Nehemiah 2:5

And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.

And I said {H559} unto the king {H4428}, If it please {H2895} the king {H4428}, and if thy servant {H5650} have found favour {H3190} in thy sight {H6440}, that thou wouldest send {H7971} me unto Judah {H3063}, unto the city {H5892} of my fathers {H1}' sepulchres {H6913}, that I may build {H1129} it.

then said to the king, "If it pleases the king, if your servant has won your favor, send me to Y'hudah, to the city of my ancestors' tombs, so that I can rebuild it."

and answered the king, โ€œIf it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.โ€

And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathersโ€™ sepulchres, that I may build it.

Commentary

Context

Nehemiah 2:5 presents a pivotal moment in the book of Nehemiah, as the prophet and cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I of Persia finally articulates his deep burden. For several months, Nehemiah had been in distress after hearing of the desolate state of Jerusalem โ€“ its walls broken down and its gates burned with fire (Nehemiah 1:3). He had responded with intense prayer and fasting (Nehemiah 1:4-11), seeking God's favor before the king. This verse records Nehemiah's direct, courageous request to the most powerful man in the world at the time, indicating that God had prepared the way and given Nehemiah the opportune moment to speak.

Key Themes

  • Divine Favor and Timing: Nehemiah's request, "If thy servant have found favour in thy sight," highlights the belief that God was working behind the scenes to incline the king's heart. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over human authorities, a theme seen throughout biblical history (Proverbs 21:1).
  • Burden for God's People and City: Nehemiah's deep personal connection to Jerusalem, referring to it as "the city of my fathers' sepulchres," reveals his profound sorrow and sense of responsibility for the spiritual and physical restoration of his homeland and people. It wasn't just a political or architectural project; it was a spiritual and ancestral calling.
  • Boldness and Strategic Planning: Despite the immense risk of making such a request to an absolute monarch, Nehemiah speaks with clarity and purpose. His immediate request for permission to go to Judah "that I may build it" shows he had a clear vision and an immediate plan of action, indicative of strong leadership.
  • Restoration and Rebuilding: The core purpose of Nehemiah's mission is stated plainly: to rebuild Jerusalem. This verse sets the stage for the remarkable restoration of the city's walls, a symbol of hope and renewed identity for the post-exilic Jewish community.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "found favour in thy sight" uses the Hebrew word chen (ื—ึตืŸ), which signifies grace, goodwill, or favor. It's often used to describe God's favor upon individuals or nations, but here it's applied to human-to-human interaction, implying that Nehemiah recognized the need for divine enablement to gain the king's positive disposition. The reference to "the city of my fathers' sepulchres" emphasizes the sacred and ancestral significance of Jerusalem, underscoring that this was not merely a construction project but a mission deeply rooted in heritage and spiritual identity.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 2:5 offers several powerful lessons for believers today:

  • Prayer Precedes Action: Nehemiah's long period of prayer before approaching the king illustrates the importance of seeking God's will and preparing spiritually before embarking on significant undertakings.
  • Courage to Act on a God-Given Burden: When God places a burden on our hearts, whether for a community, a cause, or an individual, we are called to respond with boldness, trusting that He will open doors.
  • Divine Orchestration: This verse reminds us that God is sovereign over all circumstances, even the hearts of powerful leaders. We can trust Him to provide the necessary favor and timing for His purposes to be accomplished.
  • Clear Vision and Purpose: Nehemiah had a clear objective ("that I may build it"). Having a defined vision for what God calls us to do helps in pursuing it effectively.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezra 5:17 (3 votes)

    Now therefore, if [it seem] good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which [is] there at Babylon, whether it be [so], that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.

  • Esther 7:3 (2 votes)

    Then Esther the queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O king, and if it please the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

  • Ruth 2:13 (2 votes)

    Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.

  • Proverbs 3:4 (2 votes)

    So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

  • Esther 8:5 (2 votes)

    And said, If it please the king, and if I have found favour in his sight, and the thing [seem] right before the king, and I [be] pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which [are] in all the king's provinces:

  • 2 Samuel 14:22 (2 votes)

    And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.

  • Esther 5:8 (2 votes)

    If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.