English Standard Version
Nehemiah 6:5
5In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
Nehemiah 6:5 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
- New International Version (NIV)Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand,
Context of Nehemiah 6:5
3And I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?" 4And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6In it was written, "It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, 'There is a king in Judah.' And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together."
Read all of Nehemiah 6Nehemiah 6:5 word by word
וַיִּשְׁלַח֩ אֵלַ֨י סַנְבַלַּ֜ט כַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּ֛ה פַּ֥עַם חֲמִישִׁ֖ית אֶֽת־נַעֲר֑וֹ וְאִגֶּ֥רֶת פְּתוּחָ֖ה בְּיָדֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Then sentשָׁלַחshâlach · to send: departH7971
- Sanballatסַנְבַלַּטsanballaţ · SanballatH5571
- his servantנַ֫עַרna‛ar · youthH5288
- unto me in like mannerדָּבָרdâbâr · ChroniclesH1697
- the fifthחֲמִישִׁיchămîyshîy chămishshîy · fifthH2549
- timeפַּ֫עַםpa‛am pa‛ămâh · beatH6471
- with an openפָּתַחpâthach · to openH6605
- letterאִגֶּ֫רֶת'iggereth · letterH107
- in his handיָדyâd · handH3027
Cross-references for Nehemiah 6:5
- 2 Kings 18:26Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebnah, and Joah, said to the Rabshakeh, "Please speak to your servants in Aramaic, for we understand it. Do not speak to us in the language of Judah within the hearing of the people who are on the wall."
- 2 Corinthians 2:11so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.
- 2 Corinthians 11:13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
- Ephesians 6:11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.
Commentaries on Nehemiah 6:5
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 5With an open letter in his hand - This was an insult to a person of Nehemiah's quality: as letters sent to chiefs and governors in the East are always carefully folded up, and put in costly silken bags, and these carefully sealed. The circumstance is thus marked to show the contempt he (Sanballat) had for him.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 5The letter was “open,” in order that the contents might be generally known, and that the Jews, alarmed at the threats contained in it, might refuse to continue the work.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-19After solving the financial crisis (see Nehemiah 5), the story shifts back to how those against rebuilding tried to scare or stop Nehemiah.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 5-95-9. Then sent Sanballat his servant ... the fifth time with an open letter in his hand--In Western Asia, letters, after being rolled up like a map, are flattened to the breadth of an inch; and instead of being sealed, they are pasted at the ends. In Eastern Asia, the Persians make up their letters in the form of a roll about six inches long, and a bit of paper is fastened round it with gum, and sealed with an impression of ink, which resembles our…Read the comment
Topics related to Nehemiah 6:5
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries