Nehemiah 6:1
New International Version
When word came to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left in it—though up to that time I had not set the doors in the gates—

New Living Translation
Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates.

English Standard Version
Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),

Berean Standard Bible
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left—though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates—

King James Bible
Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)

New King James Version
Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates),

New American Standard Bible
Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach was left in it, although at that time I had not installed the doors in the gates,

NASB 1995
Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates,

NASB 1977
Now it came about when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab, and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates,

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened when it was heard by Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not made the doors to stand in the gates,

Amplified Bible
Now when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there was no breach left in it, although at that time I had not set up doors in the gates,

Christian Standard Bible
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that no gap was left in it —though at that time I had not installed the doors in the city gates —

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that no gap was left in it—though at that time I had not installed the doors in the gates—

American Standard Version
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),

Contemporary English Version
Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and our other enemies learned that I had completely rebuilt the wall. All I lacked was hanging the doors in the gates.

English Revised Version
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;)

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and that no gaps had been left in it (although at that time I had not yet hung the doors in the city gates).

Good News Translation
Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem, and the rest of our enemies heard that we had finished building the wall and that there were no gaps left in it, although we still had not set up the gates in the gateways.

International Standard Version
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had completed the wall and that no break remained in it (even though by that time I hadn't yet installed the doors in the gates),

Majority Standard Bible
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left?though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates?

NET Bible
When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and no breach remained in it (even though up to that time I had not positioned doors in the gates),

New Heart English Bible
Now it happened, when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah, and to Geshem the Arabian, and to the rest of our enemies, that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it; (though even to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates;)

Webster's Bible Translation
Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it, (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)

World English Bible
Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arabian, and to the rest of our enemies that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it (though even to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, when it has been heard by Sanballat, and Tobiah, and by Geshem the Arabian, and by the rest of our enemies, that I have built the wall, and there has not been left in it a breach (also, until that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, when it hath been heard by Sanballat, and Tobiah, and by Geshem the Arabian, and by the rest of our enemies, that I have builded the wall, and there hath not been left in it a breach, (also, till that time the doors I had not set up in the gates,)

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be as it was heard by Sanballat and Tobiah, and by Geshem the Arabian, and by the rest of our enemies, that I built the wall and a breach was not left in it; also even to this time I set not up the doors in the gates;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it came to pass, when Sanaballat, and Tobias, and Gossem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it, (though at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates,)

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now it happened that, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem, an Arab, and our other enemies, had heard that I had built the wall, and that there was no interruption remaining in it, (even though, at that time, I had not set up the double doors at the gates,)

New American Bible
When it had been reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and our other enemies that I had rebuilt the wall and that there was no breach left in it (though up to that time I had not yet set up the doors in the gates),

New Revised Standard Version
Now when it was reported to Sanballat and Tobiah and to Geshem the Arab and to the rest of our enemies that I had built the wall and that there was no gap left in it (though up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates),
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THEN when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arabian and the rest of our enemies heard the news that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (though at that time we had not set up the doors upon the gates),

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Then when the matter of the building of the wall was heard by Samblat, and by Tobia, and by Geshum the Arabian, and by the rest of our enemies, and there was no break in it, and unto that time we had not yet set up the door posts of the gates
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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--

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Now it came to pass, when Sanaballat, and Tobias, and Gesam the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and that there was no opening left therein; (but hitherto I had not set up the doors on the gates;)

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sanballat's Conspiracy
1 When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall and not a gap was left though to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates— 2Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.…

Cross References
Ezra 4:1-5
When the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building a temple for the LORD, the God of Israel, / they approached Zerubbabel and the heads of the families, saying, “Let us build with you because, like you, we seek your God and have been sacrificing to Him since the time of King Esar-haddon of Assyria, who brought us here.” / But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other heads of the families of Israel replied, “You have no part with us in building a house for our God, since we alone must build it for the LORD, the God of Israel, as Cyrus king of Persia has commanded us.” ...

Nehemiah 4:7-8
When Sanballat and Tobiah, together with the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites, heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they were furious, / and all of them conspired to come and fight against Jerusalem and create a hindrance.

Nehemiah 2:10
But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.

Nehemiah 2:19-20
But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” / So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah 4:1-3
Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews / before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” / Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”

Nehemiah 13:28
Even one of the sons of Jehoiada son of Eliashib the high priest had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I drove him away from me.

2 Kings 17:24
Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim and settled them in the towns of Samaria to replace the Israelites. They took possession of Samaria and lived in its towns.

2 Kings 17:33-34
They worshiped the LORD, but they also served their own gods according to the customs of the nations from which they had been carried away. / To this day they are still practicing their former customs. None of them worship the LORD or observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments that the LORD gave the descendants of Jacob, whom He named Israel.

Ezra 4:7-16
And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in Aramaic and then translated. / Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows: / From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges and officials over Tripolis, Persia, Erech and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa, ...

Ezra 4:23-24
When the text of the letter from King Artaxerxes was read to Rehum, Shimshai the scribe, and their associates, they went immediately to the Jews in Jerusalem and forcibly stopped them. / Thus the construction of the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it remained at a standstill until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. / Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. / Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Acts 4:18-21
Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. / But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. / For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.” ...

Acts 5:27-29
They brought them in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, where the high priest interrogated them. / “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us responsible for this man’s blood.” / But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

Acts 6:9-14
But resistance arose from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, including Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and men from the provinces of Cilicia and Asia. They disputed with Stephen, / but they could not stand up to his wisdom or the Spirit by whom he spoke. / Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

Now it came to pass when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors on the gates;)

when Sanballat

Nehemiah 2:10,19
When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel…

Nehemiah 4:1,7
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews…

Geshem

Nehemiah 6:6
Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.

Gashmu.

Nehemiah 4:6,7
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work…

Daniel 9:25
Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times.

at that time

Nehemiah 3:1,3,6
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel…

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Arabian Breach Builded Built Doors Enemies Gates Geshem Heard Reported Rest Sanballat Therein Time Tobiah Wall
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Nehemiah 6
1. Sanballat practices by craft, by rumors, and by hired prophecies, to terrify Nehemiah
15. The work is finished, to the terror of the enemies
17. Secret intelligence passes between the enemies and the nobles of Judah














When Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard
This phrase introduces the antagonists in Nehemiah's narrative. "Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem" are historical figures representing opposition to God's work. Sanballat was the governor of Samaria, Tobiah was an Ammonite official, and Geshem was an Arab leader. Their opposition is emblematic of the spiritual warfare faced by believers. The Hebrew root for "heard" (שָׁמַע, shama) implies not just hearing but understanding and reacting, indicating that the enemies were actively monitoring Nehemiah's progress. This reflects the vigilance required by Christians in spiritual battles, as adversaries are always alert to the advancement of God's kingdom.

that I had rebuilt the wall
The rebuilding of the wall signifies the restoration of Jerusalem's physical and spiritual integrity. The Hebrew word for "rebuilt" (בָּנָה, banah) conveys the idea of establishing and fortifying. Nehemiah's leadership in rebuilding the wall is a metaphor for spiritual renewal and protection. In a broader biblical context, walls symbolize salvation and security (Isaiah 26:1). This act of rebuilding is a testament to faith and perseverance, encouraging believers to fortify their spiritual lives against external threats.

and that no gap was left in it
The phrase "no gap was left" highlights the completeness and thoroughness of the work. In Hebrew, "gap" (פֶּרֶץ, peretz) can mean a breach or break, often used in the context of vulnerability. Nehemiah's success in closing all gaps symbolizes the importance of addressing weaknesses in one's spiritual life. It serves as a reminder that believers must be diligent in closing gaps that could be exploited by spiritual adversaries, ensuring that their faith and community are whole and secure.

though up to that time I had not yet installed the doors in the gates
This clause indicates that while the wall was complete, the work was not entirely finished. The "doors in the gates" are crucial for controlling access and ensuring security. In biblical symbolism, gates represent authority and decision-making (Proverbs 31:23). The absence of doors suggests vulnerability, teaching that vigilance is necessary even when significant progress has been made. Spiritually, it reminds believers to remain watchful and to complete the work God has set before them, ensuring that all aspects of their lives are aligned with His will.

(1) And the rest of our enemies.--The Three always have the pre-eminence.

The doors upon the gates.--Within the gates. This parenthesis is a note of historical accuracy, and intimates that what had been before said as to the setting up of the doors (see Nehemiah 3) was by way of anticipation.

Verse 1. - When Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian heard. Literally, "When it was heard by Sanballat and Tobiah, and by Geshem the Arabian." The preposition ל is repeated with Geshem, but not with Tobiah, probably because Tobiah was Sanballat's subordinate, but Geshem an independent chief. Hence, too, it was not proposed that Tobiah should be at the conference. At that time I had not set up the doors. This may appear to contradict Nehemiah 3:1, 3, 6, 13, etc. But the account of the building in ch. 3. is carried on to the completion of the whole work, the object there being to state by whom the different parts were done, and not at what time. Chronologically, chs. 4, 5, and 6. are parallel to ch. 3, relating events that happened while the wall was being built. The hanging of the doors in the gateways was, naturally, the last thing done. Upon the gates. Rather, "in the gateways."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When
כַאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ḵa·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Sanballat,
לְסַנְבַלַּ֣ט (lə·san·ḇal·laṭ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5571: Sanballat -- a Samaritan leader

Tobiah,
וְ֠טוֹבִיָּה (wə·ṭō·w·ḇî·yāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2900: Tobiah -- 'Yah is my good', three Israelites, also an Ammonite

Geshem
וּלְגֶ֨שֶׁם (ū·lə·ḡe·šem)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1654: Geshem -- an opponent of Nehemiah

the Arab,
הָֽעַרְבִ֜י (hā·‘ar·ḇî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6163: Arabian -- inhabitant of Arabia

and the rest
וּלְיֶ֣תֶר (ū·lə·ye·ṯer)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3499: An overhanging, an excess, superiority, remainder, a small rope

of our enemies
אֹֽיְבֵ֗ינוּ (’ō·yə·ḇê·nū)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

heard
נִשְׁמַ֣ע (niš·ma‘)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I had rebuilt
בָנִ֙יתִי֙ (ḇā·nî·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1129: To build

the wall
הַ֣חוֹמָ֔ה (ha·ḥō·w·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

and not
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

a gap
פָּ֑רֶץ (pā·reṣ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6556: A bursting forth, breach

was left—
נ֥וֹתַר (nō·w·ṯar)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3498: To jut over, exceed, to excel, to remain, be left, to leave, cause to abound, preserve

though
גַּ֚ם (gam)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

that
הַהִ֔יא (ha·hî)
Article | Pronoun - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

time
הָעֵ֣ת (hā·‘êṯ)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

I had not yet
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

installed
הֶעֱמַ֥דְתִּי (he·‘ĕ·maḏ·tî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

the doors
דְּלָת֖וֹת (də·lā·ṯō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1817: Something swinging, the valve of a, door

in the gates—
בַשְּׁעָרִֽים׃ (ḇaš·šə·‘ā·rîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate


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OT History: Nehemiah 6:1 Now it happened when it was reported (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 5:19
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