Nehemiah 2:15
What does Nehemiah 2:15 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 2:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 2:15 means
Blocked in one direction, Nehemiah adapts—he ascends by the brook at night, continues examining the wall, then turns back and reenters through the valley gate. The sequence shows persistence and flexibility under pressure. He does not quit when faced with obstacles; he redirects and completes the reconnaissance. Working quietly, he finishes with a clear mental map of the problems. The return through the same gate underscores the secrecy of the mission: he leaves no visible trace for opponents to exploit. This is the preparation of a builder who will soon speak with conviction because he has seen, measured, and understood the task firsthand.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall; and I turned back, and entered by the valley gate, and so returned.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall; and I turned back, and entered by the valley gate, and so returned.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then in the night, I went up by the stream, viewing the wall; then turning back, I went in by the door in the valley, and so came back.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and I am going up through the brook by night, and am measuring about the wall, and turn back, and come in through the gate of the valley, and turn back.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I went up in the night by the torrent, and viewed the wall, and going back I came to the gate of the valley, and returned.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I went up in the night through the valley, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the valley-gate and returned.
Context
This verse concludes the night survey that started two verses earlier. It follows the impassable rubble near the king’s pool and shows how Nehemiah completed the circuit anyway. With the assessment done, the narrative will shift from private planning to public leadership. The next verse notes that no leaders knew where he had gone or what he had done, explaining why his forthcoming announcement will be fresh, informed, and persuasive.
v.14Then I went on to the fountain gate and to the king’s pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.
v.15This passage
v.16And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 18:1
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into which he entered, himself and his disciples.
- 2 Samuel 15:23
And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
- Jeremiah 31:38
Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that the city shall be built to Jehovah from the tower of Hananel unto the gate of the corner.
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