Nehemiah 6:2
New International Version
Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me;

New Living Translation
So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me,

English Standard Version
Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm.

Berean Standard Bible
Sanballat 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.

King James Bible
That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

New King James Version
that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm.

New American Standard Bible
Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let’s meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were plotting to harm me.

NASB 1995
then Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.

NASB 1977
that Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.

Legacy Standard Bible
that Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to do me harm.

Amplified Bible
Sanballat and Geshem sent word to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.

Christian Standard Bible
Sanballat and Geshem sent me a message: “Come, let’s meet together in the villages of the Ono Valley.” They were planning to harm me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Sanballat and Geshem sent me a message: “Come, let’s meet together in the villages of the Ono Valley.” But they were planning to harm me.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
Then Sanballat and Geshem sent a message, asking me to meet with them in one of the villages in Ono Valley. I knew they were planning to harm me in some way.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Sanballat and Geshem sent this message to me: "Let's meet in Hakkephirim on the plain of Ono." They were planning to harm me.

Good News Translation
So Sanballat and Geshem sent me a message, suggesting that I meet with them in one of the villages in the Plain of Ono. This was a trick of theirs to try to harm me.

International Standard Version
Sanballat and Geshem sent word to me, saying "Come, let's meet together at Kephirim on the Ono Plain." But they were just trying to do me harm.

Majority Standard Bible
Sanballat 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.

NET Bible
Sanballat and Geshem sent word to me saying, "Come on! Let's set up a time to meet together at Kephirim in the plain of Ono." Now they intended to do me harm.

New Heart English Bible
that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, "Come, let us meet together at Ha-Kephirim in the plain of Ono." But they intended to harm me.

Webster's Bible Translation
That Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

World English Bible
Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come! Let’s meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to harm me.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
that Sanballat sends, also Geshem, to me, saying, “Come and we meet together in the villages, in the Valley of Ono”; and they are thinking to do to me evil.

Young's Literal Translation
that Sanballat sendeth, also Geshem, unto me, saying, 'Come and we meet together in the villages, in the valley of Ono;' and they are thinking to do to me evil.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Sanballat sent to me and Geshem, saying, Come, and we will pass over together in the villages in the valley of Ono. And they reckoned to do evil to me.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Sanaballat and Gossem Rent to me, saying: Come, and let us make a league together in the villages, in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying: “Come, and let us strike a pact together in the villages, on the plain of Ono.” But they were thinking that they would do me harm.

New American Bible
Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us hold council together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” They were planning to do me harm.

New Revised Standard Version
Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come, let us go together and encamp as a troop in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me harm.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Samblat and Geshum sent to me and they were saying to me: “Come, let us go as one and camp as a band of robbers in the plain of Einu.” And they were contemplating doing evil to me.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
that Sanaballat and Gesam sent to me, saying, Come and let us meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono. But they were plotting to do me mischief.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sanballat's Conspiracy
1When 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. 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?”…

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.” ...

2 Samuel 15:10-12
Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’” / Two hundred men from Jerusalem accompanied Absalom. They had been invited as guests and they went along innocently, for they knew nothing about the matter. / While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his hometown of Giloh. So the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing.

Proverbs 26:24-26
A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. / When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. / Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Jeremiah 41:1-3
In the seventh month, Ishmael son of Nethaniah, the son of Elishama, who was a member of the royal family and one of the king’s chief officers, came with ten men to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah, and they ate a meal together there. / Then Ishmael son of Nethaniah and the ten men who were with him got up and struck down Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, with the sword, killing the one whom the king of Babylon had appointed to govern the land. / Ishmael also killed all the Jews who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah, as well as the Chaldean soldiers who were there.

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

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Psalm 28:3
Do not drag me away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.

Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Genesis 3:1-5
Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field that the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” / The woman answered the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden, / but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You must not eat of it or touch it, or you will die.’” ...

2 Kings 18:19-22
The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours? / You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. In whom are you now trusting, that you have rebelled against me? / Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. ...

Luke 20:20-23
So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor. / “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. / Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” ...

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

2 Timothy 3:13
while evil men and imposters go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

Psalm 55:21
His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.


Treasury of Scripture

That Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.

2 Samuel 3:27
And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

2 Samuel 20:9
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.

Psalm 37:12
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

Ono

Nehemiah 11:35
Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.

1 Chronicles 8:12
The sons of Elpaal; Eber, and Misham, and Shamed, who built Ono, and Lod, with the towns thereof:

they thought

Psalm 12:2
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

Psalm 37:12,32
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth…

Jeremiah 41:2
Then arose Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan with the sword, and slew him, whom the king of Babylon had made governor over the land.

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Evil Geshem Harm Intended Little Meet Meeting Message Mischief Ono Plain Planning Purpose Sanballat Sanbal'lat Scheming Thinking Thought Together Towns Valley Villages
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Evil Geshem Harm Intended Little Meet Meeting Message Mischief Ono Plain Planning Purpose Sanballat Sanbal'lat Scheming Thinking Thought Together Towns Valley Villages
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














Sanballat and Geshem
These two figures are prominent adversaries of Nehemiah throughout the book. Sanballat was the governor of Samaria, and Geshem was an Arab leader. Their opposition to Nehemiah's work on the walls of Jerusalem is well-documented. Historically, their resistance represents the broader geopolitical tensions of the time, as neighboring regions were threatened by the re-establishment of a fortified Jerusalem. Their names are often associated with opposition to God's work, symbolizing the spiritual warfare believers face.

sent me a message
The act of sending a message in ancient times was significant, often involving messengers who traveled long distances. This phrase indicates a formal communication, suggesting an attempt to engage Nehemiah in dialogue. In a spiritual sense, it reflects how the enemy often uses subtle and seemingly innocuous means to distract or derail God's people from their mission.

Come, let us meet together
This invitation appears cordial and cooperative on the surface. However, it is a deceptive tactic. The phrase can be seen as a metaphor for the temptations and distractions that believers face, which often come disguised as reasonable or beneficial opportunities. It serves as a reminder to discern the true intentions behind offers and invitations.

in one of the villages on the plain of Ono
The plain of Ono was located northwest of Jerusalem, near the border of Samaria. It was a neutral ground, which might have seemed like a safe meeting place. However, its distance from Jerusalem meant that Nehemiah would be isolated from his support and vulnerable to attack. This geographical detail underscores the strategic cunning of Nehemiah's adversaries and highlights the importance of remaining within the protective boundaries of God's will.

But they were planning to harm me
Nehemiah's discernment is evident here. Despite the seemingly peaceful invitation, he perceives the underlying threat. This phrase emphasizes the need for spiritual vigilance and wisdom. In the broader biblical context, it reflects the reality that the enemy's intentions are often hidden and malicious, requiring believers to rely on God's guidance to avoid spiritual pitfalls.

(2) Sanballat and Geshem.--In the original of Nehemiah 6:1, Tobiah is not distinguished from Sanballat by another preposition, as Geshem is; and here he is omitted, as not to appear in the conference otherwise than as Sanballat's secretary.

In some one of the villages in the plain of Ono.--Probably, in Hahkiphirem, the name of a village in the plain of Ono, which was on the borders of Philistia, more than twenty miles from Jerusalem.

Verse 2. - In some one of the villages. The Hebrew has "in the villages," which seems too vague. Bertheau therefore suggests, "in Hakkiphirim," taking the word as the name of a particular village, which is probably right. Ono was near Lydda, in the plain country bordering on Philistia. They thought to do me mischief. A euphemism for "they thought to murder me."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Sanballat
סַנְבַלַּ֤ט (san·ḇal·laṭ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5571: Sanballat -- a Samaritan leader

and Geshem
וְגֶ֙שֶׁם֙ (wə·ḡe·šem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1654: Geshem -- an opponent of Nehemiah

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

me this message:
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Come,
לְכָ֞ה (lə·ḵāh)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

let us meet
וְנִֽוָּעֲדָ֥ה (wə·niw·wā·‘ă·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 3259: To fix upon, to meet, to summon, to direct, to engage

together
יַחְדָּ֛ו (yaḥ·dāw)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

in [one of] the villages
בַּכְּפִירִ֖ים (bak·kə·p̄î·rîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3715: A village, a young lion

on the plain
בְּבִקְעַ֣ת (bə·ḇiq·‘aṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1237: A split, a wide level valley between mountains

of Ono.”
אוֹנ֑וֹ (’ō·w·nōw)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 207: Ono -- 'vigorous', a city in Benjamin

But they
וְהֵ֙מָּה֙ (wə·hêm·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

were planning
חֹֽשְׁבִ֔ים (ḥō·šə·ḇîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2803: To think, account

to harm
לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

me.
רָעָֽה׃ (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil


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OT History: Nehemiah 6:2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent to me (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 6:1
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