And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.
Read it in contextNehemiah Inspects the Walls
Start reading at Nehemiah 2:11 (Nehemiah 2:11 to Nehemiah 2:20).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. News about Jerusalem leads to prayer and a royal commission, followed by examination of the city's condition.
2:11So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days.
2:12And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.
2:13And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.
2:14Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.
2:15Then went I up in the night by the brook, and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.
2:16And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work.
2:17Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.
2:18Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.
2:19But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it, they laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king?
2:20Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Nehemiah son of Hachaliah is the named memoir writer. His account was preserved within the larger Ezra–Nehemiah historical collection, which includes additional material. Biblical references: Nehemiah 1:1; Nehemiah 2:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Nehemiah 1:1–2:20): Nehemiah hears Hanani's report, prays to God, and addresses Artaxerxes. He then speaks to Jerusalem's leaders about rebuilding. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? The restored Jewish community centered on Jerusalem and later readers concerned with its rebuilding, covenant obligations, and worship. Biblical references: Nehemiah 2:17; Nehemiah 8:1; Nehemiah 10:29. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Nehemiah Inspects the Walls. Read Nehemiah 2:11 through Nehemiah 2:20 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. News about Jerusalem leads to prayer and a royal commission, followed by examination of the city's condition. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The narrative dates Nehemiah's commission by Artaxerxes' reign and later describes his return to the king and subsequent visit to Jerusalem. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? It opens in Shushan and moves to Jerusalem and the surrounding communities, focusing on the wall and the life of the restored people. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Nehemiah Inspects the Walls (Nehemiah 2:11 to Nehemiah 2:20).
Start reading at Nehemiah 2:11. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament also joins hearing God's word with doing it and building up a community. This is a canonical comparison, not a claim that Nehemiah's wall directly symbolizes a particular Christian institution. See Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 11:28, Ephesians 4:16. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Combine prayer with responsible action, truthful leadership, and care for people harmed by injustice. Building a project does not remove the continuing need for reform and faithfulness. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Nehemiah 2
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Nehemiah combines first-person accounts, lists, and public covenant events concerning Jerusalem after exile. Distinguish Nehemiah's reported actions from commands addressed to every later community. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. News about Jerusalem leads to prayer and a royal commission, followed by examination of the city's condition.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. News about Jerusalem leads to prayer and a royal commission, followed by examination of the city's condition.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Nehemiah
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Nehemiah combines first-person accounts, lists, and public covenant events concerning Jerusalem after exile. Distinguish Nehemiah's reported actions from commands addressed to every later community.