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.
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.”
- BSB 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!”
- 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 11:1–2In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?
- Prov 28:1The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
- Acts 21:13Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
- Ps 112:8His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
- Ps 112:6Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
- Phil 2:17Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
- Acts 20:24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
- Luke 13:31–33The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.
- Phil 2:30Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
- Neh 6:3And 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?
- 1 Sam 19:5For he did put his life in his hand, and slew the Philistine, and the LORD wrought a great salvation for all Israel: thou sawest it, and didst rejoice: wherefore then wilt thou sin against innocent blood, to slay David without a cause?
- Num 32:7–9And wherefore discourage ye the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD hath given them?
- Job 4:3–6Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
- Neh 6:9For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
- Heb 11:27By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
- Eccl 10:1Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.
- Acts 8:1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
- Isa 10:18And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standard-bearer fainteth.
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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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