Nehemiah 6:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 6:1-9

Two plots upon Nehemiah we have here an account of, how cunningly they were laid by his enemies and how happily frustrated by God's good providence and his prudence. I. A plot to trepan him into a snare. The enemies had an account of the good forwardness the work was in, that all the breaches of the wall were made up, so that they considered it as good as done, though at that time the doors of the gates were off the hinges (Neh. 6:1); they must therefore now or never, by one bold stroke, take... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 6:5

Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time ,.... In his own name, neither Tobiah nor Geshem joining with him, he being more solicitous and anxious to get him into his hands than any of them; and it may be, as some think, pretending more friendship for him than the rest, and therefore writes alone, as if they knew nothing of his writing: with an open letter in his hand : which having in it an intimation of Nehemiah being guilty of treason, anyone that would... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 6:5

With 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 more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:1-9

Craft detected and baffled. The enemies without make cunning proposals in vain. I. THE OCCASION OF THEIR INTERFERENCE . They heard that the wall was completed, though the gates were not yet set up; and, thinking that further open opposition would be useless, adopted craft. II. THE MANNER OF THEIR INTERFERENCE . 1. They repeatedly proposed a conference. Pretending probably that they wished to come to a good understanding with Nehemiah, but really intending to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:1-9

The Christian workman. Nehemiah was an instance, and will ever be the type, of a faithful workman in the cause of God; from his conduct and career we may learn— I. HOW VALUABLE ONE WORKMAN MAY PROVE (verses 1, 2). Sin sometimes pays an unconscious tribute to integrity and worth. It acts on the assumption that righteousness is more than equal to its energy, and that, to gain its evil end, it must have recourse to "poisoned weapons." Thus, e.g; Philip of Spain, striving... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:1-14

God with us. The true safety of God's people in the midst of the world's opposition. Nehemiah represents the spirit of consecration, zeal, single-mindedness, dependence upon God, personal responsibility, and confidence in final issues, which should be the spirit of all God's people, and especially of those who hold prominent places in the Church. I. THE FACT OF OPPOSITION . 1. It is a constant fact. The form may change, but the substance is the same. Sleepless vigilance... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:1-16

The temptations of earnest moral life and service. I. THE WAY IN WHICH THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF EARNEST MORAL LIFE AND SERVICE ARE MADE KNOWN TO WICKED MEN . "Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein" ( Nehemiah 6:1 ). Christian life and service will make themselves known— 1. Naturally. The finished walls must be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:1-19

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 6:5

An open letter . Letters in the East are usually placed in silken bags, which are then tied up and carefully sealed. An "open letter" invited perusal; and the object of sending this one "open' must have been to create alarm among the Jews, and to excite them against Nehemiah. Compare the conduct of Sennacherib's ambassadors ( 2 Kings 18:27-33 ). read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 6:5

The 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 more

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