Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.

NEHEMIAH 6:13KJV
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Nehemiah 6:13 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 6:13 mean?

Nehemiah 6:13 explains that someone was paid to frighten Nehemiah into acting wrongly, so his enemies could accuse him and damage his reputation. Nehemiah recognizes that this plot was meant to trap him into sinning, giving his opponents a reason to shame or discredit him.

In this verse, Nehemiah is speaking about a scheme against him during the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall. He realizes that his adversaries hired someone to intimidate him, hoping he would react in fear and make a mistake. This would give them grounds for an “evil report” against him, turning public opinion and possibly halting the work.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 6:13

  • hired (שָׂכַר, sakhar): This word means to pay someone for a service. Here, it highlights that Nehemiah’s enemies were willing to use money to corrupt others and sabotage his mission.
  • afraid (יָרֵא, yare): This word means to fear or be terrified. The plot centered on making Nehemiah afraid enough to act rashly, showing how intimidation was a key tactic.
  • sin (חָטָא, chata): This word means to miss the mark or do wrong. The goal was not just to stop Nehemiah, but to get him to act in a way that was morally or religiously wrong, damaging his standing.
  • evil (רַע, ra): This word means bad or harmful. The “evil report” refers to a damaging accusation or slander, not just a negative opinion.
  • report (שֵׁם, shem): Literally “name” or “reputation.” Here, it means a report or rumor that would harm Nehemiah’s good name.
  • reproach (חָרַף, charaf): This word means to taunt, insult, or disgrace. The enemies wanted to shame Nehemiah publicly, not just criticize him privately.

Why Nehemiah 6:13 matters

  • Nehemiah 6:13 shows that the opposition to Nehemiah was not just open hostility but included secret plots and manipulation, revealing the depth of resistance he faced.
  • The verse clarifies that Nehemiah’s main concern was not just personal safety, but maintaining integrity and avoiding any action that could be used against him or the project.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme of Nehemiah’s leadership: he is careful, discerning, and refuses to be manipulated, which is key to the success of rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls.

Where else these words appear

“hired” Hebrew H7936 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 30:16 And Jacob came out of the field in the evening, and Leah went out to meet him, and said, Thou must come in unto me; for surely I have hired thee with my son's mandrakes. And he lay with her that night.
  • 2 Samuel 10:6 And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.
  • Ezra 4:5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia.

“reproach” Hebrew H2778 · used in 40 verses

  • Leviticus 19:20 And whosoever lieth carnally with a woman, that is a bondmaid, betrothed to an husband, and not at all redeemed, nor freedom given her; she shall be scourged; they shall not be put to death, because she was not free.
  • 2 Kings 19:23 By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, and the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, and into the forest of his Carmel.
  • Psalms 102:8 Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me.