King James Version

What Does Nehemiah 1:6 Mean?

Nehemiah 1:6 in the King James Version says “Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray befor...” — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Nehemiah 1:6 · King James Version


Context

4

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,

5

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:

6

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.

7

We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.

8

Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:


Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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.

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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?

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
תְּהִ֣י1 of 33
H1961

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

נָ֣א2 of 33
H4994

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

אָזְנְךָֽ3 of 33

“Let thine ear”

H241

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

קַשֶּׁ֣בֶת4 of 33

“now be attentive”

H7183

hearkening

וְֽעֵינֶ֪יךָ5 of 33

“and thine eyes”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

פְתֻוּח֟וֹת6 of 33

“open”

H6605

to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

לִשְׁמֹ֣עַ7 of 33

“that thou mayest hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶל8 of 33
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תְּפִלַּ֣ת9 of 33

“the prayer”

H8605

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ10 of 33

“of thy servant”

H5650

a servant

אֲשֶׁ֣ר11 of 33
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָֽנֹכִי֩12 of 33
H595

i

מִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל13 of 33

“which I pray”

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

לְפָנֶ֤יךָ14 of 33

“before”

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

הַיּוֹם֙15 of 33

“thee now”

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

יוֹמָ֣ם16 of 33

“day”

H3119

daily

וָלַ֔יְלָה17 of 33

“and night”

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

עַל18 of 33
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בְּנֵֽי19 of 33

“for the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙20 of 33

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ21 of 33

“of thy servant”

H5650

a servant

וּמִתְוַדֶּ֗ה22 of 33

“and confess”

H3034

physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha

עַל23 of 33
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

חַטֹּ֤אות24 of 33

“the sins”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

בְּנֵֽי25 of 33

“for the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙26 of 33

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֲשֶׁ֣ר27 of 33
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

חָטָֽאנוּ׃28 of 33

“have sinned”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

לָ֔ךְ29 of 33
H0
וַֽאֲנִ֥י30 of 33
H589

i

וּבֵית31 of 33

“house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אָבִ֖י32 of 33

“against thee both I and my father's”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

חָטָֽאנוּ׃33 of 33

“have sinned”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn


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 1:6 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 1:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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