King James Version
Nehemiah 1:4 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and praye...” — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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,”
Nehemiah 1:4 · KJV
That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.
And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.
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,
And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:
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.
KJV Study — Public Domain
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
“And it came to pass when I heard”
H8085to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
“these words”
H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
“that I sat down”
H3427properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
“certain days”
H3117a 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
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
“and prayed”
H6419to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
“before”
H6440the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
“the God”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
“of heaven”
H8064the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
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.
Nehemiah 1:4 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Nehemiah 1:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge