Nehemiah 2:5 - I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may build it.”
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What does "Nehemiah 2:5" mean?
This verse is Nehemiah speaking to King Artaxerxes of Persia. Let's break it down:
"I said to the king, 'If it pleases the king...'": This is a respectful and humble way to begin a request to a powerful monarch. It acknowledges the king's authority and emphasizes Nehemiah's subservient position.
"...and if your servant has found favor in your sight...": Nehemiah is appealing to the king's personal feelings towards him. He's hoping that the king has a favorable impression of him and is therefore more likely to grant his request. This is diplomatic and strategic; Nehemiah knows that personal relationships matter in court.
"...that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs...": This is the core of the request. Nehemiah wants the king to grant him permission and the resources to travel to Judah (the homeland of the Jewish people), specifically to the city where his ancestors were buried (Jerusalem).
"...that I may build it.": This clarifies Nehemiah's purpose for going to Jerusalem. He wants to rebuild the city, which at this point was likely in ruins (as revealed in the previous verses). The implication is that the city is important to him, not just because his ancestors are buried there, but also because it represents the heart of Jewish culture and identity.
In summary, Nehemiah is politely and strategically asking King Artaxerxes for permission and resources to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the city. He uses respectful language, appeals to the king's favor, and clearly states his intention. This verse is a crucial step in the story of Nehemiah, as it marks the beginning of his mission to rebuild Jerusalem and restore the Jewish community.
Nehemiah 2:5 - I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may build it.”
What does "Nehemiah 2:5" mean?
This verse is Nehemiah speaking to King Artaxerxes of Persia. Let's break it down:
"I said to the king, 'If it pleases the king...'": This is a respectful and humble way to begin a request to a powerful monarch. It acknowledges the king's authority and emphasizes Nehemiah's subservient position.
"...and if your servant has found favor in your sight...": Nehemiah is appealing to the king's personal feelings towards him. He's hoping that the king has a favorable impression of him and is therefore more likely to grant his request. This is diplomatic and strategic; Nehemiah knows that personal relationships matter in court.
"...that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs...": This is the core of the request. Nehemiah wants the king to grant him permission and the resources to travel to Judah (the homeland of the Jewish people), specifically to the city where his ancestors were buried (Jerusalem).
"...that I may build it.": This clarifies Nehemiah's purpose for going to Jerusalem. He wants to rebuild the city, which at this point was likely in ruins (as revealed in the previous verses). The implication is that the city is important to him, not just because his ancestors are buried there, but also because it represents the heart of Jewish culture and identity.
In summary, Nehemiah is politely and strategically asking King Artaxerxes for permission and resources to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the city. He uses respectful language, appeals to the king's favor, and clearly states his intention. This verse is a crucial step in the story of Nehemiah, as it marks the beginning of his mission to rebuild Jerusalem and restore the Jewish community.