Nehemiah 6:5

5 Sanballat sent his helper to me a fifth time. He brought the same message. He was carrying a letter that wasn't sealed.

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 my answer. I replied, "I'm working on a huge project. So I can't get away. Why should the work stop while I leave it? Why should I go down and talk with you?"

4 They sent me the same message four times. And I gave them the same answer each time.

5 Sanballat sent his helper to me a fifth time. He brought the same message. He was carrying a letter that wasn't sealed.

6 It said, "A report is going around among the nations. Geshem says it's true. We hear that you and the other Jews are planning to turn against the Persian rulers. And that's why you are building the wall. "It's also reported that you are about to become their king.

7 People say that you have even appointed prophets to make an announcement about you. In Jerusalem they are going to say, 'Judah has a king!' That report will get back to the king of Persia. So come. Let's talk things over."