Nehemiah 6:10
New International Version
One day I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home. He said, “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and let us close the temple doors, because men are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.”

New Living Translation
Later I went to visit Shemaiah son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home. He said, “Let us meet together inside the Temple of God and bolt the doors shut. Your enemies are coming to kill you tonight.”

English Standard Version
Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.”

Berean Standard Bible
Later, I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house. He said: “Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you!”

King James Bible
Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.

New King James Version
Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was a secret informer; and he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, at night they will come to kill you.”

New American Standard Bible
When I entered the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined at home, he said, “Let’s meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let’s close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you, and they are coming to kill you at night.”

NASB 1995
When I entered the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined at home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you, and they are coming to kill you at night.”

NASB 1977
And when I entered the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined at home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you, and they are coming to kill you at night.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Now I entered the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined at home, and he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you, and they are coming to kill you at night.”

Amplified Bible
When I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was confined at home, he said, “Let us meet [and take refuge] together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple, because they are coming to kill you, and they are coming to kill you at night.”

Christian Standard Bible
I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was restricted to his house. He said: Let’s meet at the house of God, inside the temple. Let’s shut the temple doors because they’re coming to kill you. They’re coming to kill you tonight!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was restricted to his house. He said: Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you tonight!

American Standard Version
And I went unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.

Contemporary English Version
One day I went to visit Shemaiah. He wasn't supposed to leave his house, but he said, "Let's hurry to the holy place of the temple and hide there. We will lock the temple doors, because your enemies are planning to kill you tonight."

English Revised Version
And I went unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[One day] I went to the home of Shemaiah, son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel. Shemaiah who was confined to his house, said, "Let's meet in the house of God, inside the temple, and close the temple doors. Some men are coming at night to kill you."

Good News Translation
About this time I went to visit Shemaiah, the son of Delaiah and grandson of Mehetabel, who was unable to leave his house. He said to me, "You and I must go and hide together in the Holy Place of the Temple and lock the doors, because they are coming to kill you. Any night now they will come to kill you."

International Standard Version
Later I visited Delaiah's son Shemaiah, a grandson of Mehetabel, who was confined at home. He kept urging me, "Let's meet together at the house of God, within the Temple, and take refuge there, because they're coming to kill you. In fact, they're coming at night to kill you!"

Majority Standard Bible
Later, I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house. He said: ?Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you?by night they are coming to kill you!?

NET Bible
Then I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel. He was confined to his home. He said, "Let's set up a time to meet in the house of God, within the temple. Let's close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. It will surely be at night that they will come to kill you."

New Heart English Bible
I went to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home; and he said, "Let us meet together in God's house, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple; for they will come to kill you; yes, in the night will they come to kill you."

Webster's Bible Translation
Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.

World English Bible
I went to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut in at his home; and he said, “Let us meet together in God’s house, within the temple, and let’s shut the doors of the temple; for they will come to kill you. Yes, in the night they will come to kill you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I have entered the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabeel—and he is restrained—and he says, “Let us meet at the house of God, at the inside of the temple, and we shut the doors of the temple, for they are coming to slay you—indeed, by night they are coming to slay you.”

Young's Literal Translation
And I have entered the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabeel -- and he is restrained -- and he saith, 'Let us meet at the house of God, at the inside of the temple, and we shut the doors of the temple, for they are coming in to slay thee -- yea, by night they are coming in to slay thee.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And I came to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabeel, and he was shut up; and he will say, We will pass over to the house of God into the midst of the temple, and we will shut the doors of the temple: for they are coming to kill thee; and by night coming to kill thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I went into the house of Samaia the son of Delaia, the son of Metabeel privately. And he said: Let us consult together in the house of God in the midst of the temple: and let us shut the doors of the temple, for they will come to kill thee, and in the night they will come to slay thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I entered into the house of Shemaiah, the son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, in secret. And he said: “Let us consult together in the house of God, in the midst of the temple. And let us close the doors of the temple. For they will come to kill you, and they will arrive in the night to put you to death.”

New American Bible
I went to the house of Shemaiah, son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house, and he said: “Let us meet in the house of God, inside the temple building; let us lock the doors of the temple. For they are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you.”

New Revised Standard Version
One day when I went into the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, tonight they are coming to kill you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel who used to hinder me from work; and he said to me, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple; for they are coming to slay you; yea, in the night they are coming to slay you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I entered the house of Shemaiah, son of Daliah, son of Mahtbayel, and he had been forbidding, and he said to me: “Come, meet at the house of LORD JEHOVAH within the temple, and lock the door of the temple, because they are coming to kill you, and are coming to kill you at night!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And as for me, I went unto the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabel, who was shut up; and he said: 'Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple; for they will come to slay thee; yea, in the night will they come to slay thee.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I came into the house of Semei the son of Dalaia the Son of Metabeel, and he was shut up; and he said, Let us assemble together in the house of God, in the midst of it, and let us shut the doors of it; for they are coming by night to slay thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sanballat's Conspiracy
9For they were all trying to frighten us, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will never be finished.” But now, my God, strengthen my hands. 10Later, I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house. He said: “Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you— by night they are coming to kill you!” 11But I replied, “Should a man like me run away? Should one like me go into the temple to save his own life? I will not go!”…

Cross References
Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

Isaiah 8:12-13
“Do not call conspiracy everything these people regard as conspiracy. Do not fear what they fear; do not live in dread. / The LORD of Hosts is the One you shall regard as holy. Only He should be feared; only He should be dreaded.

Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.

Jeremiah 20:10
For I have heard the whispering of many: “Terror is on every side! Report him; let us report him!” All my trusted friends watch for my fall: “Perhaps he will be deceived so that we may prevail against him and take our vengeance upon him.”

Ezekiel 13:22
Because you have disheartened the righteous with your lies, even though I have caused them no grief, and because you have encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways to save their lives,

1 Kings 19:1-3
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. / So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!” / And Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there,

2 Chronicles 32:7-8
“Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged before the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater One with us than with him. / With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. / In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

1 Samuel 19:11-12
Then Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and kill him in the morning. But David’s wife Michal warned him, “If you do not run for your life tonight, tomorrow you will be dead!” / So Michal lowered David from the window, and he ran away and escaped.

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Acts 4:19-20
But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God. / For we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”


Treasury of Scripture

Afterward I came to the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah the son of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay you; yes, in the night will they come to slay you.

Shemaiah

Nehemiah 6:12
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.

Ezra 8:16
Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.

Ezra 10:31
And of the sons of Harim; Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchiah, Shemaiah, Shimeon,

shut up

2 Kings 9:8
For the whole house of Ahab shall perish: and I will cut off from Ahab him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel:

Jeremiah 36:5
And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the LORD:

Ezekiel 3:24
Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house.

Let us meet

Psalm 12:2
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

Psalm 37:12
The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

Psalm 120:2,3
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue…

the house

1 Kings 6:5
And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:

2 Kings 11:3
And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.

let us shut

2 Chronicles 28:24
And Ahaz gathered together the vessels of the house of God, and cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God, and shut up the doors of the house of the LORD, and he made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 29:3,7
He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them…

Malachi 1:10
Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

in the night

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Nehemiah 6
1. Sanballat practices by craft, by rumors, and by hired prophecies, to terrify Nehemiah
15. The work is finished, to the terror of the enemies
17. Secret intelligence passes between the enemies and the nobles of Judah














Later, I went to the house of Shemaiah
The phrase "Later, I went" indicates a deliberate action by Nehemiah, suggesting a continuation of his mission despite opposition. The name "Shemaiah" means "heard by Yahweh," which is significant as it implies that God is aware of the events unfolding. This visit is a pivotal moment, as Nehemiah seeks counsel or is summoned, highlighting the importance of discernment in leadership.

son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel
The genealogy here is crucial, as it establishes Shemaiah's identity and potential influence. "Delaiah" means "Yahweh has drawn," and "Mehetabel" means "God benefits." These names reflect a heritage that should be aligned with God's purposes, yet the narrative reveals a deviation from this path. This serves as a reminder that heritage does not guarantee faithfulness.

who was homebound
The term "homebound" suggests confinement, possibly due to ritual impurity or self-imposed isolation. This detail raises questions about Shemaiah's motives and credibility. In a broader sense, it symbolizes the limitations that can hinder one's spiritual journey, emphasizing the need for vigilance against deceit.

He said 'Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple.'
Shemaiah's proposal to meet "at the house of God" appears pious but is a deceptive ploy. The temple, a sacred place, is misused in this context, highlighting the danger of using religious settings for personal agendas. This underscores the importance of discerning true intentions, even when they are cloaked in religious language.

Let us shut the temple doors
The suggestion to "shut the temple doors" is a call for protection, yet it contradicts the openness and accessibility of God's house. This act would symbolize fear and retreat, contrary to the faith and courage expected of God's people. It serves as a metaphor for the temptation to hide from challenges rather than confront them with God's strength.

for they are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you!
The repetition of the threat "they are coming to kill you" emphasizes the urgency and danger perceived by Shemaiah. However, it also reveals the tactic of instilling fear to manipulate Nehemiah. This reflects the broader spiritual battle where fear is used to divert believers from their divine mission. Nehemiah's response, rooted in faith and discernment, becomes an example of steadfastness in the face of intimidation.

(10) I came unto the house.--As a specimen of another kind of attack, through false prophets, Shemaiah's plot is mentioned. This man--probably a priest--Nehemiah found shut up in his house; probably he sent for the governor, and represented himself as being in danger from the common enemy. He predicted that on the night ensuing an attempt would be made on Nehemiah's life, and proposed that they should meet "within the Temple"--that is, in the holy place, between the Holiest and the outer court--for security.

Verse 10. - A Shemaiah appears in the list of priests who afterwards signed the covenant (Nehemiah 10:8); but the names in that list do not appear to be personal. There is a Shemaiah also among the priests who took part in the dedication of the wall (Nehemiah 12:42); he is not said, however, to be "the son of Delaiah." Shut up. Prevented, i.e., by some legal impurity from taking part in the temple service, or even entering the temple. In the house of God, within the temple. Rather, "within the sanctuary." The heykal was the same as the holy place, and meant that part of the temple building which intervened between the porch and the holy of holies. It corresponded, as Gesenius observes, to the body or nave of modern cathedrals. Let us shut the doors. Folding doors of fir wood separated the holy place from the porch in the temple of Solomon (1 Kings 6:34); and these had no doubt their counterpart in the restored temple. Shemaiah suggested the shutting of these doors for greater security

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Later, I
וַאֲנִי־ (wa·’ă·nî-)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

went
בָ֗אתִי (ḇā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to the house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Shemaiah
שְֽׁמַֽעְיָ֧ה (šə·ma‘·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8098: Shemaiah -- 'Yah hears', the name of a number of Israelites

son
בֶן־ (ḇen-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Delaiah,
דְּלָיָ֛ה (də·lā·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1806: Delaiah -- 'Yah has drawn', five Israelites

the son
בֶּן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Mehetabel,
מְהֵֽיטַבְאֵ֖ל (mə·hê·ṭaḇ·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4105: Mehetabel -- 'God benefits', wife of an Edomite king, also an ancestor of the false prophet Shemaiah

who
וְה֣וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

was confined
עָצ֑וּר (‘ā·ṣūr)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 6113: To inclose, to hold back, to maintain, rule, assemble

to his house. He said:
וַיֹּ֡אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Let us meet
נִוָּעֵד֩ (niw·wā·‘êḏ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural
Strong's 3259: To fix upon, to meet, to summon, to direct, to engage

at
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the house
בֵּ֨ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of God
הָאֱלֹהִ֜ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

inside
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the temple.
הַֽהֵיכָ֗ל (ha·hê·ḵāl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple

Let us shut
וְנִסְגְּרָה֙ (wə·nis·gə·rāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural
Strong's 5462: To shut up, to surrender

the temple
הַהֵיכָ֔ל (ha·hê·ḵāl)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1964: A large public building, palace, temple

doors
דַּלְת֣וֹת (dal·ṯō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 1817: Something swinging, the valve of a, door

because
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they are coming
בָּאִ֣ים (bā·’îm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to kill you?
לְהָרְגֶ֔ךָ (lə·hā·rə·ḡe·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent

by night
וְלַ֖יְלָה (wə·lay·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

they are coming
בָּאִ֥ים (bā·’îm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to kill you!?
לְהָרְגֶֽךָ׃ (lə·hā·rə·ḡe·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2026: To smite with deadly intent


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OT History: Nehemiah 6:10 I went to the house of Shemaiah (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 6:9
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