Nehemiah 6:12

12 Then I realized that God hadn't sent him at all but that he spoke this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

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 Later I went to see Shemaiah, Delaiah's son and Mehetabel's grandson, who was confined to his house, and he said: "Let's meet together in God's house, inside the temple itself. Let's shut the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; they are coming to kill you tonight!"

11 But I replied, "Should someone like me run away? Who like me would go into the temple to save his life? I won't go in!"

12 Then I realized that God hadn't sent him at all but that he spoke this prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

13 He was hired to frighten me and to make me sin by acting in this way. Then they could give me a bad name and discredit me.

14 My God, remember these deeds of Tobiah and Sanballat! Also remember Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who have been trying to frighten me.