And the king said unto me,(the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.
NEHEMIAH 2:6KJVWhat does Nehemiah 2:6 mean?
Nehemiah 2:6 describes how the king, with the queen present, asked Nehemiah how long his journey would take and when he would return, and then agreed to send him after Nehemiah gave a specific timeframe. The verse shows that the king was willing to let Nehemiah go, but wanted to know the details and expected Nehemiah to come back.
Nehemiah, a Jewish official serving the Persian king, had just asked permission to travel to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. The king’s question shows careful consideration, and the mention of the queen sitting beside him suggests this was a formal and important moment. Nehemiah’s response, giving the king a set time, reassured the king and led to his approval.
The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 2:6
- "Queen" (שֵׁגָל, shegal): This word is used for queen or royal consort, and its mention here is unusual, highlighting the significance of the moment and possibly the influence she had on the king’s decision.
- "Journey" (מַהֲלָךְ, mahalakh): This word means a journey or travel, emphasizing that Nehemiah was asking for a temporary leave, not a permanent departure.
- "Pleased" (יָטַב, yatav) and "before" (פָּנִים, panim): The phrase “it pleased the king” uses these words together, often understood as “it was good in the king’s eyes,” showing the king’s favorable attitude toward Nehemiah’s request.
- "Set" (נָתַן, natan) and "time" (זְמָן, zeman): Nehemiah “set him a time,” meaning he gave the king a definite period for his absence, which was important for the king’s trust and planning.
Why Nehemiah 2:6 matters
- The verse clarifies that Nehemiah did not leave impulsively; he made careful plans and respected the king’s authority by providing a clear timeframe.
- The presence of the queen and the king’s thoughtful questions show this was a significant and official decision, not a casual conversation.
- This verse sets up the rest of Nehemiah’s mission, showing that his journey to Jerusalem had the king’s full knowledge and support, which would be important for his authority later.