Nehemiah 2:6

And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

And the king {H4428} said {H559} unto me,(the queen {H7694} also sitting {H3427} by him {H681},) For how long shall thy journey {H4109} be? and when wilt thou return {H7725}? So it pleased {H3190}{H6440} the king {H4428} to send {H7971} me; and I set {H5414} him a time {H2165}.

With the queen sitting next to him, the king asked me, "How long is your trip going to take? When will you return?" So it pleased the king to send me, and I gave him a time.

Then the king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time.

And the king said unto me (the queen also sitting by him), For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

Commentary

Nehemiah 2:6 captures a pivotal moment in Nehemiah's mission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, illustrating divine favor and strategic planning.

Context

Following Nehemiah's heartfelt prayer and fasting in Nehemiah chapter 1, and his demonstration of sadness before King Artaxerxes I, this verse marks the moment the king directly engages with Nehemiah's unspoken request. Nehemiah, who served as the king's cupbearer, had a bold desire to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the city of his fathers' sepulchres. The king's questions about the duration of his journey and his return indicate a serious consideration of Nehemiah's plea, which was an extraordinary request for a servant to make to a powerful Persian monarch.

Key Themes

  • Divine Favor and Providence: The fact that King Artaxerxes not only noticed Nehemiah's distress but also granted his audacious request underscores God's providential hand at work. God moved the heart of this powerful pagan ruler, aligning with the biblical principle found in Proverbs 21:1 that "The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."
  • Strategic Planning and Preparedness: Nehemiah's ability to "set him a time" reveals that he had not made a rash request but had carefully considered the logistics and timeline required for his ambitious project of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. This foresight and preparedness likely contributed to the king's willingness to grant his request.
  • Royal Authority and Support: The king's direct questions, and the explicit statement that "it pleased the king to send me," highlight the immense royal authority Nehemiah was granted. The queen's presence (often thought to be Damaspia, though unnamed in scripture) might signify the importance of the discussion or her role as a witness or even an influencer, adding weight to the king's decision to support Nehemiah's mission.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "the queen also sitting by him" is noteworthy. While her name is not given in the biblical text, her presence suggests a formal royal setting and potentially her approval or understanding of the king's decision. In ancient courts, the queen's presence could lend additional gravity or legitimacy to a royal decree, or simply indicate a comprehensive discussion involving trusted advisors within the royal household.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 2:6 offers several practical lessons for believers today concerning God's work:

  • Prayer and Action Go Hand-in-Hand: Nehemiah's deep prayer life was followed by courageous, well-prepared action. We are called not just to pray, but to be ready to act when God opens doors for His purposes.
  • Seek God's Timing and Plan: Just as Nehemiah had a clear timeline in mind, we should seek God's wisdom for the practical steps and timing involved in fulfilling His call on our lives and ministries.
  • God Uses Unexpected Channels: This verse beautifully illustrates how God can use anyone, even powerful individuals outside of the faith, to accomplish His divine purposes. This should encourage us to trust in His sovereignty and provision in all circumstances.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Nehemiah 13:6

    But in all this [time] was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:

  • Nehemiah 5:14

    ¶ Moreover from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year even unto the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes the king, [that is], twelve years, I and my brethren have not eaten the bread of the governor.

  • Isaiah 65:24

    And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

  • Nehemiah 2:4

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

  • Isaiah 58:12

    And [they that shall be] of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

  • Isaiah 61:4

    ¶ And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

  • 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.
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