Nehemiah 13:6 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 13:6 mean?

Nehemiah 13:6 explains that Nehemiah was not in Jerusalem during the events just described, because he had returned to serve King Artaxerxes in Babylon. After some time, Nehemiah received permission from the king to come back to Jerusalem.

Nehemiah himself is speaking here, clarifying why he was absent while certain problems arose among the people in Jerusalem. The verse sets the timeline: it was the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes’ reign when Nehemiah went back to the king, and only after staying there for some days did he get leave to return. This helps the reader understand why Nehemiah was not present to prevent or address the issues that happened in Jerusalem during his absence.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 13:6

• יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yerushalayim, "Jerusalem"): The mention of Jerusalem highlights Nehemiah’s deep connection to the city and his responsibility there, making his absence significant.
• שְׁנַיִם (shenayim, "two") and שְׁלוֹשִׁים (sheloshim, "thirty"): These words combine to mark the "thirty-second" year, anchoring the events in a specific historical timeframe.
• אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׂתְּא (Artachshashta, "Artaxerxes"): Naming the Persian king reminds the reader that Jerusalem was under foreign rule, and Nehemiah’s authority depended on the king’s favor.
• בָּבֶל (Bavel, "Babylon"): Referring to Babylon as the king’s seat, even though the Persian capital was elsewhere, reflects the lingering influence of Babylon in Jewish memory and history.
• שָׁאַל (sha’al, "leave"): This word means "to ask" or "to request," showing that Nehemiah needed official permission to leave his duties and return to Jerusalem.

Why Nehemiah 13:6 matters

• This verse clarifies that Nehemiah was not responsible for the problems that developed in Jerusalem during his absence, as he was away serving the king.
• The verse highlights Nehemiah’s ongoing dependence on the Persian king’s approval, emphasizing the limited autonomy of the Jewish community at this time.
• By anchoring the story in a specific year of Artaxerxes’ reign, the verse connects Nehemiah’s personal story to broader historical events, helping readers understand the timeline of his leadership.