Nehemiah1
World English Bible · Public Domain
1The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the palace,
2Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
3They said to me, “The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”
4When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned several days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,
5and said, “I beg you, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments,
6let your ear now be attentive and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned.
7We have dealt very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which you commanded your servant Moses.
8“Remember, I beg you, the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you trespass, I will scatter you among the peoples;
9but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.’
10“Now these are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand.
11Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cup bearer to the king.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Nehemiah 1.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Nehemiah's distress for the misery of Jerusalem, His prayer. (1-11).
vv1-11
Nehemiah was the Persian king's cup-bearer. When God has work to do, he will never want instruments to do it with. Nehemiah lived at ease, and in honour, but does not forget that he is an Israelite, and that his brethren are in distress. He was ready to do them all the good offices he could; and that he might know how best to do them a kindness, he makes inquiries about them. We should inquire especially concerning the state of the church and religion. Every Jerusalem on this side the heavenly one will have some defect, which will require the help and services of its friends. Nehemiah's first application was to God, that he might have the fuller confidence in his application to the king. Our best pleas in prayer are taken from the promise of God, the word on which he has caused us to hope. Other means must be used, but the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails most. Communion with God will best prepare us for our dealings with men. When we have intrusted our concerns to God, the mind is set at liberty; it feels satisfaction and composure, and difficulties vanish. We know that if the affair be hurtful, he can easily hinder it; and if it be good for us, he can as easily forward it.
Key Words
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
נְחֶמְיָה: Nechemjah, the name of three Israelites
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
חֲכַלְיָה: Chakaljah, an Israelite
חֹדֶשׁ: the new moon; by implication, a month
כִּסְלֵו: Kisleu, the 9th Hebrew month
עֶשְׂרִים: twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
שָׁנֶה: a year (as a revolution of time)
אֲנִי: I
שׁוּשַׁן: Shushan, a place in Persia
Cross References
Nehemiah 1Direct verbal echo of the promise to gather the scattered from the uttermost parts.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Connects the twentieth year and the king's cupbearer role directly to the following chapter.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Striking parallel in confession, covenant language, and appeal to God's great and terrible nature.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The foundational covenant warning of scattering among the nations for transgressions referenced by Nehemiah.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Identifies Hanani as Nehemiah's brother, confirming his identity and familial connection.
Supported by JFB
Establishes a model of mourning, fasting, and praying before God concerning Jerusalem's desolation.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Alludes to God choosing a specific physical place to set His name there.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The covenant language of God keeping mercy for those who love Him and keep commandments.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes Solomon's temple dedication prayer asking God's eyes and ears to be attentive.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Echoes Moses' intercession pleading that Israel is God's people redeemed by His great power.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms Shushan the palace as the royal, strategic fortress location in Persia.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Direct sequel where Nehemiah addresses the broken walls and reproach of Jerusalem.
Supported by JFB
Solomon's prayer that God would grant His captive people compassion in the sight of men.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels Ezra's deep, representative confession of national sin and guilt.
Supported by Matthew Henry