You have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem: For prophets see Ezra 5.1. The proclamation of the prophets would give religious approval to claims of leadership over the Jews (see 1 Sam 10.17-24). Therefore Sanballat accuses Nehemiah of using prophets to proclaim him king. The Hebrew verb translated in Revised Standard Version as set up is a causative form of the verb “to stand,” but it does not indicate precisely what Nehemiah is accused of doing. It can be understood in two ways: either as set up in Revised Standard Version or as “arranged” in Good News Translation. The Revised Standard Version translation designates the appointment of prophets, while the one in Good News Translation emphasizes giving them a task to do. Like Revised Standard Version, New International Version says that Nehemiah “appointed prophets to make this proclamation … in Jerusalem,” while Traduction œcuménique de la Bible says that he “put prophets in place in Jerusalem.” Similarly to Good News Translation, Bible en français courant renders it that he “designated prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem,” and this is a good model to follow.

There is a king in Judah: The proclamation of the prophets would be very simple. It is literally “A king [is] in Judah!” The reference to Nehemiah would be made clear in the proclamation, according to Sanballat. This proclamation is the dramatic climax of Sanballat’s letter and of his accusation against Nehemiah. The claim that prophets were to proclaim Nehemiah as king may have been true. Haggai and Zechariah had had similar expectations for Zerubbabel. However, Nehemiah would not have initiated or encouraged this kind of activity. These words are translated most often as a proclamation in the form of direct quotation with an exclamation mark to indicate the emphasis of the announcement; for example, New Revised Standard Version has “There is a king in Judah!” Like Good News Translation, however, some versions restructure in the form of indirect quotation. The direct quotation is the more dramatic in this series of accusations and should preferably be used in translation.

It will be reported to the king according to these words: Sanballat does not say that he himself will report this rumor to the king. He only says that the rumor will reach the king (New International Version, New Jerusalem Bible) or that the king will surely hear about it (Good News Translation). For reported see verse 1 above. The Hebrew text does not specify who the king is that will hear of these reports, therefore, Good News Translation refers to “His Majesty.” Contemporary English Version is even more explicit in saying “the Persian king,” while Bible en français courant refers to “The emperor.” If it is necessary for the sake of clarity, translators may say explicitly “the king of Persia,” but it is preferable to simply refer to “the king” since this would have been the most natural form of a threat.

So now come: The message in the letter concludes with a dramatic invitation. By using the Hebrew connective conjunction translated So, followed by the adverb now and the second person singular imperative verb come, Sanballat makes an emphatic call to Nehemiah to cooperate with him. In languages where a formal or honorific form of address might be used, the message here calls for a sign of equality. Sanballat addresses Nehemiah with language that should convince him to meet with him (Contemporary English Version “so let’s get together”).

Let us take counsel together: This is a call for reciprocal action, that is, consulting with each other. Some languages will express this with a reciprocal verb suffix. New International Version says “let us confer together.” Some translations allow the reciprocal nature of the action to be more implicit as Good News Translation has done; for example, New English Bible has “let us talk the matter over” and New Jerusalem Bible has “discuss them [the rumors] with us.” This request appeared to be an expression of concern for Nehemiah’s welfare, but in fact it was part of the plot to compromise Nehemiah. Although it is not clear exactly what Sanballat’s plan was, Nehemiah recognized this proposal as a way to harm him and to stop the work on the wall.

The contents of the open letter are recorded in the form of direct quotation, but the information in the report that was circulating among the nations is recorded in indirect quotation with the exception of the proclamation of kingship which is in direct quotation. This represents three levels of quotation: the contents of the letter, the contents of the rumor, and the contents of the proclamation within the rumor. Revised Standard Version retains the direct and indirect quotation as in the Hebrew, using double quotation marks for the first level of direct speech and single quotation marks for the second level of direct speech. Good News Translation retains the direct speech form in quoting the contents of the letter and the indirect speech form for the contents of the rumor. However, it shifts the proclamation within the rumor to indirect quotation, thereby reducing some of the dramatic impact of the proclamation. Translators should use the style of quotation in their own language that most closely reflects the impact of the Hebrew form.

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 .