נחמיה, פרק ו׳, פסוק ה׳

After repeated attempts to arrange a meeting, Sanballat escalates his approach by sending his servant for a fifth time. On this occasion, he delivers his message through two parallel channels: spoken word and written text. The message is delivered either directly by the servant or sent along with him [רש״י, מצודת דוד]. Verbally, the servant repeats the ongoing request to hold a meeting in Kephirim [מלבי״ם].

Alongside the spoken words, the servant carries an open letter. The nature of this exposed document is understood in slightly different ways. It may have been a letter that was simply spread open and entirely visible [אבן עזרא]. Alternatively, it was sent without the customary seal that usually secured private correspondence, meaning anyone could easily read its contents [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד].

Delivering an unsealed, visible letter served two distinct purposes. First, the lack of a seal was intended to highlight the extreme urgency and critical nature of the situation [מלבי״ם]. Second, it was a calculated tactic to publicize the message to the masses. By deliberately choosing not to seal the correspondence, Sanballat projected an image that he was not operating in secret, effectively inviting anyone who wished to do so to come and read his words [ביאור שטיינזלץ, מצודת דוד].