Nehemiah 1 · The Lantern

Nehemiah’s Prayer

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. And it happened in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, that I was in Susa the fortress.

[Synopsis on Nehemiah] In the second book he says the same things (as the book of Ezra) concerning the return from Babylon, except the riddles. On the other hand, he relates more things concerning Nehemiah the eunuch, how he too asked for the building of the temple, and how Ezra performed the function of a scribe, while Josue, Baneas and Habia instructed the people.

The words of Nehemiah, the son of Hacaliah, etc. Nehemiah is interpreted in Latin as "the Lord comforts," or "comforter from the Lord"; who, when he had renewed the walls of Jerusalem and freed the people of God from the insults of their enemies, elevated observance of the divine law; it is evident that in both name and deed and person he fittingly designates the Mediator of Go…

And Hanani, one of my brothers, came — he and men from Judah; and I asked them about the Jews, the escaped remnant who were left from the captivity, and about Jerusalem.

And they said to me, “Those who are left, who were left from the captivity, there in the province, are in great evil and in reproach; and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”

And it happened, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of the heavens.

And I said: “I beg you, LORD, God of the heavens — the great and fearful God, keeping the covenant and loyal love for those who love him and for those who keep his commandments —

let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant, which I am praying before you today, day and night, for the sons of Israel your servants; and confessing the sins of the sons of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.

We have acted very corruptly against you, and have not kept the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which you commanded Moses your servant.

Remember, please, the word that you commanded Moses your servant, saying: ‘If you break faith, I myself will scatter you among the peoples;

but if you turn back to me, and keep my commandments and do them — though your outcasts were at the end of the heavens, from there I will gather them, and bring them to the place that I have chosen to make my name dwell there.’

And they are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and by your strong hand.

I beg you, Lord, let your ear now be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name; and give success, please, to your servant today, and give him compassion before this man.” Now I was cupbearer to the king.

Nehemiah1

Nehemiah’s Prayer