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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 2:1 Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/2-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/16_Neh_02_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 2:1 - Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence," /><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/2-1.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/2-1.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 1</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="/ad1.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/1-11.htm" title="Nehemiah 1:11">◄</a> Nehemiah 2:1 <a href="/nehemiah/2-2.htm" title="Nehemiah 2:2">►</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"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/nehemiah/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/nehemiah/2.htm">New International Version</a> In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had not been sad in his presence before, <a href="/nlt/nehemiah/2.htm">New Living Translation</a> Early the following spring, in the month of Nisan, during the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes’ reign, I was serving the king his wine. I had never before appeared sad in his presence. <a href="/esv/nehemiah/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. <a href="/bsb/nehemiah/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, <a href="/kjv/nehemiah/2.htm">King James Bible</a> And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. <a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/2.htm">New King James Version</a> And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. <a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I picked up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. <a href="/nasb/nehemiah/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. <a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And it came about in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. <a href="/lsb/nehemiah/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now it happened in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, that wine was before him, and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad in his presence. <a href="/amp/nehemiah/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was placed before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had not [previously] been sad in his presence. <a href="/csb/nehemiah/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, <a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, <a href="/asv/nehemiah/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, that I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. <a href="/cev/nehemiah/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> During the month of Nisan in the twentieth year that Artaxerxes was king, I served him his wine, as I had done before. But this was the first time I had ever looked depressed. <a href="/erv/nehemiah/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, that I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. <a href="/gwt/nehemiah/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> In the month of Nisan, in Artaxerxes' twentieth year as king, after some wine was brought for the king, I picked up the cup of wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence before. <a href="/gnt/nehemiah/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> One day four months later, when Emperor Artaxerxes was dining, I took the wine to him. He had never seen me look sad before, <a href="/isv/nehemiah/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> It came about in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes, during the month of Nissan, the king was about to drink some wine that I was preparing for him. Now I had never looked troubled in his presence. <a href="/msb/nehemiah/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, <a href="/net/nehemiah/2.htm">NET Bible</a> Then in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought to me, I took the wine and gave it to the king. Previously I had not been depressed in the king's presence. <a href="/nheb/nehemiah/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> It happened in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artachshasta the king, when wine was before me, that I took up the wine, and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad before in his presence. <a href="/wbt/nehemiah/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it to the king. Now I had not before been sad in his presence. <a href="/web/nehemiah/2.htm">World English Bible</a> In the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, I picked up the wine, and gave it to the king. Now I had not been sad before in his presence. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And it comes to pass, in the month of Nisan, the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, wine [is] before him, and I lift up the wine, and give to the king, and I had not been sad before him; <a href="/ylt/nehemiah/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And it cometh to pass, in the month of Nisan, the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, wine is before him, and I lift up the wine, and give to the king, and I had not been sad before him; <a href="/slt/nehemiah/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it will be in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year to Arthasatha the king, wine before him: and I shall lift up the wine and give to the king. And I was not sad before him.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/nehemiah/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king: that wine was before him, and I took up the wine, and gave it to the king: and I was as one languishing away before his face. <a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now it happened that, in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of king Artaxerxes, wine was before him; and I lifted up the wine, and I gave it to the king. And I was like someone languishing before his face. <a href="/nabre/nehemiah/2.htm">New American Bible</a> In the month Nisan of the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when the wine was in my charge, I took some and offered it to the king. Because I had never before been sad in his presence, <a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> In the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was served him, I carried the wine and gave it to the king. Now, I had never been sad in his presence before.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> THEN it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artakhshisht the king, I was serving wine before the king; and I took up the wine and gave it to the king. Now I had never been sad before in his presence. <a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And then in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artakhshesht the King, I was giving wine to drink before the King, and I took wine and I gave to the King, and I had not ever been sad before him.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/nehemiah/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was before him, that I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. <a href="/sep/nehemiah/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it came to pass in the month Nisan of the twentieth year of king Arthasastha, that the wine was before me: and I took the wine, and gave it to the king: and there was not another before him. <a href="/parallel/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZsQrw7rBvgc?start=143" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/nehemiah/2.htm">Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem</a> 1<a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">Now</a> <a href="/hebrew/2320.htm" title="2320: bə·ḥō·ḏeš (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- New moon, a month. From chadash; the new moon; by implication, a month.">in the month</a> <a href="/hebrew/5212.htm" title="5212: nî·sān (N-proper-fs) -- First month of the Jewish religious year. Probably of foreign origin; Nisan, the first month of the Jewish sacred year.">of Nisan,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6242.htm" title="6242: ‘eś·rîm (Number-cp) -- Twenty. From eser; twenty; also twentieth.">in the twentieth</a> <a href="/hebrew/8141.htm" title="8141: šə·naṯ (N-fsc) -- A year. (in plura or shanah; from shanah; a year.">year</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ham·me·leḵ (Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">of King</a> <a href="/hebrew/783.htm" title="783: lə·’ar·taḥ·šast (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- Or Artachshasht; or by permutation Artachshactu; of foreign origin; Artachshasta, a title of several Persian kings.">Artaxerxes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3196.htm" title="3196: ya·yin (N-ms) -- Wine. From an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine; by implication, intoxication.">when wine</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nāw (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">was set before him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: wā·’eś·śā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">I took</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3196.htm" title="3196: hay·ya·yin (Art:: N-ms) -- Wine. From an unused root meaning to effervesce; wine; by implication, intoxication.">the wine</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/4428.htm" title="4428: lam·me·leḵ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">it to the king.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">I had never</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yî·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">been</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: ra‘ (Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">sad</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lə·p̄ā·nāw (Prep-l:: N-cpc:: 3ms) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">in his presence,</a> 2so the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This could only be sadness of the heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/esther/1-1.htm">Esther 1:1-3</a> This is what happened in the days of Xerxes, who reigned over 127 provinces from India to Cush. / In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa. / In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces. <a href="/daniel/1-1.htm">Daniel 1:1-2</a> In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. / And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god. <a href="/ezra/7-1.htm">Ezra 7:1-10</a> Many years later, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, / the son of Shallum, the son of Zadok, the son of Ahitub, / the son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, ... <a href="/nehemiah/1-1.htm">Nehemiah 1:1-11</a> These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, / Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. / And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” ... <a href="/esther/2-16.htm">Esther 2:16-18</a> She was taken to King Xerxes in the royal palace in the tenth month, the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. / And the king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she found grace and favor in his sight more than all of the other virgins. So he placed the royal crown upon her head and made her queen in place of Vashti. / Then the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and servants. He proclaimed a tax holiday in the provinces and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty. <a href="/daniel/9-25.htm">Daniel 9:25</a> Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the Messiah, the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress. <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Ezra 4:7-23</a> And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in Aramaic and then translated. / Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows: / From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges and officials over Tripolis, Persia, Erech and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa, ... <a href="/isaiah/44-28.htm">Isaiah 44:28</a> who says of Cyrus, ‘My shepherd will fulfill all that I desire,’ who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ and of the temple, ‘Let its foundation be laid.’” <a href="/2_chronicles/36-22.htm">2 Chronicles 36:22-23</a> In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’” <a href="/haggai/1-1.htm">Haggai 1:1</a> In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating <a href="/zechariah/1-1.htm">Zechariah 1:1</a> In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo, saying: <a href="/matthew/2-1.htm">Matthew 2:1</a> After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, <a href="/luke/3-1.htm">Luke 3:1-2</a> In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, / during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. <a href="/john/2-1.htm">John 2:1-11</a> On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, / and Jesus and His disciples had also been invited to the wedding. / When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They have no more wine.” ... <a href="/acts/18-2.htm">Acts 18:2</a> There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it to the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.Nisan<a href="/esther/3-7.htm">Esther 3:7</a> In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar.the twentieth<a href="/nehemiah/1-1.htm">Nehemiah 1:1</a> The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,<a href="/ezra/7-1.htm">Ezra 7:1,7</a> Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, … I took up<a href="/nehemiah/1-11.htm">Nehemiah 1:11</a> O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.<a href="/genesis/40-11.htm">Genesis 40:11,21</a> And Pharaoh's cup was in my hand: and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh's cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezra/8-1.htm">Artaxerxes</a> <a href="/ezra/8-1.htm">Ar-Ta-Xerx'es</a> <a href="/2_kings/13-5.htm">Beforetime</a> <a href="/ezra/9-6.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-1.htm">Month</a> <a href="/esther/3-7.htm">Nisan</a> <a href="/ezra/4-18.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/ezra/9-5.htm">Present</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-5.htm">Sad</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-1.htm">Twentieth</a> <a href="/ezra/7-22.htm">Wine</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nehemiah/5-14.htm">Artaxerxes</a> <a href="/ezra/4-7.htm">Ar-Ta-Xerx'es</a> <a href="/psalms/102-25.htm">Beforetime</a> <a href="/job/10-15.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-15.htm">Month</a> <a href="/esther/3-7.htm">Nisan</a> <a href="/nehemiah/6-19.htm">Presence</a> <a href="/esther/1-5.htm">Present</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-2.htm">Sad</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-14.htm">Twentieth</a> <a href="/nehemiah/5-11.htm">Wine</a><div class="vheading2">Nehemiah 2</div>1. <a href="/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Artaxerxes, understanding the cause of Nehemiah's sadness, </a> 6. <a href="/nehemiah/2-6.htm">sends him with letters and commission to Jerusalem</a> 9. <a href="/nehemiah/2-9.htm">Nehemiah, to the grief of the enemies, comes to Jerusalem</a> 12. <a href="/nehemiah/2-12.htm">He views secretly the ruins of the walls</a> 17. <a href="/nehemiah/2-17.htm">He incites the Jews to build</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Now in the month of Nisan The month of Nisan corresponds to March-April in the Gregorian calendar. It is the first month of the Jewish ecclesiastical year, marking the beginning of spring and the time of Passover (<a href="/exodus/12-2.htm">Exodus 12:2</a>). This timing is significant as it symbolizes new beginnings and deliverance, paralleling Nehemiah's mission to rebuild Jerusalem.in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes King Artaxerxes I reigned from 465-424 BC. The twentieth year of his reign would be around 445 BC. Artaxerxes was a Persian king, and his reign is noted for its relative stability and support of the Jewish people, as seen in his authorization of Nehemiah's mission. This historical context highlights the providence of God in using foreign rulers to fulfill His purposes for Israel.when wine was set before him Wine was a common beverage in the Persian court, often associated with royal banquets and official duties. Nehemiah, as the cupbearer, had the responsibility of ensuring the king's wine was safe, a position of trust and influence. This setting underscores the importance of Nehemiah's role and the risk involved in approaching the king with a personal request.I took the wine and gave it to the king Nehemiah's role as cupbearer was not just about serving drinks; it was a position of significant trust and intimacy with the king. This access provided Nehemiah with a unique opportunity to influence the king, reflecting how God places His people in strategic positions for His purposes, similar to Joseph in Egypt (<a href="/genesis/41-40.htm">Genesis 41:40-41</a>).I had never been sad in his presence Displaying sadness before the king was risky, as it could be seen as a sign of disloyalty or dissatisfaction. Nehemiah's emotional state reveals the depth of his concern for Jerusalem and his people. This moment of vulnerability sets the stage for his bold request, demonstrating faith and courage. It also foreshadows the compassion of Christ, who wept over Jerusalem (<a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/n/nehemiah.htm">Nehemiah</a> A Jewish cupbearer to the Persian King Artaxerxes, Nehemiah is a key figure in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. His role as a cupbearer was significant, as it involved a position of trust and influence. 2. <a href="/topical/k/king_artaxerxes.htm">King Artaxerxes</a> The Persian king during Nehemiah's time. His reign is marked by interactions with the Jewish people, including the decree allowing the rebuilding of Jerusalem. 3. <a href="/topical/m/month_of_nisan.htm">Month of Nisan</a> The first month of the Jewish calendar, corresponding to March-April. This timing is significant as it marks the beginning of spring and the season of Passover, a time of renewal and hope. 4. <a href="/topical/w/wine.htm">Wine</a> Symbolic of joy and celebration, wine in this context also represents Nehemiah's duties and the trust placed in him by the king. 5. <a href="/topical/s/sadness_in_the_king's_presence.htm">Sadness in the King's Presence</a> Nehemiah's emotional state is noteworthy because it was dangerous to appear sad before the king, indicating the depth of his concern for Jerusalem.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a> Nehemiah's opportunity to speak to the king came in God's perfect timing. We should trust that God orchestrates events in our lives according to His divine schedule. <a href="/topical/c/courage_in_adversity.htm">Courage in Adversity</a> Nehemiah's willingness to show his true emotions before the king demonstrates courage. We are called to be honest and courageous in our faith, even when it involves risk. <a href="/topical/p/prayerful_preparation.htm">Prayerful Preparation</a> Before approaching the king, Nehemiah had spent time in prayer and fasting (<a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Nehemiah 1:4</a>). This teaches us the importance of preparing our hearts through prayer before taking action. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_leaders.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Leaders</a> The favorable response of King Artaxerxes to Nehemiah's request shows God's sovereignty over earthly rulers. We can trust that God can move the hearts of leaders for His purposes. <a href="/topical/r/role_of_influence.htm">Role of Influence</a> Nehemiah's position as a cupbearer gave him unique access to the king. We should recognize and utilize the positions and influence God has given us to further His kingdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_nehemiah_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 2</a> <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 href="/q/is_nehemiah's_night_inspection_plausible.htm">How plausible is Nehemiah’s discreet nocturnal inspection of Jerusalem’s walls without attracting more attention (Nehemiah 2:11–16)? </a> <a href="/q/who_were_sanballat,_tobiah,_geshem.htm">Who were Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem in history?</a> <a href="/q/why_aren't_nehemiah_3_work_groups_recorded.htm">Why do historical records outside the Bible make no clear mention of the extensive work groups listed throughout Nehemiah 3? </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>II.(1-8) Nehemiah's appeal to the king.(1) Nisan.--The old Abib, the first month of the Jewish year, following the vernal equinox. As we are still in the twentieth year of the king, the beginning of his reign must be dated before Chisleu. The record adopts Persian dates, and the two months fell in one year.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 1. - In the month Nisan. The fourth month after Chisleu, corresponding nearly to our April. How it came about that Nehemiah did not put the king's favour to the proof until more than three months had gone by we can only conjecture. Perhaps the court had been absent from Susa, passing the winter at Babylon, as it sometimes did, and he had not accompanied it. Perhaps, though present at the court, he had not been called on to discharge his office, his turn not having arrived. Possibly, though performing his duties from time to time, he had found no opportunity of unbosoming himself, the king not having noticed his grief. He. may even have done his best to conceal it, for Persian subjects were expected to be perfectly happy in the presence of their king. He had probably formed no plan, but waited in the confident hope that God's providence would so order events, that some occasion would arise whereof he might take advantage. In the twentieth year of Artaxerxes. Like Daniel, Zechariah, Haggai, and Ezra, Nehemiah dates events by the regnal year of the existing Persian king. His Artaxerxes is, by common consent, the same as Ezra's, and can scarcely be supposed to be any monarch but Longimanus, who reigned from B.C. 465 to B.C. 425. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. Other renderings have been proposed, but this is probably the true meaning. Hitherto I had always worn a cheerful countenance before him - now it was otherwise - my sorrow showed itself in spite of me. <a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Now in the month בְּחֹ֣דֶשׁ (bə·ḥō·ḏeš) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2320.htm">Strong's 2320: </a> The new moon, a month of Nisan, נִיסָ֗ן (nî·sān) Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5212.htm">Strong's 5212: </a> First month of the Jewish religious year in the twentieth עֶשְׂרִ֛ים (‘eś·rîm) Number - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6242.htm">Strong's 6242: </a> Twenty, twentieth year שְׁנַ֥ת (šə·naṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8141.htm">Strong's 8141: </a> A year of King הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king Artaxerxes, לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֥סְתְּא (lə·’ar·taḥ·šast) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_783.htm">Strong's 783: </a> Artaxerxes -- a son and successor of Xerxes, king of Persia when wine יַ֣יִן (ya·yin) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3196.htm">Strong's 3196: </a> Wine, intoxication was set before him, לְפָנָ֑יו (lə·p̄ā·nāw) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face I took וָאֶשָּׂ֤א (wā·’eś·śā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> To lift, carry, take the wine הַיַּ֙יִן֙ (hay·ya·yin) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3196.htm">Strong's 3196: </a> Wine, intoxication and gave וָאֶתְּנָ֣ה (wā·’et·tə·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> To give, put, set it to the king. לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king I had never וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no been וַיְהִ֣י ׀ (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be sad רַ֖ע (ra‘) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> Bad, evil in his presence, לְפָנָֽיו׃ (lə·p̄ā·nāw) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Nehemiah 2:1 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Nehemiah 2:1 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Nehemiah 2:1 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Nehemiah 2:1 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Nehemiah 2:1 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Nehemiah 2:1 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Nehemiah 2:1 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Nehemiah 2:1 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Nehemiah 2:1 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/nehemiah/2-1.htm">Nehemiah 2:1 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-1.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 2:1 It happened in the month Nisan (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/1-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 1:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 1:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/2-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 2:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 2:2" /></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>