Nehemiah 6:12

Verse

I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

American Standard Version (1901)

And I discerned, and, lo, God had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophecy against me: and Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Bible in Basic English

Then it became clear to me that God had not sent him: he had given this word of a prophet against me himself: and Tobiah and Sanballat had given him money to do so.

Douay-Rheims 1899

And I understood that God had not sent him, but that he had spoken to me as if he had been prophesying, and Tobias, and Sanaballat had hired him.

Free Bible Version

I thought about it and saw that God hadn't sent him, but that he had spoken this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Geneva Bible 1599

And loe, I perceiued, that God had not sent him, but that he pronounced this prophecie against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

King James (Authorized) Version

And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Translation for Translators

When I thought about what he had said, I realized that God had not told Shemaiah to say that to me. I realized that Tobiah and Sanballat had bribed him to say that to me.

Unlocked Literal Bible

I realized that it was not God who sent him, but that he had prophesied against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Noah Webster Bible

And lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

World English Bible

I discerned, and behold, God had not sent him, but he pronounced this prophecy against me. Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Young's Literal Translation

And I discern, and lo, God hath not sent him, for in the prophecy he hath spoken unto me both Tobiah and Sanballat hired him,

Context

Sanballat’s Conspiracy

¹¹But I replied, “Should a man like me run away? Should one like me go into the temple to save his own life? I will not go!”¹²I realized that God had not sent him, but that he had uttered this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.¹³He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would sin by doing as he suggested, so they could give me a bad name in order to discredit me.

Summary

In this verse, Nehemiah displays wisdom and discernment by recognizing the deceptive intentions of his enemies who were trying to intimidate him into sinning. Despite their persistent efforts to lure him into compromising his integrity, Nehemiah remains steadfast in his commitment to God and refuses to be swayed by fear or manipulation. This passage serves as a powerful example of resilience and faithfulness in the face of adversity, inspiring believers to stand firm in their convictions and trust in the protection of the Lord.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him,.... Because he advised to that which was against the cause of God and true religion: but that he pronounced the prophecy against me; for by fleeing, as he advised, it would seem that he was guilty of the crimes of rebellion and treason he was charged with; and leaving the people, as they would in course break up, he himself could not be long in safety, no, not in the temple: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him; this he found out afterwards, on purpose to intimidate him, and take such measures as that thereby he would lose his character and his influence.