King James Version

What Does Nehemiah 1:11 Mean?

Nehemiah 1:11 in the King James Version says “O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, ... — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.

Nehemiah 1:11 · KJV


Context

9

But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.

10

Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.

11

O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.

This verse within Nehemiah 1 addresses themes of prayer, burden, intercession, confession. Nehemiah's prayer demonstrates model intercession rooted in covenant theology, confessing corporate sin while claiming covenant promises. The Hebrew palal (פָּלַל) for prayer indicates intercession and petition, emphasizing dependence on God. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. The post-exilic community had returned to Judah but remained politically subject to Persia, living under imperial administration while attempting to rebuild covenant identity. Archaeological evidence confirms Persian-period occupation of Jerusalem and the wall's route. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage teach about prayer's role in discerning and accomplishing God's will?
  2. How can you develop more sustained, biblically-grounded prayer practices in your daily routine?
  3. How can the principles demonstrated in this passage inform your response to current challenges in your life or church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
אָנָּ֣א1 of 29

I beseech

H577

oh now!

אֲדֹנָ֗י2 of 29

O Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

תְּהִ֣י3 of 29
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

נָ֣א4 of 29
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

אָזְנְךָֽ5 of 29

thee let now thine ear

H241

broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)

קַ֠שֶּׁבֶת6 of 29

be attentive

H7183

hearkening

אֶל7 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תְּפִלַּ֣ת8 of 29

and to the prayer

H8605

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

לְעַבְדְּךָ֙9 of 29

I pray thee thy servant

H5650

a servant

וְאֶל10 of 29
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תְּפִלַּ֣ת11 of 29

and to the prayer

H8605

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

לְעַבְדְּךָ֙12 of 29

I pray thee thy servant

H5650

a servant

הַֽחֲפֵצִים֙13 of 29

who desire

H2655

pleased with

לְיִרְאָ֣ה14 of 29

to fear

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אֶת15 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁמֶ֔ךָ16 of 29

thy name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

וְהַצְלִֽיחָה17 of 29

and prosper

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

נָּ֤א18 of 29
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לְעַבְדְּךָ֙19 of 29

I pray thee thy servant

H5650

a servant

הַיּ֔וֹם20 of 29

this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וּתְנֵ֣הוּ21 of 29

and grant

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְרַֽחֲמִ֔ים22 of 29

him mercy

H7356

compassion (in the plural)

לִפְנֵ֖י23 of 29

in the sight

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָאִ֣ישׁ24 of 29

of this man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַזֶּ֑ה25 of 29
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וַֽאֲנִ֛י26 of 29
H589

i

הָיִ֥יתִי27 of 29
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מַשְׁקֶ֖ה28 of 29
H4945

properly, causing to drink, i.e., a butler; by implication (intransitively), drink (itself); figuratively, a well-watered region

לַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃29 of 29

For I was the king's

H4428

a king


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Nehemiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Nehemiah 1:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Nehemiah 1:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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