Nehemiah 2:4
What does Nehemiah 2:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 2:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 2:4 means
The king’s question, “For what do you make request?” is an astonishing opening. Nehemiah responds first upward, not outward—he prays to the God of heaven before answering. This is not a long, formal prayer but a swift turning of the heart that acknowledges God’s sovereignty even in a royal court. It shows Nehemiah’s reflex: dependence on God precedes speaking to man. The moment teaches that wisdom, courage, and favor are gifts; they are asked for and received. God stands behind thrones, and his servant seeks help from him first, trusting that the king’s ear and hand are channels of divine providence.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then the king said to me, What is your desire? So I made prayer to the God of heaven.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the king saith to me, `For what art thou seeking?' and I pray unto the God of the heavens,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then the king said to me: For what dost thou make request? And I prayed to the God of heaven,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the king said to me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to theGod of the heavens.
Context
Immediately after Nehemiah explains his sorrow, the king invites a request. This is the critical hinge of the chapter. Nehemiah pauses to pray before he gives his answer in the next verse. The narrative pace slows, signaling the gravity of what is about to be asked. The prayerful pause explains how Nehemiah’s boldness is grounded. It prepares the reader to see the specific, well-formed plan that follows and to attribute the positive outcome to God’s guidance rather than mere courtly skill.
v.3And I said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
v.4This passage
v.5And 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 fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Kings 3:5
In Gibeon Jehovah appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
- Mark 10:51
And Jesus answered him, and said, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? And the blind man said unto him, Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.
- 2 Samuel 15:31
And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O Jehovah, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
- Proverbs 3:6
In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.
- Nehemiah 1:11
O 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.
- Philippians 4:6
In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
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