Nehemiah 2 8

Nehemiah 2:8 kjv

And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which appertained to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.

Nehemiah 2:8 nkjv

and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he must give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel which pertains to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house that I will occupy." And the king granted them to me according to the good hand of my God upon me.

Nehemiah 2:8 niv

And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?" And because the gracious hand of my God was on me, the king granted my requests.

Nehemiah 2:8 esv

and a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress of the temple, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall occupy." And the king granted me what I asked, for the good hand of my God was upon me.

Nehemiah 2:8 nlt

And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king's forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself." And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.

Nehemiah 2 verses

Nehemiah 2 8 Meaning

Nehemiah 2:8 conveys that King Artaxerxes granted Nehemiah's crucial request not due to human diplomacy or the king's inherent generosity alone, but specifically because of God's active and benevolent intervention. Nehemiah recognized and attributed the favorable outcome directly to the divine enablement and guidance, acknowledging God's personal and powerful support in his mission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.

Nehemiah 2 8 Context

Nehemiah 2:8 marks a pivotal moment after four months of fervent prayer and mourning by Nehemiah (Neh 1:4). He had presented his distressed state and desire to rebuild Jerusalem's walls to King Artaxerxes I, risking his life by appearing sad before the powerful monarch. This verse follows the king's initial inquiry and Nehemiah's quick, silent prayer (Neh 2:4), immediately preceding his detailed requests for letters of passage and timber for the rebuilding project. Historically, this occurred during the Persian Empire's reign (mid-5th century BC). King Artaxerxes had previously issued decrees halting building in Jerusalem due to accusations of rebellion (Ezra 4:21). Nehemiah's request was thus audacious and politically sensitive, making the king's favorable response truly extraordinary. The verse positions the grant as a divine act, demonstrating God's supreme authority even over a powerful pagan ruler and highlighting a direct reversal of previous unfavorable royal decrees, showing God's timing and providence at work.

Nehemiah 2 8 Word analysis

• And the king granted me: This indicates a significant outcome. The "king" (Hebrew: hammelek - הַמֶּלֶךְ) refers to Artaxerxes I, the most powerful man in the known world to Nehemiah. His "granting" (natan - נָתַן, meaning to give, allow, permit) implies official authorization and resources. This was a direct, personal decree from absolute power. The king’s action was the direct, visible outcome.
• according to the good hand: This is the crucial explanatory phrase, revealing the true cause behind the king's action. Nehemiah attributes the success not to his own petitioning skill, but to divine intervention.
  • the good (haṭṭôbâ - הַטּוֹבָה): "Good" implies favorable, benevolent, advantageous, effective. It speaks to the quality of God's active presence – it was not merely present but beneficent and enabling.
  • hand (yad - יָד): In Hebrew, "hand" is a common metonymy for power, agency, active presence, or influence. "The hand of God" is a significant biblical idiom denoting divine power and favor, as seen throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Ex 14:31, 1 Ki 18:46, Ezr 7:6). Here, it signifies God's active, controlling, and providential intervention, subtly guiding the king's heart.
• of my God: This is a powerful statement of personal relationship and theological conviction. Nehemiah distinguishes his God (Yahweh) from the numerous pagan deities worshipped by the Persian court. It highlights his personal dependence and deep faith in the One True God who had heard his prayers and was working on his behalf. The use of "my God" makes the intervention uniquely personal and intimate for Nehemiah, demonstrating a deep reliance.
• upon me: This emphasizes the directness and specificity of God's favor. It was directly applied to Nehemiah, empowering him, influencing his situation, and ensuring his petition found favor with the king. This highlights God's particular attention to His servant for the fulfillment of His specific purposes.
• Word-Group Analysis:
  • "And the king granted me, according to...": This structure sets up a clear cause-and-effect relationship, where the human outcome (king's grant) is directly attributed to a divine cause. It contrasts visible earthly power with unseen divine orchestration.
  • "...the good hand of my God upon me.": This entire phrase forms the theological explanation. It is a confessional statement, acknowledging divine favor as the decisive factor. It conveys the concept of divine providence and sovereign control over earthly affairs, highlighting that God personally directs and empowers His servants for His work.

Nehemiah 2 8 Bonus section

• This verse stands as a powerful counter-cultural statement in an era dominated by human might and polytheistic beliefs. Nehemiah, despite his influential position, consciously gives all glory and credit to God, modeling true humility and spiritual discernment.
• It highlights the importance of faith and prayer as precursors to action. Nehemiah had spent months praying before approaching the king, indicating that divine favor is often connected to diligent seeking of God's will and reliance upon Him.
• The concept of God's "hand" signifies active, deliberate, and benevolent control. It implies that God was not merely passively approving, but actively manipulating events and moving the heart of the powerful monarch to align with His purposes.
• This specific intervention by God through Artaxerxes ultimately contributed to the re-establishment of Jerusalem's physical and spiritual identity, a crucial step in the redemptive history that would eventually lead to Christ.

Nehemiah 2 8 Commentary

Nehemiah 2:8 serves as a concise theological declaration by Nehemiah, framing the seemingly natural events as supernatural interventions. It underscores the critical biblical principle that human endeavors, particularly those in service of God's will, find their true success not in human acumen or external circumstances alone, but through the enabling, sovereign grace of God. The phrase "the good hand of my God upon me" encapsulates a deep understanding of divine providence: God's power is not distant but intimately active, personally empowering His servants and influencing even the hearts of secular rulers (Proverbs 21:1) to accomplish His divine purposes. This verse encapsulates Nehemiah's immediate attribution of his answered prayer and the favorable disposition of King Artaxerxes directly to God's work. It reflects a core conviction that God actively prepares and controls circumstances to fulfill His promises and plans, serving as a powerful reminder for believers to recognize and acknowledge God's intervention in their lives and circumstances.