Nehemiah 2 18

Nehemiah 2:18 kjv

Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.

Nehemiah 2:18 nkjv

And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king's words that he had spoken to me. So they said, "Let us rise up and build." Then they set their hands to this good work.

Nehemiah 2:18 niv

I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work.

Nehemiah 2:18 esv

And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work.

Nehemiah 2:18 nlt

Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, "Yes, let's rebuild the wall!" So they began the good work.

Nehemiah 2 verses

Nehemiah 2 18 Meaning

Nehemiah 2:18 describes a pivotal moment where Nehemiah, having recounted God's favor upon him and the Persian king's support, successfully rallied the demoralized people of Jerusalem. The verse encapsulates their transformative response: from despair, they wholeheartedly agreed to "rise up and build," reinforcing their resolve for the task of rebuilding the city walls. This signified a powerful shift from contemplation and individual inspection to unified action, born of divinely-enabled human courage and the assurance of external authorization.

Nehemiah 2 18 Context

Nehemiah 2:18 immediately follows Nehemiah's secret inspection of Jerusalem's desolate walls (Neh 2:11-17). Before this verse, Nehemiah had mourned the city's condition (Neh 1:1-4), prayed for divine favor (Neh 1:5-11), gained permission and resources from King Artaxerxes (Neh 2:1-10), and assessed the immense physical destruction. This verse marks the turning point where Nehemiah shifts from individual prayer and administrative work to direct public appeal. The people, having witnessed the ruin and perhaps succumbed to despair, needed strong leadership and a clear vision. Nehemiah's revelation of both divine favor and royal endorsement provided the necessary impetus, inspiring a unified commitment to undertake the formidable task of rebuilding the walls. The historical context includes the long period of Jewish exile, their return under Cyrus and subsequent attempts at rebuilding, which were met with significant opposition, leading to the prolonged disrepair of the walls and widespread discouragement among the returned exiles.

Nehemiah 2 18 Word analysis

• "Then I told them": Va'aggid lahem (וָאַגִּיד לָהֶם). Nehemiah's direct communication, transitioning from secret assessment to public proclamation. It shows his role as an effective leader who brings information and vision to the people.
• "hand of my God": Yad Elohai (יַד אֱלֹהַי). This phrase signifies God's active power, guidance, and favor. It is not a literal hand but a theological idiom for divine providence and enabling presence. It implies success or blessing is due to divine intervention, not merely human effort or chance. This term appears frequently in Ezra and Nehemiah, emphasizing God's role in the Persian king's decisions.
• "which was good upon me": 'asher tova alai (אֲשֶׁר טוֹבָה עָלַי). Connotes God's favorable disposition, grace, and beneficial influence. Nehemiah attributed his success in gaining the king's permission not to his own persuasive skills, but to God's inherent goodness working on his behalf.
• "as also the king's words": V'gam divrei ha-melekh (וְגַם דִּבְרֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ). Emphasizes the dual authority backing the project: divine will and legitimate royal decree. The Persian king's support (Artaxerxes I) provided practical resources and political protection, legitimizing the potentially rebellious act of fortifying Jerusalem.
• "that he had spoken unto me": Nehemiah recounted the specific permissions and provisions granted by Artaxerxes, lending credibility and urgency to his appeal.
• "And they said": Va'yomeru (וַיֹּאמְרוּ). A collective, unanimous response indicating a complete buy-in from the people. This demonstrates a shift from despair or inertia to unity and conviction.
• "Let us rise up and build": Naquma u-vavne (נָקוּמָה וְנִבְנֶה). This is a strong call to action, reflecting renewed hope and collective determination. "Rise up" implies overcoming stagnation, idleness, or discouragement; "build" implies concrete, reconstructive effort. It contrasts with their prior demoralization and the physical ruin.
• "So they strengthened their hands": Va-y'chazku ydehem (וַיְחַזְּקוּ יְדֵיהֶם). An idiom meaning they encouraged one another, set their minds, resolved, and prepared for the hard work ahead. It denotes resolve, courage, and renewed energy, not merely physical fortification but mental and spiritual preparation for a demanding task. This echoes earlier commands in Haggai and Zechariah to be strong in building the temple.
• "for this good work": l'mitzkal ha-tova hazeh (לְמִקְחַל הַטּוֹבָה הַזֶּה). Or often transliterated as la'avoda ha-tovah hazot. Describes the task as inherently positive, righteous, and divinely sanctioned. It was "good" because it aligned with God's will for His people and the restoration of His city, representing both a spiritual and practical endeavor. It carried divine approval and inherent blessing.

Nehemiah 2 18 Bonus section

The concept of "the hand of my God upon me" in Ezra and Nehemiah is crucial, framing the entire restoration process as a divinely-orchestrated work. It underscores a key theological point: genuine leadership and successful undertakings in God's service are always rooted in His initiating grace and sustaining power, not merely human skill or ingenuity. The lack of direct polemic against contemporary pagan beliefs within this specific verse implies an underlying assumption that God’s sovereign power (demonstrated by His influence over the pagan king Artaxerxes) superseded any local deities or perceived bad omens. The collective decision, "Let us rise up and build," illustrates the power of unity and shared vision. Prior to Nehemiah's arrival and clear communication, the people lacked direction, fragmented by fear and despondency. His concise yet potent message unified their hearts and efforts, demonstrating how transparency about God's favor can dispel doubt and ignite dormant faith into active obedience.

Nehemiah 2 18 Commentary

Nehemiah 2:18 captures the turning point of the Jerusalem restoration project, highlighting the essential interplay between divine enablement and human response. Nehemiah's effective leadership stemmed from two crucial sources of authority he communicated: the evident "hand of God" – divine favor, providence, and supernatural leading – and the concrete "words of the king" – political legitimacy, provision, and protection. This combination assured the people that their undertaking was not just an aspiration but a sanctioned, divinely-backed enterprise. The phrase "Let us rise up and build" showcases a powerful shift from widespread despair and inaction to collective, resolute determination. The idiom "strengthened their hands" means they found new resolve and encouraged one another to undertake the demanding "good work." This "good work" was holy, righteous, and pleasing to God because it restored the holy city and its defenses, providing security and a proper setting for worship and covenant living. It served as a beacon of God's faithfulness in restoring His people, even after severe discipline. The verse underscores that great spiritual endeavors often begin when leaders present a vision backed by God's manifest favor, leading to unified human effort and renewed strength to fulfill His purposes.