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Nehemiah 2

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 2 of 13

1 ¶ And it happened in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him. And I took the wine and gave to the king. And I had never been sad to his face.

2 And the king said to me, Why is your face sad, and not to you is sickness? This is nothing but sorrow of heart. Then I was very much afraid.

3 And I said to the king, Let the king live forever. Why should not my face be sad when the place of my fathers' tombs, the city, lies waste and its gates are consumed with fire?

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Chapter Summary

1 Artaxerxes sends Nehemiah with letters and com-mission to Jerusalem. 9 Nehemiah comes to Jerusalem. 12 He views secretly the ruins of the walls. 17 He incites the Jews to build.

Key Hebrew Words

רֹכֵ֥ב mount and ride H7392 · TWOT 2163
פְּרוּצִ֔ים break through H6555 · TWOT 1826
עִ֛יר excitement H5892 · TWOT 1587a
יְהוּדָ֗ה Judah H3063 · TWOT 850c
עֵ֣בֶר region across H5676 · TWOT 1556a

People & Context

Nehemiah Appears Sad Before the King

While serving wine, King Artaxerxes notices Nehemiah's sadness. Nehemiah explains his sorrow over the ruined state of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah's Request and the King's Permission

After a quick prayer, Nehemiah asks the king for permission to return to Judah to rebuild the city. The king grants the request, sets a timeline, and …

Journey and Arrival

Nehemiah travels with an army escort, delivers the king's letters to the governors Beyond the River, and arrives in Jerusalem, upsetting Sanballat and…

Timeline

Nehemiah Appears Sad Before the King

While serving wine, King Artaxerxes notices Nehemiah's sadness. Nehemiah explains his sorrow over the ruined state of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 2:1-3
Nehemiah's Request and the King's Permission

After a quick prayer, Nehemiah asks the king for permission to return to Judah to rebuild the city. The king grants the request, sets a timeline, and provides letters for safe passage and timber.

Nehemiah 2:4-8
Journey and Arrival

Nehemiah travels with an army escort, delivers the king's letters to the governors Beyond the River, and arrives in Jerusalem, upsetting Sanballat and Tobiah.

Nehemiah 2:9-11

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Word-for-word literal translation with Hebrew interlinear, Strong's numbers, and audio.

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