Nehemiah 6:7 and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: 'There is a king in Judah.' Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together."

◄ Nehemiah 6:7 ►

New International Version
and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.”

New Living Translation
He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’ “You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.”

English Standard Version
And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.”

Berean Standard Bible
and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”

King James Bible
And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.

New King James Version
And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, “There is a king in Judah!” Now these matters will be reported to the king. So come, therefore, and let us consult together.

New American Standard Bible
You have also appointed prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘A king is in Judah!’ And now it will be reported to the king according to these reports. So come now, let’s consult together.”

NASB 1995
“You have also appointed prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘A king is in Judah!’ And now it will be reported to the king according to these reports. So come now, let us take counsel together.”

NASB 1977
“And you have also appointed prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘A king is in Judah!’ And now it will be reported to the king according to these reports. So come now, let us take counsel together.”

Legacy Standard Bible
You have also set up prophets to call out in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘A king is in Judah!’ So now it will be heard by the king according to these words. So now, come, let us take counsel together.”

Amplified Bible
Also [it is reported that] you have appointed prophets to make a proclamation concerning you in Jerusalem, saying, ‘There is a king in Judah!’ And now these things will be reported to the [Persian] king. So come now, and let us consult together.”

Christian Standard Bible
and have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf, “There is a king in Judah.” These rumors will be heard by the king. So come, let’s confer together.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and have even set up the prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: “There is a king in Judah.” These rumors will be heard by the king. So come, let’s confer together.

American Standard Version
And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.

Contemporary English Version
You even have prophets in Jerusalem, claiming you are now the king of Judah. You know the Persian king will hear about this, so let's get together and talk it over.

English Revised Version
And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You've appointed prophets to announce about you in Jerusalem, 'There's a king in Judah!' This report will get back to the king. So let's talk about this.

Good News Translation
and that you have arranged for some prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem that you are the king of Judah. His Majesty is certain to hear about this, so I suggest that you and I meet to talk the situation over."

International Standard Version
you also have appointed prophets to proclaim about you in Jerusalem, "There is a king in Judah!" Since these words are being reported to the king, come and let's meet together.

Majority Standard Bible
and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.”

NET Bible
You have also established prophets to announce in Jerusalem on your behalf, 'We have a king in Judah!' Now the king is going to hear about these rumors. So come on! Let's talk about this."

New Heart English Bible
You have also appointed prophets to preach of you at Jerusalem, saying, 'There is a king in Judah.' Now it will be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together."

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.

World English Bible
You have also appointed prophets to proclaim of you at Jerusalem, saying, ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now it will be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let’s take counsel together.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And also, you have appointed prophets to call for you in Jerusalem, saying, A king [is] in Judah, and now it is heard by the king according to these words; and now come, and we take counsel together.”

Young's Literal Translation
And also, prophets thou hast appointed to call for thee in Jerusalem, saying, A king is in Judah, and now it is heard by the king according to these words; and now come, and we take counsel together.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And also thou didst set up prophets to call upon thee in Jerusalem, saying, A king in Judah: and now it will be heard by the king according to these words: and now come and we will counsel together.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou hast also set up prophets, to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying: There is a king in Judea. The king will hear of these things: therefore come now, that we may take counsel together.

Catholic Public Domain Version
you also have stationed prophets, who preach about you in Jerusalem, saying: ‘There is a king in Judea!’ But the king will hear about these words. Therefore, come now, so that we may go to counsel together.”

New American Bible
Also, that you have set up prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim you king of Judah. Now, since matters like these will reach the ear of the king, come, let us hold council together.”

New Revised Standard Version
You have also set up prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘There is a king in Judah!’ And now it will be reported to the king according to these words. So come, therefore, and let us confer together.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And you have also appointed prophets to prophesy concerning you at Jerusalem, saying, Behold, there is a king in Judah; and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now, therefore, and let us take counsel together.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Also you have appointed Prophets to prophesy for you in Jerusalem, and they are saying: ‘Behold, Azra reigns in Yehuda, and now by the King it is heard according to these words. Therefore, come, we shall counsel as one.”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou hast also appointed prophets to proclaim of thee at Jerusalem, saying: There is a king in Judah; and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And moreover thou has appointed prophets to thyself, that thou mightest dwell in Jerusalem as a king over Juda: and now these words will be reported to the king. Now then, come, let us take counsel together.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Sanballat's Conspiracy
…6that read: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem agrees—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and this is why you are building the wall. According to these reports, you are to become their king, 7and you have even appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim on your behalf: ‘There is a king in Judah.’ Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king. So come, let us confer together.” 8Then I sent him this reply: “There is nothing to these rumors you are spreading; you are inventing them in your own mind.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Ezra 4:12-16
Let it be known to the king that the Jews who came from you to us have returned to Jerusalem and are rebuilding that rebellious and wicked city. They are restoring its walls and repairing its foundations. / Let it now be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt and its walls are restored, they will not pay tribute, duty, or toll, and the royal treasury will suffer. / Now because we are in the service of the palace and it is not fitting for us to allow the king to be dishonored, we have sent to inform the king ...

Nehemiah 2:19
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?”

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 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 13:4-5
Now before this, Eliashib the priest, a relative of Tobiah, had been put in charge of the storerooms of the house of our God / and had prepared for Tobiah a large room where they had previously stored the grain offerings, the frankincense, the temple articles, and the tithes of grain, new wine, and oil prescribed for the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, along with the contributions for the priests.

Esther 3:8-9
Then Haman informed King Xerxes, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples of every province of your kingdom. Their laws are different from everyone else’s, and they do not obey the king’s laws. So it is not in the king’s best interest to tolerate them. / If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued to destroy them, and I will deposit ten thousand talents of silver into the royal treasury to pay those who carry it out.”

Daniel 6:4-5
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

Jeremiah 36:11-16
When Micaiah son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, heard all the words of the LORD from the scroll, / he went down to the scribe’s chamber in the king’s palace, where all the officials were sitting: Elishama the scribe, Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Achbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials. / And Micaiah reported to them all the words he had heard Baruch read from the scroll in the hearing of the people. ...

1 Kings 21:8-13
Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. / In the letters she wrote: “Proclaim a fast and give Naboth a seat of honor among the people. / But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” ...

Acts 24:5-9
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him. / but Lysias the commander came with great force and took him out of our hands, ...

Acts 17:6-7
But when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have now come here, / and Jason has welcomed them into his home. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, named Jesus!”

Acts 6:11-14
Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” / So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law. ...

Matthew 28:12-15
And after the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money / and instructed them: “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ / If this report reaches the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” ...

Luke 23:2
And they began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a King.”

Mark 14:55-59
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. / For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. / Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: ...

Treasury of Scripture

And you have also appointed prophets to preach of you at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.

appointed

Nehemiah 6:12,13
And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him…

a king

2 Samuel 15:10-12
But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron…

1 Kings 1:7,18,25,34
And he conferred with Joab the son of Zeruiah, and with Abiathar the priest: and they following Adonijah helped him…

come now

Proverbs 26:24-26
He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; …

Acts 23:15
Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would inquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

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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

Berean Study Bible

and you have even appointed prophets
This phrase suggests a deliberate and strategic action by Nehemiah's opponents to undermine his leadership. The Hebrew word for "appointed" (נָתַן, natan) implies a setting up or establishing, often with authority. In the historical context, prophets were seen as authoritative voices, and appointing them falsely would be a significant attempt to manipulate public perception. This reflects the spiritual warfare Nehemiah faced, as false prophets were used to spread deceit, reminiscent of other biblical instances where false prophets led people astray (e.g., Jeremiah 23:16).

in Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the city of David, holds immense historical and spiritual significance as the center of Jewish worship and governance. By targeting Jerusalem, Nehemiah's adversaries aimed to strike at the heart of Jewish identity and faith. The city's walls, which Nehemiah was rebuilding, symbolized protection and restoration. The opposition's focus on Jerusalem underscores their intent to disrupt not just a physical rebuilding but a spiritual and communal renewal.

to proclaim on your behalf
The act of proclaiming (קָרָא, qara) in Hebrew often denotes a public declaration or announcement. This phrase indicates an attempt to publicly legitimize a false narrative. In biblical times, proclamations were powerful tools for shaping public opinion and could sway the masses. The adversaries' use of proclamation highlights their understanding of the power of words and public perception, a tactic still relevant in today's world.

‘There is a king in Judah!’
This declaration was a direct challenge to Persian authority, as Judah was under Persian rule at the time. The claim of a new king would be seen as rebellion. Historically, such claims could lead to severe repercussions from the ruling empire. This phrase reveals the depth of the conspiracy against Nehemiah, as it sought to portray him as a traitor, potentially inciting fear and division among the people.

Soon these rumors will reach the ears of the king
The mention of "rumors" (שֵׁמוּעָה, shemu'ah) indicates the use of gossip and misinformation as weapons. The adversaries intended to create a sense of urgency and panic, suggesting that the Persian king would soon hear of this alleged rebellion. This tactic of spreading fear through rumors is a common theme in Scripture, where truth is often challenged by deceit (e.g., Proverbs 18:8).

So come, let us confer together.”
This invitation to "confer" (יָעַץ, ya'ats) is a deceptive ploy, masquerading as a call for dialogue and resolution. In reality, it was a trap to harm Nehemiah. The historical context of such invitations often involved political intrigue and betrayal. Nehemiah's discernment in recognizing this deceit reflects the biblical principle of seeking God's wisdom in the face of human cunning (James 1:5).

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 7. - Thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah. Expressions of the religious teachers of the time, parallel to that of Zechariah, - "Behold, thy king cometh" (Zechariah 9:9), - may have been reported to Sanballat, and misunderstood or purposely misinterpreted.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

and you have even
וְגַם־ (wə·ḡam-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

appointed
הֶעֱמַ֣דְתָּ (he·‘ĕ·maḏ·tā)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

prophets
נְבִיאִ֡ים (nə·ḇî·’îm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet

in Jerusalem
בִֽירוּשָׁלִַ֜ם (ḇî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

to proclaim
לִקְרֹא֩ (liq·rō)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

on your behalf:
עָלֶ֨יךָ (‘ā·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

‘There is a king
מֶ֚לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

in Judah.’
בִּֽיהוּדָ֔ה (bî·hū·ḏāh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

Soon
וְעַתָּ֣ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

these
הָאֵ֑לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

rumors
כַּדְּבָרִ֣ים (kad·də·ḇā·rîm)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

will reach the ears
יִשָּׁמַ֣ע (yiš·šā·ma‘)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

of the king.
לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

So
וְעַתָּה֙ (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

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

let us confer
וְנִֽוָּעֲצָ֖ה (wə·niw·wā·‘ă·ṣāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 3289: To advise, to deliberate, resolve

together.”
יַחְדָּֽו׃ (yaḥ·dāw)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly

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OT History: Nehemiah 6:7 You have also appointed prophets to preach (Neh Ne)