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Nehemiah 6:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 6:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
Nehemiah 6:4 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now it came to pass, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and unto the rest of our enemies, that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though even unto that time I had not set up the doors in the gates;)
2that Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in [one of] the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
3And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
4And they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
5Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
6wherein was written, It is reported among the nations, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel; for which cause thou art building the wall: and thou wouldest be their king, according to these words.
7And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.
← Nehemiah 6:3Nehemiah 6:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort, etc.] Being very desirous of getting him into their hands, and therefore were very pressing and importunate: and I answered them after the same manner; every time as before, he being as much bent on finishing the work as they were to divert him from it.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Four times, &c. - We must never be overcome by the greatest importunity, to do anything ill or imprudent: but when we are attacked with the same temptation, still resist it with the same reason and resolution. Nehemiah 6:5”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“four times: Jdg 16:6, Jdg 16:10, Jdg 16:15-20; Pro 7:21; Luk 18:5; Co1 15:58; Gal 2:5 and I answered: Pro 14:15 Nehemiah 6:5”
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Related study paths

Read Nehemiah 6 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification