Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 6:19
Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. [And] Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
19. reported uttered ] R.V. spoke of reported. The Hebrew gives the idea of continuous action. They endeavoured to convince Nehemiah that Tobiah’s professions of goodwill were sincere. Perhaps too they spoke of the generous way in which he distributed money among the Jews. On the other hand they communicated to Tobiah all that Nehemiah said and did, with the view of supplying him with material for charges against Nehemiah to be made before the Persian king, or for slanders to the Jewish people. The word for ‘His good deeds,’ or ‘virtues,’ ( tbthv) is perhaps a play on the name ‘Tobiah.’
Tobiah in fear ] i.e. letters like that of Sanballat quoted above ( Neh 6:5-8).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Neh 6:19
Also they reported his good deeds before me.
The bad men praised
I. Bad men do get praised.
1. Sometimes this praise is real.
2. Sometimes this praise is mistaken.
3. Sometimes this praise is fictitious altogether.
II. Bad men are anxious for praise.
1. In this there is a sentence of condemnation.
2. In this there is an indirect homage to virtue.
III. Bad men are not hidden by the praise of the world.
1. Good men detect.
2. God detects.
Application:
1. Do not be discouraged by this misdirected praise.
2. Do not be deceived into any lowering of the standard of righteousness. (Homiletic Commentary.)
.
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Also they reported his good deeds before me,…. Recommended him as a very worthy man, deserving of respect and notice by Nehemiah, and to be taken into his friendship, and admitted to conversation with him, whose counsel and advice might be of service:
and uttered my words to him; reported both what he said and did; for the word used signifies both words and actions:
and Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear; perceiving, by the intelligence of his friends, that Nehemiah would have nothing to say to him, nor to do with him, he threatened him.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(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.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
19. They reported his good deeds before me Seeking to allay suspicions, and to show that Tobiah was not so bad a man as Nehemiah thought. They kept repeating his praises, and mentioning what they esteemed his noble deeds. But at the same time they uttered, or conveyed and reported, Nehemiah’s words to him, and thus acted the despicable part of traitors.
Sent letters to put me in fear Just as Sanballat had done. Neh 6:5. But all their machinations came to naught, for the work was of God. Neh 6:16.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
REFLECTIONS
IT is hardly possible to read this Chapter, and behold the various methods which the enemies of Nehemiah made use of to draw him from the work he had engaged in for God’s glory, without immediately having our minds led forth to contemplate the still more plausible and subtle devices which Satan and his agents are unweariedly engaged in to harass and afflict the people of God. What fiery darts of temptation do they throw forth from the quiver of their hellish malice? And if at anytime they are successful, which the Lord sometimes graciously may permit, for our greater advantage and his glory in the end; oh! how do they triumph in our fall. But Reader! there is a way, and it is indeed the only way of counteracting all the subtlety and malice of Satan; namely, as the redeemed now in heaven are said to have done; they overcame by the blood of the Lamb. Yes! blessed Jesus! thy name, thy cross, thy precious blood and righteousness; these are the ensigns of victory, by which alone we can resist the devil, and cause him to flee from us. And like Nehemiah we shall finish the wall, subdue all oppositions and be more than conquerors through thy grace helping us, when by thy blessed Spirit we are made strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Neh 6:19 Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. [And] Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
Ver. 19. Also they reported his good deeds before me ] Heb. His goodness, as if he had been another Phocion, who was surnamed the Good. But this was but in their opinion only, who had little enough goodness, and skill to judge it. Or if there were any good in him, yet Sunt bona mista malis and of him might be said, as once of Sfortz, duke of Milan, that he was a very monster, made up and compact of virtue and vice (Folieta Galeazo).
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
they reported: Pro 28:4, Joh 7:7, Joh 15:19, 1Jo 4:5
words: or, matters
to put: Neh 6:9, Neh 6:13, Isa 37:10-14, Act 4:18-21
Reciprocal: Jer 29:25 – Because
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Neh 6:19. Also, they reported his good deeds before me To such a degree of impudence were they arrived, that they highly commended Tobiah as a very worthy man in the presence of Nehemiah, who knew so much of his wickedness. And uttered my words to him Informed him of all I spake or did. We learn from the contents of this chapter, that pious people, especially those who labour for the glory of God, are exposed to many troubles and oppositions, not only from their declared enemies, who attack them with open force, or by craft and calumny, but also from those whom they look upon as their brethren. It appears also from the wise, steady, and pious conduct of Nehemiah, that those who labour for the public good ought never to be staggered by the threats and slanders of the wicked, because, with the blessing of God, who watches over them, they will happily overcome all opposition.