Nehemiah 2:1

KJV

¶ And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, [that] wine [was] before him: and I took up the wine, and gave [it] unto the king. Now I had not been [beforetime] sad in his presence.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass in the month {H2320} Nisan {H5212}, in the twentieth {H6242} year {H8141} of Artaxerxes {H783} the king {H4428}, that wine {H3196} was before {H6440} him: and I took up {H5375} the wine {H3196}, and gave {H5414} it unto the king {H4428}. Now I had not been beforetime sad {H7451} in his presence {H6440}.

Complete Jewish Bible

In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of Artach'shashta the king, it happened that I took the wine and brought it to the king. Prior to then I had never appeared sad in his presence.

Berean Standard Bible

Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence,

American Standard Version

And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, that I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 2:1 marks the divine culmination of Nehemiah's fervent prayer and deep sorrow for Jerusalem, setting the stage for his pivotal mission. After months of grieving the desolate state of his homeland, this verse captures the precise moment when Nehemiah's internal burden becomes outwardly manifest before King Artaxerxes, prompting the king's inquiry and initiating the miraculous chain of events that would lead to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. It highlights God's perfect timing and His sovereign hand in orchestrating circumstances and moving the hearts of powerful rulers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 2:1 serves as the crucial turning point following the deeply personal and spiritual narrative of Nehemiah 1. Chapter 1 details Nehemiah's receipt of the devastating news regarding Jerusalem's broken walls and burned gates ([Nehemiah 1:3](/nehemiah/1-3 "Nehemiah 1:3 - Report on Jerusalem's Desolation")), which plunged him into profound grief, leading to days of mourning, fasting, and heartfelt prayer ([Nehemiah 1:4-11](/nehemiah/1-4 "Nehemiah 1:4-11 - Nehemiah's Prayer")). This verse, therefore, is not an isolated incident but the direct answer to those prayers, demonstrating God's faithfulness in responding to the cries of His servant. It transitions the narrative from Nehemiah's private anguish and intercession to the public sphere of royal court and the commencement of God's redemptive work through him. The meticulous dating ("the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes") underscores the divine precision and timing of this long-awaited opportunity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Nehemiah 2:1 occur during the reign of Artaxerxes I Longimanus (465-424 BC), a Persian king. The "twentieth year" of his reign places this moment approximately thirteen years after Ezra's return to Jerusalem as recorded in [Ezra 7](/ezra/7 "Ezra 7 - Ezra's Return to Jerusalem"). Nehemiah held the highly esteemed and sensitive position of "cupbearer" to the king. This role was far more than a servant; a cupbearer was a trusted confidant, responsible for tasting the king's wine to protect against poison, and often served as a close advisor with direct, intimate access to the monarch. Such a position required absolute loyalty, discretion, and typically, a cheerful disposition to avoid alarming the king. For Nehemiah to appear sad in the king's presence was a significant breach of court etiquette and potentially dangerous, highlighting the overwhelming nature of his burden for Jerusalem. The "month Nisan" corresponds to March/April in the modern calendar, marking the beginning of the Jewish religious year and the time of Passover, adding a layer of symbolic significance to this new beginning.
* **Key Themes:** This pivotal verse encapsulates several profound themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Timing and Providence**, showcasing God's meticulous orchestration of events, allowing Nehemiah's opportunity to arise at the precise moment following his sustained prayer. Secondly, it highlights **Nehemiah's Deep Burden and Vulnerability**; his inability to conceal his sorrow underscores the depth of his spiritual anguish for Jerusalem's desolation, revealing a man whose heart was deeply aligned with God's concern for His people and city. This vulnerability, paradoxically, becomes the catalyst for divine intervention. Thirdly, the theme of **God's Sovereignty Over Rulers** is evident, as King Artaxerxes, a powerful Gentile monarch, notices Nehemiah's unusual sadness. This observation, as [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand") affirms, demonstrates God's ability to direct the hearts of kings to accomplish His purposes. Finally, Nehemiah 2:1 marks the crucial **Transition from Prayer to Action**, where Nehemiah's fervent intercession and inner burden for Jerusalem begin to manifest in concrete steps, initiated by the king's perception and inquiry.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nisan (Hebrew, _Nisan_):** This is the first month of the Jewish religious calendar, corresponding to March-April. Its mention here is significant not only for precise dating but also for its symbolic resonance. Nisan is the month of Passover, celebrating Israel's liberation from Egyptian bondage, and is often associated with new beginnings and divine acts of redemption. For Nehemiah's mission to commence in Nisan subtly hints at a new season of divine restoration for Jerusalem.
* **Artaxerxes (Hebrew, _Artakhshasta_):** This refers to Artaxerxes I Longimanus, the fifth king of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. His long reign (465-424 BC) provided a stable context for the post-exilic Jewish community. The specific mention of his "twentieth year" indicates a significant passage of time since the initial reports of Jerusalem's ruin and Nehemiah's subsequent prayer, underscoring the long period of waiting and God's perfect timing for the king's heart to be prepared.
* **Sad (Hebrew, _ra'ah_):** While often translated as "sad" or "evil," _ra'ah_ here conveys a deeper sense of distress, trouble, or affliction that is visible on Nehemiah's countenance. It's not merely a fleeting emotion but a profound, internal burden that has finally broken through his disciplined professional demeanor. The fact that he "had not been [beforetime] sad in his presence" emphasizes the anomaly and the intensity of his grief, which was so overwhelming that he could no longer conceal it, even at the risk of royal displeasure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king":** This precise chronological marker immediately establishes the setting for the pivotal event. The passage of time, specifically "the twentieth year," indicates that Nehemiah had likely been praying for Jerusalem for several months since receiving the distressing news in the month of Chislev (Nehemiah 1:1). This detailed dating emphasizes God's sovereign timing, suggesting that the long period of waiting and prayer was not in vain but a preparation for this divinely appointed moment.
* **"[that] wine [was] before him: and I took up the wine, and gave [it] unto the king.":** This describes Nehemiah performing his routine duty as cupbearer. The scene is one of normalcy and protocol within the royal court. This mundane act of service provides the context for the extraordinary interaction that follows. It highlights Nehemiah's proximity and access to the king, a position of trust and influence that God would utilize for His purposes.
* **"Now I had not been [beforetime] sad in his presence.":** This crucial statement reveals the extraordinary nature of Nehemiah's visible sorrow. As a cupbearer, maintaining a cheerful and composed demeanor was paramount, both as a sign of loyalty and to avoid alarming the king. Nehemiah's inability to hide his grief signifies the overwhelming depth of his burden for Jerusalem. This uncharacteristic display of sadness is what draws the king's attention and initiates the conversation that will ultimately launch Nehemiah's mission.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 2:1 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to heighten the significance of this moment. The most prominent is **Foreshadowing**, as Nehemiah's uncharacteristic sadness directly foreshadows the king's inquiry and the subsequent bold request that will initiate the rebuilding of Jerusalem. This visible distress acts as the catalyst for the entire narrative arc of the book. There is also a powerful **Contrast** presented: Nehemiah's usual professional composure and cheerfulness are sharply contrasted with his sudden, undeniable sorrow. This contrast emphasizes the profound depth of his burden for Jerusalem, indicating that his grief was so overwhelming it transcended the strictures of royal protocol. Furthermore, one could observe a subtle **Irony** in the situation: the very thing (Nehemiah's sadness) that could have potentially endangered him by displeasing the king, becomes the precise means through which God opens the door for His plan to unfold, demonstrating divine reversal and the unexpected ways God works.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 2:1 powerfully illustrates the intersection of human burden and divine providence. Nehemiah's deep, Spirit-stirred grief for the brokenness of Jerusalem was not a weakness but a divinely implanted burden that God honored and used. This verse teaches us that God hears and responds to the earnest prayers of His people, often in ways that involve human vulnerability and the strategic positioning of His servants in places of influence. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty, demonstrating His ability to move the hearts of even pagan kings to accomplish His redemptive purposes for His people and His city. The long wait between the news of Jerusalem's state and this opportune moment also highlights God's perfect timing, reinforcing that His plans unfold according to His precise schedule, not ours.

* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in God's Hand")
* [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds the House")
* [Philippians 4:6-7](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6-7 - Do Not Be Anxious, But Pray")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 2:1 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that our deepest burdens, when brought before God in prayer, can become the very catalysts for His divine intervention and action in the world. Nehemiah's inability to hide his sorrow, despite the personal risk, speaks to the authenticity and depth of his spiritual passion for God's kingdom. This encourages us to cultivate a similar burden for the brokenness we see around us—whether in our communities, our churches, or the wider world—and to bring those burdens to God in sustained prayer. Furthermore, Nehemiah's position as a cupbearer, an "ordinary" person in a strategic place, demonstrates that God uses individuals from all walks of life and in all professions to accomplish His will. Our current vocations and spheres of influence are not accidental but are potential platforms for God's purposes. When we are faithful in our daily duties and sensitive to the Spirit's leading, God can open doors for breakthrough in unexpected ways, transforming our vulnerability into opportunities for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "burdens" for God's kingdom or for the brokenness in the world might God be stirring in your heart, similar to Nehemiah's grief for Jerusalem?**
* **How does Nehemiah's willingness to show his true emotions before the king encourage you to be more authentic or vulnerable in appropriate contexts, trusting God with the outcome?**
* **In what ways have you experienced God's perfect timing in your own life after a period of waiting, prayer, or carrying a significant burden?**

### FAQ
**Why was Nehemiah's sadness so significant and potentially dangerous in the king's presence?**

Answer: Nehemiah's sadness was highly significant because of his specific role as the king's cupbearer. This was a position of immense trust and close proximity to the monarch, demanding absolute loyalty and a consistently cheerful demeanor. A sad or troubled expression could imply disloyalty, a personal grievance against the king, or even that the king himself was ill or in danger, which could prompt suspicion or anger from the ruler. In ancient courts, such a display could lead to severe punishment, even death. Nehemiah's inability to hide his grief, despite this risk, underscores the overwhelming depth of his burden for Jerusalem's desolation, a burden so profound that it transcended the strict protocols of the Persian court and became the catalyst for the king's pivotal inquiry.

**What was the role of a cupbearer in ancient Persian courts, and why was it so influential?**

Answer: The role of a cupbearer in ancient Persian courts was far more than a mere servant; it was a highly trusted and influential position. The primary duty was to taste the king's wine and sometimes food to detect poison, thus safeguarding the king's life. This required absolute loyalty and placed the cupbearer in constant, intimate contact with the monarch. Beyond this protective role, cupbearers often served as close confidants, advisors, and even personal secretaries to the king. Their access to the king's private moments and their knowledge of court affairs gave them significant political influence. They could relay messages, advocate for causes, and even influence royal decisions. Nehemiah's position as cupbearer to Artaxerxes I demonstrates God's strategic placement of His servants in positions of power and influence, even within pagan empires, to accomplish His divine purposes, as seen in [Esther's](/esther/4-14 "Esther 4:14 - For Such a Time as This") story as well.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah's burden for the broken walls of Jerusalem and his subsequent mission to rebuild them finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as Nehemiah wept over the physical desolation of God's city, Jesus, the Son of God, also grieved and wept over Jerusalem, lamenting its spiritual blindness and impending judgment ([Luke 19:41-44](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41-44 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")). Nehemiah's role as a faithful servant, interceding for his people and initiating a work of restoration, foreshadows Christ's perfect and ultimate intercession for humanity and His redemptive mission. Jesus is the true and ultimate builder, not of physical walls, but of His spiritual temple, the Church ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - On This Rock I Will Build My Church")). He came to repair the brokenness caused by sin, to rebuild lives, and to restore humanity's relationship with God, establishing a new covenant that transcends any physical city or structure ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - A Superior Covenant")). Furthermore, Nehemiah's act of giving wine to the king, though a routine duty, echoes the profound imagery of Christ, who, as the ultimate servant, took the cup of God's wrath upon Himself for our sake in Gethsemane ([Matthew 26:39](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")), and who offers us the cup of the new covenant, His shed blood, for the forgiveness of sins ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in My Blood")). Thus, Nehemiah's story, beginning with a burden and leading to a rebuilding project, points forward to the greater work of Christ, who, through His sacrifice and resurrection, builds an eternal kingdom and restores all things.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezra 7:1

¶ Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,

Nehemiah 1:11

O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.

Nehemiah 1:1

¶ The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,

Ezra 7:7

And there went up [some] of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.

Esther 3:7

¶ In the first month, that [is], the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that [is], the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, [to] the twelfth [month], that [is], the month Adar.

Genesis 40:21

And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:

Genesis 40:11

And Pharaoh's cup [was] in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand.