Nehemiah 2:5

Nehemiah 2:5 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.”

King James Version KJV

And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

American Standard Version ASV

And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And I said to the king, If it is the king's pleasure, and if your servant has your approval, send me to Judah, to the town where the bodies of my fathers are at rest, so that I may take in hand the building of it.

Free Bible Version FBV

“If it pleases Your Majesty, and if you are happy with me, I request you send me to Judah, to the city where my forefathers are buried, so I can rebuild it.”

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And sayde vnto the King, If it please the King, and if thy seruant haue found fauour in thy sight, I desire that thou wouldest send me to Iudah vnto the city of the sepulchres of my fathers, that I may buyld it.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and say to the king, 'If to the king [it be] good, and if thy servant be pleasing before thee, that thou send me unto Judah, unto the city of the graves of my fathers, and I built it.'

World English Bible WEB

I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may build it.”

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And I said to the king, If it should please the king, and if thy servant hath found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldst send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' sepulchers, that I may build it.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And I said to the king: If it seem good to the king, and if thy servant hath found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldst send me into Judea to the city of the sepulchre of my father, and I will build it.

Translation for Translators T4T

Then I replied, “If you are willing to do it, and if I have pleased you, send me to the city of Jerusalem in Judah province where my ancestors are buried, in order that I may help people to rebuild the city.”

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 2:5

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Nehemiah 2:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וָ/אֹמַ֣ר לַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ אִם עַל הַ/מֶּ֣לֶךְ ט֔וֹב וְ/אִם יִיטַ֥ב עַבְדְּ/ךָ֖ לְ/פָנֶ֑י/ךָ אֲשֶׁ֧ר תִּשְׁלָחֵ֣/נִי אֶל יְהוּדָ֗ה אֶל עִ֛יר קִבְר֥וֹת אֲבֹתַ֖/י וְ/אֶבְנֶֽ/נָּה

וָ/אֹמַ֣ר ʼâmar H559 to say Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs

לַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ melek H4428 King's Prep | N-ms

אִם ʼim H518 if Conj

עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep

הַ/מֶּ֣לֶךְ melek H4428 King's Art | N-ms

ט֔וֹב ṭôwb H2895 be pleasing Adj

וְ/אִם ʼim H518 if Conj | Conj

יִיטַ֥ב yâṭab H3190 be good V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

עַבְדְּ/ךָ֖ ʻebed H5650 servant/slave N-ms | Suff

לְ/פָנֶ֑י/ךָ pânîym H6440 face Prep | N-cp | Suff

אֲשֶׁ֧ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

תִּשְׁלָחֵ֣/נִי shâlach H7971 to send V-Qal-Imperf-2ms | Suff

אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep

יְהוּדָ֗ה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 Judah N-proper

אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Prep

עִ֛יר ʻîyr H5892 excitement N-fs

קִבְר֥וֹת qeber H6913 grave N-mp

אֲבֹתַ֖/י ʼâb H1 father N-mp | Suff

וְ/אֶבְנֶֽ/נָּה bânâh H1129 to build Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs | Suff

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 2:5

וָ/אֹמַ֣ר ʼâmar H559 "to say" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs

This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.

Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)

Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.

לַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ melek H4428 "King's" Prep | N-ms

This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.

Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.

אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj

This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.

Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather

Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.

עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep

This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.

Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)

Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

הַ/מֶּ֣לֶךְ melek H4428 "King's" Art | N-ms

Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.

ט֔וֹב ṭôwb H2895 "be pleasing" Adj

In the Bible, this word means to be good or pleasing, often used to describe God's actions or human behavior. It appears in Genesis 1, where God sees that creation is good, and in Psalm 100, where the psalmist says that God is good and his love endures forever.

Definition: 1) to be good, be pleasing, be joyful, be beneficial, be pleasant, be favourable, be happy, be right 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be pleasant, be delightful 1a2) to be glad, be joyful 1a3) to be better 1a4) to be well with, be good for 1a5) to be pleasing 1b) (Hiphil) to do well, do good, act right, act rightly

Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: be (do) better, cheer, be (do, seem) good, (make) goodly, [idiom] please, (be, do, go, play) well. See also: Numbers 11:18; Nehemiah 2:7; Psalms 119:68.

וְ/אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj | Conj

יִיטַ֥ב yâṭab H3190 "be good" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms

To be good means to be pleasing or joyful, making something or someone sound, beautiful, or happy. It is used in various forms, including being glad, doing well, or being content. It appears in many books, including Psalms and Proverbs.

Definition: 1) to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be glad, be joyful 1a2) to be well placed 1a3) to be well for, be well with, go well with 1a4) to be pleasing, be pleasing to 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to make glad, rejoice 1b2) to do good to, deal well with 1b3) to do well, do thoroughly 1b4) to make a thing good or right or beautiful 1b5) to do well, do right

Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, [phrase] be content, diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad, do (be, make) good(-ness), be (make) merry, please ([phrase] well), shew more (kindness), skilfully, [idiom] very small, surely, make sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat, go, have) well (said, seen). See also: Genesis 4:7; 2 Samuel 3:36; Psalms 33:3.

עַבְדְּ/ךָ֖ ʻebed H5650 "servant/slave" N-ms | Suff

This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.

Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)

Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.

לְ/פָנֶ֑י/ךָ pânîym H6440 "face" Prep | N-cp | Suff

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

אֲשֶׁ֧ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

תִּשְׁלָחֵ֣/נִי shâlach H7971 "to send" V-Qal-Imperf-2ms | Suff

To send or depart is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which has various applications in the Bible. It can describe sending someone or something away, or letting something go.

Definition: : depart/send 1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to send 1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct 1a3) to send away 1a4) to let loose 1b) (Niphal) to be sent 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out 1c2) to let go, set free 1c3) to shoot forth (of branches) 1c4) to let down 1c5) to shoot 1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled 1e) (Hiphil) to send

Usage: Occurs in 790 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 9:27; Joshua 14:11.

אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

יְהוּדָ֗ה Yᵉhûwdâh H3063 "Judah" N-proper

Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.

Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob

Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.

אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Prep

עִ֛יר ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" N-fs

In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.

Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.

קִבְר֥וֹת qeber H6913 "grave" N-mp

A grave or sepulchre is a place where the dead are buried, often a tomb or burial site. This word is used in the Bible to describe the final resting place of individuals, and is translated as burying place or sepulchre in the KJV.

Definition: grave, sepulchre, tomb

Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: burying place, grave, sepulchre. See also: Genesis 23:4; 2 Chronicles 32:33; Psalms 5:10.

אֲבֹתַ֖/י ʼâb H1 "father" N-mp | Suff

In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.

Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)

Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.

וְ/אֶבְנֶֽ/נָּה bânâh H1129 "to build" Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-1cs | Suff

The Hebrew word bânâh means to build something, like a house or a family. It can also mean to establish or repair something, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: 1) to build, rebuild, establish, cause to continue 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to build, rebuild 1a2) to build a house (ie, establish a family) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be built 1b2) to be rebuilt 1b3) established (of restored exiles) (fig.) 1b4) established (made permanent) 1b5) to be built up (of childless wife becoming the mother of a family through the children of a concubine) Aramaic equivalent: be.nah (בְּנָה "to build" H1124)

Usage: Occurs in 345 OT verses. KJV: (begin to) build(-er), obtain children, make, repair, set (up), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:22; 1 Kings 8:48; 2 Chronicles 20:8.

Study Notes — Nehemiah 2:5

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Nehemiah 2:5 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 2:5
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 2:5
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:5
Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:5
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:5
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:5
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 2:5
Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:5
Sermons on Nehemiah 2:5

Context — Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem

3and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” 4“What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven

5and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.”

6Then the king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time. 7I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors west of the Euphrates, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	2 Samuel 14:22	Joab fell facedown in homage and blessed the king. “Today,” said Joab, “your servant knows that he has found favor with you, my lord the king, because the king has granted his request.”
2	Ruth 2:13	“My lord,” she said, “may I continue to find favor in your eyes, for you have comforted and spoken kindly to your maidservant, though I am not like one of your servant girls.”
3	Esther 7:3	Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request.
4	Ezra 5:17	Now, therefore, if it pleases the king, let a search be made of the royal archives in Babylon to see if King Cyrus did indeed issue a decree to rebuild the house of God in Jerusalem. Then let the king send us his decision in this matter.
5	Proverbs 3:4	Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.
6	Esther 5:8	If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.”
7	Esther 8:5	“If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if I have found favor in his sight, and the matter seems proper to the king, and I am pleasing in his sight, may an order be written to revoke the letters that the scheming Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces.
8	Esther 1:19	So if it pleases the king, let him issue a royal decree, and let it be recorded in the laws of Persia and Media so that it cannot be repealed, that Vashti shall never again enter the presence of King Xerxes, and that her royal position shall be given to a woman better than she.

Nehemiah 2:5 Summary

[Nehemiah 2:5 shows us that Nehemiah was a man who cared deeply about his city and his people, and he was willing to take a risk and ask the king for permission to go and rebuild it. He approached the king with humility and respect, recognizing that his plans were subject to the king's approval, much like we should recognize that our plans are subject to God's approval, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11. Nehemiah's example encourages us to pray and seek God's guidance, and to be willing to take steps of faith, even when the outcome is uncertain, trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, as promised in Romans 8:28.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What motivated Nehemiah to ask the king to send him to Judah?

Nehemiah's motivation stemmed from his concern for the city where his fathers were buried, which lay in ruins, as mentioned in Nehemiah 2:3, and his desire to rebuild it, as seen in Nehemiah 2:5, which is similar to the heart of God for His people, as expressed in Jeremiah 29:7.

How did Nehemiah approach the king with his request?

Nehemiah approached the king with humility and respect, saying 'If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight', as seen in Nehemiah 2:5, demonstrating a posture of submission and dependence on God, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:6.

What was Nehemiah's ultimate goal in going to Judah?

Nehemiah's ultimate goal was to rebuild the city, as stated in Nehemiah 2:5, which reflects the broader biblical theme of restoration and redemption, as seen in Isaiah 61:4 and Amos 9:11.

How does Nehemiah's example relate to our own lives as believers?

Nehemiah's example encourages us to pray and seek God's guidance, as he did in Nehemiah 2:4, and to be willing to take risks and step out in faith, as he did in Nehemiah 2:5, trusting in God's sovereignty and provision, as promised in Romans 8:28 and Philippians 4:13.

Reflection Questions

What are the things in my life that are 'in ruins' and need rebuilding, and how can I seek God's guidance and provision to address them?
How can I, like Nehemiah, cultivate a posture of humility and dependence on God in my own life and decisions?
What are some ways I can practically demonstrate my faith and trust in God, even in the face of uncertainty or adversity?
How can I balance my own desires and goals with a willingness to submit to God's will and timing, as Nehemiah did in Nehemiah 2:5-6?

Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 2:5

And I said unto the king; if it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight,.... He submits what he had to say wholly to the pleasure of the king, and puts it upon his

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 2:5

And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers' sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:5

If it please the king: my request, whatsoever it is, I humbly and wholly submit it to the king’ s good pleasure, being resolved to acquiesce in it. If thy servant have found favour in thy sight: I pretend no merit, but am a humble suppliant for thy grace and favour, whereof having received some tokens, I am thereby imboldened to make this further request.

Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:5

Nehemiah 2:5 And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.Ver. 5. If it please the king] Silken words must be given to kings, as the mother of Darius said (ηδιστα, ηηκιστα); neither must they be rudely and roughly dealt with, as Joab dealt with David, 2 Samuel 19:5, who, therefore, could never well brook him afterward, but set another in his place. And if thy servant have found favour] Pellican observeth here, that Nehemiah was a great favourite of this king’ s; as appeared in that having so many nobles, he chose him to this office, rather than any of them. He, therefore, pleads it as a pledge of further favour; so may we with God, as being no small favourites in the beloved one, Ephesians 1:5. That thou wouldest send me unto Judah] Not only give me leave to go, but also send me with a commission to be governor. This was a bold request, but modestly proposed, and easily obtained. The king is not he that can deny you anything, Jeremiah 38:5. Love is liberal, charity is no churl.

Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:5

II.(1-8) Nehemiah’s appeal to the king.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:5

Verse 5. The city of my fathers' sepulchres] The tombs of the dead were sacred among the ancients, and nothing could appear to them more detestable than disturbing the ashes or remains of the dead. Nehemiah knew that in mentioning this circumstance he should strongly interest the feelings of the Persian king.

Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 2:5

5b–73a. The Register of those who returned with Zerubbabel = Ezra 2:1-70a register of the genealogy] R.V. the book.of them which came up at the first] The only natural explanation of these words is that Nehemiah found in the archives of Jerusalem the list of those that accompanied Zerubbabel from Babylon. This seems to be conclusively proved (a) by the words in Nehemiah 2:5, ‘I found,’ ‘who came up at the first,’ ‘found written therein,’ and Nehemiah 2:7, ‘who came with Zerubbabel,’ (b) by the position of the parallel extract in Ezra 2:1-70. Nehemiah recognises the national importance of the register and transcribes it into his ‘Memoirs;’ he had not known of its existence before. The view that the list in this chapter contains the results of Nehemiah’s census which were mistakenly inserted by the Compiler into Ezra 2, rests on the quite insufficient grounds of (1) the mention of the name Nehemiah in Ezra 2:7, (2) the title Tirshatha in Ezra 2:65, (3) the relation of Ezra 2:73 to the events of chap. 8, (4) the apparent omission of Nehemiah’s census. But (1) the name Nehemiah (Ezra 2:7) is not necessarily that of the governor of Jerusalem; (2) there is no evidence that the title ‘Tirshatha’ was appropriated to Nehemiah alone; (3) only the first part of Ezra 2:73 belongs to this extract; the latter part is freely adapted by the chronicler for the purpose of resuming the narrative; (4) traces of Nehemiah’s own census may well be recognised in chap. 11. This long extract illustrates in an interesting manner the method of compilation adopted by Jewish chroniclers. The double insertion of the list is probably due to its great importance in the eyes of the stricter Jews. It stands first of all in its right place, chronologically, in the narrative (Ezra 2); it is repeated here in the place which it occupied in the Memoirs of Nehemiah transcribed by the Compiler. at the first] A general expression, sometimes used in the sense of ‘before’ ‘formerly,’ cf. Genesis 13:4; 1 Chronicles 17:9, sometimes in the sense of ‘first of all,’ Numbers 10:13-14. 6–73. See notes on the parallel passage Ezra 2:1, &c. The variations are very slight, and are for the most part such as would arise from errors of transcription.

Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:5

5. Send me… that I may build it — To obtain this request had been the anxious desire of his heart, and the burden of his prayer for many days — even from the time of his hearing of the desolation of Judah. Nehemiah 1:3-4.

Sermons on Nehemiah 2:5

	Sermon	Description
	This Is My Task by Aimee Semple McPherson	Aimee Semple McPherson preaches about the importance of fulfilling our task on earth, which is to spread the gospel to every corner of the world. She emphasizes the need to be will
	We Travel an Appointed Way by A.W. Tozer	A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of staying focused on God's calling, as exemplified by Nehemiah, who rose from his sorrow to rebuild Jerusalem despite ridicule and opposition.
	The Angel' S Message by Sir Robert Anderson	Sir Robert Anderson delves into the prophecy of the seventy weeks in the book of Daniel, highlighting the specific timeline decreed upon the people and the holy city, leading to th
	Being About the Lord's Business by A.W. Tozer	A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of being dedicated to the Lord's work, using Nehemiah as an example of unwavering commitment despite ridicule and opposition. Nehemiah, driven
	(The Book of Ruth) 3. Ruth - the Gleaner in the Field by Roy Hession	In this sermon, the preacher reflects on the story of Ruth and draws parallels to the lives of believers. He emphasizes that believers have sold and lost their inheritance and bles

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