Nehemiah 2:8

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.

And a letter {H107} unto Asaph {H623} the keeper {H8104} of the king's {H4428} forest {H6508}, that he may give {H5414} me timber {H6086} to make beams {H7136} for the gates {H8179} of the palace {H1002} which appertained to the house {H1004}, and for the wall {H2346} of the city {H5892}, and for the house {H1004} that I shall enter into {H935}. And the king {H4428} granted {H5414} me, according to the good {H2896} hand {H3027} of my God {H430} upon me.

and also a letter for Asaf the supervisor of the royal forests, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the fortress belonging to the house, for the city wall and for the house I will be occupying." The king gave me these, according to the good hand of my God on me.

And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.

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 castle which appertaineth 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 records a pivotal moment in Nehemiah's mission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, highlighting God's direct intervention and favor upon his servant.

Context

This verse follows Nehemiah's courageous request to King Artaxerxes of Persia for permission to return to Judah and rebuild Jerusalem. Having served as the king's cupbearer, Nehemiah was in a position of trust and access, but making such a direct and ambitious request to a powerful monarch carried significant risk. Nehemiah had spent months in prayer and fasting, confessing the sins of his people and seeking God's favor for his undertaking (see Nehemiah 1:4-11). His distress over the desolate state of Jerusalem's broken walls and burned gates spurred him to action, leading to this crucial conversation with the king.

Key Themes

  • Divine Favor and Provision: The central theme is God's active hand in Nehemiah's success. The king's granting of the request, including letters for safe passage and timber, was not merely political goodwill but, as Nehemiah states, "according to the good hand of my God upon me." This phrase emphasizes that God moved the king's heart to provide the necessary resources, demonstrating His sovereignty over human authorities.
  • Strategic Planning and Boldness: Nehemiah didn't just ask for permission; he presented a detailed plan. He requested specific letters for safe passage and timber from Asaph, the keeper of the king's forest, for three distinct purposes: the palace gates, the city wall, and his own residence. This foresight and boldness, coupled with prior prayer, are hallmarks of effective leadership.
  • Leadership and Stewardship: Nehemiah's concern extended beyond just the city walls to the "palace which appertained to the house" (likely referring to structures connected to the temple complex) and his own dwelling, indicating a comprehensive vision for the city's restoration and his role as governor. His requests show his commitment to the overall well-being and security of Jerusalem.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the good hand of my God upon me" is a significant expression found frequently in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah (e.g., Ezra 7:9, Ezra 8:22). In Hebrew, yad Yahweh (the hand of the Lord) denotes God's active power, blessing, and providential care. When described as "good," it signifies His benevolent and favorable intervention on behalf of His people. It attributes the king's favorable disposition not to Nehemiah's persuasive skills alone, but primarily to God's divine influence.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 2:8 offers powerful lessons for believers today:

  1. Prayer Precedes Action: Nehemiah's success was rooted in his fervent prayer life, demonstrating that seeking God's will and favor is paramount before embarking on significant undertakings.
  2. God Provides for His Purposes: When God calls us to a task, He also provides the necessary resources and opens doors that seem impossible. We can trust in His "good hand" to guide and sustain us.
  3. Strategic Faith: While relying on God, we are also called to be wise, plan diligently, and act with boldness. Nehemiah's detailed requests show that faith does not negate preparation.
  4. God Influences Authorities: This verse reminds us that the hearts of kings and leaders are in the hand of the Lord (Proverbs 21:1), and He can incline them to favor His people and purposes.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, 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. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Ezra 7:6

    This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he [was] a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.

  • Nehemiah 7:2

    That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he [was] a faithful man, and feared God above many.

  • Isaiah 66:14

    And when ye see [this], your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and [his] indignation toward his enemies.

  • Nehemiah 2:17

    Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we [are] in, how Jerusalem [lieth] waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.

  • Nehemiah 2:18

    Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for [this] good [work].

  • Daniel 1:9

    Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

  • Ezra 5:5

    But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this [matter].

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