Nehemiah 2:6 kjv
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.
Nehemiah 2:6 nkjv
Then the king said to me (the queen also sitting beside him), "How long will your journey be? And when will you return?" So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
Nehemiah 2:6 niv
Then the king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, "How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?" It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time.
Nehemiah 2:6 esv
And the king said to me (the queen sitting beside him), "How long will you be gone, and when will you return?" So it pleased the king to send me when I had given him a time.
Nehemiah 2:6 nlt
The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, "How long will you be gone? When will you return?" After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.
Nehemiah 2 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 21:1 | The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water... | God's sovereignty over rulers' decisions |
| Ezra 7:6 | ...according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. | Divine favor upon God's servants in royal courts |
| Ezra 7:9 | For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up... | God's guiding hand upon journeys |
| Neh 1:11 | O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive... | Nehemiah's prior prayer for royal favor |
| Neh 2:4 | ...Then I prayed to the God of heaven. | Nehemiah's immediate prayer for wisdom and favor |
| Ps 90:17 | And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us... | Seeking God's favor for works and endeavors |
| Gen 39:21 | But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favor... | God granting favor even in adversity |
| Dan 1:9 | Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love... | God's enablement of His people before rulers |
| Esther 2:17 | And the king loved Esther above all the women... | Example of a queen's influential presence |
| Esther 4:16 | ...if I perish, I perish. | Boldness needed when approaching royalty |
| Ecc 3:1 | To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose... | God's ordained times and seasons |
| Hab 2:3 | For the vision is yet for an appointed time... | Divine timing for fulfillment of prophecy/plans |
| Isa 60:22 | I the Lord will hasten it in his time. | God's timely action in His purposes |
| Acts 7:10 | And delivered him out of all his afflictions... | God grants wisdom and favor for great tasks |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that all things work together for good... | God's orchestration of events for His good |
| Phil 4:6 | Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer... | Importance of prayer preceding major requests |
| John 14:13-14 | And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name... | Christ empowers prayers aligned with His will |
| Luke 18:1-8 | Parable of the persistent widow | Encouragement for persistence in prayer for justice |
| 1 Pet 3:15 | ...and be ready always to give an answer to every man... | Preparedness and wisdom in addressing authority |
| Prov 16:9 | A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. | Human planning guided by divine direction |
| Ps 37:23 | The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD... | God's active guidance in a believer's life |
| Prov 29:4 | The king by judgment establisheth the land... | Wise rule brings stability |
Nehemiah 2 verses
Nehemiah 2 6 Meaning
The Persian king Artaxerxes, with his queen present, inquired of Nehemiah how long his requested journey would take and when he would return to the royal court. Because Nehemiah's proposal was acceptable and well-defined by Nehemiah in terms of its duration, the king granted him permission to go to Judah.
Nehemiah 2 6 Context
Nehemiah chapter 2 opens four months after Nehemiah’s heartfelt prayer of confession and intercession for Jerusalem in chapter 1. While serving King Artaxerxes as cupbearer, a highly trusted and intimate role, Nehemiah appeared visibly distressed, which was forbidden in the royal presence. The king, observing his servant's unusual sadness, directly inquired about his sorrow. Nehemiah, after a swift, silent prayer (Neh 2:4), bravely explained Jerusalem's desolate condition and made his profound request to be sent to Judah to rebuild the city walls. Verse 6 records the pivotal moment of the king's formal inquiry concerning the specifics of Nehemiah's desired absence, indicating a serious consideration of Nehemiah's crucial position within the court.
Nehemiah 2 6 Word analysis
And the king said unto me: This marks a direct and significant royal address, highlighting the beginning of formal negotiation for Nehemiah's crucial mission. It signals the breakthrough Nehemiah had been praying for.
the queen (הַשֵּׁגַל - ha-shegal): The Hebrew term for "queen consort." While her identity (likely Damaspia) isn't specified, her presence makes the occasion formal. She could be a witness, a trusted advisor, or her presence merely highlights the gravitas and official nature of such a court proceeding. Her observation reinforces the official nature of the dialogue.
also sitting by him: This detail emphasizes her active, immediate presence at the king's side. It underscores that the king’s decision was not made in isolation but in a public or formal setting of the royal court.
For how long shall thy journey be?: This critical question from the king reflects his practical concern regarding the absence of a vital court official like the cupbearer. It signals that he is open to the request but needs the specific terms for the duration of Nehemiah’s leave.
and when wilt thou return?: A reiteration of the king’s need for a concrete time-frame. This question further confirms that Nehemiah's proposed mission was seen as a temporary assignment, ensuring his eventual return to his service in Susa.
So it pleased (וַיִּיטַב - vay-yitav) the king: Literally "it became good in the eyes of the king" or "it was agreeable to the king." This is a clear indicator of God’s providential work, a direct answer to Nehemiah’s preceding prayers (Neh 1:11; 2:4), demonstrating how God influences even the most powerful secular rulers (Prov 21:1).
to send me: This signifies the granting of royal commission, not just permission to travel. It implies the king's authorization and endorsement of Nehemiah's mission, paving the way for further royal support (Neh 2:7-8).
and I set him a time (וָאֶתְּנָה־לּוֹ זְמָן - va’ettenah-lo zeman): This demonstrates Nehemiah’s excellent planning and wisdom. He did not make an open-ended or impulsive request but had a carefully calculated and specific duration (perhaps several years, as implied by subsequent events) in mind for the rebuilding work. The Hebrew word zeman denotes an "appointed" or "fixed" time, indicating a specific plan.
"the king said unto me (the queen also sitting by him)...So it pleased the king to send me": This grouping illustrates the formal royal deliberation and decision-making process. The king’s granting of permission in this formal setting is portrayed as divinely influenced favor, affirming God’s control over even powerful secular rulers.
"For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? ... and I set him a time": This highlights the interaction between the king’s pragmatic inquiry and Nehemiah's prepared, strategic response. It demonstrates Nehemiah’s wise planning and foresight, as he not only dared to ask but also had a specific, calculated duration for his God-given mission, preventing an indefinite absence and facilitating royal approval.
Nehemiah 2 6 Bonus section
The scene at the royal court demonstrates that God not only inclines the hearts of rulers but can also use their legitimate concerns (like a trusted servant's duration of absence) as opportunities for His will to unfold. Nehemiah’s specific "time" not only addressed the king's practicality but also underlined the temporary nature of his earthly administrative role in contrast to the eternal spiritual purpose of God's redemptive work, reminding us that every detail, even bureaucratic ones, can serve God’s grand plan.
Nehemiah 2 6 Commentary
Nehemiah 2:6 encapsulates a pivotal moment where divine sovereignty and human preparation converged. The king's direct inquiry regarding the duration of Nehemiah's leave was critical, reflecting the trust placed in the cupbearer. The presence of the queen adds weight to the scene, implying a formal and perhaps deliberative setting. The phrase "it pleased the king" is the direct fruit of Nehemiah's prior prayer and God's powerful intervention, illustrating that God orchestrates events, influencing even pagan rulers to fulfill His purposes for His people. Nehemiah’s wisdom in providing a specific "time" demonstrated foresight and practical planning, showing that faith in God's power does not negate the need for human preparation and strategy. This interaction highlights God's readiness to open doors through powerful figures when His servants are prayerful, bold, and prepared.