O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.

NEHEMIAH 1:11KJV
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Nehemiah 1:11 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 1:11 mean?

Nehemiah 1:11 is a prayer where Nehemiah asks God to listen carefully to his request and to the prayers of others who respect God, seeking success and mercy as he prepares to speak to the king. Nehemiah ends by explaining his position as the king’s cupbearer, highlighting the importance and risk of his upcoming request.

Nehemiah is speaking directly to God, asking for special attention to his plea because he is about to approach the Persian king with a bold request to help Jerusalem. By mentioning that he is the king’s cupbearer, Nehemiah shows both his trusted role and the seriousness of what he is about to do, since approaching the king could be dangerous or costly.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 1:11

  • "Beseech" (אָנָּא, 'an-na): This word is a strong, humble plea, showing Nehemiah’s deep dependence on God’s willingness to listen and act.
  • "Fear" (יָרֵא, yare): The phrase “who desire to fear thy name” uses a word that means to deeply respect or stand in awe of God, not just to be afraid.
  • "Cupbearer" (מַשְׁקֶה, mashqeh): This term means more than a servant who brings drinks; the cupbearer was a trusted official with close access to the king, which explains why Nehemiah could make such a request but also why it was risky.

Why Nehemiah 1:11 matters

  • Nehemiah’s prayer shows that he is not acting alone or impulsively; he seeks God’s help before taking action, modeling humility and dependence.
  • The verse highlights that Nehemiah is not just praying for himself but also for others who “desire to fear” God, showing a sense of community and shared purpose.
  • By stating his role as cupbearer, Nehemiah sets up the next part of the story, explaining how he is in a unique position to help his people but also faces real danger in speaking to the king.