Nehemiah 6:2 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Nehemiah's enemies invite him to a meeting on neutral ground, but their true aim is to harm him.
What Does Nehemiah 6:2 Mean?
Sanballat and Geshem propose a friendly summit in the plain of Ono, a day's journey from Jerusalem, away from the protection of the city and its workers. The narrator names their intent plainly: they meant to do him harm.
Not every invitation to come down is innocent. Beneath the courteous language lies a trap. The verse teaches discernment, the gift of seeing past the surface of a proposal to the heart behind it. Faithful leaders learn to weigh not only what is said but why, asking the Lord for wisdom when an offer seems too eager to draw them away from their God-given task.
Nehemiah 6:2 in the Original Language
ra'ah (רָעָה), 'mischief' -- evil or harm intended against another.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 6:2
What does Nehemiah 6:2 mean?
Nehemiah's enemies invite him to a meeting on neutral ground, but their true aim is to harm him.