Had the reports mentioned been actually circulated, there would have been cause for apprehension; for they would soon have been carried to the king, whom a slight suspicion might provoke to the severest measures. But Nehemiah was convinced that the letter was wholly false, written to arouse his fears and draw him into a snare. This conclusion was strengthened by the fact that the letter was sent open, evidently that the people might read the contents, and become alarmed and intimidated.

Hvis de rygter, som omtaltes i brevet, virkelig var blevet sat i omløb, ville der have været grund til ængstelse. Da ville det ikke have varet længe, før kongen havde hørt om dem, og hvis han blot fik den ringeste mistanke, kunne han træffe de alvorligste modforholdsregler. Men Nehemias var overbevist om, at brevet var et falsum, og at det var skrevet for at gøre ham bange og få ham i en fælde. Dette indtryk blev yderligere bestyrket af, at det var et åbent brev. Hensigten hermed var øjensynligt, at folket skulle have lejlighed til at gøre sig bekendt med dets indhold og blive opskræmt.