Nehemiah 1:6
New International Version
let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you.

New Living Translation
listen to my prayer! Look down and see me praying night and day for your people Israel. I confess that we have sinned against you. Yes, even my own family and I have sinned!

English Standard Version
let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned.

Berean Standard Bible
let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.

King James Bible
Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.

New King James Version
please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned.

New American Standard Bible
let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open, to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have committed against You; I and my father’s house have sinned.

NASB 1995
let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father’s house have sinned.

NASB 1977
let Thine ear now be attentive and Thine eyes open to hear the prayer of Thy servant which I am praying before Thee now, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Thy servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against Thee; I and my father’s house have sinned.

Legacy Standard Bible
let Your ear now be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your slave which I am praying before You today, day and night, on behalf of the sons of Israel Your slaves, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned against You; I and my father’s house have sinned.

Amplified Bible
please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer of Your servant which I am praying before You, day and night, on behalf of Your servants, the sons (descendants) of Israel (Jacob), confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have committed against You; I and my father’s house have sinned.

Christian Standard Bible
let your eyes be open and your ears be attentive to hear your servant’s prayer that I now pray to you day and night for your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against you. Both I and my father’s family have sinned.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
let Your eyes be open and Your ears be attentive to hear Your servant’s prayer that I now pray to You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.

American Standard Version
let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee. Yea, I and my father's house have sinned:

Contemporary English Version
I am your servant, so please have mercy on me and answer the prayer that I make day and night for these people of Israel who serve you. I, my family, and the rest of your people have sinned

English Revised Version
Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: yea, I and my father's house have sinned.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Open your eyes, and pay close attention with your ears to what I, your servant, am praying. I am praying to you day and night about your servants the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against you as well as the sins that my father's family and I have committed.

Good News Translation
Look at me, LORD, and hear my prayer, as I pray day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess that we, the people of Israel, have sinned. My ancestors and I have sinned.

International Standard Version
please turn your attention to observe carefully and listen to the prayer of your servant today that I am presenting to you day and night on behalf of your servants, the Israelis. "I confess the sins that we Israelis have committed against you. Both I and my father's house have sinned.

Majority Standard Bible
let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.

NET Bible
may your ear be attentive and your eyes be open to hear the prayer of your servant that I am praying to you today throughout both day and night on behalf of your servants the Israelites. I am confessing the sins of the Israelites that we have committed against you--both I myself and my family have sinned.

New Heart English Bible
Let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father's house have sinned.

Webster's Bible Translation
Let thy ear now be attentive, and thy eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.

World English Bible
let your ear now be attentive and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, to listen to the prayer of Your servant, that I am praying before You today, by day and by night, concerning the sons of Israel, Your servants, and confessing concerning the sins of the sons of Israel, that we have sinned against You; indeed, I and the house of my father have sinned;

Young's Literal Translation
let Thine ear be, I pray Thee, attentive, and Thine eyes open, to hearken unto the prayer of Thy servant, that I am praying before Thee to-day, by day and by night, concerning the sons of Israel Thy servants, and confessing concerning the sins of the sons of Israel, that we have sinned against Thee; yea, I and the house of my father have sinned;

Smith's Literal Translation
Will now thine ear be attentive and thine eye opened to hear to the prayer of thy servant which I pray before thee this day, day and night, for the sons of Israel thy servants, and confess for the sins of the sons of Israel which we sinned against thee? and and the house of my father sinned.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Let thy ears be attentive, and thy eyes open, to hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, night and day, for the children of Israel thy servants: and I confess the sins of the children of Israel, by which they have sinned against thee: I and my father's house have sinned.

Catholic Public Domain Version
may your ears be attentive, and may your eyes be open, so that you may hear the prayer of your servant, which I am praying before you today, night and day, for the sons of Israel, your servants. And I am confessing the sins of the sons of Israel, which they have sinned against you. We have sinned, I and my father’s house.

New American Bible
May your ears be attentive, and your eyes open, to hear the prayer that I, your servant, now offer in your presence day and night for your servants the Israelites, confessing the sins we have committed against you, I and my ancestral house included.

New Revised Standard Version
let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my family have sinned.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Let thine eyes now be open, and thine ears attentive, to hear the prayer of thy servant which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and I confess the sins of the children of Israel which they have sinned against thee; moreover, both I and my father's house have sinned before thee.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Let therefore your eyes be opened, and let your ears listen to us to hear the prayer that I, your Servant, pray before you by day and by night for the children of Israel, your Servants, and I confess concerning the sins of the children of Israel that they have sinned against you, and I and the house of my father, we have sinned before you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
let Thine ear now be attentive, and Thine eyes open, that Thou mayest hearken unto the prayer of Thy servant, which I pray before Thee at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel Thy servants, while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against Thee; yea, I and my father's house have sinned.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
let now thine ear be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee at this time, this day both day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and make confession for the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and the house of my father have sinned.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Nehemiah's Prayer
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, 6let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. 7We have behaved corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that You gave Your servant Moses.…

Cross References
Daniel 9:4-19
And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, “O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments, / we have sinned and done wrong. We have acted wickedly and rebelled. We have turned away from Your commandments and ordinances. / We have not listened to Your servants the prophets, who spoke in Your name to our kings, leaders, fathers, and all the people of the land. ...

1 Kings 8:47-50
and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’ / and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to You in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and petition, and may You uphold their cause. ...

Ezra 9:6-15
and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens. / From the days of our fathers to this day, our guilt has been great. Because of our iniquities, we and our kings and priests have been delivered into the hands of the kings of the earth and subjected to the sword and to captivity, to pillage and humiliation, as we are this day. / But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the LORD our God to preserve for us a remnant and to give us a stake in His holy place. Even in our bondage, our God has given us new life and light to our eyes. ...

Psalm 130:2
O Lord, hear my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my plea for mercy.

2 Chronicles 6:37-39
and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’ / and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name, / then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and pleas, and may You uphold their cause. May You forgive Your people who sinned against You.

Exodus 32:11-14
But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God, saying, “O LORD, why does Your anger burn against Your people, whom You brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? / Why should the Egyptians declare, ‘He brought them out with evil intent, to kill them in the mountains and wipe them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce anger and relent from doing harm to Your people. / Remember Your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, to whom You swore by Your very self when You declared, ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky, and I will give your descendants all this land that I have promised, and it shall be their inheritance forever.’” ...

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.

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.

Psalm 106:6
We have sinned like our fathers; we have done wrong and acted wickedly.

Leviticus 26:40-42
But if they will confess their iniquity and that of their fathers in the unfaithfulness that they practiced against Me, by which they have also walked in hostility toward Me— / and I acted with hostility toward them and brought them into the land of their enemies—and if their uncircumcised hearts will be humbled and they will make amends for their iniquity, / then I will remember My covenant with Jacob and My covenant with Isaac and My covenant with Abraham, and I will remember the land.

Isaiah 59:12
For our transgressions are multiplied before You, and our sins testify against us. Our transgressions are indeed with us, and we know our iniquities:

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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.

Matthew 6:9-13
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. / Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. / Give us this day our daily bread. ...

Luke 18:13
But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’


Treasury of Scripture

Let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may hear the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you now, day and night, for the children of Israel your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you: both I and my father's house have sinned.

thine ear

1 Kings 8:28,29
Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day: …

2 Chronicles 6:40
Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.

Psalm 34:15
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

day and night

1 Samuel 15:11
It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

Psalm 55:17
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Psalm 88:1
A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:

confess

Ezra 9:6,7
And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens…

Ezra 10:11
Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.

Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

both I

2 Chronicles 28:10
And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?

2 Chronicles 29:6
For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.

Psalm 106:6
We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly.

Jump to Previous
Attentive Children Confess Ear Eyes Father's Hear Hearken House Israel Mayest Night Open Prayer Servant Servants Sinned Sins Time
Jump to Next
Attentive Children Confess Ear Eyes Father's Hear Hearken House Israel Mayest Night Open Prayer Servant Servants Sinned Sins Time
Nehemiah 1
1. Nehemiah, understanding by Hanani the misery of Jerusalem, mourns, fasts, and prays
5. His prayer














let Your ear be attentive
In the Hebrew text, the word for "ear" is "אָזֵן" (ozen), which signifies not just the physical ear but the act of listening with intent and purpose. Nehemiah is imploring God to be actively engaged in hearing his plea. This phrase reflects a deep understanding of the relational nature of God, who is not distant but is intimately involved with His people. The imagery of God’s ear being attentive suggests a readiness to respond, emphasizing the personal relationship between God and His followers.

and Your eyes open
The Hebrew word for "eyes" is "עַיִן" (ayin), which often symbolizes perception and awareness. Nehemiah is asking God to not only hear but also to see the plight of His people. This request for God’s eyes to be open is a plea for divine intervention and oversight. It reflects the belief that God is omniscient and omnipresent, fully aware of the circumstances of His people. The open eyes of God signify His vigilance and readiness to act on behalf of those who call upon Him.

to hear the prayer
The Hebrew word for "hear" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which means to listen with the intent to understand and respond. Nehemiah is not merely asking God to hear his words but to comprehend the depth of his supplication. This reflects the biblical understanding that prayer is a dialogue with God, who is both willing and able to respond to the cries of His people. The act of hearing in this context is an assurance of God’s active participation in the lives of His followers.

Your servant is praying
The term "servant" in Hebrew is "עֶבֶד" (eved), which denotes one who is in service to another, often with a sense of humility and dedication. Nehemiah identifies himself as God’s servant, acknowledging his position and role in God’s divine plan. This self-identification underscores the humility and submission required in prayer, recognizing God’s sovereignty and authority. It is a reminder of the believer’s duty to serve God faithfully and to seek His will above all else.

before You day and night
This phrase indicates the continuous and persistent nature of Nehemiah’s prayer. The Hebrew understanding of "day and night" signifies an unceasing devotion and commitment to seeking God’s face. It reflects the biblical principle of praying without ceasing, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:17. Nehemiah’s dedication to prayer demonstrates the importance of perseverance and faithfulness in seeking God’s intervention and guidance.

for Your servants, the Israelites
Nehemiah’s prayer is intercessory, focusing not only on his own needs but on behalf of the entire nation of Israel. The term "Israelites" refers to the descendants of Jacob, God’s chosen people. This highlights the communal aspect of prayer, where the needs of the community are brought before God. It reflects the biblical theme of intercession, where believers are called to stand in the gap for others, seeking God’s mercy and grace for the collective body of Christ.

I confess the sins
The Hebrew word for "confess" is "יָדָה" (yadah), which means to acknowledge or admit. Nehemiah’s confession is an act of repentance, recognizing the sins that have separated the Israelites from God. This confession is both personal and corporate, acknowledging the collective failures of the nation. It underscores the importance of repentance in restoring the relationship between God and His people, as seen throughout Scripture.

we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house
Nehemiah includes himself and his family in the confession, demonstrating personal accountability and humility. This acknowledgment of personal and familial sin highlights the biblical principle that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). It serves as a reminder of the need for personal introspection and repentance, recognizing that sin affects not only the individual but the community as a whole.

have committed against You
The phrase "committed against You" indicates that sin is ultimately an offense against God. The Hebrew word for "committed" is "חָטָא" (chata), which means to miss the mark or to transgress. Nehemiah’s acknowledgment of sin as an offense against God reflects the biblical understanding of sin as a violation of God’s holy standards. It emphasizes the need for divine forgiveness and the restoration of the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Verse 6. - Both I and my father's house have sinned. Ewald well observes, "In the prayer of Nehemiah the keynote is struck in the words, 'I and my father's house have sinned'" ('History of Israel,' vol. 5. p. 149, note 1). The desolation which he mourns is the result of the people's sins, and in those sins are included his own, and those of his ancestors. His own may not have been very grievous, but those of his fathers weigh upon him as if his own, and oppress his spirit.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
may Your eyes
וְֽעֵינֶ֪יךָ (wə·‘ê·ne·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

be
תְּהִ֣י (tə·hî)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

open
פְתֻוּח֟וֹת‪‬ (p̄ə·ṯuw·w·ḥō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine plural
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

and Your ears
אָזְנְךָֽ־ (’ā·zə·nə·ḵā-)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 241: Broadness, the ear

be attentive
קַשֶּׁ֣בֶת (qaš·še·ḇeṯ)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7183: Hearkening

to hear
לִשְׁמֹ֣עַ (liš·mō·a‘)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the prayer
תְּפִלַּ֣ת (tə·p̄il·laṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8605: Intercession, supplication, a hymn

that
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I,
אָנֹכִי֩ (’ā·nō·ḵî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595: I

Your servant,
עַבְדְּךָ֡ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

now
הַיּוֹם֙ (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

pray
מִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל (miṯ·pal·lêl)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

before You
לְפָנֶ֤יךָ (lə·p̄ā·ne·ḵā)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6440: The face

day
יוֹמָ֣ם (yō·w·mām)
Adverb
Strong's 3119: Daytime, by day

and night
וָלַ֔יְלָה (wā·lay·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

for
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Your servants,
עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

the Israelites.
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

I confess
וּמִתְוַדֶּ֗ה (ū·miṯ·wad·deh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3034: To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan

the sins
חַטֹּ֤אות (ḥaṭ·ṭō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

we Israelites
בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

have committed
חָטָ֣אנוּ (ḥā·ṭā·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

against You.
לָ֔ךְ (lāḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 0: 0

Both I
וַאֲנִ֥י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

and my father?s
אָבִ֖י (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

house
וּבֵית־ (ū·ḇêṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

have sinned.
חָטָֽאנוּ׃ (ḥā·ṭā·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn


Links
Nehemiah 1:6 NIV
Nehemiah 1:6 NLT
Nehemiah 1:6 ESV
Nehemiah 1:6 NASB
Nehemiah 1:6 KJV

Nehemiah 1:6 BibleApps.com
Nehemiah 1:6 Biblia Paralela
Nehemiah 1:6 Chinese Bible
Nehemiah 1:6 French Bible
Nehemiah 1:6 Catholic Bible

OT History: Nehemiah 1:6 Let your ear now be attentive (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 1:5
Top of Page
Top of Page