Nehemiah 13 6

Nehemiah 13:6 kjv

But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:

Nehemiah 13:6 nkjv

But during all this I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Then after certain days I obtained leave from the king,

Nehemiah 13:6 niv

But while all this was going on, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I had returned to the king. Some time later I asked his permission

Nehemiah 13:6 esv

While this was taking place, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king. And after some time I asked leave of the king

Nehemiah 13:6 nlt

I was not in Jerusalem at that time, for I had returned to King Artaxerxes of Babylon in the thirty-second year of his reign, though I later asked his permission to return.

Nehemiah 13 verses

Nehemiah 13 6 Meaning

Nehemiah 13:6 explains Nehemiah's physical absence from Jerusalem during the time the city experienced a spiritual decline and covenant violations. Having completed his initial twelve-year commission (from Artaxerxes' 20th year to his 32nd year), Nehemiah had returned to the Persian king's court in Susa. The verse states that after an unspecified but significant period there, he felt compelled to request permission from the king to return to Jerusalem. This absence paved the way for the internal corruption detailed in Nehemiah chapter 13, highlighting the necessity of vigilant leadership and the tendency for God's people to stray when not firmly guided according to His Law.

Nehemiah 13 6 Context

Nehemiah 13 opens by recounting Nehemiah's return to Jerusalem and his swift action to enforce reforms based on Mosaic Law, which the people had neglected. Verse 6 specifically refers to a period before this second return, following Nehemiah's initial 12-year governorship in Jerusalem (Neh 5:14). According to his prior agreement with King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah had returned to the king's court in Susa. This verse explains his absence during which major spiritual and practical abuses crept back into Jerusalem, including a prominent Ammonite enemy, Tobiah, gaining residence in the Temple courts, the neglect of tithes, desecration of the Sabbath, and intermarriage with foreigners. His personal presence as a vigilant leader was crucial in maintaining the reforms.

Nehemiah 13 6 Word analysis

• But during all this: A transitional phrase indicating a change in Nehemiah's status or location during the period of corruption. It draws a stark contrast between the ideal situation he had established and the deteriorating state of affairs.
• I was not: In Hebrew, נְאִי-הָיִיתִי (neʾī-hāyītī), literally "I, not, was." This emphatic negative highlights Nehemiah's physical absence, underscoring that the decline occurred because the consistent leadership he provided was missing.
• in Jerusalem: בִּירוּשָׁלִַם (bīrūšālāyim). The holy city, the focus of the post-exilic community and the symbol of God's covenant people. Nehemiah's absence from this pivotal location was critical to the breakdown of order.
• for: This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for his absence.
• in the thirty-second year: This is the 32nd year of Artaxerxes I, corresponding to 433/432 BC. This date marks the end of Nehemiah's initial term of governorship (which started in Artaxerxes' 20th year, 445/444 BC), a period of twelve years during which he oversaw the rebuilding of walls and institution of reforms. It signifies a mandated return to the Persian capital.
• of Artaxerxes: אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׂתָּא (ʾArtaḥshaśtāʾ). Artaxerxes I Longimanus, the powerful king of Persia who authorized Nehemiah's mission to Jerusalem. Nehemiah's role as cupbearer and governor required loyalty and accountability to this foreign monarch.
• king of Babylon: מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶל֙ (melek-Bāḇel). While Artaxerxes was the Persian king, this title indicates his dominion over the vast former Neo-Babylonian Empire, which Persia had conquered. It highlights his broad imperial authority, underscoring that Jerusalem was under Persian suzerainty.
• I went to the king: הָלַ֥כְתִּי אֶל־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ (hālakhtī ʾel-hammelekh). This refers to Nehemiah's journey back to Susa, the Persian capital, fulfilling his original commitment after his allotted time in Jerusalem. This was not a forced recall, but likely the fulfillment of an agreement (see Neh 2:6, "for a set time").
• After some time, however: וּלְקֵ֥ץ יָמִ֖ים (ūləqēṣ yāmîm). Literally "at the end of days" or "after a period of days." This phrase suggests an indefinite but substantial duration, indicating enough time passed for the hard-won reforms to unravel due to complacency and lack of strong spiritual oversight. "However" signals a change in Nehemiah's circumstances and an impending turn of events.
• I requested leave from the king: וָאֶשְׁאַ֥ל מֵעַל־הַמֶּֽלֶךְ (wāʾešʾal mêʿal-hammelekh). Literally "and I asked from over the king," or "requested from the king." This highlights Nehemiah's initiative to return to Jerusalem. His strong spiritual burden for his people compelled him to seek permission for a second visit, even after his initial term of service had concluded. It underscores his deep commitment beyond formal duties.

• "I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes": This group of words clarifies the cause and specific timing of Nehemiah's absence. His physical departure after a full twelve-year term created a vacuum, allowing covenant breaches to re-emerge in Jerusalem.
• "Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king": This highlights the authority structure Nehemiah operated under. He was a trusted servant accountable to a powerful pagan ruler, not fully autonomous. His initial return was to honor this royal obligation. The title "king of Babylon" emphasizes Artaxerxes' vast imperial domain over Judea.
• "After some time, however, I requested leave from the king": This phrase shows Nehemiah's deep personal concern and proactive response. His second return to Jerusalem was not an official recall but a burden-driven request, indicating his heart was continually with God's people and the work in Jerusalem despite his imperial duties. The "some time" is crucial, suggesting a period where bad habits took root.

Nehemiah 13 6 Bonus section

The mention of "king of Babylon" for Artaxerxes is a specific administrative and historical nuance. Although Persia had overthrown Babylon, its rulers continued to utilize titles reflecting sovereignty over all the former Babylonian territories, which included Judah. This served to consolidate and legitimate their imperial authority across diverse cultural regions. This seemingly minor detail actually underscores the foreign political realities influencing the returning exiles, who were still subjects of a powerful, pagan empire. Nehemiah's actions, therefore, always involved navigating divine callings within a politically constrained environment, where even the "set time" for his work was dictated by the will of an earthly king, highlighting God's sovereignty over all rulers (Prov 21:1).

Nehemiah 13 6 Commentary

Nehemiah 13:6 is a pivotal verse that sets the stage for the drastic reforms Nehemiah must implement upon his return to Jerusalem. It precisely dates Nehemiah's required return to the Persian court, marking the end of his initial twelve-year governorship. This mandated departure left a leadership vacuum in Jerusalem. The "some time" he spent back in Susa allowed complacency to creep in and serious spiritual decay to manifest, highlighting a fundamental human tendency to neglect spiritual duties and moral standards in the absence of vigilant leadership. His subsequent request to return was not out of political necessity but a profound burden for the spiritual state of his people, demonstrating unwavering devotion and the crucial role of godly, hands-on oversight in maintaining faithfulness to God's covenant.