Nehemiah 2:1 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Four months after hearing of Jerusalem's ruin, Nehemiah serves wine to the king while carrying an open sadness he had always hidden before.
What Does Nehemiah 2:1 Mean?
The scene opens in the Persian court at Susa, in the spring month of Nisan. Nehemiah, cupbearer to Artaxerxes, performs his daily duty of presenting the wine. The note that he had never before appeared sad in the king's presence signals that something has changed within him since the news of chapter one.
Nehemiah has been praying and fasting for months, and the burden of his people now shows on his face. A servant who normally masks every feeling cannot hide this grief, because it springs from love for the broken city of God. His sorrow is the seed of action; the Lord often begins a great work by laying a holy heaviness on a willing heart.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 2:1
What does Nehemiah 2:1 mean?
Four months after hearing of Jerusalem's ruin, Nehemiah serves wine to the king while carrying an open sadness he had always hidden before.