Nehemiah 6:5

5 Then Sanballat sent his slave to say the same thing for the fifth time with 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 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease, whilst I leave it and come down to you?

4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort, and I answered them after the same manner.

5 Then Sanballat sent his slave to say the same thing for the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,

6 in which was written, It is reported among the Gentiles, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel, for which cause thou dost build the wall, that thou may be their king, according to these words.

7 And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah! And now these words shall be heard by the king. Come now, therefore, and let us take counsel together.