Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. New Living Translation When I heard this, I sat down and wept. In fact, for days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven. English Standard Version As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Berean Standard Bible When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. King James Bible And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, New King James Version So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. New American Standard Bible Now when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. NASB 1995 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. NASB 1977 Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Legacy Standard Bible Now it happened that when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Amplified Bible Now it came about when I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying [constantly] before the God of heaven. Christian Standard Bible When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of the heavens. Holman Christian Standard Bible When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. American Standard Version And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven, Contemporary English Version When I heard this, I sat down on the ground and cried. Then for several days, I mourned; I went without eating to show my sorrow, and I prayed: English Revised Version And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven, GOD'S WORD® Translation When I heard this, I sat down and cried. I mourned for days. I continued to fast and pray to the God of heaven. Good News Translation When I heard all this, I sat down and wept. For several days I mourned and did not eat. I prayed to God, International Standard Version When I heard this, I sat down and cried, mourning for a number of days while I fasted and prayed in the presence of the God of Heaven. Majority Standard Bible When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. NET Bible When I heard these things I sat down abruptly, crying and mourning for several days. I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. New Heart English Bible It happened, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven, Webster's Bible Translation And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, World English Bible When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned several days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven, Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd it comes to pass, at my hearing these words, I have sat down, and I weep and mourn [for] days, and I am fasting and praying before the God of the heavens. Young's Literal Translation And it cometh to pass, at my hearing these words, I have sat down, and I weep and mourn for days, and I am fasting and praying before the God of the heavens. Smith's Literal Translation And it will be in my hearing these words, I sat down, and I shall weep and mourn days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of the heavens, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd when I had heard these words, I sat down, and wept, and mourned for many days: and I fasted, and prayed before the face of the God of heaven. Catholic Public Domain Version And when I had heard this manner of words, I sat down, and I wept and mourned for many days. I fasted and prayed before the face of the God of heaven. New American Bible When I heard this report, I began to weep and continued mourning for several days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. New Revised Standard Version When I heard these words I sat down and wept, and mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleWhen I heard these words, I sat down and wept and mourned for many days, and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Then when I heard these words, I was sitting and weeping and mourning for many days, and was fasting and praying before the God of Heaven. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven, Brenton Septuagint Translation And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for several days, and continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Nehemiah's Prayer…3And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.” 4 When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. 5Then I said: “O LORD, God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion with those who love Him and keep His commandments,… Cross References Daniel 9:3 So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. Ezra 9:3-5 When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled out some hair from my head and beard, and sat down in horror. / Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, while I sat there in horror until the evening offering. / At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation with my tunic and cloak torn, and I fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the LORD my God, Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy. / He who goes out weeping, bearing a trail of seed, will surely return with shouts of joy, carrying sheaves of grain. 2 Chronicles 7:14 and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Joel 2:12-13 “Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster. Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: Acts 13:2-3 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” / And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Esther 4:3 In every province to which the king’s command and edict came, there was great mourning among the Jews. They fasted, wept, and lamented, and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. Jeremiah 29:12-13 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. Psalm 102:17 He will turn toward the prayer of the destitute; He will not despise their prayer. James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. 1 Samuel 1:10 In her bitter distress, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears. Treasury of Scripture And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven, I sat down 1 Samuel 4:17-22 And the messenger answered and said, Israel is fled before the Philistines, and there hath been also a great slaughter among the people, and thy two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God is taken… Ezra 10:1 Now when Ezra had prayed, and when he had confessed, weeping and casting himself down before the house of God, there assembled unto him out of Israel a very great congregation of men and women and children: for the people wept very sore. Psalm 69:9,10 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me… the God Nehemiah 2:4 Then the king said unto me, For what dost thou make request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. Ezra 5:11,12 And thus they returned us answer, saying, We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and build the house that was builded these many years ago, which a great king of Israel builded and set up… Daniel 2:18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. Jump to Previous Continued Earth Fasted Fasting Food Heard Hearing Heaven Heavens Mourned Prayed Praying Sat Seated Sorrow Weep Weeping Wept WordsJump to Next Continued Earth Fasted Fasting Food Heard Hearing Heaven Heavens Mourned Prayed Praying Sat Seated Sorrow Weep Weeping Wept WordsNehemiah 1 1. Nehemiah, understanding by Hanani the misery of Jerusalem, mourns, fasts, and prays5. His prayer When I heard these words Nehemiah's reaction begins with hearing the report about the dire situation in Jerusalem. This reflects the importance of being attentive to the needs and conditions of God's people. The news he received was about the broken walls and burned gates of Jerusalem, symbolizing vulnerability and disgrace. This moment highlights the significance of being informed and responsive to the spiritual and physical state of the community. I sat down and wept I mourned for days fasting and praying before the God of heaven Persons / Places / Events 1. NehemiahA Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, Nehemiah is deeply moved by the news of Jerusalem's desolation. His role as a cupbearer indicates a position of trust and influence. 2. Jerusalem The holy city of the Jewish people, Jerusalem is in ruins, which prompts Nehemiah's deep emotional response. The city's condition symbolizes the spiritual and physical state of the Jewish people. 3. The God of Heaven This title emphasizes God's sovereignty and authority over all creation, highlighting Nehemiah's faith in God's power to intervene in earthly matters. 4. Fasting and Praying Nehemiah's response to the news is to engage in spiritual disciplines, showing his dependence on God and his desire for divine intervention. 5. The Report The news that Nehemiah receives about Jerusalem's walls being broken down and its gates burned with fire, which triggers his mourning and prayer. Teaching Points The Power of Compassionate ResponseNehemiah's immediate emotional response to the news of Jerusalem's plight shows the importance of having a heart that is sensitive to the needs and sufferings of others. The Role of Fasting and Prayer Nehemiah's decision to fast and pray underscores the significance of seeking God's guidance and strength in times of distress. It is a model for believers to prioritize spiritual disciplines when facing challenges. God's Sovereignty and Our Dependence By addressing "the God of heaven," Nehemiah acknowledges God's ultimate authority and power, reminding us to trust in God's sovereignty over our circumstances. Leadership Begins with Prayer Nehemiah's leadership is rooted in prayer, teaching us that effective leadership and decision-making start with seeking God's wisdom and direction. Mourning as a Path to Action Nehemiah's mourning is not passive but leads to action. It teaches us that genuine sorrow for the state of God's people or work should propel us to seek solutions and take steps toward restoration.(4-11) Nehemiah's appeal to God. The prayer is a perfect example of the private and individual devotion with which the later Hebrew Scriptures abound. It begins with formal and appropriate invocation (Nehemiah 1:5-8), flows into earnest confession (Nehemiah 1:6-7), pleads the covenant promises (Nehemiah 1:8-10), and supplicates a present answer (Nehemiah 1:11). The extant Scriptures, freely used, are the foundation of all. (4) Fasted.--Like Daniel, Esther, and Ezra, Nehemiah fasted: fasting appears in later Judaism a prominent part of individual devotion, as it is in the New Testament. (6) Both I and my father's house have sinned.--The supplication was for the nation; and in such cases of personal intercession the individual assumes the sin of all the past. (8) The spirit of many threatenings and promises is summed up, as in the prayer of Nehemiah 9. . . . Verse 4. - When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. The revelation of the actual condition of Jerusalem came upon Nehemiah with a shock. He had perhaps not thought much upon the subject before; he had had no means of exact information; he had supposed the city flourishing under the superintendence of Ezra, whose piety and patriotism were no doubt known to him. It was a bitter grief to him to find that his people were still "a reproach to their neighbours," laughed to scorn by those whose walls had never been destroyed, or who had been allowed to rebuild them. And he may have felt that his city, under the circumstances of the time, was in real danger. As Dean Stanley observes - "In those days rather one may say m those countries of disorder, a city without locked gates and lofty walls was no city at all" ('Lectures on the Jewish Church,' Third Series, p. 124). A few years previously Egypt had been in revolt; she might revolt again, and carry her arms into Syria. Arab tribes from the desert might extend their raids into Judaea, and be tempted by the known value of the temple treasures to swoop upon the unwalled town. Such thoughts occurring to an excitable Oriental, produced not grief and anxiety merely, but a flood of tears (comp. Ezra 10:1). And fasted. Fasting had become a frequent practice among the Jews during the captivity. Solemn fasts had been introduced on the anniversaries of the taking of Jerusalem, the burning of the temple, and the murder of Gedaliah (Zechariah 8:19). Fasting had also taken a prominent place in the devotions of individuals. Daniel fasted (Daniel 9:3; Daniel 10:3); Esther fasted (Esther 4:16); Ezra fasted (Ezra 10:6); and now Nehemiah fasted. On the grounds of natural piety out of which the practice arises, see the comment on Ezra 10:6. The God of heaven. See the comment on Ezra 1:2.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew When I heardכְּשָׁמְעִ֣י ׀ (kə·šā·mə·‘î) Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently these הָאֵ֗לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those words, הַדְּבָרִ֣ים (had·də·ḇā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause I sat down יָשַׁ֙בְתִּי֙ (yā·šaḇ·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry and wept. וָֽאֶבְכֶּ֔ה (wā·’eḇ·keh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 1058: To weep, to bemoan I mourned וָאֶתְאַבְּלָ֖ה (wā·’eṯ·’ab·bə·lāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 56: To bewail for days, יָמִ֑ים (yā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3117: A day fasting צָם֙ (ṣām) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6684: To abstain from food, fast and praying וּמִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל (ū·miṯ·pal·lêl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray before לִפְנֵ֖י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face the God אֱלֹהֵ֥י (’ĕ·lō·hê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative of heaven. הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ (haš·šā·mā·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky Links Nehemiah 1:4 NIVNehemiah 1:4 NLT Nehemiah 1:4 ESV Nehemiah 1:4 NASB Nehemiah 1:4 KJV Nehemiah 1:4 BibleApps.com Nehemiah 1:4 Biblia Paralela Nehemiah 1:4 Chinese Bible Nehemiah 1:4 French Bible Nehemiah 1:4 Catholic Bible OT History: Nehemiah 1:4 It happened when I heard these words (Neh Ne) |
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