Translations
Modern
Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.
Traditional
Then I came to the governors beyond the river, and gave them the king’s letters. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me.
Literal
And I went to the governors beyond the River, and I gave to them the letters of the king. And the king sent with me captains of a force, and horsemen.
Latin
Et veni ad duces regionis trans flumen, dedique eis epistolas regis. Miserat autem rex mecum principes militum, et equites.
Original
Hebrew
English
Then I went to the governors west of the Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry with me.
Notes
Nehemiah was a government official, so officers and horsemen escorted him to Jerusalem (compare Ezra 8:22).
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).
Theme notes and profiles
Places
Euphrates: Major river in ancient Near East; boundary of Promised Land
Glossary
Topics
Country: Love of Government: Provincial Letters of Artaxerxes to Nehemiah Passports: Given to Nehemiah