Nehemiah 6:11

Neh 6:11 And I said, Should such a man as I flee? and who [is there], that, [being] as I [am], would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.

Ver. 11. And I said, Should such a man as I flee?] To the dishonour of God, and the discouraging of the people? to the scandal of the weak, and the scorn of the wicked? Et Turnum fugientem haec terra videbit? There is a Tο πρεπον, a comeliness, a seemliness, a suitableness, appertains to every calling and condition of life; and nature hath taught heathens themselves to argue from dignity to duty, and to scorn to do anything unworthy of themselves. Scipio, when a harlot was offered him, answered, Vellem, si non essem Imperator, I would, were I not a general. Antigonus being invited to a feast where a notable harlot was to be present, asked counsel of Menedemus, what he should do? No more but this, said he, remember that thou art a king’s son. Themistocles once, after a victory, viewing the spoils and pillage of the field, said to his friend that bare him company, Take thou these rich spoils to thyself; for thou art not Themistocles; it is below me to stoop to them, Aνελου σεαυτω συ γαρ ουκ ει Yεμιστοκλης. When Pompey had Caesar and Antony in a ship together, it was suggested to him by Metrodorus, to revenge himself for the death of his father and brother. To whom he replied, that so to do might happily befit Metrodorus, but in no wise Pompey. It is not for you to be fishing for small fish, but for towns, forts, and castles, said Cleopatra to Mark Antony. It is not for God’s saints to walk as men; since they are children of the kingdom, and must therefore regnum in pectore gerere, carry themselves accordingly. We usually say, such a man understands himself well; that is, he knows his place, his dignity, and walks accordingly. It is a pusillanimity to do otherwise; Nehemiah will never do it, to die for it.

And who is there, that, being as I am] So greatly beloved of God, Dan 9:23, so highly favoured of the king, Neh 2:2; Neh 2:4, so protected hitherto, so prospered, so intrusted with the government and safety of this people, more dear to me than my very life.

Would go into the temple] As a malefactor, to take sanctuary there; or as a coward, to save mine own life with the loss of the lives of many of the precious sons of life.

I will not go in] The heavens shall sooner fall than I will forsake the truth, said that martyr, William Flower (Acts & Mon. 1430). Omnia de me praesumas praeter fugam et palinodiam, said Luther to Staupicius, I will rather die than fly; burn than turn. Latimer was wondrous bold and stout in his dealing with Henry VIII, both before and after he was a bishop. So were Athanasius, Ambrose, Basil, the primitive confessors. This courage in Christians the heathen persecutors called obstinacy, and not faith. Sed pro hac obstinatione fidei morimur, saith Tertullian in his Apology, for this obstinacy of faith we gladly die; neither can we die otherwise; for the love of Christ constraineth us. Life in God’s displeasure is worse than death; as death in his true favour is true life; as Bradford told Gardiner.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Neh 6:11. Should such a man as I flee? — I, who am governor, and ought to show a good example of undaunted courage? I, upon whose presence, counsel, and conduct, the very life and being of the whole city and nation, in a great measure, depend? I, who have professed such resolution and confidence in God, and have had such eminent experience of his gracious and powerful assistance, of his calling me to this employment, and carrying me through it when our danger was greater than now it is? Shall I now dishonour God and religion, and betray the people and city of God, by my cowardice? God forbid! Who is there that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? — Even though his life depended upon it. Shall I go in as if I had a bad cause or an evil conscience? as if I were a malefactor, and fled thither for refuge? as if I durst not trust God with my preservation except I went into the temple, which it is not lawful for me to do, not being a priest?

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

6:11 A good leader would not run from danger but would stand as an example to his people.

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

He doubted not but God was able to preserve him, and knew that if he had obeyed this counsel he should have discouraged all the people: thus God giveth power to his to resist false prophecies, though they seem to have never so great probability.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Verse 11. Should such a man as I flee?] Shall I, who am governor of the people, appointed both by God and the king, shall I betray my trust, and leave the flock without a shepherd? Shall I be a traitor, and abandon the office to which I am appointed? - No! Who, in my situation, with such responsibility, and such prospects, would go into the temple to save his life? I will not: I will stand at my post, and be ready to receive my enemies whensoever they come; so let Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem look to themselves.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(11) Should such a man as I flee?—First, the expression of personal dignity. Then of fear: “Who, being as I am” (a layman), “would go into the Temple to save his life?” Rather, and live? (Num_18:7).

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And I said, should such a man as I flee?.... The king's commissioner, who had the conducting and management of the whole affair of building the wall of Jerusalem, on whom it wholly depended; for, should he absent himself, the people would depart and leave their work, and the city and wall be left defenceless, which was what was hoped for from this scheme; and who had expressed such confidence in God, and had had such success:

and who is there, that, being as I am; in such a post, and in such circumstances, and on whom so much depended:

would go into the temple to save his life? or where there was little reason to believe it would be preserved long, should he take such a step as that:

I will not go in; as being neither lawful, nor honourable, nor safe.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Would go into the temple to save his life - Rather “could go into the temple and live.” For a layman to enter the sanctuary was a capital offence (see Num 18:7).

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

Should. Literally, "Does one like me retire from his post? And who like me shall enter the temple and live?" (Haydock) --- It is unlawful for a layman to flee into the part of the temple assigned to the priests. Yet into this he had been invited, as the court of Israel was not perhaps yet secured. Those who suppose that Nehemias was a priest, say (Calmet) that he refused to flee, lest he should intimidate the people by his cowardly departure. (Tirinus) (Menochius) --- Semaia might also have a design upon his life, when they should be alone.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

Should such a man as I flee; I the chief governor, upon whose presence, and counsel, and conduct the very life and being of the whole city and nation in a great measure depends; I who have professed such resolution, and courage, and confidence in God; I who have had such eminent experience of God’s gracious and powerful assistances, of his calling me to this employment, and carrying me through it when our danger was greater than now it is. Shall I now dishonour God and religion, and betray the people and city of God by my cowardice? God forbid. This is not the counsel of God, nor of a friend; but a plot of mine enemies, as it here follows.

Who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? as if I had an evil cause or conscience; as if I were a malefactor, who fled thither for refuge; as if I durst not trust God with my preservation except I went into the temple, which it is not lawful for me, being no priest, to do.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

11. Should such a man as I flee — I, who have nothing to be ashamed of, and am in the path of obedience and duty? Nehemiah had anxiety and alarm, (Neh_6:9,) but no cowardice.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Should such a man as I flee? i.e. Should a man in my position, the head of the state, bound to set an example to others, fly from danger and hide myself? Surely not. And who is there, that, being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life? Rather, "could go into the temple and live?" Dean Stanley compares Becket"s noble words, will not turn the cathedral into a castle, but the parallel is not close. Nehemiah feels, not that he would profane the temple by making it into a place of refuge, but that he would break the law by simply entering it. Ewald shows that he has caught the point of the objection when he says, "Nehemiah thought that, as a layman, he must not break the Divine command by entering the sanctuary itself" ("History of Israel," vol. 5. p. 157).

Regard for special obligations.

"Should such a man as I flee?" Thus magnanimously Nehemiah gave one reason for not following the counsel of the lying prophet. The words remind us of the special obligations under which some are laid to avoid evil and practise good. Indeed every one of us has some specialty in his case which he should feel as binding him peculiarly to a right course.

I SOME SPECIAL OBLIGATIONS TO CHRISTIAN CONSISTENCY. May be expressed thus: "Should such a man as I?

1. So greatly favoured. By the providence or by the grace of God forgiven so much, so richly endowed, etc.

2. Occupying such a position, to which I have been so manifestly called. Position in the family, the Church, the world.

3. Who have made such professions.

4. Who have served the Lord so long, and done so much.

5. Whose influence is so great, for good or evil, upon others.

II SINS AGAINST WHICH THE THOUGHT of such obligations should be a defence. "Should such a man as I

1. Flee. From Christ. From his post of duty.

2. Act unworthily. By inconsistencies of any sort indifference, sloth, self-indulgence, intemperance, cowardice, parsimony, etc. Temptations to each and all may be met by this thought: "Should such a man as I be guilty of this sin?

III CONSIDERATIONS WHICH SHOULD DEEPEN THE SENSE OF OBLIGATION. If "such a man as I" fall, then I shall

1. Incur deserved disgrace.

2. Bring reproach on the name and cause of Christ.

3. Give joy to his enemies.

4. Discourage and enfeeble his friends.

5. Cause injury and ruin to others. "Such a man as I" cannot fall alone.

6. Insure a heavier doom.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

As I - I the chief governor, upon whose presence, the very life of the whole city and nation in a great measure depends: I who have professed such resolution, and courage, and confidence in God. I, who have had such eminent experience of God's assistance, of his calling me to this employment, and carrying me through it when our danger was greater than now it is. Shall I now dishonour God and religion, and betray the people and city of God by my cowardice? Go in - Tho' his life depended upon it.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

Will a man like me flee This is a question: Will a man like me flee to enter the Temple?

I will not enter I will not enter there because of fear of death, and I will not transgress the commandments of the Holy One, blessed be He, that a stranger (a non-Kohen) may not enter His Temple.

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.