God’s Word Translation
Nehemiah 6:11
11But I asked, “Should a man like me run away? Would a man like me go into the temple to save his life? I won’t 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
9They were all trying to intimidate us. They thought we would give up and not finish the work. But God made me strong. 10⌞One day⌟ I went to the home of Shemaiah, son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel. Shemaiah who was confined to his house, said, “Let’s meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and close the temple doors. Some men are coming at night to kill you.” But I asked, “Should a man like me run away? Would a man like me go into the temple to save his life? I won’t go.” 12Then I realized that God hadn’t sent him. Instead, Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him to prophesy against me. 13He was hired to intimidate me into doing this so that I would sin. Then they could give me a bad reputation in order to 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 6:3I sent messengers to tell them, “I’m working on an important project and can’t get away. Why should the work stop while I leave to meet with you?”
- 1 Samuel 19:5He risked his life and killed the Philistine Goliath, and the Lord gave all Israel a great victory. When you saw it, you rejoiced. Why then should you sin by shedding David’s innocent blood for no reason?”
- Job 4:3Certainly, you have instructed many people: When hands were weak, you made them strong.
- Psalms 11:1I have taken refuge in the Lord. How can you say to me: “Flee to your mountain like a bird?
- Psalms 112:6He will never fail. A righteous person will always be remembered.
- Proverbs 28:1A wicked person flees when no one is chasing him, but righteous people are as bold as lions.
- Isaiah 10:18The majestic forest and the orchard will destroy both body and soul. They will be like a sick person wasting away.
- Luke 13:31At that time some Pharisees told Jesus, “Get out of here, and go somewhere else! Herod wants to kill you.”
- Acts 8:1Saul approved of putting Stephen to death. On that day widespread persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. Most believers, except the apostles, were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
- Acts 20:24But I don’t place any value on my own life. I want to finish the race I’m running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus—the mission of testifying to the Good News of God’s kindness.
- Acts 21:13Then Paul replied, “Why are you crying like this and breaking my heart? I’m ready not only to be tied up in Jerusalem but also to die there for the sake of the Lord, the one named Jesus.”
- Hebrews 11:27Faith led Moses to leave Egypt without being afraid of the king’s anger. Moses didn’t give up but continued as if he could actually see the invisible God.
- Nehemiah 6:9They were all trying to intimidate us. They thought we would give up and not finish the work. But God made me strong.
- Numbers 32:7That might discourage them from entering the land the Lord has given them.
- Ecclesiastes 10:1Dead flies will make a bottle of perfume stink, and then it is spoiled. A little foolishness outweighs wisdom ⌞and⌟ honor.
- Philippians 2:17My life is being poured out as a part of the sacrifice and service ⌞I offer to God⌟ for your faith. Yet, I am filled with joy, and I share that joy 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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