Nehemiah 6:5 - Then Sanballat sent his servant to me the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,

Generated Verse: Nehemiah 6:5

What does "Nehemiah 6:5" mean?


Nehemiah 6:5 describes a repeated attempt by Sanballat, an adversary of Nehemiah, to intimidate and distract him from rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Let's break down the meaning:

"Then Sanballat sent his servant to me the same way the fifth time..." This indicates that Sanballat had previously tried to communicate with Nehemiah multiple times (four times already). The phrase "the same way" likely refers to the messenger's method and tone, suggesting consistency in the harassment. The repetition highlights Sanballat's persistence and determination to disrupt Nehemiah's work.

"...with an open letter in his hand" This is the most significant part of the verse. The fact that the letter was open is crucial. In that time period, private letters were typically sealed. Sending an open letter had the following implications:

Public Humiliation: An open letter meant that the contents were not intended to be private. Anyone could read it. It was meant to be seen and heard by others, therefore it was meant to publicly shame or intimidate Nehemiah.
Accusations & Propaganda: The letter likely contained false accusations or slanderous statements about Nehemiah and his motives for rebuilding the wall. The intent was to spread rumors, undermine his authority, and turn the people against him.
Implied Threat: The openness of the letter could also be a form of veiled threat. Sanballat was essentially saying, "I am not afraid to publicize these accusations against you, and I want everyone to know what I'm saying."

In summary, Nehemiah 6:5 reveals that Sanballat was employing a tactic of public shaming and intimidation through an open letter. This was a deliberate attempt to damage Nehemiah's reputation, sow discord among the people, and ultimately halt the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. The open letter signifies the public nature of the accusations and the intent to spread them widely.