Lectionary Calendar
Friday, August 22nd, 2025
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20
the Week of Proper 15 / Ordinary 20
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Read the Bible
King James Version
Nehemiah 6:5
Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
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Concordances:
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- InternationalParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
Sanballat sent me this same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand.
Sanballat sent me this same message a fifth time by his aide, who had an open letter in his hand.
Hebrew Names Version
Then sent Sanvallat his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
Then sent Sanvallat his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
English Standard Version
In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
New Century Version
The fifth time Sanballat sent his helper to me with the message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter.
The fifth time Sanballat sent his helper to me with the message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter.
New English Translation
The fifth time that Sanballat sent his assistant to me in this way, he had an open letter in his hand.
The fifth time that Sanballat sent his assistant to me in this way, he had an open letter in his hand.
Amplified Bible
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.
New American Standard Bible
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way a fifth time with an open letter in his hand.
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way a fifth time with an open letter in his hand.
World English Bible
Then sent Sanballat his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
Then sent Sanballat his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then sent Sanballat his seruant after this sorte vnto me the fift time, with an open letter in his hand,
Then sent Sanballat his seruant after this sorte vnto me the fift time, with an open letter in his hand,
Legacy Standard Bible
Then Sanballat sent his young man to me in the same manner a fifth time with an open letter in his hand.
Then Sanballat sent his young man to me in the same manner a fifth time with an open letter in his hand.
Berean Standard Bible
The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter
The fifth time, Sanballat sent me this same message by his young servant, who had in his hand an unsealed letter
Contemporary English Version
Finally, Sanballat sent an official to me with an unsealed letter,
Finally, Sanballat sent an official to me with an unsealed letter,
Complete Jewish Bible
The fifth time, with the same purpose, Sanvalat sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand,
The fifth time, with the same purpose, Sanvalat sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand,
Darby Translation
Then sent Sanballat his servant to me in this manner the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand,
Then sent Sanballat his servant to me in this manner the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand,
Easy-to-Read Version
Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his helper to me with the same message. And he had a letter in his hand that was not sealed.
Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his helper to me with the same message. And he had a letter in his hand that was not sealed.
George Lamsa Translation
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with a letter in his hand
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with a letter in his hand
Good News Translation
Then Sanballat sent one of his servants to me with a fifth message, this one in the form of an unsealed letter.
Then Sanballat sent one of his servants to me with a fifth message, this one in the form of an unsealed letter.
Lexham English Bible
And Sanballat sent his servant with an open letter, another word like this to me a fifth time, in his hand.
And Sanballat sent his servant with an open letter, another word like this to me a fifth time, in his hand.
Literal Translation
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand, in which was written,
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand, in which was written,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Then sent Saneballat his seruaunt vnto me the fifth tyme, with an open letter in his hande,
Then sent Saneballat his seruaunt vnto me the fifth tyme, with an open letter in his hande,
American Standard Version
Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
Bible in Basic English
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me a fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me a fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then sent Sanaballat his seruaunt againe vnto me the fift time, with an open letter in his hande,
Then sent Sanaballat his seruaunt againe vnto me the fift time, with an open letter in his hande,
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
King James Version (1611)
Then sent Sanballat his seruant vnto me, in like manner, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand:
Then sent Sanballat his seruant vnto me, in like manner, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand:
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Then Sanaballat sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
Then Sanaballat sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
English Revised Version
Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Sanaballath sente to me the fyuethe tyme bi the formere word his child; and he hadde in his hond a pistle writun in this maner;
And Sanaballath sente to me the fyuethe tyme bi the formere word his child; and he hadde in his hond a pistle writun in this maner;
Update Bible Version
Then Sanballat sent his attendant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
Then Sanballat sent his attendant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
Webster's Bible Translation
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
New King James Version
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me as before, the fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.
New Living Translation
The fifth time, Sanballat's servant came with an open letter in his hand,
The fifth time, Sanballat's servant came with an open letter in his hand,
New Life Bible
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way for a fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same way for a fifth time, with an open letter in his hand.
New Revised Standard
In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then Sanballat sent unto me, according to this message, a fifth time, by his young man, - with an open letter, in his hand:
Then Sanballat sent unto me, according to this message, a fifth time, by his young man, - with an open letter, in his hand:
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Sanaballat sent his servant to me the fifth time according to the former word, and he had a letter in his hand written in this manner:
And Sanaballat sent his servant to me the fifth time according to the former word, and he had a letter in his hand written in this manner:
Revised Standard Version
In the same way Sanbal'lat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
In the same way Sanbal'lat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand.
Young's Literal Translation
And Sanballat sendeth unto me, according to this word, a fifth time, his servant, and an open letter in his hand;
And Sanballat sendeth unto me, according to this word, a fifth time, his servant, and an open letter in his hand;
THE MESSAGE
The fifth time—same messenger, same message—Sanballat sent an unsealed letter with this message: "The word is out among the nations—and Geshem says it's true—that you and the Jews are planning to rebel. That's why you are rebuilding the wall. The word is that you want to be king and that you have appointed prophets to announce in Jerusalem, ‘There's a king in Judah!' The king is going to be told all this—don't you think we should sit down and have a talk?" I sent him back this: "There's nothing to what you're saying. You've made it all up." They were trying to intimidate us into quitting. They thought, "They'll give up; they'll never finish it." I prayed, "Give me strength." Then I met secretly with Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, at his house. He said: Let's meet at the house of God, inside The Temple; Let's find safety behind locked doors because they're coming to kill you, Yes, coming by night to kill you. I said, "Why would a man like me run for cover? And why would a man like me use The Temple as a hideout? I won't do it." I sensed that God hadn't sent this man. The so-called prophecy he spoke to me was the work of Tobiah and Sanballat; they had hired him. He had been hired to scare me off—trick me—a layman, into desecrating The Temple and ruining my good reputation so they could accuse me. "O my God, don't let Tobiah and Sanballat get by with all the mischief they've done. And the same goes for the prophetess Noadiah and the other prophets who have been trying to undermine my confidence." The wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul. It had taken fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard the news and all the surrounding nations saw it, our enemies totally lost their nerve. They knew that God was behind this work. All during this time letters were going back and forth constantly between the nobles of Judah and Tobiah. Many of the nobles had ties to him because he was son-in-law to Shecaniah son of Arah and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah. They kept telling me all the good things he did and then would report back to him anything I would say. And then Tobiah would send letters to intimidate me.
The fifth time—same messenger, same message—Sanballat sent an unsealed letter with this message: "The word is out among the nations—and Geshem says it's true—that you and the Jews are planning to rebel. That's why you are rebuilding the wall. The word is that you want to be king and that you have appointed prophets to announce in Jerusalem, ‘There's a king in Judah!' The king is going to be told all this—don't you think we should sit down and have a talk?" I sent him back this: "There's nothing to what you're saying. You've made it all up." They were trying to intimidate us into quitting. They thought, "They'll give up; they'll never finish it." I prayed, "Give me strength." Then I met secretly with Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, at his house. He said: Let's meet at the house of God, inside The Temple; Let's find safety behind locked doors because they're coming to kill you, Yes, coming by night to kill you. I said, "Why would a man like me run for cover? And why would a man like me use The Temple as a hideout? I won't do it." I sensed that God hadn't sent this man. The so-called prophecy he spoke to me was the work of Tobiah and Sanballat; they had hired him. He had been hired to scare me off—trick me—a layman, into desecrating The Temple and ruining my good reputation so they could accuse me. "O my God, don't let Tobiah and Sanballat get by with all the mischief they've done. And the same goes for the prophetess Noadiah and the other prophets who have been trying to undermine my confidence." The wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of Elul. It had taken fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard the news and all the surrounding nations saw it, our enemies totally lost their nerve. They knew that God was behind this work. All during this time letters were going back and forth constantly between the nobles of Judah and Tobiah. Many of the nobles had ties to him because he was son-in-law to Shecaniah son of Arah and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah. They kept telling me all the good things he did and then would report back to him anything I would say. And then Tobiah would send letters to intimidate me.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same manner a fifth time with an open letter in his hand.
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in the same manner a fifth time with an open letter in his hand.
Contextual Overview
1 Now it came to pass when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;) 2 That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. 3 And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? 4 Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner. 5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand; 6 Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words. 7 And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together. 8 Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart. 9 For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
with an open letter: This was a gross insult to a person of Nehemiah's quality; as the letters sent to chiefs and governors in the East are always carefully folded up, put in silk bags, and then sealed. 2 Kings 18:26-28, 2 Corinthians 2:11, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Ephesians 6:11, 2 Thessalonians 2:10
Reciprocal: 1 Kings 21:8 - she wrote 2 Chronicles 32:17 - He wrote Jeremiah 29:25 - Because Acts 24:5 - and a mover
Cross-References
Genesis 6:1
And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them,
Genesis 6:3
And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.
Genesis 6:4
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
There were giants in the earth in those days; and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.
Genesis 6:9
These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
Genesis 6:19
And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark, to keep them alive with thee; they shall be male and female.
Genesis 6:20
Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
Of fowls after their kind, and of cattle after their kind, of every creeping thing of the earth after his kind, two of every sort shall come unto thee, to keep them alive.
Genesis 6:21
And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
And take thou unto thee of all food that is eaten, and thou shalt gather it to thee; and it shall be for food for thee, and for them.
Genesis 8:21
And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.
Genesis 13:13
But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.
But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.
Deuteronomy 29:19
And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
Gill's Notes on the Bible
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.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
The letter was “open,” in order that the contents might be generally known, and that the Jews, alarmed at the threats contained in it, might refuse to continue the work.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Nehemiah 6:5. With an open letter in his hand — This was an insult to a person of Nehemiah's quality: as letters sent to chiefs and governors in the East are always carefully folded up, and put in costly silken bags, and these carefully sealed. The circumstance is thus marked to show the contempt he (Sanballat) had for him.
