Nehemiah 6:5

5 Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter

Nehemiah 6:5 in Other Translations

KJV
5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
ESV
5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
NLT
5 The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand,
MSG
5 The fifth time - same messenger, same message - Sanballat sent an unsealed letter
CSB
5 Sanballat sent me this same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand.

Nehemiah 6:5 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 6:5

Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the
fifth time
In his own name, neither Tobiah nor Geshem joining with him, he being more solicitous and anxious to get him into his hands than any of them; and it may be, as some think, pretending more friendship for him than the rest, and therefore writes alone, as if they knew nothing of his writing:

with an open letter in his hand:
which having in it an intimation of Nehemiah being guilty of treason, anyone that would might read it, and so spread the defamation.

Nehemiah 6:5 In-Context

3 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?”
4 Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave them the same answer.
5 Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter
6 in which was written: “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king
7 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.”

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Nehemiah 2:10
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.