Nehemiah 2 5

Nehemiah 2:5 kjv

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.

Nehemiah 2:5 nkjv

And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may rebuild it."

Nehemiah 2:5 niv

and I answered the king, "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it."

Nehemiah 2:5 esv

And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' graves, that I may rebuild it."

Nehemiah 2:5 nlt

I replied, "If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried."

Nehemiah 2 verses

Nehemiah 2 5 Meaning

Nehemiah 2:5 encapsulates Nehemiah's prayerful yet strategically humble petition to King Artaxerxes. It reveals his deep personal commitment to Jerusalem and his reliance on God's sovereign work through human means. The verse is Nehemiah's direct and carefully worded request for official permission and resources to travel to Judah and rebuild the city's walls, specifically highlighting his profound emotional and ancestral connection to Jerusalem by calling it "the city of my fathers' sepulchers."

Nehemiah 2 5 Context

Nehemiah 2:5 is a pivotal moment following Nehemiah's four months of grieving and praying (Neh 1:1-2:1) over the desolation of Jerusalem's walls and gates. Having received a burden from God regarding the ruins of his ancestral city, Nehemiah now stands before Artaxerxes I, the king of Persia. His role as the king's cupbearer placed him in an intimate but perilous position of trust. The king notices Nehemiah's sadness, prompting a question that opens the door for Nehemiah's bold request. This verse records Nehemiah's direct and meticulously crafted response, signifying his transition from deep sorrow and private prayer to public action and dependence on divine favor for the rebuilding task.

Nehemiah 2 5 Word analysis

• And I said: (וָאֹמַר - va'omar) – Denotes immediate action, demonstrating Nehemiah's readiness and composure despite his inner turmoil and the gravity of the moment. This is a carefully formulated response, not an impulsive one, reflective of his prayer and planning.
• to the king: (לַמֶּלֶךְ - la'melech) – Specifies the absolute authority to whom Nehemiah makes his request. The king possessed power of life and death, making Nehemiah's approach inherently risky and requiring divine intervention.
• If it pleases the king: (אִם־עַל־הַמֶּלֶךְ טוֹב - im-'al-ha'melech tov - literally "if it is good to the king") – This deferential phrase shows utmost respect for royal sovereignty and wisdom. It is a humble submission to the king's will, while subtly invoking divine influence upon that will, echoing Nehemiah's earlier prayer for God to grant him favor.
• and if your servant: (וְעַבְדְּךָ - v'avdecha) – "Your servant" is a common biblical idiom expressing humility and submission, a formal address to a superior. It underscores Nehemiah's status as subject, even though his role as cupbearer was esteemed.
• has found favor: (מָצָא חֵן - matsa chen) – `Chen` (חֵן) in Hebrew refers to grace, favor, or charm. This concept is deeply significant in the Bible, often referring to God bestowing unmerited favor on His people (e.g., Noah, Joseph, Moses) that leads to success, protection, or blessing. Here, Nehemiah seeks to transfer that divinely given favor to the earthly realm, desiring to find favor in the pagan king's eyes as a tangible sign of God's leading.
• in your sight: Emphasizes the personal recognition and acceptance by the king. It implies Nehemiah is seen as worthy and trustworthy.
• send me: (שִׁלְחֵנִי - shilcheni) – A direct petition, signifying the concrete request for authorization and commissioning, which includes official passes and resources. It implies permission for absence from his royal duties and support for his journey and project.
• to Judah: (אֶל־יְהוּדָה - el-Yehudah) – The geographical destination, indicating the ancestral land of the Israelites, the specific target for his mission. It specifies the region where the restoration is to take place.
• to the city of my fathers' sepulchers: (אֶל־עִיר קִבְרוֹת אֲבֹתָי - el-'iyr qivrot avotay) – This phrase powerfully identifies Jerusalem, not just by name, but by its deep personal and cultural significance. `Qivrot avotay` (`sepulchers/graves of my fathers`) underscores the desecration and disrespect shown to the ancestral burial sites, which was a grave offense in ancient cultures, making the appeal particularly potent and evoking a sense of familial obligation and mourning. It appeals to a universal sense of honor for the dead and highlights the severity of the city's ruined state.
• that I may rebuild it: (וְאֶבְנֶנָּה - v'evnenna) – The clear and singular purpose of his journey. "Rebuild" implies comprehensive restoration – not just walls, but security, communal life, and the potential for a renewed spiritual vitality for the remnant in Jerusalem. It conveys a specific, actionable project.

• Words-Group analysis:
  • "If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in your sight": This double conditional phrase highlights Nehemiah's wisdom, humility, and utter reliance on both human authority and divine favor. It's a highly diplomatic and strategic opening, recognizing the king's prerogative while laying the groundwork for a favorable response, trusting that God has already worked in the king's heart.
  • "send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' sepulchers": This phrasing connects the strategic request ("send me to Judah") with a powerful emotional and traditional justification ("the city of my fathers' sepulchers"). It appeals to the king's understanding of duty to one's heritage, potentially garnering sympathy and illustrating the profound personal stake Nehemiah had in the venture beyond mere political interest.
  • "that I may rebuild it": This clear and concise statement of purpose provides immediate clarity regarding Nehemiah's intentions, focusing on a constructive, well-defined goal, rather than a vague request, indicating foresight and preparation.

Nehemiah 2 5 Bonus section

Nehemiah's response to the king was not spontaneous; it was the result of four months of fasting, praying, and undoubtedly planning (Neh 1:4). His mention of "my fathers' sepulchers" taps into ancient near Eastern respect for ancestral tombs, adding emotional weight and perhaps even a degree of political appeal to Artaxerxes, who himself ruled over diverse peoples with various funerary customs. The specific mention implies that the state of the graves was particularly offensive and demonstrated complete disorder and powerlessness on the part of the Jewish community. This detail may also subtly remind the king of his decree concerning the return to Jerusalem (Ezra 7), highlighting a lack of complete restoration and order, which a wise ruler might desire to rectify for the stability of his empire. Nehemiah, though serving as a cupbearer, implicitly demonstrates characteristics of a true leader: spiritual conviction, profound empathy, meticulous preparation, and diplomatic skill in navigating secular authority for sacred ends.

Nehemiah 2 5 Commentary

Nehemiah 2:5 marks the crucial turning point where Nehemiah's personal lament transforms into purposeful action. His request, while concise, is loaded with significance. It demonstrates his strategic intelligence in approaching the king: his words are deferential and humble ("If it pleases the king," "your servant"), acknowledging the monarch's absolute power. Crucially, he appeals for "favor," recognizing that such a profound and risky undertaking requires divine prompting in the king's heart, a concept consistent with Old Testament teachings about God's sovereignty over rulers (Prov 21:1).

By emphasizing "the city of my fathers' sepulchers," Nehemiah doesn't just state the name of Jerusalem; he appeals to a powerful, universal human emotion—the honor and respect for one's ancestors. For ancient cultures, desecrated graves were an abhorrent sight, signaling utter ruin and disrespect. This phrasing underscores the depth of his personal anguish and commitment, making the mission not merely a political project but a sacred, familial obligation. The clarity of his request – "send me to Judah... that I may rebuild it" – speaks volumes about his readiness, having previously prayed and likely strategized his plans. This verse is a powerful illustration of humble audacity: great faith (prayed for favor, Neh 1:11) combined with wise and respectful initiative, expecting God to open doors through human channels.

Practical application:

• Prayer often precedes boldness in action.
• Presenting requests respectfully, yet clearly, is vital.
• Personal passion for God's purposes can unlock difficult paths.