Nehemiah 1:11
What does Nehemiah 1:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 1:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 1:11 means
Nehemiah concludes with a focused plea: that God would be attentive to the prayers of His servants who delight to fear His name, and that He would “prosper… thy servant this day” by granting mercy “in the sight of this man.” Calling the king “this man” subtly places earthly power under God’s sovereignty. Nehemiah seeks success not for ambition but for God’s name, shared by a praying community. The final note—“Now I was cupbearer to the king”—reveals his strategic office. As cupbearer, he has access and trust, the human means God may use. The prayer ends where providence and petition meet: readiness to act when God opens the door.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who delight to fear thy name; and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. Now I was cupbearer to the king.
KJV
King James Version · 1611O 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who delight to fear thy name; and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. Now I was cupbearer to the king.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949O Lord, let your ear take note of the prayer of your servant, and of the prayers of your servants, who take delight in worshipping your name: give help, O Lord, to your servant this day, and let him have mercy in the eyes of this man. (Now I was the king's wine-servant.)
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`I beseech Thee, O Lord, let, I pray Thee, Thine ear be attentive unto the prayer of Thy servant, and unto the prayer of Thy servants, those delighting to fear Thy Name; and give prosperity, I pray Thee, to Thy servant to-day, and give him for mercies before this man;' and I have been butler to the king.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I beseech thee, O Lord, let thy ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants who desire to fear thy name: and direct thy servant this day, and give him mercy before this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants who delight to fear thy name; and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. Now I was the king's cupbearer.
Context
The chapter closes by converting burden into petition for a specific opportunity with the king. Verse 11 ties corporate prayer, reverent fear, and practical steps together. The added detail of Nehemiah’s role as cupbearer explains how he could approach “this man” and why divine favor is essential. The next chapter will recount that encounter. In chapter 1, however, the emphasis remains on prayerful dependence, aligning Nehemiah’s forthcoming action with God’s covenant promises and sovereign rule.
v.10Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.
v.11This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 26:8
Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O Jehovah, have we waited for thee; to thy name, even to thy memorial name, is the desire of our soul.
- Genesis 32:28
And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for thou hast striven with God and with men, and hast prevailed.
- Genesis 40:23
Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.
- Ezra 7:27
Blessed be Jehovah, the God of our fathers, who hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to beautify the house of Jehovah which is in Jerusalem;
- Genesis 32:11
Deliver me, I pray thee, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau: for I fear him, lest he come and smite me, the mother with the children.
- Ezra 1:1
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, andput italso in writing, saying,
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