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Nehemiah 6:6

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 6:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “wherein 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.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

wherein 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.
Nehemiah 6:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
8Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
9For they all would have made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. But now, [O God], strengthen thou my hands.
← Nehemiah 6:5Nehemiah 6:7 →
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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
“Wherein was written, it is reported among, the Heathen, etc.] Among the several neighbouring nations; it was an affair that was not whispered about among a few only; it was common talk, it was in every body’s mouth in divers nations: and Gashmu saith it; the same with Geshem the Arabian; he affirms it, and will abide by his assertion, and engages to make good what he says; he mentions him by name, who he knew would not be offended with him for making use of it, and who doubtless agreed that he should; that Nehemiah might not think this was the talk of some of the lower rank of the people, but even was averred by no less than the king’s governor in Arabia: that thou and the Jews think to…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:6-7 planning to rebel . . . you plan to be their king: Those who had opposed the restoration of the Temple had used similar tactics (see Ezra 4). • At times in Israel’s history, prophets did play a role in establishing a new king (cp. 1 Sam 9:16; 2 Kgs 9).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“It is reported: Jer 9:3-6, Jer 20:10; Mat 5:11; Rom 3:8; Co2 6:8; Pe1 2:12, Pe1 2:13, Pe1 3:16 Gashmu: Neh 6:1, Neh 6:2, Geshem that thou and: Neh 2:19; Ezr 4:12, Ezr 4:15 that thou mayest: Luk 23:2; Joh 19:13 Nehemiah 6:7”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification