1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- The words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- of Nehemiah H5166 (נְחֶמְיָה) — Nechemjah, the name of three Israelites
- the son H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- of Hachaliah H2446 (חֲכַלְיָה) — Chakaljah, an Israelite
- And it came to pass in the month H2320 (חֹדֶשׁ) — the new moon; by implication, a month
- Chisleu H3691 (כִּסְלֵו) — Kisleu, the 9th Hebrew month
- in the twentieth H6242 (עֶשְׂרִים) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
- year H8141 (שָׁנֶה) — a year (as a revolution of time)
- as I was in Shushan H7800 (שׁוּשַׁן) — Shushan, a place in Persia
- the palace H1002 (בִּירָה) — a castle or palace
2 that Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, that were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- That Hanani H2607 (חֲנָנִי) — Chanani, the name of six Israelites
- one H259 (אֶחָד) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
- of my brethren H251 (אָח) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like 1])
- came H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- men H582 (אֱנוֹשׁ) — properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified 120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
- of Judah H3063 (יְהוּדָה) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
- and I asked H7592 (שָׁאַל) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
- them concerning the Jews H3064 (יְהוּדִי) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah)
- that had escaped H6413 (פְּלֵיטָה) — deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion
- which were left H7604 (שָׁאַר) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant
- of the captivity H7628 (שְׁבִי) — exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty
- and concerning Jerusalem H3389 (יְרוּשָׁלִַ͏ם) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
3 And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And they said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- unto me, The remnant H7604 (שָׁאַר) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant
- that are left H7604 (שָׁאַר) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant
- of the captivity H7628 (שְׁבִי) — exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty
- there in the province H4082 (מְדִינָה) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a judge); generally, a region
- in great H1419 (גָּדוֹל) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
- affliction H7451 (רַע) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
- and reproach H2781 (חֶרְפָּה) — contumely, disgrace, the pudenda
- the wall H2346 (חוֹמָה) — a wall of protection
- of Jerusalem H3389 (יְרוּשָׁלִַ͏ם) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
- broken down H6555 (פָּרַץ) — to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative)
- and the gates H8179 (שַׁעַר) — an opening, i.e. door or gate
- thereof are burned H3341 (יָצַת) — to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate
- with fire H784 (אֵשׁ) — fire (literally or figuratively)
4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And it came to pass, when I heard H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
- these words H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- that I sat down H3427 (יָשַׁב) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
- and wept H1058 (בָּכָה) — to weep; generally to bemoan
- and mourned H56 (אָבַל) — to bewail
- days H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- and fasted H6684 (צוּם) — to cover over (the mouth), i.e. to fast
- and prayed H6419 (פָּלַל) — to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
- before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- the God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
- of heaven H8064 (שָׁמַיִם) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
5 and said, I beseech thee, O Jehovah, the God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and lovingkindness with them that love him and keep his commandments:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- And said H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- I beseech H577 (אָנָּא) — oh now!
- thee, O Yhwh H3068 (יְהֹוָה) — (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jeho-vah, Jewish national name of God
- God H430 (אֱלֹהִים) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference…
- of heaven H8064 (שָׁמַיִם) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
- the great H1419 (גָּדוֹל) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
- and terrible H3372 (יָרֵא) — to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
- God H410 (אֵל) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
- that keepeth H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- covenant H1285 (בְּרִית) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
- and mercy H2617 (חֶסֶד) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
- for them that love H157 (אָהַב) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise)
- him and observe H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- his commandments H4687 (מִצְוָה) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)
6 let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee. Yea, I and my father’s house have sinned:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Let thine ear H241 (אֹזֶן) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
- now be attentive H7183 (קַשָּׁב) — hearkening
- and thine eyes H5869 (עַיִן) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
- open H6605 (פָּתַח) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
- that thou mayest hear H8085 (שָׁמַע) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
- the prayer H8605 (תְּפִלָּה) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
- of thy servant H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- which I pray H6419 (פָּלַל) — to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
- before H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- thee now H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- day H3119 (יוֹמָם) — daily
- and night H3915 (לַיִל) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity
- for the children H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- of Israel H3478 (יִשְׂרָאֵל) — he will rule as God; Jisraël, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
- thy servants H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- and confess H3034 (יָדָה) — physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the hands)
- the sins H2403 (חַטָּאָה) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender
- of the children H1121 (בֵּן) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition,…
- which we have sinned H2398 (חָטָא) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
- against thee: both I and my father’s H1 (אָב) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
- house H1004 (בַּיִת) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
- have sinned H2398 (חָטָא) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
7 we have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the ordinances, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- We have dealt very H2254 (חָבַל) — to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)
- corruptly H2254 (חָבַל) — to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to pervert, destroy; also to writhe in pain (especially of parturition)
- against thee, and have not kept H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- the commandments H4687 (מִצְוָה) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)
- nor the statutes H2706 (חֹק) — an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
- nor the judgments H4941 (מִשְׁפָּט) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or…
- which thou commandedst H6680 (צָוָה) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
- thy servant H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- Moses H4872 (מֹשֶׁה) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
8 Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye trespass, I will scatter you abroad among the peoples:Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- Remember H2142 (זָכַר) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male
- I beseech thee, the word H1697 (דָּבָר) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
- that thou commandedst H6680 (צָוָה) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
- thy servant H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- Moses H4872 (מֹשֶׁה) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
- saying H559 (אָמַר) — to say (used with great latitude)
- ye transgress H4603 (מָעַל) — properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. treacherously
- I will scatter you abroad H6327 (פּוּץ) — to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
- among the nations H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
9 but if ye return unto me, and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts were in the uttermost part of the heavens, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen, to cause my name to dwell there.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- ye turn H7725 (שׁוּב) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally…
- unto me, and keep H8104 (שָׁמַר) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.
- my commandments H4687 (מִצְוָה) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)
- and do H6213 (עָשָׂה) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
- them; though there were of you cast out H5080 (נָדַח) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)
- unto the uttermost part H7097 (קָצֶה) — an extremity
- of the heaven H8064 (שָׁמַיִם) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
- will I gather H6908 (קָבַץ) — to grasp, i.e. collect
- them from thence, and will bring H935 (בּוֹא) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
- them unto the place H4725 (מָקוֹם) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
- that I have chosen H977 (בָּחַר) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
- to set H7931 (שָׁכַן) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
- my name H8034 (שֵׁם) — an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
10 Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- thy servants H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- and thy people H5971 (עַם) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
- whom thou hast redeemed H6299 (פָּדָה) — to sever, i.e. ransom; generally to release, preserve
- by thy great H1419 (גָּדוֹל) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
- power H3581 (כֹּחַ) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard
- and by thy strong H2389 (חָזָק) — strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)
- hand H3027 (יָד) — a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from 3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of a…
11 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 delight to fear thy name; and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. Now I was cupbearer to the king.Cross references & Strong's
Strong's numbers (from RLT):- O Lord H136 (אֲדֹנָי) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only)
- I beseech H577 (אָנָּא) — oh now!
- thee, let now thine ear H241 (אֹזֶן) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
- be attentive H7183 (קַשָּׁב) — hearkening
- to the prayer H8605 (תְּפִלָּה) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
- of thy servant H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- and to the prayer H8605 (תְּפִלָּה) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
- of thy servants H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- who desire H2655 (חָפֵץ) — pleased with
- to fear H3372 (יָרֵא) — to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
- thy name H8034 (שֵׁם) — an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
- and prosper H6743 (צָלַח) — to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)
- I pray thee, thy servant H5650 (עֶבֶד) — a servant
- this day H3117 (יוֹם) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated ter…
- and grant H5414 (נָתַן) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
- him mercy H7356 (רַחַם) — compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by implication, a maiden
- in the sight H6440 (פָּנִים) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (befo…
- of this man H376 (אִישׁ) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
- For I was the king’s H4428 (מֶלֶךְ) — a king
- cupbearer H8248 (שָׁקָה) — to quaff, i.e. (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to