Nehemiah 2 7

Nehemiah 2:7 kjv

Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;

Nehemiah 2:7 nkjv

Furthermore I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, let letters be given to me for the governors of the region beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah,

Nehemiah 2:7 niv

I also said to him, "If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah?

Nehemiah 2:7 esv

And I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, let letters be given me to the governors of the province Beyond the River, that they may let me pass through until I come to Judah,

Nehemiah 2:7 nlt

I also said to the king, "If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah.

Nehemiah 2 verses

Nehemiah 2 7 Meaning

Nehemiah, having gained the king's attention and compassion, transitions from a general request to a specific and detailed one. This verse articulates his need for official, royal letters of safe conduct and authorization addressed to the Persian governors in the vast region west of the Euphrates River. These letters were crucial for his unimpeded passage and protection through their territories until he reached his destination, Judah, highlighting the practical steps taken in response to divine prompting and favor.

Nehemiah 2 7 Context

Nehemiah 2:7 is nestled within the narrative of Nehemiah's bold appeal to King Artaxerxes I (Artaxerxes Longimanus). Chapters 1 and 2 open with Nehemiah, the cupbearer, mourning over the desolate state of Jerusalem and praying fervently to God. This prayer, steeped in confession and supplication for divine favor (Neh 1:5-11), prepares the ground for his courageous interaction with the powerful Persian king. In 2:1-6, the king notices Nehemiah's sadness, prompting an inquiry. Nehemiah, after silently praying, requests permission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. This specific verse (2:7) is a pivotal moment where Nehemiah, with clear foresight and divine leading, outlines the practical, administrative needs for his mission – namely, official authorization to pass through hostile or uncertain territories under various regional governors, illustrating the intertwining of divine purpose with shrewd logistical planning within a complex geopolitical landscape of the Persian Empire.

Nehemiah 2 7 Word analysis

• Moreover, I said:

  • Signifies a continuation and an escalation of Nehemiah's request to the king. It indicates a focused, deliberate next step in his petition.
  • Highlights Nehemiah's proactive and precise nature, moving beyond general lament to specific proposals.

• to the king:

  • Emphasizes the direct appeal to the highest earthly authority. The king held absolute power, and his word was law throughout the vast Persian Empire.
  • The term for king is "מֶלֶךְ" (melekh) in Hebrew, signifying the supreme ruler.

• 'If it pleases the king...':

  • Hebrew: 'אִם-עַל-הַמֶּלֶךְ טוֹב' (im-ʿal-hammelekh tov). Lit. "If it is good upon the king" or "If it is agreeable to the king."
  • A humble, diplomatic, and deferential opening. It shows respect for royal prerogative while subtly guiding the king's will, understanding that divine favor operates through human instruments.
  • This phrase is common in ancient Near Eastern royal courts, showing deference but also providing a polite framework for making requests.

• '...let letters be given to me':

  • Hebrew for "letters": אִגְּרָוֹת (iggĕrāvôth). Refers to official documents or edicts carrying the king's seal and authority.
  • Significance: These letters were legally binding and essential for Nehemiah's mission. They guaranteed his legitimacy, safe passage, and access to resources by granting him the backing of the supreme Persian authority. Without such letters, he would have been a suspect foreigner or rebel.
  • Reflects the formal administrative system of the Persian Empire.

• for the governors:

  • Hebrew: 'לְפַחֲווֹת' (lephachavoth). From "פֶּחָה" (pekhah), referring to a governor or provincial administrator, a high-ranking official appointed by the Persian king to rule over a specific satrapy or province.
  • These governors ("satraps" in larger provinces) commanded local authority, troops, and resources. Their cooperation was indispensable for travel and any large-scale project within their jurisdictions.
  • Highlights the need to navigate established imperial bureaucracy.

• of the province Beyond the River:

  • Hebrew: 'עֵבֶר הַנָּהָר' (Ever HaNahar). Literally "Across the River" or "Trans-Euphrates."
  • This was a specific satrapy (or administrative district within a satrapy) of the Persian Empire, located west of the Euphrates River, encompassing areas like Syria, Phoenicia, and Judah.
  • This detail demonstrates Nehemiah's geographical knowledge, foresight, and understanding of the Persian administrative divisions, ensuring his request was precise and comprehensive. Travel from Susa to Judah meant crossing through various territories under different governors.

• 'that they may let me pass through':

  • Crucial for uninterrupted transit. Without royal authorization, travel through these administered provinces could be dangerous, subject to taxation, scrutiny, or even refusal by local officials.
  • Implies the potential for resistance or obstruction from local authorities who might view a high-ranking official like Nehemiah with suspicion, especially given his mission to rebuild a Jewish city.

• 'until I come to Judah':

  • Specifies the ultimate destination and the geographical extent of the requested protection and authorization.
  • Judah was within the province "Beyond the River" but specifically mentioned, emphasizing it as the heart of Nehemiah's mission and journey. It was a region with historical significance for the exiles' return.

Nehemiah 2 7 Bonus section

• Providence in Administrative Detail: The request for "letters" highlights the often overlooked but critical role of bureaucratic process in ancient empires. God's providence extends not just to opening doors but to ensuring the mechanisms for success are in place. These "letters" are God's provision for lawful passage and command obedience.
• Understanding Imperial Structure: The Persian Empire was vast, spanning from India to Ethiopia. Effective governance relied on local "governors" or "pachahs." Nehemiah's understanding of this chain of command was crucial; asking the king to send letters directly to these regional strongmen ensured no one could obstruct his God-given mission without defying the king himself. This was a direct request to override local potentially hostile powers.
• Fulfillment of Jeremiah's Prophecy: While not a direct prophecy, Nehemiah's request for safe passage and favor from a foreign king echoes a broader theme of God using nations to bring His people back to the land and restore them, aligning with prophecies about the post-exilic restoration.
• Nehemiah as a Statesman: This verse showcases Nehemiah not just as a prayer warrior but as a highly capable and intelligent statesman, skilled in diplomacy and practical logistics, attributes God uses for His glory. He bridges the gap between spiritual devotion and practical action.

Nehemiah 2 7 Commentary

Nehemiah 2:7 powerfully illustrates the integration of fervent prayer with astute strategic planning. After waiting on God and silently praying at the critical moment (v.4), Nehemiah does not merely ask for permission to go to Judah, but he articulates a well-thought-out, specific request for "letters" of royal authorization. These letters were not optional amenities but absolute necessities for safe passage and effective execution of his task. They symbolized the King's seal of approval, without which any mission, especially one of reconstruction in a sensitive frontier province like Judah, would face insurmountable obstacles from regional governors.

This verse reveals several important aspects of Nehemiah's character and God's working: his foresight, courage, diplomatic skill, and reliance on God. His careful specification of "governors of the province Beyond the River" demonstrates a deep understanding of imperial administration and geography. God, who turned the king's heart (Prov 21:1), not only granted Nehemiah access but also put wisdom in his mind to request the exact administrative support required. It underscores that God often works through human systems, political structures, and official channels, even when dealing with secular rulers, to accomplish His divine purposes. This approach stands in contrast to Ezra's earlier decision not to ask for a military escort (Ezra 8:22), but rather requesting formal documentation and the official backing was vital for Nehemiah's civil engineering project. The verse sets the stage for the practical, administrative hurdles Nehemiah must overcome, facilitated by the king's unique favor, ultimately showcasing God's meticulous provision for His people and their calling to rebuild.