Nehemiah 6:3
New International Version
so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”

New Living Translation
so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?”

English Standard Version
And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

Berean Standard Bible
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?”

King James Bible
And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

New King James Version
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”

New American Standard Bible
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and am unable to come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

NASB 1995
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

NASB 1977
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

Legacy Standard Bible
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

Amplified Bible
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave to come down to [meet with] you?”

Christian Standard Bible
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing important work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”

American Standard Version
And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

Contemporary English Version
So I sent messengers to tell them, "My work is too important to stop now and go there. I can't afford to slow down the work just to visit with you."

English Revised Version
And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: Why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I sent messengers to tell them, "I'm working on an important project and can't get away. Why should the work stop while I leave to meet with you?"

Good News Translation
I sent messengers to say to them, "I am doing important work and can't go down there. I am not going to let the work stop just to go and see you."

International Standard Version
So I sent messengers to them, replying "I am involved in a great endeavor, so I can't leave. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?"

Majority Standard Bible
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?”

NET Bible
So I sent messengers to them saying, "I am engaged in an important work, and I am unable to come down. Why should the work come to a halt when I leave it to come down to you?"

New Heart English Bible
I sent messengers to them, saying, "I am doing a great work, so that I can't come down. Why should the work cease, while I leave it, and come down to you?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

World English Bible
I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I can’t come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And I send to them messengers, saying, “A great work I am doing, and I am not able to come down; why does the work cease when I let it alone, and have come down to you?”

Young's Literal Translation
And I send unto them messengers, saying, 'A great work I am doing, and I am not able to come down; why doth the work cease when I let it alone, and have come down unto you?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And I shall send messengers to them, saying, I do a great work, and I shall not be able to come down: wherefore shall the work cease when I shall desist and come down to you?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And I sent messengers to them, saying: I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down, lest it be neglected whilst I come, and go down to you.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Therefore, I sent messengers to them, saying: “I am doing a great work, and I cannot descend, lest perhaps it may be neglected when I go out and descend to you.”

New American Bible
I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am engaged in a great enterprise and am unable to come down. Why should the work stop, while I leave it to come down to you?”

New Revised Standard Version
So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And I sent a messenger to them, saying, I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down, lest the work cease, while I leave it and come down to you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I sent them a Messenger and I said to them: “I am doing a great work and I cannot go down, lest it would stop when I leave and come down to join you.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And I sent messengers unto them, saying: 'I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down; why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, and I shall not be able to come down, lest the work should cease: as soon as I shall have finished it, I will come down to you.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Sanballat's Conspiracy
2Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me. 3So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to go down to you?” 4Four times they sent me the same message, and each time I gave the same reply.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 4:6
So we rebuilt the wall until all of it was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

Nehemiah 2:20
So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”

Ezra 4:4-5
Then the people of the land set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to build. / They hired counselors against them to frustrate their plans throughout the reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Proverbs 16:3
Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.

Philippians 1:6
being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Galatians 6:9
Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

2 Thessalonians 3:13
But as for you, brothers, do not grow weary in well-doing.

1 Peter 5:8-9
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. / Resist him, standing firm in your faith and in the knowledge that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Psalm 127:1
A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.

2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Acts 20:24
But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Luke 14:28-30
Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? / Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, / saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. / Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.


Treasury of Scripture

And I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?

And I sent

Proverbs 14:15
The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

I am doing

Ecclesiastes 9:10
Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Luke 14:30
Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

John 9:4
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

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Able Alone Carrying Cease Great Leave Messengers Possible Project Stop Stopped Whilst Work
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














So I sent messengers to them
In the context of Nehemiah's leadership, sending messengers signifies a strategic and wise response to opposition. The Hebrew root for "sent" (שָׁלַח, shalach) implies a deliberate action, emphasizing Nehemiah's intentionality in communication. Historically, messengers were crucial in maintaining the flow of information, especially in times of conflict or construction, as seen in Nehemiah's rebuilding efforts. This phrase underscores the importance of clear and purposeful communication in leadership.

saying, 'I am doing a great work
The phrase "I am doing a great work" reflects Nehemiah's understanding of the divine significance of his task. The Hebrew word for "great" (גָּדוֹל, gadol) conveys not only size but also importance and honor. Nehemiah's work on the wall was not merely a construction project; it was a fulfillment of God's promise and a restoration of His people. This highlights the Christian belief that all work done for God's glory is significant, regardless of its nature.

and cannot come down
Nehemiah's refusal to "come down" illustrates his steadfast commitment to his mission. The physical act of coming down from the wall symbolizes distraction or deviation from God's purpose. In a spiritual sense, this phrase encourages believers to remain focused on their God-given tasks, resisting the temptation to be sidetracked by external pressures or opposition.

Why should the work stop
This rhetorical question emphasizes the priority of God's work over personal or political agendas. The Hebrew root for "stop" (שָׁבַת, shavat) is related to the concept of Sabbath, a cessation of work. However, in this context, it implies an unnecessary interruption. Nehemiah's question challenges believers to consider the eternal impact of their work and to prioritize it accordingly.

while I leave it to go down to you?
Nehemiah's decision not to "leave it" underscores his dedication and discernment. The act of leaving the work would signify abandoning God's calling. The phrase "go down to you" suggests a lowering of standards or purpose. In a broader sense, this reflects the Christian principle of maintaining integrity and focus, even when faced with enticing distractions or opposition. Nehemiah's resolve serves as an inspiration for believers to remain steadfast in their divine assignments, trusting that God will handle the adversaries.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So I sent
וָאֶשְׁלְחָ֨ה (wā·’eš·lə·ḥāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

messengers
מַלְאָכִים֙ (mal·’ā·ḵîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

to them,
עֲלֵיהֶ֤ם (‘ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

saying,
לֵאמֹ֔ר (lê·mōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“I
אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

am doing
עֹשֶׂ֔ה (‘ō·śeh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

a great
גְדוֹלָה֙ (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

work
מְלָאכָ֤ה (mə·lā·ḵāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property

and cannot
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

come down.
לָרֶ֑דֶת (lā·re·ḏeṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

Why
לָ֣מָּה (lām·māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

should the work
הַמְּלָאכָה֙ (ham·mə·lā·ḵāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4399: Deputyship, ministry, employment, work, property

stop
תִשְׁבַּ֤ת (ṯiš·baṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7673: To repose, desist from exertion

while
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer)
Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I leave it
אַרְפֶּ֔הָ (’ar·pe·hā)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7503: Sink, relax

to go down
וְיָרַדְתִּ֖י (wə·yā·raḏ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3381: To come or go down, descend

to you?”
אֲלֵיכֶֽם׃ (’ă·lê·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


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OT History: Nehemiah 6:3 I sent messengers to them saying (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 6:2
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