My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.

NEHEMIAH 6:14KJV
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Nehemiah 6:14 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 6:14 mean?

Nehemiah 6:14 is Nehemiah’s prayer asking God to remember and judge Tobiah, Sanballat, the prophetess Noadiah, and other prophets for their actions in trying to frighten and oppose him. Nehemiah is not seeking personal revenge but is turning over the matter to God, trusting Him to deal justly with those who tried to undermine his work.

Nehemiah is speaking directly to God after facing opposition from specific people—Tobiah, Sanballat, Noadiah, and other prophets—who tried to intimidate him and stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall. This verse shows Nehemiah’s reliance on God’s justice rather than taking matters into his own hands, and it highlights the pressure he faced not only from foreign enemies but also from people within his own community.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 6:14

  • "God" (אֱלֹהִים, Elohim): This is the common Hebrew word for God, emphasizing Nehemiah’s appeal to the ultimate authority rather than to any human power.
  • "think" (זָכַר, zakar): Often translated as "remember," this word carries the sense of calling something to mind with the intent to act. Nehemiah is asking God not just to recall the wrongs but to respond appropriately.
  • "works" (מַעֲשֶׂה, ma'aseh): This refers to the deeds or actions of Tobiah, Sanballat, and the others. Nehemiah wants God to consider what they have actually done, not just their intentions.
  • "fear" (יָרֵא, yare): This word means to cause dread or terror. Nehemiah’s opponents were trying to intimidate him into stopping his work, and he names this as the core of their wrongdoing.

Why Nehemiah 6:14 matters

  • Nehemiah 6:14 clarifies that opposition to God’s work can come from both outsiders and insiders, including those who claim spiritual authority, like prophets.
  • The verse shows Nehemiah’s humility and faith, as he does not retaliate but instead entrusts justice to God, modeling a response to personal attacks.
  • This prayer highlights the spiritual and psychological tactics used against Nehemiah, revealing the depth of resistance he faced and his determination to stay focused on his mission.

Where else these words appear

“Noadiah” Hebrew H5129 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezra 8:33 Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites;

“prophetess” Hebrew H5031 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
  • Judges 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:22 And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe;(now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect.

“Sanballat” Hebrew H5571 · used in 10 verses

  • Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
  • Nehemiah 4:7 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
  • Nehemiah 6:5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;

“Tobiah” Hebrew H2900 · used in 17 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 17:8 And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tobadonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests.
  • Nehemiah 4:7 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
  • Nehemiah 7:62 The children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred forty and two.