What does Nehemiah 1:4-11 mean?
"And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. 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." - Nehemiah 1:4-11
The Bible verse Nehemiah 1:4-11 from the King James Version (KJV) reads:
"And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, and said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. 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."
This passage from the book of Nehemiah provides a powerful example of the themes of repentance, intercession, and God's faithfulness. The context of this passage is important to understand its significance. Nehemiah was a Jew living in exile in Persia, serving as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes. When he receives news about the desolation of Jerusalem from his brother Hanani and other men who had come from Judah, he is deeply moved and begins to mourn, fast, and pray before God.
The first aspect to consider from this passage is Nehemiah's response to the news about Jerusalem. He is deeply distressed and emotionally moved to the point of weeping and mourning. This shows his deep love for his people and his homeland, and his willingness to take their suffering to heart. This also sets the stage for his subsequent actions of fasting and prayer, as he seeks God's guidance and intervention in the situation.
Nehemiah's prayer is filled with reverence and acknowledgment of God's greatness. He addresses God as the "Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments." This highlights Nehemiah's understanding of God's character, as a faithful and merciful God who keeps his promises to those who are faithful to Him.
Nehemiah's prayer also includes confession of the sins of his people. He acknowledges their disobedience and the consequences they are facing because of their actions. He confesses, "We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses." This confession is an essential part of repentance and seeking forgiveness from God.
Another important aspect of Nehemiah's prayer is his plea for God to remember His promises to His people. He reminds God of the words He spoke to Moses about the consequences of disobedience, but also the promise of restoration if the people turned back to Him. Nehemiah appeals to God's mercy and power, acknowledging that it is only through God's great power and strong hand that redemption and restoration can take place.
In the final part of his prayer, Nehemiah intercedes for himself, asking for God's favor and mercy as he seeks to address the situation before King Artaxerxes. This demonstrates his dependence on God's help and guidance as he prepares to take action in response to the news about Jerusalem.
Overall, this passage from Nehemiah highlights the themes of repentance, intercession, and God's faithfulness. Nehemiah's response to the news about Jerusalem exemplifies a deep love for his people and a heartfelt desire to seek God's intervention. His prayer demonstrates humility, reverence, and faith in God's promises. As a result, this passage serves as a powerful example for believers today, encouraging them to turn to God in times of distress, to seek His forgiveness, and to intercede on behalf of others. It also reminds believers of God's faithfulness and mercy, and the importance of clinging to His promises even in the face of adversity.
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Nehemiah 1:4-11 Artwork
"And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. 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." - Nehemiah 1:4-11
Nehemiah 1:4-11 - "And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, And said, I beseech thee, O Lord God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there. Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand. 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."
Nehemiah 11:11-14
Nehemiah 11:1-19
Nehemiah 11:13
Nehemiah 4:11 - "And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease."
Nehemiah 11:4 - "And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;"
Nehemiah 1:4 - "¶ And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,"
Nehemiah 4:1 - "But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews."
Nehemiah 11:34 - "Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,"
Nehemiah 10:11 - "Micha, Rehob, Hashabiah,"
Nehemiah 11:33 - "Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,"
Nehemiah 11:32 - "And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,"
Nehemiah 4:6
Nehemiah 11:26 - "And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-phelet,"
Nehemiah 11:29 - "And at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,"
Nehemiah 4:6
Nehemiah 4:6
Nehemiah 11:35 - "Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen."
Nehemiah 11:28 - "And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,"
Nehemiah 11:1 - "And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities."
Nehemiah 11:36 - "And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin."
Nehemiah 11:10 - "Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin."
A biblical scene from Nehemiah 1:5-11 - Nehemiah, a Caucasian male in middle-eastern garb, is depicted respectfully requesting time from the king, a Middle-Eastern male seated at the dinner table while Nehemiah is serving his drink. He is asking for the opportunity to return to Judah and help his people build a wall. The setting is a grand royal court marked by golden hues, opulent textiles, and architecturally rich columns.
A biblical scene from Nehemiah 1:5-11 - Nehemiah, a Caucasian male in middle-eastern garb, is depicted respectfully requesting time from the king, a Middle-Eastern male seated on a throne. He is asking for the opportunity to return to Judah and help his people build a wall. The setting is a grand royal court marked by golden hues, opulent textiles, and architecturally rich columns. Nehemiah is the king's servant.
Nehemiah 12:4 - "Iddo, Ginnetho, Abijah,"
Nehemiah 12:11 - "And Joiada begat Jonathan, and Jonathan begat Jaddua."
Nehemiah 10:4 - "Hattush, Shebaniah, Malluch,"
Nehemiah 11:27 - "And at Hazar-shual, and at Beer-sheba, and in the villages thereof,"
Nehemiah 2:11 - "So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days."