Looking for Nehemiah

[JLG]

Nehemiah 1:1

• We are told who wrote this book!

• Nehemia son of Hacaliah!

• We are told when!

• In the month of Chislev!

• Kislev is a month which occurs in November–December on the Gregorian calendar and is sometimes known as the month of dreams!

• In the twentieth year!

• We are told where!

• In the citadel of Susa!

• Located in the south-west of Iran, in the lower Zagros Mountains, the property encompasses a group of archaeological mounds rising on the eastern side of the Shavur River, as well as Ardeshir's palace, on the opposite bank of the river.

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 1:2

• Nehemiah wants to know about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile and also about jerusalem!

• So before going back, he wants to know what’s on over there!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 1:3

• He is told that the people are in great trouble and disgrace!

• Because the wall of Jerusalem is broken down!

• And its gates are burned!

• Thus they are without any protection!

• And can be attacked by anyone!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 1:4

• Nehemiah weeps and mourns and fast and pray to Yah·weh!

• His feelings are quite clear!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 1:5

• So Nehemiah prays to Yah·weh!

• The one who keeps his covenant of loving devotion with those who love him!

• The one who keeps his commandments!

• Not to forget “with those who love him”!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 1:6

• When we hear Nehemiah’s prayer, it sounds like Daniel’s prayer!
• In both cases they pray for the restoration of Jerusalem!
• In both cases they acknowledge the sins of the israelites!
• But he prays to Yah·weh day and night!
• And he asks Yah·weh to open his eyes and ears!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 1:7

• Nehemiah mentioned two points!

• First, the people’s corruption!

• Second, they didn’t keep Yah.weh’s commandments, statutes and ordinances given to Moses!

• They were completely wrong!

• They have no excuses!

• It is clear like crystal!

• There is nothing more to say!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 1:8

• As a consequence, Yah.weh scaterred them among the nations!

• They were exiled to babylon!

• Because of their unfaithfulness!

• It doesn’t matter when!

• It was to happen!

• It will be the same for mankind!

• But this time it won’t mean exile!

• It will mean death!

• No possibility of coming back!

• Like in the case of Adam and Eve!

• Final judgment!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 1:9

but [if] you return

וְשַׁבְתֶּ֣ם (wə·šaḇ·tem)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural

Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again


to Me

אֵלַ֔י (’ê·lay)

Preposition | first person common singular

Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


to keep

וּשְׁמַרְתֶּם֙ (ū·šə·mar·tem)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural

Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to


and practice

וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם (wa·‘ă·śî·ṯem)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural

Strong's 6213: To do, make


My commandments,

מִצְוֺתַ֔י (miṣ·wō·ṯay)

Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular

Strong's 4687: Commandment


then even if

אִם־ (’im-)

Conjunction

Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not


your exiles

נִֽדַּחֲכֶ֜ם (nid·da·ḥă·ḵem)

Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural

Strong's 5080: To impel, thrust, banish


have been

יִהְיֶ֨ה (yih·yeh)

Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular

Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be


banished to the ends

בִּקְצֵ֤ה (biq·ṣêh)

Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct

Strong's 7097: End, extremity


of the earth,

הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ (haš·šā·ma·yim)

Article | Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky


I will gather them

אֲקַבְּצֵ֔ם (’ă·qab·bə·ṣêm)

Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural

Strong's 6908: To gather, collect


from there

מִשָּׁ֣ם (miš·šām)

Preposition-m | Adverb

Strong's 8033: There, then, thither


and bring

וַהֲבִֽיאוֹתִים֙ (wa·hă·ḇî·’ō·w·ṯîm)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural

Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go


them to

אֶל־ (’el-)

Preposition

Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


the place

הַמָּק֔וֹם (ham·mā·qō·wm)

Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition


I have chosen

בָּחַ֔רְתִּי (bā·ḥar·tî)

Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular

Strong's 977: To try, select


as a dwelling

לְשַׁכֵּ֥ן (lə·šak·kên)

Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct

Strong's 7931: To settle down, abide, dwell


for

אֶת־ (’eṯ-)

Direct object marker

Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case


My Name.’

שְׁמִ֖י (šə·mî)

Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular

Strong's 8034: A name

• The covenant between Yah.weh and the Israelites is still available!
• But the Israelites must do their part!
• If they don’t do anything, they can forget the covenant!
• Yah.weh won’t do his part either!
• That’s the balance human beings always forget!
• If you don’t do anything, you get nothing!
• It is as simple as that!
• But apparently very complicated for mankind!
• Find the mistake!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 1:10


They

וְהֵ֥ם (wə·hêm)

Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine plural

Strong's 1992: They


are Your servants

עֲבָדֶ֖יךָ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)

Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular

Strong's 5650: Slave, servant


and Your people.

וְעַמֶּ֑ךָ (wə·‘am·me·ḵā)

Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular

Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock


You redeemed

פָּדִ֙יתָ֙ (pā·ḏî·ṯā)

Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular

Strong's 6299: To sever, ransom, gener, to release, preserve


them

אֲשֶׁ֤ר (’ă·šer)

Pronoun - relative

Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that


by Your great

הַגָּד֔וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)

Article | Adjective - masculine singular

Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent


power

בְּכֹחֲךָ֣ (bə·ḵō·ḥă·ḵā)

Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular

Strong's 3581: A small reptile (of unknown species)


and mighty

הַחֲזָקָֽה׃ (ha·ḥă·zā·qāh)

Article | Adjective - feminine singular

Strong's 2389: Strong, stout, mighty


hand.

וּבְיָדְךָ֖ (ū·ḇə·yā·ḏə·ḵā)

Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular

Strong's 3027: A hand

• Nehemiah needs to remind Yah.weh that they are his servants and his people!

• In fact, they used to be so a long time ago!

• And he reminds Yah.weh of his great power!

• And his mighty hand!

• Everything has to be rebuilt!

• Everything has to be done!

• There is nothing left!

• Because they forgot Yah.weh!

• History repeats again and again!

• Israel!

• Judah!

• Mankind!

• But mankind never understands!

• Only spiritual prostitution!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 1:11


O Lord,

אֲדֹנָ֗י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)

Noun - proper - masculine singular

Strong's 136: The Lord


may Your ear

אָזְנְךָֽ־ (’ā·zə·nə·ḵā-)

Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular

Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear


be

תְּהִ֣י (tə·hî)

Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular

Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be


attentive

קַ֠שֶּׁבֶת (qaš·še·ḇeṯ)

Adjective - feminine singular

Strong's 7183: Hearkening


to

אֶל־ (’el-)

Preposition

Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


the prayer

תְּפִלַּ֨ת (tə·p̄il·laṯ)

Noun - feminine singular construct

Strong's 8605: Intercession, supplication, a hymn


of Your servant

עַבְדְּךָ֜ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā)

Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular

Strong's 5650: Slave, servant


and to

וְאֶל־ (wə·’el-)

Conjunctive waw | Preposition

Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to


the prayers

תְּפִלַּ֣ת (tə·p̄il·laṯ)

Noun - feminine singular construct

Strong's 8605: Intercession, supplication, a hymn


of Your servants

עֲבָדֶ֗יךָ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)

Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular

Strong's 5650: Slave, servant


who delight

הַֽחֲפֵצִים֙ (ha·ḥă·p̄ê·ṣîm)

Article | Adjective - masculine plural

Strong's 2655: Delighting in, having pleasure in


in reverence

לְיִרְאָ֣ה (lə·yir·’āh)

Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular

Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten


of Your name.

שְׁמֶ֔ךָ (šə·me·ḵā)

Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular

Strong's 8034: A name


Give Your servant

לְעַבְדְּךָ֙ (lə·‘aḇ·də·ḵā)

Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular

Strong's 5650: Slave, servant


success

וְהַצְלִֽיחָה־ (wə·haṣ·lî·ḥāh-)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular

Strong's 6743: To push forward


this day,

הַיּ֔וֹם (hay·yō·wm)

Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 3117: A day


I pray,

נָּ֤א (nā)

Interjection

Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'


and grant him

וּתְנֵ֣הוּ (ū·ṯə·nê·hū)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine singular

Strong's 5414: To give, put, set


mercy

לְרַחֲמִ֔ים (lə·ra·ḥă·mîm)

Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural

Strong's 7356: Compassion, the womb, a maiden


in the sight

לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê)

Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct

Strong's 6440: The face


of this

הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)

Article | Pronoun - masculine singular

Strong's 2088: This, that


man.�

הָאִ֣ישׁ (hā·’îš)

Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person


(For I

וַאֲנִ֛י (wa·’ă·nî)

Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular

Strong's 589: I


was

הָיִ֥יתִי (hā·yî·ṯî)

Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular

Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be


the cupbearer

מַשְׁקֶ֖ה (maš·qeh)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 4945: Causing to drink, a butler, drink, a well-watered region


to the king.)

לַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ (lam·me·leḵ)

Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 4428: A king

• Nehemiah keeps asking Yah.weh for being attentive to his prayer and all prayers of those who care for God’s name!

• He asks Yah.weh for giving him success in his action!

• He asks Yah.weh for mercy!

• He must rebuild Jerusalem’s walls!

• And the enemies are everywhere!

 

[JLG]

Nehemia 2:1


Now in the month

בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ (bə·ḥō·ḏeš)

Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct

Strong's 2320: The new moon, a month


of Nisan,

נִיסָ֗ן (nî·sān)

Noun - proper - feminine singular

Strong's 5212: First month of the Jewish religious year


in the twentieth

עֶשְׂרִ֛ים (‘eś·rîm)

Number - common plural

Strong's 6242: Twenty, twentieth


year

שְׁנַ֥ת (šə·naṯ)

Noun - feminine singular construct

Strong's 8141: A year


of King

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)

Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 4428: A king


Artaxerxes,

לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥סְתְּא (lə·’ar·taḥ·šast)

Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular

Strong's 783: Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia


when wine

יַ֣יִן (ya·yin)

Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication


was set before him,

לְפָנָ֑יו (lə·p̄ā·nāw)

Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular

Strong's 6440: The face


I took

וָאֶשָּׂ֤א (wā·’eś·śā)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular

Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take


the wine

הַיַּ֙יִן֙ (hay·ya·yin)

Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication


and gave

וָאֶתְּנָ֣ה (wā·’et·tə·nāh)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular

Strong's 5414: To give, put, set


it to the king.

לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)

Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular

Strong's 4428: A king


I had never

וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)

Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle

Strong's 3808: Not, no


been

וַיְהִ֣י ׀ (way·hî)

Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular

Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be


sad

רַ֖ע (ra‘)

Adjective - masculine singular

Strong's 7451: Bad, evil


in his presence,

לְפָנָֽיו׃ (lə·p̄ā·nāw)

Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular

Strong's 6440: The face

Who is Artaxerxes in the Bible?

Artaxerxes I, (died 425 bc, Susa, Elam [now in Iran]), Achaemenid king of Persia (reigned 465–425 bc). He was surnamed in Greek Macrocheir (“Longhand”) and in Latin Longimanus. A younger son of Xerxes I and Amestris, he was raised to the throne by the commander of the guard, Artabanus, who had murdered Xerxes.

• So Nehemiah gives wine to the king Artaxerxes!
• And it is the first time that Nehemiah is sad before him!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 2:2

so the king
הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

said
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to me,
לִ֨י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

“Why [is]
מַדּ֣וּעַ ׀ (mad·dū·a‘)
Interrogative
Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason?

your face
פָּנֶ֣יךָ (pā·ne·ḵā)
Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

sad,
רָעִ֗ים (rā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

though you [are]
וְאַתָּה֙ (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

not
אֵֽינְךָ֣ (’ê·nə·ḵā)
Adverb | second person masculine singular
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

ill?
חוֹלֶ֔ה (ḥō·w·leh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2470: To be weak or sick

This
זֶ֔ה (zeh)
Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

could only be
אֵ֣ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

sadness
רֹ֣עַֽ (rō·a‘)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7455: Badness, evil

of the heart.”
לֵ֑ב (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

I was overwhelmed with fear
וָאִירָ֖א (wā·’î·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

• The king speaks about the sadness of the heart!
• Then Nehemiah says he is overwhelmed with fear!
• The king takes notice of Nehemiah’s attitude!
• Apparently he cares for him!
• It means there is a good relationship between both!
• Usually important people don’t care about those who serve them!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 2:3

and replied
וָאֹמַ֣ר (wā·’ō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to the king,
לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

“May the king
הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

live forever!
יִחְיֶ֑ה (yiḥ·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

Why
מַדּ֜וּעַ (mad·dū·a‘)
Interrogative
Strong's 4069: Why? for what reason?

should I not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be sad
יֵרְע֣וּ (yê·rə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7489: To spoil, to make, good for, nothing, bad

when
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the city
הָעִ֜יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

where
בֵּית־ (bêṯ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

my fathers
אֲבֹתַי֙ (’ă·ḇō·ṯay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

are buried
קִבְר֤וֹת (qiḇ·rō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6913: A grave, sepulcher

lies in ruins,
חֲרֵבָ֔ה (ḥă·rê·ḇāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2717: To parch, to desolate, destroy, kill

and its gates
וּשְׁעָרֶ֖יהָ (ū·šə·‘ā·re·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

have been destroyed
אֻכְּל֥וּ (’uk·kə·lū)
Verb - QalPass - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 398: To eat

by fire?”
בָאֵֽשׁ׃ (ḇā·’êš)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

• Then Nehemia explains that he is sad because of the situation in Jerusalem!
• The city is in ruins!
• And its gates are destroyed!
• Thus he speaks of his homeland!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 2:4

“What
מַה־ (mah-)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

is your
אַתָּ֣ה (’at·tāh)
Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

request?”
מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ (mə·ḇaq·qêš)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1245: To search out, to strive after

replied
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the king.
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

So I prayed
וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֔ל (wā·’eṯ·pal·lêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֖י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of heaven
הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ (haš·šā·mā·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

• The king asks Nehemiah what he wants!
• Before answering the king, Nehemiah prays to Yah.weh!
• There we see how a faithful servant of Yah.weh acts!
• He puts his confidence in Yah.weh!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 2:5

and answered
וָאֹמַ֣ר (wā·’ō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the king,
לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

“If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

it pleases
ט֔וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2895: To be pleasing or good

the king,
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

and if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

your servant
עַבְדְּךָ֖ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

has found favor
יִיטַ֥ב (yî·ṭaḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing

in your sight,
לְפָנֶ֑יךָ (lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

I ask that
אֲשֶׁ֧ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

you send me
תִּשְׁלָחֵ֣נִי (tiš·lā·ḥê·nî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Judah,
יְהוּדָ֗ה (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the city
עִ֛יר (‘îr)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

where my fathers
אֲבֹתַ֖י (’ă·ḇō·ṯay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

are buried,
קִבְר֥וֹת (qiḇ·rō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6913: A grave, sepulcher

so that I may rebuild it.”
וְאֶבְנֶֽנָּה׃ (wə·’eḇ·nen·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

• Nehemiah asks the king for the favor of sending him to Judah to rebuild Jerusalem!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 2:6

Then the king,
הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

with the queen
וְהַשֵּׁגַ֣ל ׀ (wə·haš·šê·ḡal)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7694: (queen) consort

seated
יוֹשֶׁ֣בֶת (yō·wō·še·ḇeṯ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

beside him,
אֶצְל֗וֹ (’eṣ·lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 681: A joining together, proximity

asked
וַיֹּאמֶר֩ (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

me,
לִ֨י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

“How long
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

will your journey
מַֽהֲלָכֲךָ֖ (ma·hă·lā·ḵă·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4109: A walk, a passage, a distance

take,
יִהְיֶ֥ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

and when
וּמָתַ֣י (ū·mā·ṯay)
Conjunctive waw | Interrogative
Strong's 4970: Extent, when

will you return?”
תָּשׁ֑וּב (tā·šūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

So it pleased
וַיִּיטַ֤ב (way·yî·ṭaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing

the king
הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

to send me,
וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֔נִי (way·yiš·lā·ḥê·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

and I set
וָֽאֶתְּנָ֥ה (wā·’et·tə·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

a time.
זְמָֽן׃ (zə·mān)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2165: An appointed occasion

• The king asks Nehemiah how long it will take to go and come back!
• It shows that the king really appreciates Nehemiah!
• He is a faithful servant!
• And the king can trust him!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 2:7

I also said
וָאוֹמַר֮ (wā·’ō·w·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to [him],
לַמֶּלֶךְ֒ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

“If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

it pleases
ט֔וֹב (ṭō·wḇ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2895: To be pleasing or good

the king,
הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

may letters
אִגְּרוֹת֙ (’ig·gə·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 107: An epistle

be given
יִתְּנוּ־ (yit·tə·nū-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to me
לִ֔י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

for
עַֽל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the governors
פַּחֲו֖וֹת (pa·ḥă·wō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6346: A governor

west
עֵ֣בֶר (‘ê·ḇer)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5676: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates,
הַנָּהָ֑ר (han·nā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5104: A stream, prosperity

so that
אֲשֶׁר֙ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

they will grant me safe passage
יַעֲבִיר֔וּנִי (ya·‘ă·ḇî·rū·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | first person common singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

until
עַ֥ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

I reach
אָב֖וֹא (’ā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

Judah.
יְהוּדָֽה׃ (yə·hū·ḏāh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

• Nehemiah takes precaution!
• He asks the king for safe-passage letters!
• He tries to avoid trouble!
• He is not welcome!
• Jews have a lot of enemies!
• Thus Nehemiah is cautious!
• We must follow his example in whatever we do!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 2:8

And may I have a letter
וְאִגֶּ֡רֶת (wə·’ig·ge·reṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 107: An epistle

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Asaph,
אָסָף֩ (’ā·sāp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 623: Asaph -- 'gatherer', the name of several Israelites

keeper
שֹׁמֵ֨ר (šō·mêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

of the king’s
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

forest,
הַפַּרְדֵּ֜ס (hap·par·dês)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6508: A preserve, park

so that
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

he will give
יִתֶּן־ (yit·ten-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

me
לִ֣י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

timber
עֵצִ֡ים (‘ê·ṣîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

to make beams
לְ֠קָרוֹת (lə·qā·rō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7136: To light upon, to bring about, to impose timbers

for
אֶת־ (’eṯ-)
Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

the gates
שַׁעֲרֵ֨י (ša·‘ă·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

of the citadel
הַבִּירָ֤ה (hab·bî·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1002: A castle, palace

to the temple,
לַבַּ֙יִת֙ (lab·ba·yiṯ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

for the city
הָעִ֔יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

wall,
וּלְחוֹמַ֣ת (ū·lə·ḥō·w·maṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

and for the house
וְלַבַּ֖יִת (wə·lab·ba·yiṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

I will occupy.”
אָב֣וֹא (’ā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

And because the gracious
הַטּוֹבָ֥ה (haṭ·ṭō·w·ḇāh)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

hand
כְּיַד־ (kə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-k | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of my God
אֱלֹהַ֖י (’ĕ·lō·hay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

was upon me,
עָלָֽי׃ (‘ā·lāy)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

granted
וַיִּתֶּן־ (way·yit·ten-)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

my requests.
לִ֣י (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

• Nehemiah is practical!
• He asks for safe-passage letters!
• But also for timber for the city wall and the house he will occupy!
• Thus he doesn’t wait for things to happen!
• He acts!
• He is reactive!

 

[JLG]

Nehemiah 2:9

Then I went
וָֽאָב֗וֹא (wā·’ā·ḇō·w)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶֽל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the governors
פַּֽחֲווֹת֙ (pa·ḥă·wō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6346: A governor

west
עֵ֣בֶר (‘ê·ḇer)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5676: A region across, on the opposite side

of the Euphrates
הַנָּהָ֔ר (han·nā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5104: A stream, prosperity

and gave
וָאֶתְּנָ֣ה (wā·’et·tə·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

them
לָהֶ֔ם (lā·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

the king's
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

letters.
אִגְּר֣וֹת (’ig·gə·rō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 107: An epistle

The king
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

had also sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

army
חַ֖יִל (ḥa·yil)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

officers
שָׂ֥רֵי (śā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

and cavalry
וּפָרָשִֽׁים׃ (ū·p̄ā·rā·šîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6571: A steed, a driver, cavalry

with me.
עִמִּי֙ (‘im·mî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

• Nehemiah does everything in the best way possible!
• He gave his safe-passage letters to the authorities!
• And more interestingly, the king gives him protection by sending army officers and cavalry!
• It shows how he appreciates Nehemia!