Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Their invitation to "meet together" sounds like an attempt to negotiate, but the specific mention of a village name, Hakkiphirim, points to a deliberate plan. By luring Nehemiah far from Jerusalem to a specific, perhaps isolated, spot, they aimed to seize or assassinate him.
Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nehemiah's enemies, led by Sanballat and Geshem, have heard that the wall of Jerusalem is nearly complete and are desperate to stop him. They send a deceptively friendly invitation for Nehemiah to meet them in a village on the plain of Ono, outside Jerusalem. Their true intention, however, is to lure him away from the city and his supporters so they can either capture or kill him.
Nehemiah's enemies, defeated in their open attacks, try a new tactic: an invitation to talk. But this wasn't about peace talks.
Sanballat and Geshem extend an invitation to Nehemiah: 'Come and let us meet together in the plain of Ono.' This sounds reasonable, even diplomatic. They propose a neutral location away from Jerusalem. They want Nehemiah to think this is a genuine attempt to resolve differences or discuss matters of mutual concern, like serving the Persian king.
However, Nehemiah sees through the facade. The text explicitly states, 'But they intended to do me harm.' This wasn't a peace summit; it was a trap. By luring Nehemiah out of Jerusalem, away from his supporters and the safety of the city he was rebuilding, they planned to seize or even assassinate him. It's a classic tactic: disguise malicious intent with a veneer of reasonableness.
Why the plain of Ono? This wasn't just any meeting spot; it was a carefully chosen location designed to maximize risk for Nehemiah.
The specific location mentioned, the plain of Ono, is significant. Commentaries suggest Ono was a town located a considerable distance from Jerusalem, possibly on the borders of Philistia. It was far enough from Jerusalem to necessitate Nehemiah being away for several days.
This strategic choice served their wicked purpose. Being in the plain, away from the fortified walls and his workers, Nehemiah would be isolated and vulnerable. It was the perfect setup for an ambush. The enemy understood that Nehemiah's strength lay in his leadership within Jerusalem and his connection to his people. By drawing him out, they aimed to neutralize his influence and eliminate him personally.
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How did Nehemiah know their intentions were evil? His response reveals a deep reliance on God's wisdom and protection.
The verse doesn't just tell us what the enemies planned; it reveals Nehemiah's response. While the text doesn't detail his internal thought process, his rejection of the invitation and subsequent actions (detailed in the following verses) show discernment. He didn't blindly accept the offer of negotiation.
Nehemiah's ability to see through their deception stems from his character and his relationship with God. He had already faced numerous threats and recognized the pattern of opposition. His prayer, mentioned in other contexts related to this chapter ('I lifted up my eyes, and saw.'), suggests he sought divine guidance. Instead of falling into their trap, he relied on God to strengthen his hands and protect his work. This shows us that spiritual leadership involves not just courage, but also wisdom and a constant dependence on God to discern truth from falsehood.
Understand the original words
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
An injury, evil, or mischief intended against someone; it encompasses both physical violence and strategic deception meant to hinder or destroy one's well-being or mission.
The invitation to meet in the plain of Ono highlights the political instability and the personal danger Nehemiah faced, forcing him to discern true intentions behind seemingly friendly gestures.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Returns to Jerusalem
After years of service in the Persian court, Nehemiah receives troubling news about Jerusalem's state and returns with authorization to rebuild its walls.
c. 445 BC
Walls of Jerusalem Rebuilt
Despite facing intense opposition from surrounding peoples, Nehemiah rallies the Jewish returnees and successfully completes the rebuilding of Jerusalem's defensive walls.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Enemies Invite Nehemiah to Ono
Sanballat and Geshem, prominent opponents of the rebuilding effort, send a deceptive invitation to Nehemiah, proposing a meeting in the plain of Ono outside Jerusalem.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Declines Meeting
Recognizing the hostile intent behind the invitation, Nehemiah refuses the meeting, understanding their true goal was to harm or capture him.
c. 445 BC
Continued Opposition and Plots
The enemies of Jerusalem continue their schemes against Nehemiah and the completed wall, employing further deception and intimidation tactics.
This passage describes a similar situation where David's enemies, revealed by the Ziphites, intended to betray him, mirroring the deceptive intentions of Sanballat and Geshem.
Genesis 50:20Joseph famously tells his brothers, 'You intended to do me harm, but God intended it for good,' which echoes Nehemiah's discernment of evil intentions behind a seemingly friendly offer.
Matthew 10:16Jesus warns his disciples, 'Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves,' a principle Nehemiah applies by recognizing the danger despite the friendly guise.
Esther 8:3Haman's plot, a plan of 'mischief' or evil intended for destruction, finds a parallel in the conspirators' intent to harm Nehemiah, highlighting the persistent schemes of those opposed to God's people.
Psalm 1:1The verse describes the wicked who 'do not stand in the way of sinners' and 'do not sit in the seat of scoffers,' contrasting with Nehemiah's wisdom in recognizing and avoiding the deceptive invitation of his enemies.
clarkeNehemiah 6:2: "That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief."
Come, let us meet together in - the plain of Ono - They wished to get him out of Jerusalem from among his friends, that they might either carry him off, or murder him. Ono is supposed to have been in the tribe of Benjamin, near Jordan.
pooleNehemiah 6:2: "That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief."
Let us meet together; to consult about the common service of our master the king of Persia, or to make a friendly accommodation. Ono; a city in the tribe of Benjamin; of which see Nehemiah 11:35 1 Chronicles 8:12 .
Their invitation to "meet together" sounds like an attempt to negotiate, but the specific mention of a village name, Hakkiphirim, points to a deliberate plan. By luring Nehemiah far from Jerusalem to a specific, perhaps isolated, spot, they aimed to seize or assassinate him.
Nehemiah's enemies, led by Sanballat and Geshem, have heard that the wall of Jerusalem is nearly complete and are desperate to stop him. They send a deceptively friendly invitation for Nehemiah to meet them in a village on the plain of Ono, outside Jerusalem. Their true intention, however, is to lure him away from the city and his supporters so they can either capture or kill him.
Nehemiah's enemies, led by Sanballat and Geshem, have heard that the wall of Jerusalem is nearly complete and are desperate to stop him. They send a deceptively friendly invitation for Nehemiah to meet them in a village on the plain of Ono, outside Jerusalem. Their true intention, however, is to lure him away from the city and his supporters so they can either capture or kill him.
"Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm." — Their invitation to "meet together" sounds like an attempt to negotiate, but the specific mention of a village name, Hakkiphirim, points to a deliberate plan. By luring Nehemiah far from Jerusalem to…
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Last reviewed October 2026