The fifth time with an open letter in his hand. — Four times they strive to induce Nehemiah to meet them, under various pretexts, with the intention of doing him personal harm. Each time his reply was to the effect that he was finishing his own work, not without a touch of irony. This answer has an universal application, which preachers have known how to use. In the fifth letter the tactics are changed: the silken bag containing the missive was not sealed, and it was hoped that Nehemiah would be alarmed by the thought that its contents had been read by the people.
Related Commentaries of Nehemiah 6:5
Nehemiah 6:5
5 Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;