Nehemiah 1:4

And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned [certain] days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,

And it came to pass, when I heard {H8085} these words {H1697}, that I sat down {H3427} and wept {H1058}, and mourned {H56} certain days {H3117}, and fasted {H6684}, and prayed {H6419} before {H6440} the God {H430} of heaven {H8064},

On hearing this answer, I sat down and wept; I mourned for several days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,

Commentary

Nehemiah 1:4 captures a profound moment of personal and spiritual anguish, revealing the character of a man deeply burdened by the plight of his people and the condition of Jerusalem. Upon hearing devastating news about the city, Nehemiah's immediate and sustained response was one of heartfelt lament, spiritual discipline, and earnest prayer.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse immediately follows Nehemiah receiving news from Hanani and other men who had come from Judah to Susa, the Persian capital. The news of Jerusalem's desolate state, particularly its broken walls and burned gates, signified not only physical ruin but national disgrace and vulnerability for the returned exiles. Nehemiah, serving as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I, was far from Jerusalem, yet his heart remained deeply connected to his heritage and the welfare of his people. This period was crucial in the post-exilic era, decades after the first return under Zerubbabel and years after Ezra's reforms.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Compassion and Empathy: Nehemiah's reaction—sitting down, weeping, and mourning—demonstrates an intense, personal identification with the suffering of his brethren and the dishonor brought upon God's holy city. His grief was not fleeting but lasted "certain days."
  • Spiritual Discipline and Dependence: His response was not mere emotional outburst but was coupled with spiritual disciplines: fasting and prayer. This shows a deep reliance on God in the face of overwhelming circumstances, recognizing that human effort alone was insufficient.
  • Intercessory Prayer: Nehemiah's prayer "before the God of heaven" marks the beginning of his intercession for his people and the city. This act of intercessory prayer combined with fasting is a recurring theme among God's people facing national crisis, such as Daniel's prayer in exile.
  • Burden for God's Glory: Underlying Nehemiah's sorrow was a concern for God's reputation, as the desolate state of Jerusalem reflected poorly on the God who had promised to dwell there.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "wept," bakah, denotes a deep, audible expression of sorrow, often accompanied by tears.
  • "Mourned," abal, refers to a period of grief, which could involve outward signs of sorrow and often abstention from normal activities, indicating a sustained and profound sadness.
  • "Fasted," tsum, is a spiritual practice of abstaining from food, commonly undertaken in times of intense prayer, repentance, or seeking divine guidance.
  • The title "God of heaven" is prominent in post-exilic books (Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel), emphasizing God's supreme sovereignty and transcendence over all earthly powers, a crucial theological anchor for a people under foreign rule.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 1:4 offers a powerful model for believers today. It teaches us the importance of:

  • Empathy and Compassion: Reacting with genuine sorrow to the suffering of others and the brokenness in the world, especially within the community of faith.
  • Seeking God First: In times of distress or when faced with overwhelming challenges, our first response should be to turn to God through prayer and, if appropriate, fasting.
  • Intercession: Taking on the burden of prayer for situations beyond our immediate control, trusting in God's power to intervene and restore.
  • Action Rooted in Prayer: Nehemiah's deep lament and prayer were not an end in themselves but the spiritual foundation for the courageous action he would later undertake to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. This verse sets the stage for his bold petition to the king, demonstrating that true spiritual leadership begins with a humble and prayerful heart.
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Cross-References

  • Daniel 9:3

    And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes:

  • Psalms 137:1

    ¶ By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

  • Ezra 10:1

    ¶ Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore.

  • Psalms 102:13

    Thou shalt arise, [and] have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.

  • Psalms 102:14

    For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.

  • Nehemiah 2:4

    Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.

  • Psalms 69:9

    For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.