Nehemiah 6:13 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The plot's aim was to frighten Nehemiah into sin so his enemies could shame and discredit him.
What Does Nehemiah 6:13 Mean?
Nehemiah lays bare the full design. Shemaiah was hired so that fear would drive Nehemiah to act, to flee and hide unlawfully, and so to sin, giving his enemies grounds for an evil report and a way to reproach him before the people.
The deepest aim of the enemy was never merely to harm Nehemiah's body but to ruin his witness. Had he sinned in fear, his reputation and his cause would have been stained, and the work discredited along with him. This unmasks how temptation often works: it seeks not just to make us stumble, but to turn that stumble into a reproach against the God we serve. Guarding integrity guards far more than oneself.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 6:13
What does Nehemiah 6:13 mean?
The plot's aim was to frighten Nehemiah into sin so his enemies could shame and discredit him.