Albert Barnes Commentary Nehemiah 6
Albert Barnes Commentary
Nehemiah 6
Albert Barnes Commentary
Nehemiah 6
"Now 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;)" — Nehemiah 6:1 (ASV)
Upon the gates - Rather, “in the gates.” This work would naturally be delayed until the last phase.
"that 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." — Nehemiah 6:2 (ASV)
The choice made of Ono, on the outskirts of Benjamin, 25 or 30 miles from Jerusalem, as the meeting-place, was, no doubt, in order to draw Nehemiah to a distance from his supporters, so that an attack might be made on him with a better chance of success.
"Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand," — Nehemiah 6:5 (ASV)
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.
"And I went unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee." — Nehemiah 6:10 (ASV)
Who was shut up - On account, probably, of some legal uncleanness. Compare Jeremiah 36:5.
"And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in." — Nehemiah 6:11 (ASV)
Would 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 .
Jump to: