Nehemiah 1:2 - Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

Generated Verse: Nehemiah 1:2

What does "Nehemiah 1:2" mean?


This verse from Nehemiah 1:2 is a critical starting point for the Book of Nehemiah and reveals Nehemiah's initial concern and motivation:

"Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah..." This establishes that Hanani is Nehemiah's sibling. Hanani and his companions have traveled from Judah (the land where Jerusalem is located) to where Nehemiah is currently situated (Susa, Persia). The fact that they traveled from Judah is significant because they are potential eyewitnesses to the conditions there.

"...and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem." This is the heart of the verse. Nehemiah is deeply concerned about two things:
The Jews who had escaped: This refers to the remnant of the Jewish people who had survived the Babylonian exile and returned to Judah. Nehemiah wants to know how they are doing. He cares about their well-being and their status in the land.
Concerning Jerusalem: Nehemiah is specifically interested in the condition of the city of Jerusalem itself. This implies he's concerned about its state of repair, its security, and its overall viability as a center for Jewish life.

In Summary:

The verse reveals that Nehemiah is worried about the situation in Judah and Jerusalem. He seeks information from his brother and others who have firsthand knowledge of the conditions there. This verse sets the stage for the rest of the book, where Nehemiah will ultimately travel to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls and restore the city. It highlights his compassion for his people and his dedication to his ancestral homeland.