Nehemiah 13:6

Authorized King James Version

But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king:

Word-by-Word Analysis

וּבְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

זֶ֕ה

H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

לֹ֥א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָיִ֖יתִי

H1961

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

בִּירֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם

H3389

But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

כִּ֡י

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בִּשְׁנַת֩

H8141

year

a year (as a revolution of time)

שְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים

H7970

and thirtieth

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

וּשְׁתַּ֜יִם

H8147

for in the two

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

#10

לְאַרְתַּחְשַׁ֤סְתְּא

H783

of Artaxerxes

artachshasta (or artaxerxes), a title (rather than name) of several persian kings

#11

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

H4428

I unto the king

a king

#12

בָּבֶל֙

H894

of Babylon

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

#13

בָּ֣אתִי

H935

came

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

#14

אֶל

H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

#15

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

H4428

I unto the king

a king

#16

וּלְקֵ֥ץ

H7093

and after

an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after

#17

יָמִ֖ים

H3117

certain days

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

#18

נִשְׁאַ֥לְתִּי

H7592

obtained I leave

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

#19

מִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#20

הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

H4428

I unto the king

a king

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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

In what ways does understanding divine revelation in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Nehemiah chapter 13 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?
In what ways does this verse's emphasis on divine revelation address religious pluralism and questions about the necessity of Christ, and how should the church respond?