Christian Standard Bible
Nehemiah 6:11
11But I said, “Should a man like me run away? How can someone like me enter the temple and live? 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 were all trying to intimidate us, saying, “They will drop their hands from the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands. 10I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was restricted to his house. He said: Let’s meet at the house of God, inside the temple. Let’s shut the temple doors because they’re coming to kill you. They’re coming to kill you tonight! But I said, “Should a man like me run away? How can someone like me enter the temple and live? I will not go.” 12I realized that God had not sent him, because of the prophecy he spoke against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13He was hired, so that I would be intimidated, do as he suggested, sin, and get a bad reputation, in order that they could discredit 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 important work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”
- 1 Samuel 19:5He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great victory for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”
- Job 4:3Indeed, you have instructed many and have strengthened weak hands.
- Psalms 11:1I have taken refuge in the Lord. How can you say to me, “Escape to the mountains like a bird!
- Psalms 112:6He will never be shaken. The righteous one will be remembered forever.
- Proverbs 28:1The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
- Isaiah 10:18He will completely destroy the glory of its forests and orchards as a sickness consumes a person.
- Luke 13:31At that time some Pharisees came and told him, “Go, get out of here. Herod wants to kill you.”
- Acts 8:1Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.
- Acts 20:24But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.
- Acts 21:13Then Paul replied, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
- Hebrews 11:27By faith he left Egypt behind, not being afraid of the king’s anger, for Moses persevered as one who sees him who is invisible.
- Nehemiah 6:9For they were all trying to intimidate us, saying, “They will drop their hands from the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands.
- Numbers 32:7Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing into the land the Lord has given them?
- Ecclesiastes 10:1Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil ferment and stink; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
- Philippians 2:17But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrificial service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
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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