Nehemiah 2:5 Meaning and Explanation
“And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Nehemiah humbly asks to be sent to Judah to rebuild the city of his fathers.
What Does Nehemiah 2:5 Mean?
Having prayed, Nehemiah makes his request with deference, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour. He asks not merely to visit but to rebuild, offering himself as the one who will do the work. The plan he has carried in prayer now becomes a concrete petition.
Faith and forethought work together here. Nehemiah trusts God yet asks wisely, naming exactly what he needs. His desire is not for comfort but for labor, that I may build it. The Lord often answers prayer through people who are ready to spend themselves, and He moves the hearts of kings to favor those who seek the good of His people.
Nehemiah 2:5 in the Original Language
chen (חֵן), 'favour' -- grace or graciousness, the kindly regard one person freely shows another.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 2:5
What does Nehemiah 2:5 mean?
Nehemiah humbly asks to be sent to Judah to rebuild the city of his fathers.