Nehemiah 6:12

12 Then I look and realized God had not sent him; rather, he had spoken the 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 Now I went into the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined [at home], and he said, "Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple; for they are coming to kill you--during the night they are coming to kill you."

11 But I said, "Should a man like me run away? And would a man like me go into the temple so that he can save his life? I will not go in!"

12 Then I look and realized God had not sent him; rather, he had spoken the prophecy against me [because] Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

13 For this reason he was hired: to frighten [me] so that I would act and sin, so that they would have a bad report so they could taunt me.

14 Remember, O my God, Tobiah and Sanballat according to their works, and also Noadiah the prophetess, and the remainder of the prophets who were frightening me.