The Bible — World English Bible
Nehemiah 1
In brief
Nehemiah 1 introduces a Jew in exile, cupbearer to the king of Persia at Susa. When his brother Hanani tells him that the walls of Jerusalem are in ruins and that the survivors are in distress, Nehemiah sits down, weeps, fasts and prays for several days. His prayer begins with the greatness of God, confesses the sins of the people, including his own, recalls the promises made to Moses and asks to find favor with the king. Before building a wall, Nehemiah first commits himself to prayer.
The chapter in 5 parts
1The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the palace,
2Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
3They said to me, “The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”
4When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned several days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,
5and said, “I beg you, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments:
6Let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned.
7We have dealt very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which you commanded your servant Moses.
8“Remember, I beg you, the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you trespass, I will scatter you among the peoples;
9but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.’
10“Now these are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power, and by your strong hand.
11Lord, I beg you, let your ear be attentive now to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants, who delight to fear your name; and please prosper your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” Now I was cup bearer to the king.
Key verses
When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned several days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,
Nehemiah does not move straight to action: he weeps, fasts and prays for several days. His burden for Jerusalem becomes first a matter between him and God, before it becomes a rebuilding project.
and said, “I beg you, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments:
His prayer begins with God, great and awesome, who keeps his covenant and shows mercy to those who love him. It rests on God's character before it presents a request.
Let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which you commanded your servant Moses.
Nehemiah confesses the sins of Israel and includes himself: he and his father's house have sinned. He does not pray as a judge of the people but in solidarity with them.
“Remember, I beg you, the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you trespass, I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and will bring them to the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.’
He reminds God of his own word given to Moses: scattering for disobedience, but gathering for those who return to him. To pray is also to stand on the promises of Scripture.
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Frequently asked questions about Nehemiah 1
Who is Nehemiah and why does he weep?
Nehemiah is a Jew of the exile, cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes at Susa. He weeps on learning that the walls of Jerusalem are in ruins and that its people live in disgrace. For an Israelite, the city stands for God's presence and the honor of the people.
What does Nehemiah's prayer teach us in Nehemiah 1?
It follows a simple order: worship God, confess one's faults and those of the people, recall God's promises, then present one's request. Nehemiah prays day and night, with perseverance. He does not stand apart from the sins of Israel, he says we.
What is Nehemiah's final request in verse 11?
He asks that God let him find favor before this man, that is, the king. Nehemiah is cupbearer, so he is close to the king: he is preparing a specific approach that chapter 2 will tell. His prayer prepares the action without replacing it.
Articles quoting Nehemiah 1
- How Do I Know If God Is Calling Me? Four Biblical Markers
- Ezra 1: From Exile to Freedom, the Temple Comes First
- Nehemiah 1: Four Pillars for Praying with Power
- Nehemiah 2: What God Put in Your Heart
- Anointed to Serve God: Stepping Out of Invisibility and Becoming an Instrument of Revival
- A Family Is Not Wished For : It Is Built
World English Bible translation — public domain.