Nehemiah 1:6

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis

תְּהִ֣י

H1961

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

נָ֣א

H4994

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

אָזְנְךָֽ

H241

Let thine ear

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

קַשֶּׁ֣בֶת

H7183

now be attentive

hearkening

וְֽעֵינֶ֪יךָ

H5869

and thine eyes

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

פְתֻוּח֟וֹת

H6605

open

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

לִשְׁמֹ֣עַ

H8085

that thou mayest hear

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

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

תְּפִלַּ֣ת

H8605

the prayer

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

#10

עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ

H5650

of thy servant

a servant

#11

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

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

#12

אָֽנֹכִי֩

H595

#13

מִתְפַּלֵּ֨ל

H6419

which I pray

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

#14

לְפָנֶ֤יךָ

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#15

הַיּוֹם֙

H3117

thee now

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

#16

יוֹמָ֣ם

H3119

day

daily

#17

וָלַ֔יְלָה

H3915

and night

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

#18

עַל

H5921

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

#19

בְּנֵֽי

H1121

for the children

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

#20

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙

H3478

of Israel

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

#21

עֲבָדֶ֑יךָ

H5650

of thy servant

a servant

#22

וּמִתְוַדֶּ֗ה

H3034

and confess

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

#23

עַל

H5921

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

#24

חַטֹּ֤אות

H2403

the sins

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

#25

בְּנֵֽי

H1121

for the children

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

#26

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙

H3478

of Israel

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

#27

אֲשֶׁ֣ר

H834

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

#28

חָטָֽאנוּ׃

H2398

have sinned

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

#29

לָ֔ךְ

#30

וַֽאֲנִ֥י

H589

#31

וּבֵית

H1004

house

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

#32

אָבִ֖י

against thee both I and my father's

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

#33

חָטָֽאנוּ׃

H2398

have sinned

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

Analysis

Within the broader context of Nehemiah, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Nehemiah's theological argument.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?
What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?