Nehemiah 2:8
What does Nehemiah 2:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 2:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 2:8 means
Nehemiah asks for a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, to supply timber for three purposes: gates of the fortress by the temple, the city wall, and the house he will occupy. He thinks in terms of sacred security, civic defense, and personal lodging necessary for the task. The striking conclusion—“the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me”—attributes success not to cleverness but to God’s favor. Royal consent and resources are real, yet they are instruments in the Lord’s hand. Nehemiah’s faith sees beyond the king’s signature to the God who moves kings like streams.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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 palace which appertained 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king's park, so that he may give me wood to make boards for the doors of the tower of the house, and for the wall of the town, and for the house which is to be mine. And the king gave me this, for the hand of my God was on me.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and a letter unto Asaph, keeper of the paradise that the king hath, that he give to me trees for beams <FI>for<Fi> the gates of the palace that the house hath, and for the wall of the city, and for the house into which I enter;' and the king giveth to me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, to give me timber that I may cover the gates of the tower of the house, and the walls of the city, and the house that I shall enter into. And the king gave me according to the good hand of my God with me.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which [appertains] 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 myGod upon me.
Context
This verse completes Nehemiah’s immediate requests following the king’s approval: safe passage and material provision. The narrative now has all the components for the journey and the work’s start. The explicit acknowledgment of God’s good hand ties the court scene to divine sovereignty, preparing the reader for the journey’s protection and the coming opposition. Next, Nehemiah will depart, deliver letters to regional governors, and arrive under military escort, signaling the project’s official status.
v.7Moreover 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;
v.8This passage
v.9Then 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 2:17
Then said I unto them, Ye see the evil case that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
- Daniel 1:9
Now God made Daniel to find kindness and compassion in the sight of the prince of the eunuchs.
- Ezra 5:5
But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, and they did not make them cease, till the matter should come to Darius, and then answer should be returned by letter concerning it.
- 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 32:28
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.
- Ezra 6:22
and kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for Jehovah had made them joyful, and had turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Nehemiah 2
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Nehemiah 2.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Confession of Sin
Confession of sin is an essential step in drawing near to God and receiving His forgiveness and cleansing.
Topic
Bible Verses About Fasting
Fasting in the Bible is a spiritual discipline involving abstinence from food for a period, often coupled with prayer and repentance.
What the Bible says about…