Verses 1-19

Attempts of Sanballat to hinder the completion of the Walls

2. Ono] near Lod (Ezra 2:33), now Kefr Ana, some 25 m. from Jerusalem.

5. An open letter] in order that its contents might reach and intimidate others.

6. According to these words] better, 'and so forth' (and so in Nehemiah 6:7), the quotation from the letter in Nehemiah 6:6 ending with king.

10. Who was shut up] perhaps meaning 'ceremonially unclean': cp. Jeremiah 36:5. Shemaiah probably hoped that Nehemiah would conclude that only for the most urgent reasons would he under such circumstances make the proposal described. Within the temple] i.e. to seek asylum there (as Joab fled to the tent of the Lord, 1 Kings 2:28).

11. Being as I am] Only the priests might enter the Temple buildings.

15. Elul] The 6th month (August-September) of 445 b.c.

18. Arab.. Meshullam] see Ezra 2:5; Nehemiah 3:4.