CINXE.COM

Nehemiah 2:5 and answered the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it."

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Nehemiah 2:5 and answered the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/2-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/16_Neh_02_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 2:5 - Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="and answered the king, If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/nehemiah/2-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/nehemiah/2-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/nehemiah/">Nehemiah</a> > <a href="/nehemiah/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/nehemiah/2-4.htm" title="Nehemiah 2:4">&#9668;</a> Nehemiah 2:5 <a href="/nehemiah/2-6.htm" title="Nehemiah 2:6">&#9658;</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible">&nbsp;Audio&nbsp;</a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References">&nbsp;Cross&nbsp;</a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible">&nbsp;Study&nbsp;</a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary">&nbsp;Comm&nbsp;</a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon">&nbsp;Heb&nbsp;</a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">&nbsp; (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/nehemiah/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />and I answered the king, &#8220If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I replied, &#8220;If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And I said to the king, &#8220;If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers&#8217; graves, that I may rebuild it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />and answered the king, &#8220;If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And I said to the king, &#8220;If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers&#8217; tombs, that I may rebuild it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I said to the king, &#8220;If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, <i>I request</i> that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers&#8217; tombs, that I may rebuild it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />I said to the king, &#8220If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers&#8217 tombs, that I may rebuild it.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And I said to the king, &#8220;If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers&#8217; tombs, that I may rebuild it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />I said to the king, &#8220;If it is good for the king, and if your servant is good before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers&#8217; tombs, that I may rebuild it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />I said to the king, &#8220;If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your presence, [I ask] that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers&#8217; tombs, so that I may rebuild it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and answered the king, &#8220;If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />and answered the king, &#8220If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Then I told the king, "Sir, if it's all right with you, please send me back to Judah, so that I can rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/2.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />and I asked the king, "If it pleases Your Majesty, and you are willing to grant my request, let me go to Judah, to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I can rebuild it."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and then I said to the emperor, "If Your Majesty is pleased with me and is willing to grant my request, let me go to the land of Judah, to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I can rebuild the city." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />and I replied to the king, "If it seems good to you, and if your servant has found favor with you, would you send me to Judah, to the city where my ancestral sepulchers are located, so I can rebuild it?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />and answered the king, ?If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />and said to the king, "If the king is so inclined and if your servant has found favor in your sight, dispatch me to Judah, to the city with the graves of my ancestors, so that I can rebuild it."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And I said to the king, If it should please the king, and if thy servant hath found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldst send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' sepulchers, that I may build it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I said to the king, &#8220;If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers&#8217; tombs, that I may build it.&#8221; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and say to the king, &#8220;If [it is] good to the king, and if your servant is pleasing before you, that you send me to Judah, to the city of the graves of my fathers, and I have built it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and say to the king, 'If to the king it be good, and if thy servant be pleasing before thee, that thou send me unto Judah, unto the city of the graves of my fathers, and I built it.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And saying to the king, If good to the king, and if thy servant shall be good before thee, that thou wilt send me to Judah to the city of my fathers' sepulchres, and I will build it,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And I said to the king: If it seem good to the king, and if thy servant hath found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldst send me into Judea to the city of the sepulchre of my father, and I will build it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And I said to the king: &#8220;If it seems good to the king, and if your servant is pleasing before your face: that you would send me into Judea, to the city of the sepulcher of my father. And I will rebuild it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />and then answered the king: &#8220;If it please the king, and if your servant is deserving of your favor, send me to Judah, to the city where my ancestors are buried, that I may rebuild it.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then I said to the king, &#8220;If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors&#8217; graves, so that I may rebuild it.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And I said to the king, If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of David, to my fathers' sepulchres, that I may rebuild it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I said to the King: &#8220;If I am pleasing to the King, I am your Servant before you. Send me to Yehuda the city of David to the house of burial of my fathers, and I shall build it.&#8221;<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And I said unto the king: 'If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I said to the king, If <i>it seem</i> good to the king, and if thy servant shall have found favour in thy sight, <i>I ask</i> that <i>thou</i> wouldest send him into Juda, to the city of the sepulchres of my fathers; then will I rebuild it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=188" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/2.htm">Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">4</span>&#8220;What is your request?&#8221; replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: w&#257;&#183;&#8217;&#333;&#183;mar (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and answered</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: lam&#183;me&#183;le&#7733; (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: &#8217;im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">&#8220;If</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: &#8216;al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: &#7789;&#333;&#183;w&#7687; (Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">it pleases</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham&#183;me&#183;le&#7733; (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: w&#601;&#183;&#8217;im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">and if</a> <a href="/hebrew/5650.htm" title="5650: &#8216;a&#7687;&#183;d&#601;&#183;&#7733;&#257; (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Slave, servant. From abad; a servant.">your servant</a> <a href="/hebrew/3190.htm" title="3190: y&#238;&#183;&#7789;a&#7687; (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To be good, well, glad, or pleasing. A primitive root; to be make well, literally or figuratively.">has found favor</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: l&#601;&#183;p&#772;&#257;&#183;ne&#183;&#7733;&#257; (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 2ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">in your sight,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: &#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;er (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">I ask that</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: ti&#353;&#183;l&#257;&#183;&#7717;&#234;&#183;n&#238; (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms:: 1cs) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">you send me</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: &#8217;el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3063.htm" title="3063: y&#601;&#183;h&#363;&#183;&#7695;&#257;h (N-proper-ms) -- From yadah; celebrated; Jehudah, the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory.">Judah,</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: &#8217;el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: &#8216;&#238;r (N-fsc) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: &#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#7687;&#333;&#183;&#7791;ay (N-mpc:: 1cs) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">where my fathers</a> <a href="/hebrew/6913.htm" title="6913: qi&#7687;&#183;r&#333;&#183;w&#7791; (N-mpc) -- A grave, sepulcher. Or qibrah; from qabar; a sepulchre.">are buried,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: w&#601;&#183;&#8217;e&#7687;&#183;nen&#183;n&#257;h (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf.h-1cs:: 3fse) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">so that I may rebuild it.&#8221;</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>Then the king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, &#8220;How long will your journey take, and when will you return?&#8221; So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time.&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/7-6.htm">Ezra 7:6</a></span><br />this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted Ezra all his requests, for the hand of the LORD his God was upon him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/5-8.htm">Esther 5:8</a></span><br />If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king&#8217;s question.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">Proverbs 21:1</a></span><br />The king&#8217;s heart is a waterway in the hand of the LORD; He directs it where He pleases.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/1-9.htm">Daniel 1:9</a></span><br />Now God had granted Daniel favor and compassion from the chief official,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/18-3.htm">Genesis 18:3</a></span><br />&#8220;My lord,&#8221; said Abraham, &#8220;if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-50.htm">1 Kings 8:50</a></span><br />May You forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all the transgressions they have committed against You, and may You grant them compassion in the eyes of their captors to show them mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/106-46.htm">Psalm 106:46</a></span><br />He made them objects of compassion to all who held them captive.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/58-12.htm">Isaiah 58:12</a></span><br />Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins; you will restore the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of the Breach, Restorer of the Streets of Dwelling.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/29-7.htm">Jeremiah 29:7</a></span><br />Seek the prosperity of the city to which I have sent you as exiles. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for if it prospers, you too will prosper.&#8221;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-10.htm">Acts 7:10</a></span><br />and rescued him from all his troubles. He granted Joseph favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt, who appointed him ruler over Egypt and all his household.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-10.htm">Romans 1:10</a></span><br />in my prayers at all times, asking that now at last by God&#8217;s will I may succeed in coming to you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/16-9.htm">1 Corinthians 16:9</a></span><br />because a great door for effective work has opened to me, even though many oppose me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/4-6.htm">Philippians 4:6</a></span><br />Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/4-3.htm">Colossians 4:3</a></span><br />as you pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-16.htm">Hebrews 4:16</a></span><br />Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And I said to the king, If it please the king, and if your servant have found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' sepulchers, that I may build it.</p><p class="hdg">If it please</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/5-17.htm">Ezra 5:17</a></b></br> Now therefore, if <i>it seem</i> good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which <i>is</i> there at Babylon, whether it be <i>so</i>, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/1-19.htm">Esther 1:19</a></b></br> If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/5-8.htm">Esther 5:8</a></b></br> If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said.</p><p class="hdg">and if thy</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ruth/2-13.htm">Ruth 2:13</a></b></br> Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/14-22.htm">2 Samuel 14:22</a></b></br> And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/3-4.htm">Proverbs 3:4</a></b></br> So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_kings/18-25.htm">Approval</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-3.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/ezra/6-7.htm">Build</a> <a href="/ezra/6-15.htm">Building</a> <a href="/ezra/6-14.htm">Built</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/35-24.htm">Buried</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-3.htm">City</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-3.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-12.htm">Favor</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-23.htm">Favour</a> <a href="/ezra/10-18.htm">Found</a> <a href="/ezra/10-11.htm">Good</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-3.htm">Graves</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-10.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-2.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-11.htm">King's</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-11.htm">Please</a> <a href="/ezra/5-17.htm">Pleases</a> <a href="/ezra/7-18.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/ezra/10-11.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/ezra/6-7.htm">Rebuild</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-3.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-3.htm">Sepulchers</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-3.htm">Sepulchres</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-11.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-11.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-3.htm">Tombs</a> <a href="/ezra/9-14.htm">Wouldest</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/esther/5-8.htm">Approval</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-37.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-17.htm">Build</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-18.htm">Building</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-18.htm">Built</a> <a href="/job/16-15.htm">Buried</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-8.htm">City</a> <a href="/nehemiah/7-61.htm">Fathers</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-19.htm">Favor</a> <a href="/esther/2-15.htm">Favour</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-8.htm">Found</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-6.htm">Good</a> <a href="/job/17-1.htm">Graves</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-8.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Judah</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">King's</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Please</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Pleases</a> <a href="/esther/1-8.htm">Pleasing</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-17.htm">Rebuild</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-16.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-16.htm">Sepulchers</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-16.htm">Sepulchres</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-10.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-5.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-16.htm">Tombs</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-6.htm">Wouldest</a><div class="vheading2">Nehemiah 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Artaxerxes, understanding the cause of Nehemiah's sadness, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/2-6.htm">sends him with letters and commission to Jerusalem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Nehemiah, to the grief of the enemies, comes to Jerusalem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/2-12.htm">He views secretly the ruins of the walls</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nehemiah/2-17.htm">He incites the Jews to build</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nehemiah/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nehemiah/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/nehemiah/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>and answered the king</b><br>Nehemiah's response to King Artaxerxes is significant as it demonstrates his position and relationship with the king. Nehemiah was the cupbearer, a trusted position in the Persian court, indicating a close and respectful relationship. This moment reflects the importance of diplomacy and wisdom in addressing authority figures, as seen in other biblical examples like Esther's approach to King Xerxes.<p><b>If it pleases the king</b><br>This phrase shows Nehemiah's tact and respect for the king's authority. It echoes the language of court protocol, emphasizing humility and deference. Similar language is used by Esther (<a href="/esther/5-8.htm">Esther 5:8</a>) when she approaches the king, highlighting a common cultural practice in Persian courts.<p><b>and if your servant has found favor in your sight</b><br>Nehemiah appeals to the king's personal regard for him, which is crucial in gaining the king's support. This reflects the biblical theme of finding favor with those in authority, as seen with Joseph in Egypt (<a href="/genesis/39-4.htm">Genesis 39:4</a>) and Daniel in Babylon (<a href="/daniel/1-9.htm">Daniel 1:9</a>).<p><b>I ask that you send me to Judah</b><br>Nehemiah's request to be sent to Judah indicates his commitment to his people and homeland. Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, had been in ruins since the Babylonian exile. This request aligns with God's promise to restore Israel, as prophesied in <a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10-14</a>.<p><b>to the city where my fathers are buried</b><br>This reference to ancestral burial grounds underscores the importance of heritage and continuity in Jewish culture. It also highlights the significance of Jerusalem, not just as a political center, but as a spiritual and historical heart of the Jewish people.<p><b>so that I may rebuild it</b><br>Nehemiah's intention to rebuild Jerusalem is a fulfillment of God's promises to restore the city (<a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Isaiah 44:28</a>). This act of rebuilding is symbolic of spiritual renewal and restoration, prefiguring the ultimate restoration through Christ, who is seen as the cornerstone of a new spiritual temple (<a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Ephesians 2:19-22</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/nehemiah.htm">Nehemiah</a></b><br>A Jewish cupbearer to the Persian King Artaxerxes, who is deeply concerned about the welfare of Jerusalem and its people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_artaxerxes.htm">King Artaxerxes</a></b><br>The Persian king who Nehemiah serves. His favor is crucial for Nehemiah's mission.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The region where Jerusalem is located, significant as the ancestral home of the Jewish people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city Nehemiah desires to rebuild, symbolizing the spiritual and national identity of the Jewish people.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/r/rebuilding.htm">Rebuilding</a></b><br>The act of restoring Jerusalem's walls, representing both physical and spiritual renewal.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_favor.htm">Seeking God's Favor</a></b><br>Nehemiah's approach to the king teaches us the importance of seeking God's favor and guidance in our endeavors.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_leadership.htm">Courage in Leadership</a></b><br>Nehemiah demonstrates boldness and faith in his request, reminding us to be courageous leaders in our communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_prayer.htm">The Power of Prayer</a></b><br>Nehemiah's actions are undergirded by prayer, emphasizing the necessity of prayer in seeking God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/restoration_and_renewal.htm">Restoration and Renewal</a></b><br>The rebuilding of Jerusalem symbolizes the spiritual renewal God desires for His people, encouraging us to pursue restoration in our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The king's favorable response highlights God's sovereignty over earthly authorities, reassuring us of His control over our circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_nehemiah_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_history_confirm_psalm_147_2's_timeline.htm">(Psalm 147:2) The text references rebuilding Jerusalem&#8212;what evidence exists that this rebuilding happened precisely as described, and does the historical record match the biblical timeline? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_time_management.htm">What does the Bible teach about managing time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_align_resolutions_with_christian_values.htm">How can I align my resolutions with Christian values?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_artaxerxes'_permission_to_nehemiah_true.htm">How historically credible is it that King Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah permission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls (Nehemiah 2:1-8)?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">and answered</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1464;&#1488;&#1465;&#1502;&#1463;&#1443;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#257;&#183;&#8217;&#333;&#183;mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the king,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1463;&#1502;&#1468;&#1462;&#1428;&#1500;&#1462;&#1498;&#1456;</span> <span class="translit">(lam&#183;me&#183;le&#7733;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l, Article &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">&#8220;If</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1460;&#1501;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it pleases</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1496;&#1428;&#1493;&#1465;&#1489;</span> <span class="translit">(&#7789;&#333;&#183;w&#7687;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2895.htm">Strong's 2895: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be pleasing or good</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the king,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1492;&#1463;&#1502;&#1468;&#1462;&#1443;&#1500;&#1462;&#1498;&#1456;</span> <span class="translit">(ham&#183;me&#183;le&#7733;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article &#124; Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and if</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1456;&#1488;&#1460;&#1501;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#601;&#183;&#8217;im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your servant</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1506;&#1463;&#1489;&#1456;&#1491;&#1468;&#1456;&#1498;&#1464;&#1430;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8216;a&#7687;&#183;d&#601;&#183;&#7733;&#257;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct &#124; second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5650.htm">Strong's 5650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Slave, servant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">has found favor</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1460;&#1497;&#1496;&#1463;&#1445;&#1489;</span> <span class="translit">(y&#238;&#183;&#7789;a&#7687;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3190.htm">Strong's 3190: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be good, well, glad, or pleasing</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in your sight,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1500;&#1456;&#1508;&#1464;&#1504;&#1462;&#1425;&#1497;&#1498;&#1464;</span> <span class="translit">(l&#601;&#183;p&#772;&#257;&#183;ne&#183;&#7733;&#257;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l &#124; Noun - common plural construct &#124; second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I ask that</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1458;&#1513;&#1473;&#1462;&#1447;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#353;er)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you send me</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1514;&#1468;&#1460;&#1513;&#1473;&#1456;&#1500;&#1464;&#1495;&#1461;&#1443;&#1504;&#1460;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(ti&#353;&#183;l&#257;&#183;&#7717;&#234;&#183;n&#238;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular &#124; first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1462;&#1500;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Judah,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1497;&#1456;&#1492;&#1493;&#1468;&#1491;&#1464;&#1431;&#1492;</span> <span class="translit">(y&#601;&#183;h&#363;&#183;&#7695;&#257;h)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3063.htm">Strong's 3063: </a> </span><span class="str2">Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1462;&#1500;&#1470;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the city</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1506;&#1460;&#1435;&#1497;&#1512;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8216;&#238;r)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">where my fathers</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1488;&#1458;&#1489;&#1465;&#1514;&#1463;&#1430;&#1497;</span> <span class="translit">(&#8217;a&#774;&#183;&#7687;&#333;&#183;&#7791;ay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct &#124; first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> </span><span class="str2">Father</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are buried,</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1511;&#1460;&#1489;&#1456;&#1512;&#1445;&#1493;&#1465;&#1514;</span> <span class="translit">(qi&#7687;&#183;r&#333;&#183;w&#7791;)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6913.htm">Strong's 6913: </a> </span><span class="str2">A grave, sepulcher</span><br /><br /><span class="word">so that I may rebuild it.&#8221;</span><br /><span class="heb">&#1493;&#1456;&#1488;&#1462;&#1489;&#1456;&#1504;&#1462;&#1469;&#1504;&#1468;&#1464;&#1492;&#1475;</span> <span class="translit">(w&#601;&#183;&#8217;e&#7687;&#183;nen&#183;n&#257;h)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw &#124; Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular &#124; third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> </span><span class="str2">To build</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Nehemiah 2:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Nehemiah 2:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Nehemiah 2:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Nehemiah 2:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Nehemiah 2:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Nehemiah 2:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Nehemiah 2:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Nehemiah 2:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Nehemiah 2:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/2-5.htm">Nehemiah 2:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/2-5.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 2:5 I said to the king If it (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/2-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 2:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 2:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/2-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 2:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 2:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10