Then sent Sanballat his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Then sent Sanballat his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
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 a fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Then Sanballat sent his servant to me the same way the fifth time with an open letter in his hand,
Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
With an open letter in his hand - This was an insult to a person of Nehemiah's quality: as letters sent to chiefs and governors in the East are always carefully folded up, and put in costly silken bags, and these carefully sealed. The circumstance is thus marked to show the contempt he (Sanballat) had for him.
The letter was "open," in order that the contents might be generally known, and that the Jews, alarmed at the threats contained in it, might refuse to continue the work.
6:5 Open letter - As speaking of a thing commonly known.