Nehemiah 6:13

13 For this reason they had given him money, in order that I might be overcome by fear and do what he said and do wrong, and so they would have reason to say evil about me and put shame on me.

Nehemiah 6:13 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 6:13

Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so,
and sin
By distrusting the power and providence of God to protect him, and by going into such a part of the temple, which he, being no priest, had no right to go into:

and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might
reproach me;
as a rebel and traitor against the king, which had been reported of him, and which would be strengthened by such a step.

Nehemiah 6:13 In-Context

11 And I said, Am I the sort of man to go in flight? what man, in my position, would go into the Temple to keep himself safe? I will not go in.

12 Then it became clear to me that God had not sent him: he had given this word of a prophet against me himself: and Tobiah and Sanballat had given him money to do so.

13 For this reason they had given him money, in order that I might be overcome by fear and do what he said and do wrong, and so they would have reason to say evil about me and put shame on me.

14 Keep in mind, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat and what they did, and Noadiah, the woman prophet, and the rest of the prophets whose purpose was to put fear into me.

15 So the wall was complete on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days.