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Nehemiah 2:4 "What is your request?" replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven
<!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 2:4 "What is your request?" replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nehemiah/2-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/16_Neh_02_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nehemiah 2:4 - Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What is your request? replied the king. 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So I prayed to the God of heaven<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nehemiah/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nehemiah/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nehemiah/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nehemiah/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then the king said to me, “What would you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nehemiah/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nehemiah/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king asked me, “What is your request? ” So I prayed to the God of the heavens<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nehemiah/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the king asked me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nehemiah/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nehemiah/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The king asked, "What do you want me to do?" I prayed to the God who rules from heaven. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nehemiah/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nehemiah/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"What do you want?" the king asked me. So I prayed to the God of heaven,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nehemiah/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The emperor asked, "What is it that you want?" I prayed to the God of Heaven, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nehemiah/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The king answered, "What do you want?" So I prayed to the God of heaven <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nehemiah/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />?What is your request?? replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nehemiah/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The king responded, "What is it you are seeking?" Then I quickly prayed to the God of heaven<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nehemiah/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Then the king said to me, "For what do you make request?" So I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nehemiah/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Then the king said to me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nehemiah/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Then the king said to me, “What is your request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nehemiah/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the king says to me, “For what are you seeking?” And I pray to the God of the heavens,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nehemiah/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the king saith to me, 'For what art thou seeking?' and I pray unto the God of the heavens,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nehemiah/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the king will say to me, For what this thou seekest? And I shall pray to the God of the heavens.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nehemiah/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then the king said to me: For what dost thou make request? And I prayed to the God of heaven, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nehemiah/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And the king said to me: “What would you request?” And I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nehemiah/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The king asked me, “What is it, then, that you wish?” I prayed to the God of heaven<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nehemiah/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nehemiah/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then the king said to me, For what did you make supplications and pray before the God of heaven?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nehemiah/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the King said to me: “Because of this, you begged and you prayed before the God of Heaven.”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nehemiah/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Then the king said unto me: 'For what dost thou make request?' So I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nehemiah/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the king said to me, For what dost thou ask thus? So I prayed to the God of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nehemiah/2-4.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=181" 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">3</span>and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: mah- (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: zeh (Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that."></a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">is your</a> <a href="/hebrew/1245.htm" title="1245: mə·ḇaq·qêš (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To seek. A primitive root; to search out; by implication, to strive after.">request?”</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></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/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘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/6419.htm" title="6419: wā·’eṯ·pal·lêl (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To intervene, interpose. A primitive root; to judge; by extension, to intercede, pray.">So I prayed</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê (N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">the God</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·mā·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">of heaven</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>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.”…<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/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="/proverbs/21-1.htm">Proverbs 21:1</a></span><br />The king’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/2-18.htm">Daniel 2:18-19</a></span><br />urging them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. / During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/4-16.htm">Esther 4:16</a></span><br />“Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-10.htm">1 Samuel 1:10-11</a></span><br />In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. / And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/5-1.htm">Psalm 5:1-3</a></span><br />For the choirmaster, to be accompanied by flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. / Attend to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray. / In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-4.htm">Psalm 37:4-5</a></span><br />Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. / Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/65-24.htm">Isaiah 65:24</a></span><br />Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/33-3.htm">Jeremiah 33:3</a></span><br />Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.<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="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a></span><br />Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-8</a></span><br />Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/14-13.htm">John 14:13-14</a></span><br />And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/5-14.htm">1 John 5:14-15</a></span><br />And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. / And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we already possess what we have asked of Him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/4-29.htm">Acts 4:29-31</a></span><br />And now, Lord, consider their threats, and enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness, / as You stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” / After they had prayed, their meeting place was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Then the king said to me, For what do you make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.</p><p class="hdg">For what</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">1 Kings 3:5</a></b></br> In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/5-3.htm">Esther 5:3,6</a></b></br> Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what <i>is</i> thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/esther/7-2.htm">Esther 7:2</a></b></br> And the king said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What <i>is</i> thy petition, queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what <i>is</i> thy request? and it shall be performed, <i>even</i> to the half of the kingdom.</p><p class="hdg">So I prayed</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Nehemiah 1:4,11</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned <i>certain</i> days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/15-31.htm">2 Samuel 15:31</a></b></br> And <i>one</i> told David, saying, Ahithophel <i>is</i> among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/3-6.htm">Proverbs 3:6</a></b></br> In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/nehemiah/1-11.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-9.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-9.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-4.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-11.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/nehemiah/1-2.htm">Request</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/31-21.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/1-7.htm">Want</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/esther/2-13.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-20.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/nehemiah/2-20.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/nehemiah/4-9.htm">Prayer</a> <a href="/esther/4-8.htm">Request</a> <a href="/esther/10-3.htm">Seeking</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-21.htm">Want</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 ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/nehemiah/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>“What is your request?” replied the king.</b><br>This phrase highlights the moment when King Artaxerxes directly addresses Nehemiah, asking him to articulate his needs. In the historical context, Nehemiah was serving as the cupbearer to the king, a position of trust and influence. The king's willingness to entertain Nehemiah's request indicates a favorable relationship and divine providence at work. This moment is pivotal, as it sets the stage for Nehemiah's mission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. The king's question also reflects the cultural norms of the Persian Empire, where subjects could present petitions to the king, though such opportunities were rare and required courage and tact.<p><b>So I prayed to the God of heaven</b><br>Nehemiah's immediate response to the king's question is a silent prayer, demonstrating his reliance on divine guidance. This brief prayer underscores the importance of seeking God's wisdom in critical moments. The phrase "God of heaven" is significant, as it acknowledges God's sovereignty and power over all earthly matters, a common theme in the post-exilic period. This reflects the Jewish understanding of God as the ultimate authority, transcending earthly kings. Nehemiah's prayerful attitude is a model of faith and dependence on God, reminiscent of other biblical figures like Daniel, who also prayed in times of need. This moment foreshadows the success of Nehemiah's mission, as it is rooted in divine support rather than human strength alone.<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, Nehemiah is deeply concerned about the welfare of Jerusalem and its people. His role as cupbearer places him in a position of trust and influence.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/k/king_artaxerxes.htm">King Artaxerxes</a></b><br>The Persian king who rules over the vast empire, including the land of Judah. His relationship with Nehemiah is crucial for the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city of great significance to the Jewish people, its walls are in ruins, symbolizing vulnerability and disgrace.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_god_of_heaven.htm">The God of Heaven</a></b><br>A title emphasizing God's sovereignty and authority over all earthly matters, highlighting Nehemiah's reliance on divine guidance.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/prayer.htm">Prayer</a></b><br>A central event in this verse, showcasing Nehemiah's immediate turn to God for wisdom and favor before responding to the king.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_prayer.htm">The Power of Prayer</a></b><br>Nehemiah's immediate prayer before responding to the king demonstrates the importance of seeking God's guidance in all situations. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a habit of prayer, especially in moments of decision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Recognizing God as the "God of heaven" reminds us of His ultimate control over earthly affairs. Trusting in His sovereignty can bring peace and confidence in challenging circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_and_faith.htm">Courage and Faith</a></b><br>Nehemiah's boldness in approaching the king is rooted in his faith. Believers are called to act courageously, trusting that God will provide the necessary support and resources.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/preparation_and_opportunity.htm">Preparation and Opportunity</a></b><br>Nehemiah's readiness to present his request to the king shows the importance of preparation. Christians should be prepared to act when God opens doors of opportunity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intercession_for_others.htm">Intercession for Others</a></b><br>Nehemiah's concern for Jerusalem reflects a heart of intercession. Believers are encouraged to pray and act on behalf of others, seeking their welfare and restoration.<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/how_did_nehemiah_rebuild_and_restore.htm">How did Nehemiah rebuild Jerusalem's walls and restore faith?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_praying_out_loud_necessary.htm">Is praying out loud necessary?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_goals.htm">What does the Bible say about setting goals?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_do_ezra_and_nehemiah_teach.htm">What lessons do Ezra and Nehemiah's stories teach us?</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>(4) <span class= "bld">So I prayed to the God of heaven.</span>--The first note of that habit of ejaculatory prayer which is a characteristic of this book.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nehemiah/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request?</span> Artaxerxes understood that a complaint was contained in Nehemiah's speech, and that he must have a request to make. With gracious kindliness he facilitates its utterance. <span class="cmt_word">So I prayed to the God of heaven.</span> Nehemiah was emphatically a man of prayer. In every danger, in every difficulty, still more at any crisis, prayer rose to his lips (see <a href="/nehemiah/4-4.htm">Nehemiah 4:4, 9</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/5-19.htm">Nehemiah 5:19</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/6-9.htm">Nehemiah 6:9, 14</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/13-14.htm">Nehemiah 13:14</a>, etc.). Sometimes, as now, the prayer was offered silently and swiftly. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nehemiah/2-4.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">“What</span><br /><span class="heb">מַה־</span> <span class="translit">(mah-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is your</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתָּ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">request?”</span><br /><span class="heb">מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḇaq·qêš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1245.htm">Strong's 1245: </a> </span><span class="str2">To search out, to strive after</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine 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">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">So I prayed</span><br /><span class="heb">וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’eṯ·pal·lêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6419.htm">Strong's 6419: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, to intercede, pray</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</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 God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of heaven</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃</span> <span class="translit">(haš·šā·mā·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> </span><span class="str2">Heaven, sky</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Nehemiah 2:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Nehemiah 2:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Nehemiah 2:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Nehemiah 2:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Nehemiah 2:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Nehemiah 2:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Nehemiah 2:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Nehemiah 2:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Nehemiah 2:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nehemiah/2-4.htm">Nehemiah 2:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nehemiah/2-4.htm">OT History: Nehemiah 2:4 Then the king said to me (Neh Ne) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/nehemiah/2-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Nehemiah 2:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 2:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/nehemiah/2-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Nehemiah 2:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Nehemiah 2:5" /></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>