Nehemiah 6:12 Meaning and Explanation
“And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Nehemiah discerns that Shemaiah was not sent by God but bought by his enemies to speak against him.
What Does Nehemiah 6:12 Mean?
Nehemiah sees through the disguise. He perceives that God had not sent Shemaiah at all; the man's words were a prophecy spoken against him, and behind them stood Tobiah and Sanballat, who had hired him. The prophet's voice had been purchased.
Not every word spoken in God's name comes from God. Nehemiah tests the message against what he knows to be true and right, and finds it false. This is the work of spiritual discernment, weighing counsel by its fruit and its fit with God's revealed will rather than by the confidence of the one who speaks. A hired voice can sound prophetic, but it leads away from God, not toward Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 6:12
What does Nehemiah 6:12 mean?
Nehemiah discerns that Shemaiah was not sent by God but bought by his enemies to speak against him.