Keraia
Nehemiah 2

Nehemiah 2:16

Nehemiah Inspects the Walls · Nehemiah 2:11–20
Read Nehemiah 2

Translations

Modern
The 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.
Traditional
And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
Literal
And the prefects did not know where I had gone or what I had done. And to the Jews, and to the priests, and to the freemen, and to the prefects, and to the rest of those doing the work, even yet I had not told it.
Latin
Magistratus autem nesciebant quo abiissem, aut quid ego facerem: sed et Judæis, et sacerdotibus, et optimatibus, et magistratibus, et reliquis qui faciebant opus, usque ad id loci nihil indicaveram.

Original

Hebrew
English
The 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.

Notes

Nehemiah 2:16–17

  • Nehemiah kept his inspection and rebuilding plans secret from both the Persian and Jewish leaders to prevent organized opposition. Now, Nehemiah was ready to lead the rebuilding effort.

  • the trouble we are in: The broken walls brought disgrace to the city and reflected poorly on God. Jerusalem certainly did not resemble the city of the great King (Psalm 48:2).

Nehemiah 1:1–2:20

When Nehemiah heard about Jerusalem's ruins, he prayed for God's help (Nehemiah 1:1–11) and asked the king to send him to Jerusalem (2:1–8). Upon arrival, he urged the people to rebuild the city's wall (Nehemiah 2:11–20).

People

Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Glossary

Book of Nehemiah Horonite Jerusalem Nehemiah (Person) Samaria Sanballat Sanhedrin Tobiah

Topics

Country: Love of Prudence: Nehemiah Prudence: Nehemiah, in Conduct of Affairs at Jerusalem Sciences: Surveying Walls of Cities: Destruction of, a Punishment and Cause of Grief