Nehemiah 6:19
New International Version
Moreover, they kept reporting to me his good deeds and then telling him what I said. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.

New Living Translation
They kept telling me about Tobiah’s good deeds, and then they told him everything I said. And Tobiah kept sending threatening letters to intimidate me.

English Standard Version
Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.

Berean Standard Bible
Moreover, these nobles kept reporting to me Tobiah’s good deeds, and they relayed my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.

King James Bible
Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

New King James Version
Also they reported his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.

New American Standard Bible
Moreover, they were speaking about his good deeds in my presence, and were reporting my words to him. Then Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.

NASB 1995
Moreover, they were speaking about his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. Then Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.

NASB 1977
Moreover, they were speaking about his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. Then Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.

Legacy Standard Bible
Moreover, they were speaking about his good deeds in my presence and bringing my words to him. Then Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.

Amplified Bible
Also, they were speaking about Tobiah’s good deeds in my presence, and reporting to him what I said. Then Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.

Christian Standard Bible
These nobles kept mentioning Tobiah’s good deeds to me, and they reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
These nobles kept mentioning Tobiah’s good deeds to me, and they reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.

American Standard Version
Also they spake of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

Contemporary English Version
The people would always tell me about the good things Tobiah had done, and then they would tell Tobiah everything I had said. So Tobiah kept sending letters, trying to frighten me.

English Revised Version
Also they spake of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The nobles were singing Tobiah's praises to me and reporting to him what I said. Tobiah kept sending letters to intimidate me.

Good News Translation
People would talk in front of me about all the good deeds Tobiah had done and would tell him everything I said. And he kept sending me letters to try to frighten me.

International Standard Version
Furthermore, they kept reporting Tobiah's good deeds to me, and kept repeating what I told him. Tobiah kept sending letters to intimidate me.

Majority Standard Bible
Moreover, these nobles kept reporting to me Tobiah’s good deeds, and they relayed my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.

NET Bible
They were telling me about his good deeds and then taking back to him the things I said. Tobiah, on the other hand, sent letters in order to scare me.

New Heart English Bible
Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

Webster's Bible Translation
Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

World English Bible
Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
also, they have been speaking of his good deeds before me, and they have been taking my words out to him; Tobiah has sent letters to make me afraid.

Young's Literal Translation
also, his good deeds they have been saying before me, and my words they have been taking out to him; letters hath Tobiah sent to make me afraid.

Smith's Literal Translation
Also his good things were said before me, and my words were brought forth to him. Tobiah sent letters to cause me to fear.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And they praised him also before me, and they related my words to him: And Tobias sent letters to put me in fear.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Moreover, they praised him before me, and they reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters, so that he might make me afraid.

New American Bible
They would praise his good deeds in my presence and relate to him whatever I said; and Tobiah sent letters trying to intimidate me.

New Revised Standard Version
Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence, and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Also they reported his good words before me, and told him anything I said. And Tobiah sent letters to frighten me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Also they were telling his good words before me, and the word that I had said they were saying to him, and Tobia was sending letters to scare me.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Also they spoke of his good deeds before me, and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they reported his words to me, and carried out my words to him: and Tobias sent letters to terrify me.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Completion of the Wall
18For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah. 19Moreover, these nobles kept reporting to me Tobiah’s good deeds, and they relayed my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.

Cross References
Nehemiah 13:28
Even one of the sons of Jehoiada son of Eliashib the high priest had become a son-in-law to Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I drove him away from me.

Nehemiah 4:1-3
Now when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he was furious and filled with indignation. He ridiculed the Jews / before his associates and the army of Samaria, saying, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Can they restore the wall by themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Can they bring these burnt stones back to life from the mounds of rubble?” / Then Tobiah the Ammonite, who was beside him, said, “If even a fox were to climb up on what they are building, it would break down their wall of stones!”

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.

Ezra 10:18-19
Among the descendants of the priests who had married foreign women were found these descendants of Jeshua son of Jozadak and his brothers: Maaseiah, Eliezer, Jarib, and Gedaliah. / They pledged to send their wives away, and for their guilt they presented a ram from the flock as a guilt offering.

1 Kings 11:1-2
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.

2 Chronicles 36:14
Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people multiplied their unfaithful deeds, following all the abominations of the nations, and they defiled the house of the LORD, which He had consecrated in Jerusalem.

Psalm 41:9
Even my close friend whom I trusted, the one who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.

Psalm 55:12-14
For it is not an enemy who insults me; that I could endure. It is not a foe who rises against me; from him I could hide. / But it is you, a man like myself, my companion and close friend. / We shared sweet fellowship together; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.

Proverbs 29:5
A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.

Jeremiah 9:4-5
“Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.

Jeremiah 12:6
Even your brothers—your own father’s household—even they have betrayed you; even they have cried aloud against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you.

Matthew 10:36
A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

Matthew 26:14-16
Then one of the Twelve, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests / and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I hand Him over to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. / So from then on Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Mark 14:10-11
Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted to hear this, and they promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus.

Luke 22:3-6
Then Satan entered Judas Iscariot, who was one of the Twelve. / And Judas went to discuss with the chief priests and temple officers how he might betray Jesus to them. / They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.

they reported

Proverbs 28:4
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

John 7:7
The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

John 15:19
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

words.

Nehemiah 6:9,13
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…

Isaiah 37:10-14
Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God, in whom thou trustest, deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria…

Acts 4:18-21
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus…

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Accounts Afraid Deeds Fear Frighten Good Kept Letters Moreover Presence Purpose Reported Reporting Speaking Telling Tobiah Tobi'ah Tobijah Uttered Words
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Accounts Afraid Deeds Fear Frighten Good Kept Letters Moreover Presence Purpose Reported Reporting Speaking Telling Tobiah Tobi'ah Tobijah Uttered Words
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














Moreover, they kept reporting to me
This phrase indicates a continuous action, suggesting that the reports were persistent and possibly intended to wear down Nehemiah's resolve. The Hebrew root for "reporting" is "נָגַד" (nagad), which means to declare or make known. This implies a deliberate effort to influence Nehemiah's perception of Tobiah. Historically, this reflects the political intrigue common in ancient Near Eastern courts, where information was a tool of power and manipulation.

Tobiah’s good deeds
Tobiah, an Ammonite official, is portrayed throughout Nehemiah as an adversary. The mention of his "good deeds" is ironic, as it contrasts with his actions against Nehemiah. The Hebrew word for "good" is "טוֹב" (tov), which can mean good, pleasant, or agreeable. This suggests that Tobiah's deeds were presented in a favorable light, possibly to sway public opinion or to create a false narrative of his character. This reflects the timeless tactic of using propaganda to undermine opponents.

and telling him what I said
This phrase indicates a breach of trust and confidentiality. The Hebrew root "אָמַר" (amar) means to say or speak, highlighting the betrayal involved in relaying Nehemiah's words to Tobiah. This act of espionage underscores the internal challenges Nehemiah faced, not just from external enemies but from those within his own community. It serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment and vigilance in leadership.

And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me
The act of sending letters was a common means of communication in the ancient world, often used for official or formal purposes. The Hebrew word for "intimidate" is "יָרֵא" (yare), which means to fear or be afraid. Tobiah's letters were intended to instill fear and disrupt Nehemiah's mission. This reflects the broader theme of spiritual warfare, where the enemy uses fear as a weapon to deter God's people from fulfilling their divine purpose. Nehemiah's response to such intimidation is a testament to his faith and reliance on God for strength and courage.

(19) Reported his good deeds.--Besides the correspondence thus carried on. these nobles strove to exalt the character of Tobiah to tne governor, while they made the enemy acquainted with all that went on. This intelligence enabled him to write the disquieting letters which Nehemiah says he was in the habit of receiving.

Verse 19. - Also they reported his good deeds, etc. Rather, "they even reported" - they went so far as to speak to me of his good actions, perhaps representing the bribes which he dispensed (ver. 12) as given from charitable motives. And they uttered my words, or "communicated my affairs, to him. They made him acquainted with all my proceedings.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Moreover,
גַּ֣ם (gam)
Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

these nobles kept
הָי֤וּ (hā·yū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

reporting
אֹמְרִים֙ (’ō·mə·rîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to me
לְפָנַ֔י (lə·p̄ā·nay)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6440: The face

Tobiah’s good deeds,
טוֹבֹתָ֗יו (ṭō·w·ḇō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

and they relayed
מוֹצִיאִ֖ים (mō·w·ṣî·’îm)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

my words
וּדְבָרַ֕י (ū·ḏə·ḇā·ray)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

to him.
ל֑וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

And Tobiah
טוֹבִיָּ֖ה (ṭō·w·ḇî·yāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2900: Tobiah -- 'Yah is my good', three Israelites, also an Ammonite

sent
שָׁלַ֥ח (šā·laḥ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

letters
אִגְּר֛וֹת (’ig·gə·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 107: An epistle

to intimidate me.
לְיָֽרְאֵֽנִי׃ (lə·yā·rə·’ê·nî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten


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OT History: Nehemiah 6:19 Also they spoke of his good deeds (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 6:18
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