Nehemiah 2:7
What does Nehemiah 2:7 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 2:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 2:7 means
Nehemiah wisely seeks official letters to the governors beyond the River to guarantee safe and unhindered transit to Judah. He recognizes that a royal project requires royal authentication at every checkpoint. This is faith working through prudence: having received a yes, he asks for what will protect and speed the mission. The request shows he understands the geopolitical map and the administrative realities of the empire. He is not content with good intentions; he secures the means to fulfill them. Such preparation reduces unnecessary conflict and focuses energy on the real task—rebuilding the city’s defenses and removing its shame.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through till I come unto Judah;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the River, that they may let me pass through till I come unto Judah;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Further, I said to the king, If it is the king's pleasure, let letters be given to me for the rulers across the river, so that they may let me go through till I come to Judah;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And I say to the king, `If to the king <FI>it be<Fi> good, letters let be given to me for the governors beyond the River, that they let me pass over till that I come in unto Judah:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I said to the king: If it seem good to the king, let him give me letters to the governors of the country beyond the river, that they convey me over, till I come into Judea:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I said to the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may set me forward till I come into Judah;
Context
After the king agrees to send him, Nehemiah immediately turns to specific needs. Safe passage is first, ensuring he can actually reach Judah without obstruction from regional officials. This precedes the next request for resources. Together, these petitions show a sequence: authorization, protection, and then provision. The coming verse will complete the logistical setup by supplying timber for gates, walls, and a residence, demonstrating that Nehemiah’s plan is comprehensive and action-ready.
v.6And the king said unto me (the queen also sitting by him), For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
v.7This passage
v.8and a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the castle which appertaineth to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 8:22
For I was ashamed to ask of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way, because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them that seek him, for good; but his power and his wrath is against all them that forsake him.
- Nehemiah 2:9
Then I came to the governors beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me captains of the army and horsemen.
- Ezra 6:6
Now therefore, Tattenai, governor beyond the River, Shethar-bozenai, and your companions the Apharsachites, who are beyond the River, be ye far from thence:
- Ezra 7:21
And I, even I Artaxerxes the king, do make a decree to all the treasurers that are beyond the River, that whatsoever Ezra the priest, the scribe of the law of the God of heaven, shall require of you, it be done with all diligence,
- Ezra 8:36
And they delivered the king’s commissions unto the king’s satraps, and to the governors beyond the River: and they furthered the people and the house of God.
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