In it was written: From the preceding verse it can be assumed that Sanballat wrote the letter. Good News Translation restructures this according to normal English form, and translators should do the same. Bible en français courant continues the sentence from the preceding verse with the words, “which said.” This introduces the direct quotation of the writing in the letter. Good News Translation slightly indents the left margin of this letter in verses 6-7 to set it apart from the surrounding text.
It is reported among the nations, and Geshem also says it: It is reported renders the same word in Hebrew as in verse 1 indicating what had been heard. This is presented in the form of indirect quotation. Good News Translation describes this report as a “rumor,” meaning that the report was circulating without evidence of being true (also Contemporary English Version, New Jerusalem Bible). Sanballat affirms the validity of the report by referring to Geshem. The substance of the “report” or “rumor” is “said” (so Revised Standard Version, New International Version, Contemporary English Version) or “confirmed” (so Revised English Bible) by Geshem. According to Good News Translation, Sanballat asserts that the report was from Geshem who had received information from among the nations (also Bible en français courant). It is preferable to follow the rendering of Good News Translation or Contemporary English Version, which says “A rumor is going around among the nations … And Geshem says it’s true!”
Geshem is the same person who was referred to as “Geshem the Arab” in verse 1 above and Neh 2.19. Some translations retain the spelling “Gashmu” as it is found here in MT, which is the correct spelling of this name (so New Jerusalem Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible). However, most translations harmonize with the spelling in 2.19, and this is recommended.
Among the nations refers to the neighboring nations around Judah (see Neh 5.9).
The report included a series of accusations that would make Nehemiah a traitor in the eyes of the Persian authorities: 1) intend to rebel, 2) building the wall to become independent, 3) wish to become their king, and 4) “set up prophets to proclaim…, ‘There is a king in Judah’ ” (see verse 7 below). Sanballat threatened to report all this to the Persian king. These were the same charges made earlier to Artaxerxes (Ezra 4.8-16) that resulted in his order to stop the rebuilding of Jerusalem (Ezra 4.17-23).
You and the Jews intend to rebel: The Hebrew verb for intend expresses a range of meaning that may be rendered by several different verbs, for example, “thinking of” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “planning” (Contemporary English Version). It often introduces a plan that is not good, so New English Bible and New International Version say “plotting,” which has negative connotations. The object of the Jews’ intention is reported to be to rebel, that is, to revolt or to rise up against the authorities ruling over them (see Neh 2.19).
And you wish to become their king: In Hebrew an independent second person singular pronoun (you) is used pointing directly to Nehemiah in this accusation. The idea of intention or desire is understood to be implicit, and Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation make it explicit (also Revised English Bible). New American Bible translates “and that you are to be their king” (also New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh; similarly Chouraqui). In some languages a causative will be used: “You think to cause yourself to become their king.”
According to this report is literally “according to these words.” The rumor was introduced by the formal expression, It is reported, and now Sanballat underscores the widespread nature of his information by referring again to the reports that he has been receiving.
Quoted with permission from Noss, Philip A. and Thomas, Kenneth J. A Handbook on Nehemiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2005. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .