But 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!”
Parallel translations
- WEB I said, “Should a man like me flee? Who is there that, being such as I, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.”
- KJV And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
- NKJV And I said, “Should such a man as I flee? And who is there such as I who would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!”
- NASB But I said, “Should a man like me flee? And who is there like me who would go into the temple to save his own life? I will not go in.”
- NLT But I replied, “Should someone in my position run from danger? Should someone in my position enter the Temple to save his life? No, I won’t do it!”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Nehemiah refuses to flee, declaring that a man like him will not cowardly hide or unlawfully enter the temple to save his life. He chooses faith and integrity over fear.
Overview
Nehemiah rejects both cowardice and sin: fleeing would betray his leadership, and a layman entering the temple sanctuary would violate God's law. His courageous integrity exposes the snare for what it is. This refusal to sin in order to gain safety reflects the conviction that obedience to God matters more than self-preservation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 18
- Ps 11:1–2For the choirmaster. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain!
- Prov 28:1The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
- Acts 21:13Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
- Ps 112:8His heart is assured; he does not fear, until he looks in triumph on his foes.
- Ps 112:6Surely he will never be shaken; the righteous man will be remembered forever.
- Phil 2:17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.
- Acts 20:24But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
- Luke 13:31–33At that very hour, some Pharisees came to Jesus and told Him, “Leave this place and get away, because Herod wants to kill You.”
- Phil 2:30because he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.
- Neh 6:3So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?”
- 1 Sam 19:5He took his life in his hands when he struck down the Philistine, and the LORD worked a great salvation for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced, so why would you sin against innocent blood by killing David for no reason?”
- Num 32:7–9Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing into the land that the LORD has given them?
- Job 4:3–6Surely you have instructed many, and have strengthened their feeble hands.
- Neh 6:9For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands.
- Heb 11:27By faith Moses left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw Him who is invisible.
- Eccl 10:1As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
- Acts 8:1And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
- Isa 10:18The splendor of its forests and orchards, both soul and body, it will completely destroy, as a sickness consumes a man.
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Christ at the center
The rebuilt walls and renewed covenant community foreshadow the greater builder who gathers and secures a people for God, the one who declares 'I will build my church.'
How Nehemiah 6:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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