Nehemiah 1:4
What does Nehemiah 1:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 1:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 1:4 means
Nehemiah’s first movement is downward in grief and upward in prayer. He sits, weeps, and mourns for “certain days,” showing that this is not a fleeting sadness. He adds fasting, a sign of humility and focused dependence, and he prays “before the God of heaven,” acknowledging God’s sovereign rule beyond Judah and Persia alike. Rather than rushing to act, he takes time to lament and seek divine guidance. His tears are not hopeless; they are offerings that become intercession. The sequence—hearing, weeping, fasting, praying—models how godly sorrow turns into petition. The phrase “God of heaven” reminds readers that the true King is above earthly kings and that help must begin with Him.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,
KJV
King James Version · 1611And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then, after hearing these words, for some days I gave myself up to weeping and sorrow, seated on the earth; and taking no food I made prayer to the God of heaven,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And it cometh to pass, at my hearing these words, I have sat down, and I weep and mourn <FI>for<Fi> days, and I am fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And when I had heard these words, I sat down, and wept, and mourned for many days: and I fasted, and prayed before the face of the God of heaven.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat and wept, and mourned for days, and fasted, and prayed before theGod of the heavens,
Context
Having heard the report, Nehemiah responds in verse 4 with deep, sustained lament and prayer, setting the spiritual tone for the entire book. This prepares the reader for the content of his prayer in verses 5–11. The narrative pauses from external events to reveal Nehemiah’s heart and theology. The next verse begins the prayer’s address to God, grounding all requests in God’s character. This framing shows that the solution to Jerusalem’s distress will arise first in communion with God before it appears in royal decrees or building plans.
v.3And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
v.4This passage
v.5and said, I beseech thee, O Jehovah, the God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 2:4
Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
- Psalms 69:9
For the zeal of thy house hath eaten me up; And the reproaches of them that reproach thee are fallen upon me.
- Zephaniah 3:18
I will gather them that sorrow for the solemn assembly, who were of thee; to whom the burden upon her was a reproach.
- Daniel 2:18
that they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his companions should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
- Jonah 1:9
And he said unto them, I am a Hebrew; and I fear Jehovah, the God of heaven, who hath made the sea and the dry land.
- Ezra 10:1
Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there was gathered together unto him out of Israel a very great assembly of men and women and children; for the people wept very sore.
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