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<!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 2:9 Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king's letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/2-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/16_Neh_02_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 2:9 - Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king's letters. 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The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />When I came to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, I delivered the king’s letters to them. The king, I should add, had sent along army officers and horsemen to protect me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nehemiah/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then I went to the governors <i>in the region</i> beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I came to the governors <i>of the provinces</i> beyond the <i>Euphrates</i> River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then I came to the governors of the provinces beyond the River and gave them the king&#8217s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then I came to the governors <i>of the provinces</i> beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then I came to the governors <i>of the provinces</i> beyond the River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent with me commanders of the military force and horsemen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then I came to the governors <i>of the provinces</i> beyond the [Euphrates] River and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent officers of the army and horsemen with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I went to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent officers of the infantry and cavalry with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I went to the governors of the region west of the Euphrates and gave them the king&#8217s letters. The king had also sent officers of the infantry and cavalry with me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The king sent some army officers and cavalry troops along with me, and as I traveled through the Western Provinces, I gave the letters to the governors. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I went to the governors [of the province] west of the Euphrates River and gave them the king's letters. (The king had sent army officers and cavalry to be with me.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The emperor sent some army officers and a troop of cavalry with me, and I made the journey to West-of-Euphrates. There I gave the emperor's letters to the governors. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So I went to the Trans-Euphrates governors and gave them the king's letters of authorization. The king also sent army officers and cavalry to accompany me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king?s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Then I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates, and I presented to them the letters from the king. The king had sent with me officers of the army and horsemen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then I came to the governors beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And I come to the governors beyond the River, and give to them the letters of the king; and the king sends with me heads of a force, and horsemen;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And I come in unto the governors beyond the River, and give to them the letters of the king; and the king sendeth with me heads of a force, and horsemen;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I shall come to the prefects beyond the river, and I shall give to them the letter of the king. And the king will send with me chiefs of strength and horsemen.<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 came to the governors of the country beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. And the king had sent wish me captains of soldiers, and horsemen. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And I went to the governors of the region beyond the river, and I gave them the letters of the king. Now the king had sent with me military leaders and horsemen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Thus I proceeded to the governors of West-of-Euphrates and presented the king’s letters to them. The king also sent with me army officers and cavalry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent officers of the army and cavalry with me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then I came to the governor beyond the River, and I gave him the king's letter. Now the king had sent a commander of the horsemen with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I came to the Ruler of the Crossing of the River, and I gave him the letter of the King, and the King had sent the Commander of the army and horsemen with me.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And I came to the governors beyond the river, and I gave them the king's letters. (Now the king had sent with me captains of the army and horsemen.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/2-9.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=250" 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>…<span class="reftext">8</span>And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: wā·’ā·ḇō·w (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">Then I went</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/6346.htm" title="6346: pa·ḥă·wō·wṯ (N-mpc) -- A governor. Of foreign origin; a prefect.">the governors</a> <a href="/hebrew/5676.htm" title="5676: ‘ê·ḇer (N-msc) -- Region across or beyond, side. From abar; properly, a region across; but used only adverbially on the opposite side.">west</a> <a href="/hebrew/5104.htm" title="5104: han·nā·hār (Art:: N-ms) -- A stream, river. From nahar; a stream; figuratively, prosperity.">of the Euphrates</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: wā·’et·tə·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs:: 3fs) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">and gave</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- ">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">the king’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/107.htm" title="107: ’ig·gə·rō·wṯ (N-fpc) -- A letter. Feminine of 'iggra'; an epistle.">letters.</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">The king</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·yiš·laḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">had also sent</a> <a href="/hebrew/2428.htm" title="2428: ḥa·yil (N-ms) -- From chuwl; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength.">army</a> <a href="/hebrew/8269.htm" title="8269: śā·rê (N-mpc) -- Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince. From sarar; a head person.">officers</a> <a href="/hebrew/6571.htm" title="6571: ū·p̄ā·rā·šîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- A steed, a driver, cavalry. From parash; a steed (compare cuwc); also a driver, i.e. cavalry.">and cavalry</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·mî (Prep:: 1cs) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with me.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard about this, they were deeply disturbed that someone had come to seek the well-being of the Israelites.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <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/8-22.htm">Ezra 8:22</a></span><br />For I was ashamed to ask the king for an escort of soldiers and horsemen to protect us from our enemies on the road, since we had told him, “The hand of our God is gracious to all who seek Him, but His great anger is against all who forsake Him.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><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="/ezra/7-28.htm">Ezra 7:28</a></span><br />and who has shown me favor before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officials. And because the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, I took courage and gathered the leaders of Israel to return with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezra/8-31.htm">Ezra 8:31</a></span><br />On the twelfth day of the first month we set out from the Ahava Canal to go to Jerusalem, and the hand of our God was upon us to protect us from the hands of the enemies and bandits along the way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/1-11.htm">Nehemiah 1:11</a></span><br />O Lord, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/4-23.htm">Nehemiah 4:23</a></span><br />So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the guards with me changed out of our clothes; each carried his weapon, even to go for water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/6-17.htm">Nehemiah 6:17-19</a></span><br />Also in those days, the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah’s letters kept coming to them. / For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, since he was a son-in-law of Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah. / Moreover, these nobles kept reporting to me Tobiah’s good deeds, and they relayed my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/8-9.htm">Esther 8:9</a></span><br />At once the royal scribes were summoned, and on the twenty-third day of the third month (the month of Sivan), they recorded all of Mordecai’s orders to the Jews and to the satraps, governors, and princes of the 127 provinces from India to Cush—writing to each province in its own script, to every people in their own language, and to the Jews in their own script and language.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/6-1.htm">Daniel 6:1-2</a></span><br />Now it pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, / and over them three administrators, including Daniel, to whom these satraps were accountable so that the king would not suffer loss.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/10-15.htm">1 Kings 10:15</a></span><br />not including the revenue from the merchants, traders, and all the Arabian kings and governors of the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/17-12.htm">2 Chronicles 17:12</a></span><br />Jehoshaphat grew stronger and stronger, and he built fortresses and store cities in Judah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-10.htm">Isaiah 60:10</a></span><br />Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Although I struck you in anger, yet in favor I will show you mercy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-4</a></span><br />Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/23-23.htm">Acts 23:23-24</a></span><br />Then he called two of his centurions and said, “Prepare two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea in the third hour of the night. / Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/9-15.htm">Acts 9:15</a></span><br />“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king's letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.</p><p class="hdg">to the governors</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Nehemiah 2:7</a></b></br> Moreover 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;</p><p class="hdg">Now the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezra/8-22.htm">Ezra 8:22</a></b></br> For I was ashamed to require 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 <i>is</i> upon all them for good that seek him; but his power and his wrath <i>is</i> against all them that forsake him.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/33-11.htm">Army</a> <a href="/ezra/9-2.htm">Captains</a> <a href="/revelation/9-16.htm">Cavalry</a> <a href="/ezra/4-23.htm">Force</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Governors</a> <a href="/ezra/10-16.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/ezra/8-22.htm">Horsemen</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-8.htm">King's</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Letters</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/36-18.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Province</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Provinces</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">River</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-7.htm">Trans-Euphrates</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/4-2.htm">Army</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-16.htm">Captains</a> <a href="/ezekiel/26-7.htm">Cavalry</a> <a href="/nehemiah/13-21.htm">Force</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-15.htm">Governors</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-4.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/isaiah/21-7.htm">Horsemen</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-14.htm">King's</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-17.htm">Letters</a> <a href="/esther/1-3.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-7.htm">Province</a> <a href="/nehemiah/11-3.htm">Provinces</a> <a href="/nehemiah/3-7.htm">River</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-16.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/ezra/4-10.htm">Trans-Euphrates</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <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 ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/nehemiah/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates</b><br>Nehemiah's journey to the governors west of the Euphrates, also known as the Trans-Euphrates region, highlights the vastness of the Persian Empire, which extended from India to Ethiopia. This area included territories such as Syria, Phoenicia, and parts of modern-day Israel and Jordan. The governors were regional leaders appointed by the Persian king to maintain order and collect taxes. Nehemiah's visit underscores the administrative structure of the empire and the importance of securing local support for his mission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. This journey also reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people, as seen in prophecies like <a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Isaiah 44:28</a>, where God speaks of using leaders to rebuild Jerusalem.<p><b>and gave them the king’s letters.</b><br>The king's letters were official documents granting Nehemiah authority and safe passage through the territories. These letters were crucial for legitimizing his mission and ensuring cooperation from the local governors. The use of written decrees was a common practice in the Persian Empire, as seen in the book of Esther (<a href="/esther/3-12.htm">Esther 3:12-13</a>), where royal edicts were used to communicate the king's commands. Nehemiah's reliance on these letters demonstrates the importance of legal and political backing in accomplishing God's work, reflecting the principle that divine missions often require human cooperation and resources.<p><b>The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.</b><br>The presence of army officers and cavalry indicates the king's strong support for Nehemiah's mission. This military escort not only provided protection but also signified the importance and official nature of Nehemiah's task. In the ancient Near East, such escorts were a sign of royal favor and authority, ensuring that Nehemiah's journey would be respected and unimpeded. This provision can be seen as a type of Christ, where divine protection and authority accompany those who are sent on God's mission. It also parallels the protection God promises to His people, as seen in <a href="/psalms/91-11.htm">Psalm 91:11</a>, where He commands His angels to guard His faithful.<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 granted permission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/governors_of_the_region_beyond_the_river.htm">Governors of the region beyond the River</a></b><br>These are the local authorities in the Trans-Euphrates region, which Nehemiah must pass through to reach Jerusalem.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_artaxerxes.htm">King Artaxerxes</a></b><br>The Persian king who authorizes Nehemiah's mission and provides him with letters of safe passage.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/army_officers_and_cavalry.htm">Army officers and cavalry</a></b><br>Military personnel sent by the king to ensure Nehemiah's safe travel, indicating the king's support and the importance of Nehemiah's mission.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_river.htm">The River</a></b><br>Refers to the Euphrates River, a significant geographical marker in the Persian Empire.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_secular_affairs.htm">God's Sovereignty in Secular Affairs</a></b><br>Nehemiah's mission is a testament to God's control over political powers. Believers can trust that God can use even non-believing authorities to fulfill His plans.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_preparation_and_planning.htm">The Importance of Preparation and Planning</a></b><br>Nehemiah's careful planning, including securing letters from the king, demonstrates the value of preparation in pursuing God's work.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_and_faith_in_action.htm">Courage and Faith in Action</a></b><br>Nehemiah's journey required courage and faith, knowing that he was undertaking a significant task with potential opposition. Believers are encouraged to step out in faith when God calls them to action.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_support_and_resources.htm">The Role of Support and Resources</a></b><br>The provision of army officers and cavalry underscores the importance of having support and resources when undertaking significant tasks for God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_authority.htm">Respect for Authority</a></b><br>Nehemiah's respectful approach to the king and governors serves as a model for how Christians should interact with authorities, balancing respect with a commitment to God's mission.<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/why_is_nehemiah_2_rarely_corroborated.htm">Why do other biblical or historical records rarely corroborate Nehemiah's account of official support from the Persian Empire (Nehemiah 2)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_artaxerxes'_letters_to_nehemiah.htm">Is there verifiable evidence for the letters from Artaxerxes granting Nehemiah safe passage and timber rights (Nehemiah 2:7-8)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_nehemiah_use_force_in_13_25.htm">Why does Nehemiah resort to physical force (Nehemiah 13:25) to enforce marriage laws, and doesn't this contradict other scriptures urging gentleness and compassion?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_would_god_allow_curses,_not_forgiveness.htm">Nehemiah 4:4-5: Why would a just and merciful God sanction curses against enemies, conflicting with later teachings of forgiveness?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/nehemiah/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9-11) His journey to Jerusalem, occupying some three months, and safe under good escort, is passed over in the narrative, as Ezra's had been. It is mentioned, however, that Sanballat, one of the <span class= "ital">"</span>governors," was roused to hostility. After the laborious travelling Nehemiah rested three days, to review the past and prepare for the future.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 9.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I came to the governors beyond the river</span>. Josephus gives the name of the satrap, of Syria at this time as Adieus ('Ant. Jud., 11:5, § 6, <span class="accented">ad fin</span>), but it is uncertain on what authority. The other "governors" he calls Hipparchs. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/2-9.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">Then I went</span><br /><span class="heb">וָֽאָב֗וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’ā·ḇō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(’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 governors</span><br /><span class="heb">פַּֽחֲווֹת֙</span> <span class="translit">(pa·ḥă·wō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6346.htm">Strong's 6346: </a> </span><span class="str2">A governor</span><br /><br /><span class="word">west</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֣בֶר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·ḇer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5676.htm">Strong's 5676: </a> </span><span class="str2">A region across, on the opposite side</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Euphrates</span><br /><span class="heb">הַנָּהָ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(han·nā·hār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5104.htm">Strong's 5104: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stream, prosperity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and gave</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאֶתְּנָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’et·tə·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them</span><br /><span class="heb">לָהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(lā·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">the king's</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | 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">letters.</span><br /><span class="heb">אִגְּר֣וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(’ig·gə·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_107.htm">Strong's 107: </a> </span><span class="str2">An epistle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">The king</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(ham·me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | 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">had also sent</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·laḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine 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">army</span><br /><span class="heb">חַ֖יִל</span> <span class="translit">(ḥa·yil)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2428.htm">Strong's 2428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength</span><br /><br /><span class="word">officers</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂ֥רֵי</span> <span class="translit">(śā·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8269.htm">Strong's 8269: </a> </span><span class="str2">Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and cavalry</span><br /><span class="heb">וּפָרָשִֽׁים׃</span> <span class="translit">(ū·p̄ā·rā·šîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6571.htm">Strong's 6571: </a> </span><span class="str2">A steed, a driver, cavalry</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with me.</span><br /><span class="heb">עִמִּי֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘im·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Nehemiah 2:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Nehemiah 2:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Nehemiah 2:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Nehemiah 2:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Nehemiah 2:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Nehemiah 2:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Nehemiah 2:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Nehemiah 2:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Nehemiah 2:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Nehemiah 2:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/2-9.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 2:9 Then I came to the governors beyond (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/2-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 2:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 2:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/2-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 2:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 2:10" /></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>