Bible/Nehemiah/2

Nehemiah 2:16

2:15 Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.
And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.

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The rulers didn’t know where I went, or what I did. I had not as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest who did the work.

And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.

And the rulers knew not where I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work. ¶

2:17 Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.

What does Nehemiah 2:16 mean?

Nehemiah 2:16 is a verse in the book of Nehemiah, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include סָגָן (çâgân), יָדַע (yâdaʻ), הָלַךְ (hâlak).

Hebrew interlinear

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And
the
rulersסָגָןçâgân/saw-gawn'/H5461a prefect of a province
knewיָדַעyâdaʻ/yaw-dah'/H3045to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.)
not
whither
I
went,הָלַךְhâlak/haw-lak'/H1980to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
or
what
I
did;עָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
neither
had
I
as
yetכֵּןkên/kane/H3651properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner, time and relation; often with other particles)
toldנָגַדnâgad/naw-gad'/H5046properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise
it
to
the
Jews,יְהוּדִיYᵉhûwdîy/yeh-hoo-dee'/H3064a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah)
nor
to
the
priests,כֹּהֵןkôhên/ko-hane'/H3548literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
nor
to
the
nobles,חֹרchôr/khore/H2715properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence (figuratively) noble (in rank)
nor
to
the
rulers,סָגָןçâgân/saw-gawn'/H5461a prefect of a province
nor
to
the
restיֶתֶרyether/yeh'-ther/H3499properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a small rope (as hanging free)
that
didעָשָׂהʻâsâh/aw-saw'/H6213to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
the
work.מְלָאכָהmᵉlâʼkâh/mel-aw-kaw'/H4399properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

Commentary on Nehemiah 2:16

HENRY_FULL · Nehemiah 2:16
5" How solemnly the foundation of the temple was laid we read in ch. iii. How slowly the building went on, and with how much difficulty, we found in ch. iv. and v. But how gloriously the topstone was at length brought forth with shoutings we find in this chapter; and even we, at this distance of time, when we read of it, may cry, "Grace, grace to it." As for God, his work is perfect; it may be slow work, but it will be sure work. We have here, I. A recital of the decree of Cyrus for the building of the temple, ver. 1-5 . II. The enforcing of that decree by a new order from Darius for the perfecting of that work, ver. 6-12 . III. The finishing of it thereupon, ver. 13-15 . IV. The solemn dedication of it when it was built ( ver. 16-18 ), and the handselling of it (as I may say) with the celebration of the passover, ver. 19-22 . And now we may say that in Judah and Jerusalem things went well, very well.

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Nehemiah 2:16.

1 Samuel 23:13

Then David and his men, which were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went whithersoever they could go. And it was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he forbare to go forth.

2 Samuel 19:6

In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. in: Heb. By loving, etc that thou regardest: Heb. that princes or servants are not to thee

Deuteronomy 17:10

And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:

Esther 3:4

Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.

Esther 4:16

Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. present: Heb. found

Isaiah 41:22

Let them bring them forth, and shew us what shall happen: let them shew the former things, what they be, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare us things for to come. consider: Heb. set our heart upon them

Isaiah 44:8

Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any. God; I: Heb. rock, etc

Jonah 1:10

Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them. exceedingly: Heb. with great fear

Frequently asked questions

What does Nehemiah 2:16 say?

Nehemiah 2:16 (King James Version) reads: "And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work."

Is Nehemiah 2:16 in the Old or New Testament?

Nehemiah 2:16 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Nehemiah.

Reflect

As you read Nehemiah 2:16, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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