Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me the fifth time in the same way, but this time he carried an unsealed letter in his hand.
This verse shows that Nehemiah's enemy Sanballat was persistently trying to intimidate him, now escalating to public accusations by sending an open letter that anyone could read.
📚 Historical Context
Nehemiah was leading the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls around 445 BC, facing constant opposition from local governors like Sanballat who wanted to maintain their political control over the region. An 'open letter' was a serious escalation because it meant the accusations inside could be read by anyone, making them public and potentially more damaging to Nehemiah's reputation and authority.
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