Nehemiah 6:8 — Meaning and Application

Wherein {was} written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith {it, that} thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words. {Gashmu: also called, Geshem}

And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, {There is} a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.

Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.

For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, {O God}, strengthen my hands.

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.