Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.” New Living Translation I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” English Standard Version And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.” Berean Standard Bible 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.” Berean Literal Bible and I said to the king, “If to the king it is good, and if your servant has found favor in your eyes, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of the tombs of my fathers, and I will rebuild it.” King James Bible 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. New King James Version And I said to 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 of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” New American Standard Bible Then I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, I request that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” NASB 1995 I said to the king, “If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” NASB 1977 And I said to the king, “If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” Legacy Standard Bible I said to the king, “If it is good for the king, and if your servant is good before you, send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.” Amplified Bible I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your presence, [I ask] that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, so that I may rebuild it.” Berean Annotated Bible 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 (praised), to the city where my fathers are buried, so that I may rebuild it. Christian Standard Bible and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it.” Holman Christian Standard Bible and answered the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, send me to Judah and to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I may rebuild it.” American Standard Version And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it. Contemporary English Version Then I told the king, "Sir, if it's all right with you, please send me back to Judah, so that I can rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried." English Revised Version 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation and I asked the king, "If it pleases Your Majesty, and you are willing to grant my request, let me go to Judah, to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I can rebuild it." Good News Translation and then I said to the emperor, "If Your Majesty is pleased with me and is willing to grant my request, let me go to the land of Judah, to the city where my ancestors are buried, so that I can rebuild the city." International Standard Version and I replied to the king, "If it seems good to you, and if your servant has found favor with you, would you send me to Judah, to the city where my ancestral sepulchers are located, so I can rebuild it?" NET Bible and said to the king, "If the king is so inclined and if your servant has found favor in your sight, dispatch me to Judah, to the city with the graves of my ancestors, so that I can rebuild it." New Heart English Bible I said to the king, "If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' tombs, that I may build it." Webster's Bible Translation And I said to the king, If it should please the king, and if thy servant hath found favor in thy sight, that thou wouldst send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' sepulchers, that I may build it. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bibleand 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.” World English Bible I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may build it.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand say to the king, “If [it is] good to the king, and if your servant is pleasing before you, that you send me to Judah, to the city of the graves of my fathers, and I have built it.” Berean Literal Bible and I said to the king, “If to the king it is good, and if your servant has found favor in your eyes, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of the tombs of my fathers, and I will rebuild it.” Young's Literal Translation and say to the king, 'If to the king it be good, and if thy servant be pleasing before thee, that thou send me unto Judah, unto the city of the graves of my fathers, and I built it.' Smith's Literal Translation And saying to the king, If good to the king, and if thy servant shall be good before thee, that thou wilt send me to Judah to the city of my fathers' sepulchres, and I will build it, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd I said to the king: If it seem good to the king, and if thy servant hath found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldst send me into Judea to the city of the sepulchre of my father, and I will build it. Catholic Public Domain Version And I said to the king: “If it seems good to the king, and if your servant is pleasing before your face: that you would send me into Judea, to the city of the sepulcher of my father. And I will rebuild it.” New American Bible and then answered the king: “If it please the king, and if your servant is deserving of your favor, send me to Judah, to the city where my ancestors are buried, that I may rebuild it.” New Revised Standard Version Then I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor with you, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my ancestors’ graves, so that I may rebuild it.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I said to the king, If it please the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of David, to my fathers' sepulchres, that I may rebuild it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I said to the King: “If I am pleasing to the King, I am your Servant before you. Send me to Yehuda the city of David to the house of burial of my fathers, and I shall build it.” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And I said to the king, If it seem good to the king, and if thy servant shall have found favour in thy sight, I ask that thou wouldest send him into Juda, to the city of the sepulchres of my fathers; then will I rebuild it. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Nehemiah Sent to Jerusalem…4“What is your request?” replied the king. So I prayed to the God of heaven 5and 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.” 6Then the king, with the queen seated beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you return?” So it pleased the king to send me, and I set a time.… Cross References and answered the king, Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered the king, “No wise man, enchanter, medium, or magician can explain to the king the mystery of which he inquires. Daniel 5:17 In response, Daniel said to the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the inscription for the king and interpret it for him. “If it pleases the king, Esther 5:4 “If it pleases the king,” Esther replied, “may the king and Haman come today to the banquet I have prepared for the king.” Esther 5:8 If I have found favor in the sight of the king, and if it pleases the king to grant my petition and fulfill my request, may the king and Haman come tomorrow to the banquet I will prepare for them. Then I will answer the king’s question.” Esther 8:5 “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if I have found favor in his sight, and the matter seems proper to the king, and I am pleasing in his sight, may an order be written to revoke the letters that the scheming Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. and if your servant has found favor in your sight, Genesis 19:19 Your servant has indeed found favor in your sight, and you have shown me great kindness by sparing my life. But I cannot run to the mountains; the disaster will overtake me, and I will die. 2 Samuel 14:22 Joab fell facedown in homage and blessed the king. “Today,” said Joab, “your servant knows that he has found favor in your eyes, my lord the king, because the king has granted his request.” Genesis 18:3 “My lord,” said Abraham, “if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. I ask that you send me to Judah, Ezra 1:3 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. Ezra 2:1 Now 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, Ezra 7:13 I hereby decree that any volunteers among the Israelites in my kingdom, including the priests and Levites, may go up with you to Jerusalem. to the city where my fathers are buried, Genesis 49:29-32 Then Jacob instructed them, “I am about to be gathered to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave in the field of Ephron the Hittite. / The cave is in the field of Machpelah near Mamre, in the land of Canaan. This is the field Abraham purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. / There Abraham and his wife Sarah are buried, there Isaac and his wife Rebekah are buried, and there I buried Leah. … 2 Samuel 19:37 Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king, and do for him what is good in your sight.” Genesis 50:13 They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site. so that I may rebuild it.” Isaiah 44:26 who confirms the message of His servant and fulfills the counsel of His messengers, who says of Jerusalem, ‘She will be inhabited,’ and of the cities of Judah, ‘They will be rebuilt, and I will restore their ruins,’ Isaiah 61:4 They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations. Treasury of Scripture And I said to the king, If it please the king, and if your servant have found favor in your sight, that you would send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers' sepulchers, that I may build it. If it please Ezra 5:17 Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of God at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter. Esther 1:19 If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. Esther 5:8 If I have found favour in the sight of the king, and if it please the king to grant my petition, and to perform my request, let the king and Haman come to the banquet that I shall prepare for them, and I will do to morrow as the king hath said. and if thy Ruth 2:13 Then she said, Let me find favour in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens. 2 Samuel 14:22 And Joab fell to the ground on his face, and bowed himself, and thanked the king: and Joab said, To day thy servant knoweth that I have found grace in thy sight, my lord, O king, in that the king hath fulfilled the request of his servant. Proverbs 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Jump to Previous Approval Bodies Build Building Built Buried City Fathers Favor Favour Found Good Graves Hand Judah King's Please Pleases Pleasing Pleasure Rebuild Rest Sepulchers Sepulchres Servant Sight Tombs WouldestJump to Next Approval Bodies Build Building Built Buried City Fathers Favor Favour Found Good Graves Hand Judah King's Please Pleases Pleasing Pleasure Rebuild Rest Sepulchers Sepulchres Servant Sight Tombs WouldestNehemiah 2 1. Artaxerxes, understanding the cause of Nehemiah's sadness, 6. sends him with letters and commission to Jerusalem 9. Nehemiah, to the grief of the enemies, comes to Jerusalem 12. He views secretly the ruins of the walls 17. He incites the Jews to build and answered the king Nehemiah's response to King Artaxerxes is significant as it demonstrates his position and relationship with the king. Nehemiah was the cupbearer, a trusted position in the Persian court, indicating a close and respectful relationship. This moment reflects the importance of diplomacy and wisdom in addressing authority figures, as seen in other biblical examples like Esther's approach to King Xerxes. 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 Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahA Jewish cupbearer to the Persian King Artaxerxes, who is deeply concerned about the welfare of Jerusalem and its people. 2. King Artaxerxes The Persian king who Nehemiah serves. His favor is crucial for Nehemiah's mission. 3. Judah The region where Jerusalem is located, significant as the ancestral home of the Jewish people. 4. Jerusalem The city Nehemiah desires to rebuild, symbolizing the spiritual and national identity of the Jewish people. 5. Rebuilding The act of restoring Jerusalem's walls, representing both physical and spiritual renewal. Teaching Points Seeking God's FavorNehemiah's approach to the king teaches us the importance of seeking God's favor and guidance in our endeavors. Courage in Leadership Nehemiah demonstrates boldness and faith in his request, reminding us to be courageous leaders in our communities. The Power of Prayer Nehemiah's actions are undergirded by prayer, emphasizing the necessity of prayer in seeking God's will. Restoration and Renewal The rebuilding of Jerusalem symbolizes the spiritual renewal God desires for His people, encouraging us to pursue restoration in our lives. God's Sovereignty The king's favorable response highlights God's sovereignty over earthly authorities, reassuring us of His control over our circumstances. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Nehemiah 2:5?2. How does Nehemiah 2:5 demonstrate the importance of seeking God's guidance in plans? 3. What role does prayer play in Nehemiah's request to the king in Nehemiah 2:5? 4. How does Nehemiah 2:5 reflect the themes of courage and faith in action? 5. How can Nehemiah's approach in Nehemiah 2:5 inspire our leadership in today's challenges? 6. What other biblical figures sought God's guidance before making significant decisions? 7. What does Nehemiah 2:5 reveal about God's role in leadership and decision-making? 8. How does Nehemiah 2:5 demonstrate the importance of prayer before taking action? 9. What historical context is essential to understanding Nehemiah 2:5? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Nehemiah 2? 11. (Psalm 147:2) The text references rebuilding Jerusalem—what evidence exists that this rebuilding happened precisely as described, and does the historical record match the biblical timeline? 12. What does the Bible teach about managing time? 13. How can I align my resolutions with Christian values? 14. How historically credible is it that King Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah permission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls (Nehemiah 2:1-8)? What Does Nehemiah 2:5 Mean and I answered the king• Nehemiah speaks up after prayerful waiting (Nehemiah 1:4–11 shows him praying four months). • God opens doors when His people are prepared (compare Esther 5:1-3; Genesis 41:14-16). • Timing and courage work together—“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold” (Proverbs 25:11). • The verse reminds us that respectful boldness honors God while honoring earthly authority (Acts 4:19-20). if it pleases the king • Nehemiah acknowledges Artaxerxes’ legitimate authority (Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17). • He trusts God’s sovereignty over the king—“The king’s heart is a watercourse in the hand of the LORD; He directs it wherever He pleases” (Proverbs 21:1). • Submission does not equal passivity; it creates a platform for godly influence. if your servant has found favor in your sight • Nehemiah appeals to grace, not entitlement (cf. Ruth 2:10; Genesis 39:21). • Favor is ultimately God-given: “For You bless the righteous, O LORD; You surround them with favor as a shield” (Psalm 5:12). • The gospel pattern is visible—unmerited favor moves the mission forward (Ephesians 2:8-10). I ask that you send me to Judah • A clear, specific request flows from clear calling (Isaiah 6:8; Acts 13:2-3). • Nehemiah sees himself as commissioned, not self-appointed; even Jesus said, “The One who sent Me is with Me” (John 8:29). • God often works through political channels to accomplish spiritual goals (Ezra 7:6). to the city where my fathers are buried • The appeal to ancestral graves touches the king’s respect for traditions (Genesis 47:29-30). • Nehemiah’s identity is tied to God’s covenant promises to his forefathers (Deuteronomy 7:9; Hebrews 11:13-16). • Remembering the past fuels present faithfulness—“If I forget you, O Jerusalem, may my right hand cease to function” (Psalm 137:5). so that I may rebuild it • The ultimate goal is restoration, not personal advancement (Ezra 1:3; Isaiah 58:12). • Rebuilding foreshadows God’s broader redemptive work—“I will raise up David’s fallen shelter” (Amos 9:11). • Physical reconstruction and spiritual renewal go hand in hand (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Ephesians 2:19-22). • Faith acts: Nehemiah moves from prayer to planer’s desk to construction site. summary Nehemiah 2:5 captures a man who prays, waits, and then speaks with respectful boldness. He submits to earthly authority while trusting God’s higher sovereignty, appeals to grace, embraces his covenant heritage, and asks specifically to rebuild what sin and neglect have ruined. The verse models how believers today can pursue God-given missions: pray first, honor authority, rely on divine favor, stay rooted in heritage, and act decisively to restore what glorifies the Lord. Hebrew and answeredוָאֹמַ֣ר (wā·’ō·mar) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 559: To utter, say the king, לַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king “If אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not it pleases ט֔וֹב (ṭō·wḇ) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 2895: To be pleasing or good the king, הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king and if וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not your servant עַבְדְּךָ֖ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant has found favor יִיטַ֥ב (yî·ṭaḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3190: To be good, well, glad, or pleasing in your sight, לְפָנֶ֑יךָ (lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 6440: The face I ask that אֲשֶׁ֧ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you send me תִּשְׁלָחֵ֣נִי (tiš·lā·ḥê·nî) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Judah, יְהוּדָ֗ה (yə·hū·ḏāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3063: Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the city עִ֛יר (‘îr) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 5892: Excitement where my fathers אֲבֹתַ֖י (’ă·ḇō·ṯay) Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 1: Father are buried, קִבְר֥וֹת (qiḇ·rō·wṯ) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 6913: A grave, sepulcher so that I may rebuild it.” וְאֶבְנֶֽנָּה׃ (wə·’eḇ·nen·nāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 1129: To build Links Nehemiah 2:5 NIVNehemiah 2:5 NLT Nehemiah 2:5 ESV Nehemiah 2:5 NASB Nehemiah 2:5 KJV Nehemiah 2:5 BibleApps.com Nehemiah 2:5 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 2:5 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 2:5 French Bible Nehemiah 2:5 Catholic Bible OT History: Nehemiah 2:5 I said to the king If it (Neh Ne) |
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