1sn In ancient Judaism Ezra and Nehemiah were regarded as a single book with dual authorship. According to the Talmud, “Ezra wrote his book” (b. Bava Batra 15a). The Gemara then asks and answers, “And who finished it? Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.” Accordingly, the two are joined in the Leningrad Codex (ca. A.D. 1008), the manuscript upon which modern printed editions of the Hebrew Bible (e.g., BHK and BHS) are based. These are the words of Nehemiahsn The name Nehemiah in Hebrew (נְחֶמְיָה, nÿkhemyah) means “the LORD comforts.” son of Hacaliah:

2 Hanani, who was one of my relatives,tn Heb “brothers.” along with some of the men from Judah, came to me,tn The Hebrew text does not include the words “to me”; these words were supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity. and I asked them about the Jews who had escaped and had survived the exile, and about Jerusalem.map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.

3 They said to me, “The remnant that remains from the exile there in the province are experiencing considerabletn Heb “great.” adversity and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem lies breached, and its gates have been burned down!”tn Heb “have been burned with fire” (so also in Neh 2:17). The expression “burned with fire” is redundant in contemporary English; the translation uses “burned down” for stylistic reasons.

4 When I heard these things I sat down abruptly,tn Heb “sat down.” Context suggests that this was a rather sudden action, resulting from the emotional shock of the unpleasant news, so “abruptly” has been supplied in the present translation. crying and mourning for several days. I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

5 Then I said, “Please, O LORD God of heaven, great and awesome God, who keeps his loving covenanttn Heb “the covenant and loyal love.” The phrase is a hendiadys: the first noun retains its full nominal sense, while the second noun functions adjectivally (“loyal love” = loving). Alternately, the first might function adjectivally and the second noun function as the noun: “covenant and loyal love” = covenant fidelity (see Neh 9:32). with those who love him and obeytn Heb “keep.” The Hebrew verb שָׁמַר (shamar, “to observe; to keep”) is often used as an idiom that means “to obey” the commandments of God (e.g., Exod 20:6; Deut 5:16; 23:24; 29:8; Judg 2:22; 1 Kgs 2:43; 11:11; Ps 119:8, 17, 34; Jer 35:18; Ezek 17:14; Amos 2:4). See BDB 1036 s.v. 3.c. his commandments,

6 may your ear be attentive and your eyes be open to hear the prayer of your servant that I am praying to you today throughout both day and night on behalf of your servants the Israelites. I am confessing the sins of the Israelites that we have committedtn Heb “have sinned.” For stylistic reasons – to avoid redundancy in English – this was translated as “committed.” against you – both I myself and my familytn Heb “the house of my father.” have sinned.

7 We have behaved corruptly against you, not obeying the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments that you commanded your servant Moses.

8 Please recall the word you commanded your servant Moses: ‘If you act unfaithfully, I will scatter you among the nations.tn Heb “peoples.”

9 But if you repenttn Heb “turn to me.” and obeytn Heb “keep.” See the note on the word “obey” in Neh 1:5. my commandments and do them, then even if your dispersed people are in the most remote location,tn Heb “at the end of the heavens.” I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen for my name to reside.’

10 They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your mighty strength and by your powerful hand.

11 Please,tn The interjection אָנָּא (’anna’) is an emphatic term of entreaty: “please!” (BDB 58 s.v.; HALOT 69-70 s.v.). This term is normally reserved for pleas for mercy from God in life-and-death situations (2 Kgs 20:3 = Isa 38:3; Pss 116:4; 118:25; Jonah 1:14; 4:2) and for forgiveness of heinous sins that would result or have resulted in severe judgment from God (Exod 32:31; Dan 9:4; Neh 1:5, 11). O Lord, listen attentivelytn Heb “let your ear be attentive.” to the prayer of your servant and to the prayer of your servants who take pleasure in showing respecttn Heb “fear.” to your name. Grant your servant success today and show compassion to metn Heb “grant compassion.” The words “to me” are supplied in the translation for the sake of smoothness and style in English. in the presence of this man.”