God’s Word Translation
Nehemiah 2:4
4“What do you want?” the king asked me. So I prayed to the God of heaven,
Nehemiah 2:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven.
- New International Version (NIV)The king said to me, “What is it you want?” Then I prayed to the God of heaven,
- English Standard Version (ESV)Then the king said to me, "What are you requesting?" So I prayed to the God of heaven.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.
Context of Nehemiah 2:4
2The king asked me, “Why do you look so sad? You aren’t sick, are you? You must be troubled about something.” (I was really afraid). 3“May the king live forever!” I said to the king. “Why shouldn’t I look sad when the city, the place where my ancestors are buried, is in ruins and its gates are burned down?” “What do you want?” the king asked me. So I prayed to the God of heaven, 5and 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.” 6Then, while the queen was sitting beside him, the king asked me, “How long will you be gone, and when will you come back?” When I gave him a specific date, he was willing to let me go.
Read all of Nehemiah 2Nehemiah 2:4 word by word
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לִי֙ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ עַל־מַה־זֶּ֖ה אַתָּ֣ה מְבַקֵּ֑שׁ וָֽאֶתְפַּלֵּ֔ל אֶל־אֱלֹהֵ֖י הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Nehemiah 2:4
- 1 Kings 3:5In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. He said, “What can I give you?”
- Esther 5:3Then the king asked her, “What is troubling you, Queen Esther? What would you like? Even if it is up to half of the kingdom, it will be granted to you.”
- Esther 7:2On the second day, while they were drinking wine, the king asked Esther, “What is your request, Queen Esther? It will be granted to you. And what would you like? Even if it is up to half of the kingdom, it will be granted.”
- Mark 10:51Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said, “Teacher, I want to see again.”
- Nehemiah 1:4When I heard this, I sat down and cried. I mourned for days. I continued to fast and pray to the God of heaven.
- 2 Samuel 15:31Then David was told, “Ahithophel is among those conspiring with Absalom.” So David prayed, “Lord, make Ahithophel’s advice foolish.”
- Proverbs 3:6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth.
- Philippians 4:6Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks.
Commentaries on Nehemiah 2:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4So I prayed to the God of heaven - Before he dared to prefer his request to the king, he made his prayer to God, that his suit might be acceptable: and this he does by mental prayer. To the spirit of prayer every place is a praying place.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4I prayed to the God of heaven - Mentally and momentarily, before answering the king.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 4What is your request?: The king followed the God of heaven, and Nehemiah needed God's guidance and help for his request.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2-52-5. the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad?--It was deemed highly unbecoming to appear in the royal presence with any weeds or signs of sorrow (Es 4:2); and hence it was no wonder that the king was struck with the dejected air of his cupbearer, while that attendant, on his part, felt his agitation increased by his deep anxiety about the issue of the conversation so abruptly begun. But the piety and intense earnestness of the man immediately…Read the comment
Topics related to Nehemiah 2:4
In the dictionaries
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries