enter the temple [for sanctuary] to save his life? I will not go.” 12Then I realized that God had not sent him, but he spoke this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13He was hired for this reason, that I would be frightened and do as he said and sin, so that they would have [grounds to make] a malicious report in order to censure and disgrace me.
Read all of Nehemiah 6Nehemiah 6:11 word by word
וָאֹמְרָ֗ה הַאִ֤ישׁ כָּמ֙וֹנִי֙ יִבְרָ֔ח וּמִ֥י כָמ֛וֹנִי אֲשֶׁר־יָב֥וֹא אֶל־הַהֵיכָ֖ל וָחָ֑י לֹ֖א אָבֽוֹא׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Nehemiah 6:11
- Nehemiah 6:3So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave to come down to [meet with] you?”
- 1 Samuel 19:5For he took his life in his hand and killed the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great victory for all Israel; you saw it and rejoiced. Why then would you sin against innocent blood by killing David without a cause?”
- Job 4:3Behold, you have admonished and instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands.
- Psalms 11:1In the Lord I take refuge [and put my trust]; How can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to your mountain;
- Psalms 112:6He will never be shaken; The righteous will be remembered forever.
- Proverbs 28:1The wicked flee when no one pursues them, But the righteous are as bold as a lion.
- Isaiah 10:18The Lord will consume the glory of Assyria’s forest and of its fruitful garden, both soul and body, And it will be as when a sick man wastes away.
- Luke 13:31At that very hour some Pharisees came up and said to Him, “Leave and go away from here, because Herod [Antipas] wants to kill You.”
- Acts 8:1Saul wholeheartedly approved of Stephen’s death. And on that day a great and relentless persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem; and the believers were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except for the apostles.
- Acts 20:24But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life].
- Acts 21:13Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart [like this]? For I am ready not only to be bound and imprisoned, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
- Hebrews 11:27By faith he left Egypt, being unafraid of the wrath of the king; for he endured [steadfastly], as seeing Him who is unseen.
- Nehemiah 6:9For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “They will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done.” But now, [O God,] strengthen my hands.
- Numbers 32:7Now why are you discouraging the hearts of the Israelites from crossing over into the land which the Lord has given them?
- Ecclesiastes 10:1Dead flies make the oil of the perfumer give off a foul odor; so a little foolishness [in one who is esteemed] outweighs wisdom and honor.
- Philippians 2:17But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith [for preaching the message of salvation], still I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
Commentaries on Nehemiah 6:11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11Should such a man as I flee? - Shall I, who am governor of the people, appointed both by God and the king, shall I betray my trust, and leave the flock without a shepherd? Shall I be a traitor, and abandon the office to which I am appointed? - No! Who, in my situation, with such responsibility, and such prospects, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not: I will stand at my post, and be ready to receive my enemies whensoever they come; so let…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11Would go into the temple to save his life - Rather “could go into the temple and live.” For a layman to enter the sanctuary was a capital offence (see Numbers 18:7).Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-14Verses 10-14 The greatest mischief our enemies can do us, is, to frighten us from our duty, and to lead us to do what is sinful. Let us never decline a good work, never do a bad one. We ought to try all advice, and to reject what is contrary to the word of God. Every man should study to be consistent. Should I, a professed Christian, called to be a saint, a child of God, a member of Christ, a temple of the Holy Ghost, should I be covetous, sensual, proud…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11A good leader does not run from danger but stands as an example for their people.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 10-1410-14. Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah, &c.--This man was the son of a priest, who was an intimate and confidential friend of Nehemiah. The young man claimed to be endowed with the gift of prophecy. Having been secretly bribed by Sanballat, he, in his pretended capacity of prophet, told Nehemiah that his enemies were that night to make an attempt upon his life. He advised him, at the same time, to consult his safety by concealing himself in…Read the comment
Topics related to Nehemiah 6:11
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Nehemiah 6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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