Shemaiah שְׁמַעְיָ֫הוּ
False prophet who opposed Nehemiah
Who is Shemaiah in the Bible?
Shemaiah was a false prophet who opposed Nehemiah during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall in the fifth century BC. According to Nehemiah 6:10, Shemaiah, who was shut up in his house, claimed to have received a divine prophecy warning Nehemiah that enemies were plotting to kill him and urging him to hide in the temple for safety. Nehemiah, however, recognized this as a false prophecy designed to intimidate him and undermine his leadership of the restoration project. By refusing to flee or enter the temple improperly, Nehemiah demonstrated his faith and courage, exposing Shemaiah's deception. This encounter illustrates the internal opposition and spiritual challenges that arose during the difficult work of restoring Jerusalem after the exile.
Biography
Shemaiah was a false prophet who opposed Nehemiah during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall. In Neh.6.10, Nehemiah describes an encounter with Shemaiah, who was shut up in his house. Shemaiah claimed to have received a prophecy that Nehemiah should hide in the temple to avoid being killed by his enemies. However, Nehemiah recognized this as a false prophecy intended to intimidate him and discredit his leadership. Nehemiah refused to flee, stating that a man in his position should not enter the temple to save his life. This incident highlights the challenges and opposition Nehemiah faced while trying to restore Jerusalem and the Jewish community.
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In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentNehemiah 1 verse
- Nehemiah 6:10
"Later, I went to the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah, the son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his house. He said: “Let us meet at the house of God inside the temple. Let us shut the temple doors because they are coming to kill you—by night they are coming to kill you!”"
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁמַעְיָ֫הוּ |