Nehemiah was not long in penetrating the true character and object of his counselor. "I perceived that God had 656 not sent him," he says, "but that he pronounced this prophecy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. Therefore was he hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me."

Nehemias var ikke sen til at afsløre sin rådgivers sande karakter og hensigt. Han siger: "Jeg skønnede, at det ikke var Gud, som havde sendt ham, men at han var kommet med det udsagn om mig, fordi Tobija og Sanballat havde lejet ham dertil, for at jeg skulle blive bange og forsynde mig ved slig adfærd og de få anledning til ilde omtale, så de kunne bagvaske mig."