Nehemiah 6:12

12 Then I realized that God hadn't sent him. Instead, Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him to prophesy against me.

Nehemiah 6:12 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 6:12

And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him
Because he advised to that which was against the cause of God and true religion:

but that he pronounced the prophecy against me;
for by fleeing, as he advised, it would seem that he was guilty of the crimes of rebellion and treason he was charged with; and leaving the people, as they would in course break up, he himself could not be long in safety, no, not in the temple:

for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him;
this he found out afterwards, on purpose to intimidate him, and take such measures as that thereby he would lose his character and his influence.

Nehemiah 6:12 In-Context

10 [One day] I went to the home of Shemaiah, son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel. Shemaiah who was confined to his house, said, "Let's meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and close the temple doors. Some men are coming at night to kill you."

11 But I asked, "Should a man like me run away? Would a man like me go into the temple to save his life? I won't go."

12 Then I realized that God hadn't sent him. Instead, Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him to prophesy against me.

13 He was hired to intimidate me into doing this so that I would sin. Then they could give me a bad reputation in order to discredit me.

14 [Nehemiah prayed,] "My God, remember what Tobiah and Sanballat have done. Also, remember the female prophet Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to intimidate me."