Nehemiah 6:10 - I went to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home; and he said, “Let us meet together in God’s house, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple; for they will come to kill you. Yes, in the night will they come to kill you.”
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What does "Nehemiah 6:10" mean?
This verse (Nehemiah 6:10) is part of a larger narrative in the Book of Nehemiah, specifically during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. It describes an attempt to intimidate and potentially assassinate Nehemiah. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and context:
Context: Nehemiah, a Jewish leader, is overseeing the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This is met with fierce opposition from neighboring people who want to maintain their power and influence in the region. These opponents try various tactics to stop the rebuilding, including threats, false accusations, and psychological warfare.
Shemaiah's Role: Shemaiah is presented as a man who is supposedly a prophet. The verse states he is "shut in at his home," which suggests he might be claiming to be in a state of religious seclusion or protection. However, the text implies that this seclusion may be a deceitful pretense.
The Trap: Shemaiah proposes a meeting with Nehemiah inside the Temple, with the doors locked. This is a trap for several reasons:
Fear and Flight: Shemaiah claims that assassins are coming to kill Nehemiah that night. This is designed to instill fear and make Nehemiah believe his life is in imminent danger.
Violation of Temple Law: Nehemiah, as a layman (not a priest), was not allowed to enter the inner sanctuary of the Temple. Entering would be a violation of religious law and would discredit him in the eyes of the people.
Loss of Leadership: If Nehemiah flees into the Temple, or if he's killed, the rebuilding project would likely collapse due to a lack of leadership and the fear among the workers.
Damage to Reputation: Even if he survives, hiding in the temple would make him look cowardly and would weaken his authority over the builders.
Intimidation and Deception: The entire scenario is designed to intimidate Nehemiah, to make him abandon the wall-building project, and to damage his reputation. It's implied that Shemaiah is secretly working with Nehemiah's enemies.
The Underlying Message: The verse highlights the tactics of Nehemiah's enemies, who were willing to use deception, fear, and even religious manipulation to achieve their goals. It shows the pressure and danger Nehemiah faced as he led the rebuilding effort.
Nehemiah's Response: Nehemiah recognizes this as a trap and refuses to go to the temple. He understands that it would be a cowardly act, a violation of God's law, and a sign of weakness to his enemies.
In conclusion, Nehemiah 6:10 describes a calculated attempt to undermine Nehemiah's leadership by exploiting his fear, compromising his religious integrity, and ultimately halting the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls.
Nehemiah 6:10 - I went to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home; and he said, “Let us meet together in God’s house, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple; for they will come to kill you. Yes, in the night will they come to kill you.”
What does "Nehemiah 6:10" mean?
This verse (Nehemiah 6:10) is part of a larger narrative in the Book of Nehemiah, specifically during the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. It describes an attempt to intimidate and potentially assassinate Nehemiah. Here's a breakdown of its meaning and context:
Context: Nehemiah, a Jewish leader, is overseeing the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. This is met with fierce opposition from neighboring people who want to maintain their power and influence in the region. These opponents try various tactics to stop the rebuilding, including threats, false accusations, and psychological warfare.
Shemaiah's Role: Shemaiah is presented as a man who is supposedly a prophet. The verse states he is "shut in at his home," which suggests he might be claiming to be in a state of religious seclusion or protection. However, the text implies that this seclusion may be a deceitful pretense.
The Trap: Shemaiah proposes a meeting with Nehemiah inside the Temple, with the doors locked. This is a trap for several reasons:
Fear and Flight: Shemaiah claims that assassins are coming to kill Nehemiah that night. This is designed to instill fear and make Nehemiah believe his life is in imminent danger.
Violation of Temple Law: Nehemiah, as a layman (not a priest), was not allowed to enter the inner sanctuary of the Temple. Entering would be a violation of religious law and would discredit him in the eyes of the people.
Loss of Leadership: If Nehemiah flees into the Temple, or if he's killed, the rebuilding project would likely collapse due to a lack of leadership and the fear among the workers.
Damage to Reputation: Even if he survives, hiding in the temple would make him look cowardly and would weaken his authority over the builders.
Intimidation and Deception: The entire scenario is designed to intimidate Nehemiah, to make him abandon the wall-building project, and to damage his reputation. It's implied that Shemaiah is secretly working with Nehemiah's enemies.
The Underlying Message: The verse highlights the tactics of Nehemiah's enemies, who were willing to use deception, fear, and even religious manipulation to achieve their goals. It shows the pressure and danger Nehemiah faced as he led the rebuilding effort.
Nehemiah's Response: Nehemiah recognizes this as a trap and refuses to go to the temple. He understands that it would be a cowardly act, a violation of God's law, and a sign of weakness to his enemies.
In conclusion, Nehemiah 6:10 describes a calculated attempt to undermine Nehemiah's leadership by exploiting his fear, compromising his religious integrity, and ultimately halting the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls.