Nehemiah 1:2 kjv

That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 1:2 nkjv

that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 1:2 niv

Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 1:2 esv

that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 1:2 nlt

Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 1 verses

Nehemiah 1 2 Meaning

Nehemiah 1:2 initiates Nehemiah's central concern, revealing his proactive inquiry into the well-being of the Jewish remnant who had returned from Babylonian exile and the desolate state of Jerusalem. It highlights his deep empathy and sense of responsibility for God's people and their Holy City, setting the stage for his subsequent actions and intercession. The verse marks the crucial moment when Nehemiah's burden for Jerusalem transitions from a general awareness to a focused personal mission.

Nehemiah 1 2 Context

Nehemiah chapter 1 begins during the reign of Artaxerxes I (circa 445 BC), approximately a century after the initial Babylonian captivity and about 13 years after Ezra's return to Jerusalem with another group of exiles. While the Temple had been rebuilt during Zerubbabel's time (Ezra 6), Jerusalem's walls remained broken down and its gates burned, leaving the city vulnerable and its inhabitants insecure. The first returnees faced significant hardship and opposition, indicating that the full restoration of Judah was far from complete. Nehemiah, a Jewish official holding the esteemed and intimate position of cupbearer to the Persian king in Susa, lived in relative comfort and power, far from the plight of his people. This verse immediately thrusts him into a direct encounter with the grim reality faced by his brethren in their homeland, revealing the personal catalyst for his burden and subsequent mission.

Nehemiah 1 2 Word analysis

• Hanani (חֲנָנִי, Ḥănānî): Derived from ḥānan, meaning "to be gracious" or "to show favor." The name signifies 'Yahweh has been gracious to me' or 'My grace'. He is identified as one of Nehemiah's "brothers," which could mean a literal sibling or, more broadly, a trusted kinsman or fellow Jew. His presence brings vital information, suggesting he came directly from Jerusalem or had very recent knowledge.
• one of my brothers (מֵאַחַי, mēʾaḥay): This phrase suggests a close relationship. If a literal brother, it deepens the personal stake Nehemiah has in the report. If a fellow countryman, it indicates a strong bond of ethnic and religious solidarity. The use of "brother" also implies a shared heritage and burden among God's people.
• came with certain men (בָּא הוּא וַאֲנָשִׁים אִתּוֹ, bāʾ hûʾ waʾănāšîm ʾittô): Implies a formal delegation or a group traveling together, underscoring the seriousness of their journey and the news they carried. They represent a direct link to the distressed community.
• from Judah (מִֽיהוּדָה, mîhûdâ): This specifies their origin, indicating they came from the province where Jerusalem was located. Their eyewitness testimony from the very heart of the troubled region adds weight to their impending report. Judah was the name of the tribe, but here refers to the geographical post-exilic province.
• I asked them (וָאֶשְׁאָלֵם, wāʾešʾālēm): Nehemiah takes the initiative. He is not passively receiving news but actively seeking it out, demonstrating his inherent concern and a leader's curiosity to understand the condition of his people. The verb suggests a direct, eager inquiry.
• concerning the Jews (עַל־הַיְּהוּדִים, ʿal-hayyəhûdîm): Refers to the people of Judah, specifically those who had returned to their ancestral land after the Babylonian exile. It distinguishes them as a distinct identity, no longer Israelites in a broader sense but 'Jews' as part of the post-exilic nation centered around Judah.
• who had escaped (הַנִּשְׁאָרִים, hannišʾārîm): This word conveys a sense of fragility and divine preservation. It implies that these are the "survivors" or "remnant," a theological concept throughout the Bible referring to the faithful portion of Israel whom God preserves through judgment. They are not merely those who returned, but those who made it through immense tribulation.
• and had survived the captivity (וְהַנִּשְׁאֶרֶת מִן־הַשֶּׁבִי, wəhannišʾeret min-haššeḇî): This phrase reinforces the idea of "remnant" (same root šʾr). It emphasizes their survival from the brutal experience of exile and subsequent struggles, suggesting that their current state is precarious despite their return. It signifies God's faithfulness in preserving a seed even amidst severe judgment.
• and concerning Jerusalem (וְעַל־יְרוּשָׁלָֽיִם, wəʿal-Yərûšālāyim): Jerusalem, the holy city, the heart of Jewish worship and national identity. The inquiry concerning Jerusalem specifically implies a deep concern for its physical state, its security, and its symbolic significance for God's covenant people. The capital city and the state of its defenses were paramount to the identity and future of the remnant.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Hanani... from Judah": This grouping establishes the credibility and direct relevance of the incoming information. It specifies the source (trusted individual) and the geographical origin (Judah/Jerusalem), immediately signaling a reliable and impactful report about the homeland.
• "I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity": This cluster highlights Nehemiah's proactive empathy for the "remnant." The repetition of "escaped" and "survived" emphasizes their precarious state as a small group of faithful ones whom God preserved through devastating events, yet who still faced severe difficulties. His concern is first for the people.
• "and concerning Jerusalem": This short but impactful phrase emphasizes the second critical component of Nehemiah's concern: the holy city itself. Its separation implies Jerusalem's iconic status, independent of its inhabitants' state, yet deeply intertwined with their identity and security. The desolation of the city's walls would impact the safety and flourishing of the very remnant he inquired about.

Nehemiah 1 2 Bonus section

• The Power of Inquiry: Nehemiah's act of "asking" is not casual; it demonstrates active concern and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. It's a key first step for effective leadership: gather facts before acting.
• Contrasting Environments: The verse highlights the stark contrast between Nehemiah's privileged position in Susa and the dire circumstances of the Jewish remnant in Judah. This contrast accentuates his later sacrifice in leaving comfort to lead in hardship.
• Historical Gap: Although Nehemiah's return is preceded by Zerubbabel's (Ezra 1-6) and Ezra's (Ezra 7-10), a significant period of approximately 70 years elapsed between Zerubbabel's initial rebuilding efforts and Nehemiah's arrival. During this time, the walls of Jerusalem remained largely unrestored, leading to the precarious state Hanani described.
• Spiritual Awakening: The news from Hanani was not just disheartening but served as a call to spiritual awakening for Nehemiah, leading directly to his repentance and intercessory prayer in the following verses (Neh 1:4-11). It emphasizes that true lament often stems from a well-informed heart.

Nehemiah 1 2 Commentary

Nehemiah 1:2 is a pivotal verse, detailing the personal catalyst for Nehemiah's monumental mission. It moves beyond merely introducing characters and locations to unveil a deeply compassionate leader. Nehemiah, living in relative comfort and power within the Persian court, does not await a divine decree but actively seeks information about his brethren and their beloved city. His precise questioning, distinguishing between "the Jews who had escaped and survived the captivity" and "Jerusalem," indicates a thorough concern for both the human condition of the returned remnant and the physical/spiritual state of the Holy City. This intentional inquiry immediately precedes his outpouring of grief and prayer, showcasing that true leadership often begins with seeking understanding and taking to heart the suffering of God's people. It underlines that divine initiatives frequently start with human compassion stirred by a reality check.