The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand,
Parallel translations
- WEB Then Sanballat sent his servant to me the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
- KJV Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
- BSB The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter
- NKJV Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.
- NASB Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way a fifth time with an open letter in his hand.
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
For the fifth attempt Sanballat sends an open, unsealed letter, deliberately meant for public eyes. The open letter is a tool of intimidation.
Overview
Unlike a private message, an open letter could be read by many, spreading its accusations as rumor. Sanballat shifts tactics from invitation to slander designed to pressure Nehemiah. This calculated move shows how enemies of God's work may resort to public defamation when direct approaches fail.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 5
- 2 Cor 11:13–15For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as Christ’s apostles.
- 2 Th 2:10and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
- 2 Kgs 18:26–28Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, Shebnah, and Joah, said to Rabshakeh, “Please speak to your servants in the Syrian language, for we understand it. Don’t speak with us in the Jews’ language, in the hearing of the people who are on the wall.”
- 2 Cor 2:11that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
- Eph 6:11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
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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 6:5 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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