Nehemiah 1:2
New International Version
Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

New Living Translation
Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had returned there from captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem.

English Standard Version
that Hanani, one of my brothers, came with certain men from Judah. And I asked them concerning the Jews who escaped, who had survived the exile, and concerning Jerusalem.

Berean Standard Bible
Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

King James Bible
That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

New King James Version
that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

New American Standard Bible
that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.

NASB 1995
that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.

NASB 1977
that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and had survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.

Legacy Standard Bible
that Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped and remain from the captivity, and about Jerusalem.

Amplified Bible
Hanani, one of my brothers, and some men from Judah came; and I asked them about the surviving Jews who had escaped and survived the captivity, and about Jerusalem.

Christian Standard Bible
Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
when my brother Hanani came with some men from Judah. So I asked them about the Jews who had escaped from being captives in Babylonia. I also asked them about the city of Jerusalem.

English Revised Version
that Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
one of my brothers, Hanani, arrived with some men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had survived captivity and about Jerusalem.

Good News Translation
Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived from Judah with another group, and I asked them about Jerusalem and about the other Jews who had returned from exile in Babylonia.

International Standard Version
Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with some men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, about those who had survived the Babylonian captivity, and about Jerusalem.

Majority Standard Bible
Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.

NET Bible
Hanani, who was one of my relatives, along with some of the men from Judah, came to me, and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and had survived the exile, and about Jerusalem.

New Heart English Bible
that Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

Webster's Bible Translation
That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

World English Bible
Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Judah; and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Hanani, one of my brothers, he and men of Judah come in, and I ask them concerning the Jews, the escaped part that have been left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem;

Young's Literal Translation
and come in doth Hanani, one of my brethren, he and men of Judah, and I ask them concerning the Jews, the escaped part that have been left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Hanani one of my brethren will come, he and men from Judah; and I shall ask them concerning the Jews of the escaping which were left from the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That Hanani one of my brethren came, he and some men of Juda; and I asked them concerning the Jews, that remained and were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived, he and some men of Judah. And I questioned them about the Jews who had remained and were left behind from the captivity, and about Jerusalem.

New American Bible
when Hanani, one of my brothers, came with other men from Judah. I asked them about the Jews, the remnant preserved after the captivity, and about Jerusalem.

New Revised Standard Version
one of my brothers, Hanani, came with certain men from Judah; and I asked them about the Jews that survived, those who had escaped the captivity, and about Jerusalem.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
That Hanan, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the remnant of the Jews who were left of the captivity and also concerning Jerusalem.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Khanan, one of my brothers, came, he and the men, the Jews, and I asked them concerning those Jews who remain of the captivity, also concerning Jerusalem the city.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
that Hanani, one of my brethren, came out of Judah, he and certain men; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, that were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Anani, one of my brethren, came, he and some men of Juda; and I asked them concerning those that had escaped, who had been left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Nehemiah's Prayer
1These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah. So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 3And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”…

Cross References
Nehemiah 2:3-5
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?” / “What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven / 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.”

Ezra 4:7-23
And in the days of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of his associates wrote a letter to Artaxerxes. It was written in Aramaic and then translated. / Rehum the commander and Shimshai the scribe wrote the letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows: / From Rehum the commander, Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their associates—the judges and officials over Tripolis, Persia, Erech and Babylon, the Elamites of Susa, ...

Nehemiah 7:6-7
These are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles carried away to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar its king. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town, / accompanied by Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, and Baanah. This is the count of the men of Israel:

Nehemiah 11:1-2
Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in the holy city of Jerusalem, while the remaining nine were to dwell in their own towns. / And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 13:6-7
While all this was happening, I was not in Jerusalem, because I had returned to Artaxerxes king of Babylon in the thirty-second year of his reign. Some time later I obtained leave from the king / to return to Jerusalem. Then I discovered the evil that Eliashib had done on behalf of Tobiah by providing him a room in the courts of the house of God.

Daniel 9:2
in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the sacred books, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.

Jeremiah 29:10-14
For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place. / For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. / Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ...

2 Chronicles 36:22-23
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’”

Ezra 1:1-4
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: / “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. / Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel; He is the God who is in Jerusalem. ...

Psalm 137:1-6
By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. / There on the willows we hung our harps, / for there our captors requested a song; our tormentors demanded songs of joy: “Sing us a song of Zion.” ...

Isaiah 52:9
Break forth in joy, sing together, O ruins of Jerusalem, for the LORD has comforted His people; He has redeemed Jerusalem.

Acts 7:6-7
God told him that his descendants would be foreigners in a strange land, and that they would be enslaved and mistreated four hundred years. / ‘But I will punish the nation that enslaves them,’ God said, ‘and afterward they will come forth and worship Me in this place.’

Romans 9:2-4
I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. / For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood, / the people of Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory and the covenants; theirs the giving of the law, the temple worship, and the promises.

Hebrews 11:13-16
All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. / Now those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. / If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ...

Matthew 23:37-39
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! / Look, your house is left to you desolate. / For I tell you that you will not see Me again until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.’”


Treasury of Scripture

That Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

Hanani

Nehemiah 7:2
That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.

I asked

Psalm 122:6-9
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee…

Psalm 137:5,6
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning

that had escaped

Ezra 9:8,9,14
And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage…

Jeremiah 44:14
So that none of the remnant of Judah, which are gone into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, shall escape or remain, that they should return into the land of Judah, to the which they have a desire to return to dwell there: for none shall return but such as shall escape.

Ezekiel 6:9
And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go a whoring after their idols: and they shall lothe themselves for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.

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Captivity Escaped Exile Hanani Hana'ni Jerusalem Jewish Jews Judah News Part Prisoners Questioned Remnant Request Survived
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Nehemiah 1
1. Nehemiah, understanding by Hanani the misery of Jerusalem, mourns, fasts, and prays
5. His prayer














Hanani, one of my brothers
The name "Hanani" is of Hebrew origin, meaning "gracious" or "God has favored." This introduction of Hanani as one of Nehemiah's brothers suggests a familial bond that goes beyond mere blood relation, indicating a shared spiritual and cultural heritage. In the context of the Jewish community, family ties were crucial for maintaining identity and faith, especially during the exile. Hanani's role here is significant as he becomes the bearer of news that will catalyze Nehemiah's mission. Historically, the mention of a brother underscores the importance of kinship in the Jewish diaspora, where family members often served as primary sources of information and support.

arrived with men from Judah
The phrase "arrived with men from Judah" situates the narrative within a specific geographical and historical context. Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, had been devastated by the Babylonian conquest, leading to the exile of its people. The return of men from Judah signifies a connection to the land and the ongoing concern for its condition. This arrival is not just a physical journey but a symbolic return to roots and identity. Archaeologically, this period marks the beginning of the Persian era, where the return of exiles was permitted, allowing for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and the Temple.

and I questioned them
Nehemiah's act of questioning reflects a deep concern and responsibility for his people. The Hebrew root for "questioned" implies a diligent inquiry, suggesting that Nehemiah's interest was not casual but driven by a heartfelt desire to understand the plight of his fellow Jews. This questioning is a model of leadership that values information and empathy, seeking to be informed before taking action. Scripturally, it echoes the wisdom tradition, where seeking knowledge and understanding is a virtue.

about the remnant who had survived the exile
The term "remnant" is significant in biblical theology, often referring to a faithful group preserved by God through trials. This remnant represents hope and continuity for the Jewish people, embodying the promise of restoration despite past judgments. The survival of this remnant is a testament to God's faithfulness and the resilience of His people. Historically, the exile was a period of profound transformation, and those who survived carried the legacy and lessons of that experience.

and also about Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the holy city, holds a central place in Jewish identity and faith. Nehemiah's concern for Jerusalem reflects its significance as the spiritual and political heart of the Jewish nation. The city's condition was a barometer of the people's spiritual state and their relationship with God. In the post-exilic period, Jerusalem's restoration was not just about physical rebuilding but also about re-establishing the covenant community. This concern for Jerusalem underscores the theme of restoration and renewal that runs throughout the book of Nehemiah.

(2) He and certain men of Judah.--From Judah: Hanani was Nehemiah's own brother (Nehemiah 7:1). He and his companions came from "the province" of Judah (Nehemiah 1:3); nothing is said as to their motive in coming; and certainly there is no intimation that they had been sent to the Persian court on account of recent disturbances.

Verse 2. - Hanani, one of my brethren. Afterwards given the charge of the gates of Jerusalem by Nehemiah (Nehemiah 7:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Hanani,
חֲנָ֜נִי (ḥă·nā·nî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2607: Hanani -- the name of several Israelites

one
אֶחָ֧ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

of my brothers,
מֵאַחַ֛י (mê·’a·ḥay)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

arrived
וַיָּבֹ֨א (way·yā·ḇō)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

with men
וַאֲנָשִׁ֖ים (wa·’ă·nā·šîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

from Judah.
מִֽיהוּדָ֑ה (mî·hū·ḏāh)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites

So I questioned them
וָאֶשְׁאָלֵ֞ם (wā·’eš·’ā·lêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

about
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the remnant
הַפְּלֵיטָ֛ה (hap·pə·lê·ṭāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6413: Deliverance, an escaped portion

of the Jews
הַיְּהוּדִ֧ים (hay·yə·hū·ḏîm)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3064: Jews -- Jewish

who
אֲשֶֽׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

had survived
נִשְׁאֲר֥וּ (niš·’ă·rū)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7604: To swell up, be, redundant

the exile,
הַשֶּׁ֖בִי (haš·še·ḇî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7628: Exiled, captured, exile, booty

and also about
וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Jerusalem.
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם׃ (yə·rū·šā·lim)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel


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OT History: Nehemiah 1:2 That Hanani one of my brothers came (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 1:1
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