Nehemiah 2:18

Nehemiah 2:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
• New International Version (NIV)I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me, and also of the king’s words that he had spoken to me. So they said, “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.

Context of Nehemiah 2:18

16The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, for I had not yet told the Jews or priests or nobles or officials or any other workers. 17Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned down. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me. “Let us start rebuilding,” they replied, and they set their hands to this good work. 19But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked us and ridiculed us, saying, “What is this you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?” 20So I answered them and said, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start rebuilding, but you have no portion, right, or claim in Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah 2:18 word by word

וָאַגִּ֨יד לָהֶ֜ם אֶת־יַ֣ד אֱלֹהַ֗י אֲשֶׁר־הִיא֙ טוֹבָ֣ה עָלַ֔י וְאַף־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָֽמַר־לִ֑י וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙ נָק֣וּם וּבָנִ֔ינוּ וַיְחַזְּק֥וּ יְדֵיהֶ֖ם לַטּוֹבָֽה׃ פRead the interlinear

• I also toldנָגַדnâgad · to tellH5046
• ·אֵת'êth · [Obj.]H853
• aboutאֲשֶׁר'ăsher · whichH834
• aboutהוּאhû' hîy' · he/she/itH1931
• the graciousטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
• handיָדyâd · hand: powerH3027
• of my Godאֱלֹהִים'ĕlôhîym · GodH430
• upon meעַל‛al · uponH5921
• andאַף'aph · alsoH637
• andדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
• the kingמֶ֫לֶךְmelek · kingH4428
• had saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• Let us startקוּםqûm · to arise: riseH6965
• rebuildingבָּנָהbânâh · to buildH1129
• and they setחָזַקchâzaq · to strengthen: strengthenH2388
• their handsיָדyâd · handH3027
• to this goodטוֹבָהţôb · welfareH2896

Cross-references for Nehemiah 2:18

• Nehemiah 2:8And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel to the temple, for the city wall, and for the house I will occupy.” And because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests.
• 2 Samuel 2:7Now then, be strong and courageous, for though Saul your lord is dead, the house of Judah has anointed me as their king.”
• 1 Chronicles 11:10Now these were the chiefs of David’s mighty men, who, together with all Israel, bolstered and strengthened his kingdom, according to the word of the LORD concerning Israel.
• 1 Chronicles 19:13Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and for the cities of our God. May the LORD do what is good in His sight.”
• 2 Chronicles 32:5Then Hezekiah worked resolutely to rebuild all the broken sections of the wall and to raise up towers on it. He also built an outer wall and reinforced the supporting terraces of the City of David, and he produced an abundance of weapons and shields.
• Ezra 6:22For seven days they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread with joy, because the LORD had made them joyful and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them to strengthen their hands in the work on the house of the God of Israel.
• Haggai 1:13Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, delivered the message of the LORD to the people: “I am with you,” declares the LORD.
• Ephesians 6:10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
• Philippians 2:13For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

Commentaries on Nehemiah 2:18

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18Then I told them - He opened to them his design and his commission.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-18Verses 9-18 When Nehemiah had considered the matter, he told the Jews that God had put it into his heart to build the wall of Jerusalem. He does not undertake to do it without them. By stirring up ourselves and one another to that which is good, we strengthen ourselves and one another for it. We are weak in our duty, when we are cold and careless.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18Clear evidence of God's involvement (Nehemiah 2:8) strongly motivates any project. Nehemiah had God's guidance, the king's permission, the letters needed to get lumber, and a plan to lead the project. As a result, the people eagerly agreed to start working.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 16-1816-18. the rulers knew not--The following day, having assembled the elders, Nehemiah produced his commission and exhorted them to assist in the work. The sight of his credentials, and the animating strain of his address and example, so revived their drooping spirits that they resolved immediately to commence the building, which they did, despite the bitter taunts and scoffing ridicule of some influential men.Read the comment

Topics related to Nehemiah 2:18

• Country

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Laugh
• Reproach
• Scorn
• Ezra-Nehemiah

Commentaries on Nehemiah 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings