Definition: 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 fathersâ sepulchres, that I may build it.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 2:5. It's a really important passage about leadership and responsibility! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, it’s saying: “If the king approves of me, I need to go to Judah – that’s a specific area of Jerusalem – and help rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.” Let's unpack it further: “And I said unto the king…” : This is Nehemiah, the leader, speaking directly to the king. He’s presenting his request to him. “…if it please the king…” : This means the king has the option to let him go. It's not a demand; it's a chance for the king to choose. “…and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight…” : This is a fancy way of saying "if I’m good enough for you." "Thy servant" means Nehemiah, and “found favor in thy sight” means he’s been seen as worthy or important. It's a compliment! "...that thou wouldest send me unto Judah…” : This tells the king that he needs to go to Judah – a part of Jerusalem – to rebuild the city. “…unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres…” : This is the key part. “Sepulchres” means burial places, like tombs. So, Nehemiah is asking for permission to go to the graves of his ancestors, meaning to rebuild the city where they were buried. He wants to honor their memory and ensure they are remembered. In short: Nehemiah is pleading with the king to let him lead a rebuilding project in Jerusalem, specifically to visit the places where his family was buried. It’s about honoring the past and ensuring remembrance. Context & Significance: This verse comes from a time when Jerusalem was under siege by enemies. Nehemiah was tasked with restoring order and rebuilding the city. This act of requesting permission to travel to the graves is a powerful symbol of leadership – it shows he's willing to make difficult choices for the good of the community, honoring those who came before him. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Connect it to a broader story or theme in the Bible?