Nehemiah 6:13

13 Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have wherewith to spread an evil report, that they might reproach 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, Should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that, being as I am, could go into the temple, and live? I will not go in.

12 And I perceived, and behold, God had not sent him; for he pronounced this prophecy against me; and Tobijah and Sanballat had hired him.

13 Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have wherewith to spread an evil report, that they might reproach me.

14 My God, remember Tobijah and Sanballat according to these their works, and also the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets who would have put me in fear.

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