Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?” New Living Translation so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” English Standard Version And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” Berean Standard Bible So 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?” Berean Literal Bible And I sent to them messengers, saying, “I am doing a great work, and I am not able to come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you⁺?” King James Bible And 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? New King James Version So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” New American Standard Bible So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and am unable to come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” NASB 1995 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” NASB 1977 So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” Legacy Standard Bible So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” Amplified Bible So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave to come down to [meet with] you?” Berean Annotated Bible So 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⁺? Christian Standard Bible So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing important work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you? ” Holman Christian Standard Bible So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” American Standard Version And 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? Contemporary English Version So I sent messengers to tell them, "My work is too important to stop now and go there. I can't afford to slow down the work just to visit with you." English Revised Version And 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? GOD'S WORD® Translation I sent messengers to tell them, "I'm working on an important project and can't get away. Why should the work stop while I leave to meet with you?" Good News Translation I sent messengers to say to them, "I am doing important work and can't go down there. I am not going to let the work stop just to go and see you." International Standard Version So I sent messengers to them, replying "I am involved in a great endeavor, so I can't leave. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?" NET Bible So I sent messengers to them saying, "I am engaged in an important work, and I am unable to come down. Why should the work come to a halt when I leave it to come down to you?" New Heart English Bible I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I can't come down. Why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you?" Webster's Bible Translation And I sent messengers to 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? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleSo 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?” World English Bible I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I can’t come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd I send to them messengers, saying, “A great work I am doing, and I am not able to come down; why does the work cease when I let it alone, and have come down to you?” Berean Literal Bible And I sent to them messengers, saying, “I am doing a great work, and I am not able to come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you⁺?” Young's Literal Translation And I send unto them messengers, saying, 'A great work I am doing, and I am not able to come down; why doth the work cease when I let it alone, and have come down unto you?' Smith's Literal Translation And I shall send messengers to them, saying, I do a great work, and I shall not be able to come down: wherefore shall the work cease when I shall desist and come down to you? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I sent messengers to them, saying: I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down, lest it be neglected whilst I come, and go down to you. Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, I sent messengers to them, saying: “I am doing a great work, and I cannot descend, lest perhaps it may be neglected when I go out and descend to you.” New American Bible I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am engaged in a great enterprise and am unable to come down. Why should the work stop, while I leave it to come down to you?” New Revised Standard Version So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I sent a messenger to them, saying, I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down, lest the work cease, while I leave it and come down to you. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I sent them a Messenger and I said to them: “I am doing a great work and I cannot go down, lest it would stop when I leave and come down to join you.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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?' Brenton Septuagint Translation So I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, and I shall not be able to come down, lest the work should cease: as soon as I shall have finished it, I will come down to you. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Sanballat's Conspiracy…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?” 4Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.… Cross References So I sent messengers to them, saying, 2 Kings 5:10 Then Elisha sent him a messenger, who said, “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored, and you will be clean.” Proverbs 25:13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters. Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. “I am doing a great work Nehemiah 2:18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me. “Let us start rebuilding,” they replied, and they set their hands to this good work. John 4:34 Jesus explained, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. and cannot come down. Luke 10:42 But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” Acts 6:2-4 So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them / and will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 2 Timothy 2:4 A soldier refrains from entangling himself in civilian affairs, in order to please the one who enlisted him. Why should the work stop Ezra 4:24 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. Ezra 6:8 I hereby decree what you must do for these elders of the Jews who are rebuilding this house of God: The cost is to be paid in full to these men from the royal treasury out of the taxes of the provinces west of the Euphrates, so that the work will not be hindered. 2 Chronicles 15:7 But as for you, be strong; do not be discouraged, for your work will be rewarded.” while I leave it to go down to you?” Luke 9:62 Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 14:28-30 Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? / Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, / saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’ 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Nehemiah 4:6 So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. Treasury of Scripture And I sent messengers to 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? And I sent Proverbs 14:15 The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. I am doing Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. Luke 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. John 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. Jump to Previous Able Alone Carrying Cease Great Leave Messengers Possible Project Stop Stopped Whilst WorkJump to Next Able Alone Carrying Cease Great Leave Messengers Possible Project Stop Stopped Whilst WorkNehemiah 6 1. Sanballat practices by craft, by rumors, and by hired prophecies, to terrify Nehemiah15. The work is finished, to the terror of the enemies 17. Secret intelligence passes between the enemies and the nobles of Judah So I sent messengers to them, saying, Nehemiah's response to his adversaries is strategic and wise. By sending messengers, he maintains a level of diplomacy and avoids direct confrontation, which could lead to unnecessary conflict. This approach reflects the wisdom found in Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Nehemiah's leadership style is characterized by discernment and prudence, qualities essential for effective governance and conflict resolution. “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?” Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahThe central figure in this passage, Nehemiah is the governor of Judah and the leader of the effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. His leadership and dedication to God's work are evident throughout the book. 2. Sanballat and Geshem These are adversaries of Nehemiah who attempt to distract and intimidate him from completing the work on the wall. They represent opposition to God's plans and the persistence of worldly challenges. 3. Jerusalem The city where the wall is being rebuilt. It holds significant spiritual and historical importance for the Jewish people as the center of worship and identity. 4. The Wall The physical structure being rebuilt under Nehemiah's leadership. It symbolizes protection, restoration, and the fulfillment of God's promises to His people. 5. The Messengers Individuals sent by Nehemiah to deliver his response to Sanballat and Geshem. They play a role in maintaining communication and ensuring Nehemiah's focus remains on the task at hand. Teaching Points Focus on God's WorkNehemiah's response to his adversaries teaches us the importance of staying focused on the mission God has given us. Distractions and opposition will come, but our commitment to God's work must remain unwavering. Discernment in Leadership Nehemiah demonstrates discernment by recognizing the intentions of Sanballat and Geshem. As leaders, we must be wise and discerning, understanding when to engage and when to stand firm. The Power of a Firm Response Nehemiah's firm and clear response to his adversaries shows the power of standing firm in our convictions. We must be prepared to defend our faith and mission with clarity and confidence. The Importance of Prioritization Nehemiah prioritizes the work on the wall over the demands of his adversaries. This teaches us to prioritize God's work in our lives, ensuring that we do not allow lesser things to divert our attention. Perseverance in the Face of Opposition The persistence of Nehemiah in the face of opposition is a powerful example of perseverance. We are called to persevere in our faith and mission, trusting that God will see us through challenges. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Nehemiah 6:3?2. How does Nehemiah 6:3 demonstrate prioritizing God's work over distractions in life? 3. What can we learn from Nehemiah's response to opposition in Nehemiah 6:3? 4. How does Nehemiah 6:3 relate to Matthew 6:33 about seeking God's kingdom first? 5. How can we apply Nehemiah's focus in Nehemiah 6:3 to our daily tasks? 6. What strategies can help us stay committed to God's work like Nehemiah? 7. What does Nehemiah 6:3 reveal about prioritizing God's work over distractions? 8. How does Nehemiah 6:3 demonstrate leadership in the face of opposition? 9. What historical context surrounds Nehemiah's response in Nehemiah 6:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 6? 11. Who were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem in history? 12. In Leviticus 23:3, how could an entire population realistically stop all work every seventh day without compromising essential services or survival needs? 13. What historical or scientific basis supports the idea of angelic beings physically stopped by the 'prince of Persia' in Daniel 10:13? 14. Jeremiah 30:3 promises the return of all exiled Israelites and Judeans; how do we reconcile this with records showing multiple dispersions and incomplete mass returns? What Does Nehemiah 6:3 Mean So I sent messengers to them, sayingNehemiah’s opponents—Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem—wanted a friendly “meeting” in the plain of Ono (Nehemiah 6:2). Their real aim was to lure him away from Jerusalem and stop the rebuilding. Nehemiah answered, but he did so through messengers rather than going himself. • Discernment: He recognized danger masked as dialogue (Proverbs 14:15; 2 Corinthians 2:11). • Boundaries: Sometimes the godliest response is indirect, avoiding needless engagement (Proverbs 26:4). • Steadfast leadership: Like Jesus handling the Pharisees’ traps (Matthew 22:15–22), Nehemiah kept the initiative. I am doing a great work Nehemiah saw the task not merely as construction but as sacred commission. The wall symbolized God’s covenant faithfulness and Israel’s restoration. • Every assignment from God is “great,” no matter how ordinary it seems (Colossians 3:23; Ephesians 2:10). • The greatness lies in its Author; the work carries eternal weight (1 Colossians 15:58). • Calling it “great” also rallies the people, underscoring purpose and value (Nehemiah 4:14). and cannot come down. The phrase mixes literal height (he’s on the wall) with spiritual resolve. • Determined focus: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom” (Luke 9:62). • Elevation: Staying “up” on the wall pictures staying above petty schemes (Isaiah 40:31). • Moral refusal: Some invitations require a holy “cannot” (Acts 4:19–20). Why should the work stop Nehemiah measures every request by one metric: Will it advance or hinder God’s purpose? • Distractions waste precious time (Ephesians 5:15–16). • Small compromises can halt big endeavors—“the little foxes” (SS 2:15). • Paul echoed this vigilance: “You were running well; who hindered you?” (Galatians 5:7). while I leave it to go down to you? Leaving the wall means abandoning God’s agenda for man-made negotiations. • Direction matters: Going “down” hints at spiritual descent (Jonah 1:3). • Choosing separation: “A soldier… does not entangle himself in civilian affairs” (2 Titus 2:4). • Friendship with the world opposes loyalty to God (James 4:4; Psalm 1:1). summary Nehemiah 6:3 calls believers to unwavering dedication to God’s calling. With discernment, he rejects distraction, labels God’s assignment “great,” and refuses any descent that would halt the work. The verse urges us to stay on the wall—focused, steadfast, and immovable—until the task the Lord has entrusted to us is finished. Hebrew So I sentוָאֶשְׁלְחָ֨ה (wā·’eš·lə·ḥāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out messengers מַלְאָכִים֙ (mal·’ā·ḵîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel to them, עֲלֵיהֶ֤ם (‘ă·lê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against saying, לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 559: To utter, say “I אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî) Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I am doing עֹשֶׂ֔ה (‘ō·śeh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make a great גְדוֹלָה֙ (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent work מְלָאכָ֤ה (mə·lā·ḵāh) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property and cannot וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no come down. לָרֶ֑דֶת (lā·re·ḏeṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend Why לָ֣מָּה (lām·māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what should the work הַמְּלָאכָה֙ (ham·mə·lā·ḵāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property stop תִשְׁבַּ֤ת (ṯiš·baṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular Strong's 7673: To repose, desist from exertion while כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that I leave it אַרְפֶּ֔הָ (’ar·pe·hā) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 7503: Sink, relax to go down וְיָרַדְתִּ֖י (wə·yā·raḏ·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend to you?” אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃ (’ă·lê·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Links Nehemiah 6:3 NIVNehemiah 6:3 NLT Nehemiah 6:3 ESV Nehemiah 6:3 NASB Nehemiah 6:3 KJV Nehemiah 6:3 BibleApps.com Nehemiah 6:3 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 6:3 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 6:3 French Bible Nehemiah 6:3 Catholic Bible OT History: Nehemiah 6:3 I sent messengers to them saying (Neh Ne) |
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