Nehemiah 6:2 - Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to harm me.

Generated Verse: Nehemiah 6:2

What does "Nehemiah 6:2" mean?


This verse from Nehemiah 6:2 describes a deceptive attempt by Sanballat and Geshem to lure Nehemiah away from his important work of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Let's break it down:

"Sanballat and Geshem sent to me...": Sanballat and Geshem were key opponents of Nehemiah and the Jewish people rebuilding Jerusalem. They held positions of power and influence in the surrounding region. They are initiating contact with Nehemiah.

"...saying, 'Come, let us meet together in the villages in the plain of Ono.'": They invite Nehemiah to a meeting in the plain of Ono. This suggests a seemingly neutral location. Ono was a village about 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem. The invitation appears friendly and perhaps for the purpose of negotiation or peace talks.

"But they intended to harm me.": This is the crucial part. Nehemiah, through insight or intelligence gathering (it's not explicitly stated how he knew), understood their true intentions. The meeting wasn't for peace or negotiation; it was a trap designed to harm him, likely through assassination or abduction. They wanted to take him out of the picture and stop the rebuilding project.

In summary:

The verse illustrates a tactic of deception used by Nehemiah's enemies. They mask their hostile intentions with a seemingly harmless invitation to a meeting. The verse highlights Nehemiah's discernment and his awareness of the threats against him and his mission. He recognized the danger and refused to fall for their trick. It is a reminder that not all invitations are genuine, and it's important to be aware of the motives of others, especially when you are engaged in important work that faces opposition.

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