Nehemiah’s Prayer 1These are the words of Nehemiah (YHWH comforts) son of Hacaliah (whom YHWH enlightens): In the month of Chislev (November and December),a in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa (lily), 2Hanani (gracious), one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah (praised). So I questioned them about the remnant of the Jews who had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem (city of peace). 3And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem (city of peace) is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” 4When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for days, fasting and praying before the God {Elohe} of heaven. 5Then I said: “O LORD, God {YHWH Elohe} of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion {chesed}b with those who love Him and keep His commandments, 6let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites (God prevails). I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. 7We have behaved corruptly against You and have not kept the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that You gave Your servant Moses (drawn out). 8Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses (drawn out) when You said, ‘If you⁺ are unfaithful, I will scatter you⁺ among the nations, 9but if you⁺ return to Me and keep and practice My commandments, then even if your⁺ exiles have been banished to the farthest horizon (to the extremity of the heavens),c I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for My Name <Deu 30:1–4>.’d 10They are Your servants and Your people. You redeemed them by Your great power and mighty hand. 11O Lord {Adonai}, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants \to the prayer of Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants/e who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.) Footnotes: 1 a Chislev is the ninth month of the Hebrew lunar calendar, usually occurring within the months of November and December. 5 b Forms of the Hebrew chesed are translated here and in most cases throughout the Scriptures as loving devotion; the range of meaning includes love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and mercy, as well as loyalty to a covenant. 9 c Or to the extremity of the heavens 9 d Deuteronomy 30:1–4 11 e Literally to the prayer of Your servant and to the prayer of Your servants The Berean Annotated Bible (BAB) is the Annotated version of the Berean Standard Bible (BSB). The BAB includes over 50,000 points of emphasis using the following system: (Emphasis and Names) {Hebrew and Greek} [Alternate Manuscripts] \Literal translation/ <Measurements and Crossrefs> Second Person Plural: you⁺ your⁺ yours⁺ This version is an early draft and is now in the stage of proofing, consistency checking, and public comment. Please note that meanings for Biblical names are based on Hebrew and Greek roots and can be somewhat subjective. Feel free to Contact us with suggestions or corrections. We are still adding points of emphasis wherever helpful. |
    |