Definition: And, lo, I perceived that God had not sent him; but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 6:12. It’s a really important and somewhat surprising part of the story. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where God is directly accusing someone – in this case, Nehemiah – of doing something wrong. He’s essentially saying that someone (likely Tobiah and Sanballat) tricked him into making a prophecy against him. Let's unpack it further: "And, lo, I perceived..." : This is a way of saying "I realized." It means Nehemiah saw something clearly – he understood that this person was involved in a deceitful act. "...that God had not sent him..." : This is the core of the accusation. God isn't sending Nehemiah to do anything. He’s saying that someone else has been manipulating him and making a false prophecy. "...but that he pronounced this prophecy against me:" : This emphasizes that Nehemiah was specifically targeted by this person. He wasn't just accused; he was given a specific statement – a prophecy – that said something negative about him. "For Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him." : This is the crucial detail. The people who hired Tobiah and Sanballat (who were likely involved in the deception) helped this person to make the prophecy. They were complicit in the act of tricking Nehemiah. What does it mean practically? This verse highlights a serious issue of deception and manipulation. It suggests that someone is using their position or influence to deliberately cause trouble and harm. It's a clear example of being tricked into doing something you shouldn’t. Why was this significant in the Bible? It speaks to several important themes: Divine Justice: God is actively intervening to punish those who are dishonest and deceptive. Accountability: It shows that Nehemiah is held accountable for his actions, even though he wasn’t directly involved in the deception himself. Importance of Trust: The verse emphasizes the importance of trusting God and relying on His guidance rather than on human deceit. In short, this verse paints a picture of a situation where someone deliberately tricked Nehemiah into making a false accusation, and it highlights God's displeasure with that action. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse in more detail? Connect it to a specific biblical story or event?