FocusPrayer and permission to rebuild
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. News about Jerusalem leads to prayer and a royal commission, followed by examination of the city's condition.
interpretation Nehemiah 2:1
KJVAnd it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
Read it in context
Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem
Start reading at Nehemiah 2:1 (Nehemiah 2:1 to Nehemiah 2:10).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. News about Jerusalem leads to prayer and a royal commission, followed by examination of the city's condition.
- 2:1 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
- 2:2 Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid,
- 2:3 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?
- 2:4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
- 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.
- 2:6 And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
- 2:7 Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;
- 2:8 And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
- 2:9 Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.
- 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Nehemiah son of Hachaliah is the named memoir writer. His account was preserved within the larger Ezra–Nehemiah historical collection, which includes additional material. Biblical references: Nehemiah 1:1; Nehemiah 2:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Nehemiah 1:1–2:20): Nehemiah hears Hanani's report, prays to God, and addresses Artaxerxes. He then speaks to Jerusalem's leaders about rebuilding. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The restored Jewish community centered on Jerusalem and later readers concerned with its rebuilding, covenant obligations, and worship. Biblical references: Nehemiah 2:17; Nehemiah 8:1; Nehemiah 10:29. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem. Read Nehemiah 2:1 through Nehemiah 2:10 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. News about Jerusalem leads to prayer and a royal commission, followed by examination of the city's condition. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The narrative dates Nehemiah's commission by Artaxerxes' reign and later describes his return to the king and subsequent visit to Jerusalem. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? It opens in Shushan and moves to Jerusalem and the surrounding communities, focusing on the wall and the life of the restored people. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:1 to Nehemiah 2:10). Start reading at Nehemiah 2:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament also joins hearing God's word with doing it and building up a community. This is a canonical comparison, not a claim that Nehemiah's wall directly symbolizes a particular Christian institution. See Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 11:28, Ephesians 4:16. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Combine prayer with responsible action, truthful leadership, and care for people harmed by injustice. Building a project does not remove the continuing need for reform and faithfulness. interpretation
Cited: Nehemiah 2:1, Nehemiah 2:10, Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 11:28, Ephesians 4:16
Who wrote it, and how we know
Nehemiah, compiled by Ezra (traditional)
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens as the words of Nehemiah and continues in the first person.
Nehemiah 1:1Nehemiah 2:1
Early traditionTradition joins this book with Ezra as one work.
What is debatedSome sections read as later compilation.
Related passages
- Nisan Esth 3:7
- the twentieth Neh 1:1 Ezra 7:1,7
- I took up Neh 1:11 Gen 40:11,21
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Nehemiah 2
Nehemiah combines first-person accounts, lists, and public covenant events concerning Jerusalem after exile. Distinguish Nehemiah's reported actions from commands addressed to every later community. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Nehemiah 1:1 Nehemiah 2:1 Nehemiah 8:1
Nehemiah Inspects the Walls
Nehemiah 2:11–20FocusPrayer and permission to rebuild
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. News about Jerusalem leads to prayer and a royal commission, followed by examination of the city's condition.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Nehemiah
Nehemiah combines first-person accounts, lists, and public covenant events concerning Jerusalem after exile. Distinguish Nehemiah's reported actions from commands addressed to every later community.
Nehemiah 1:1 Nehemiah 2:1 Nehemiah 8:1
FocusPrayer and permission to rebuild
Connection to the wholeNews about Jerusalem leads to prayer and a royal commission, followed by examination of the city's condition.
interpretation The wall rebuilt
Nehemiah 3:1–6:19FocusShared work and persistent opposition
Connection to the wholeThe work progresses amid threats and internal injustice until the wall is completed.
interpretation The people hear and renew the covenant
Nehemiah 7:1–10:39FocusIdentity, Scripture, and confession
Connection to the wholeThe community is counted, the law is read and explained, and public confession leads to covenant commitments.
interpretation The restored community and continued reform
Nehemiah 11:1–13:31FocusSettlement, dedication, and correction
Connection to the wholeLists, dedication, and later reforms show that rebuilding the wall did not remove the need for continuing faithfulness.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.