Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 2:6

And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

6. The account is very condensed. Nehemiah’s request is favourably received, but only the general results of the conversation are related. The king seems at once to have appointed Nehemiah to be ‘governor’ at Jerusalem (cf. Neh 5:14), and to have approved the policy of restoring the walls.

the queen ] The royal consort (cf. Psa 45:10; Dan 5:2-3; Dan 5:23) the head of the Harem. She may possibly have been Damaspia, who is mentioned by the historian Ctesias as the consort of Artaxerxes.

sitting by him ] It was clearly not a public banquet (cf. Esther 1). The position of the queen sitting by or before the king corresponds with representations in the monuments. Compare especially the representation of Assurbanipal reclining at a banquet, his queen being seated on a chair at the foot of his couch (Brit. Mus.).

and I set him a time ] The duration of this period is not stated. And the length of Nehemiah’s first residence in Jerusalem has been much disputed, some holding that he returned to the king’s court immediately after the completion of the walls, others saying that he remained as governor (cf. Neh 5:14) for twelve years, having obtained an extension of the time of absence originally agreed upon.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

The queen – Though the Persian kings practiced polygamy, they always had one chief wife, who alone was recognized as queen. The chief wife of Longimanus was Damaspia.

I set him a time – Nehemiah appears to have stayed at Jerusalem twelve years from his first arrival Neh 5:14; but he can scarcely have mentioned so long a term to the king. Probably his leave of absence was prolonged from time to time.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 6. The queen also sitting by him] Who probably forwarded his suit. This was not Esther, as Dean Prideaux supposes, nor perhaps the same Artaxerxes who had taken her to be queen; nor does shegal signify queen, but rather harlot or concubine, she who was chief favourite. The Septuagint translate it , harlot; and properly too. See the introduction.

I set him a time.] How long this time was we are not told; it is by no means likely that it was long, probably no more than six months or a year; after which he either returned, or had his leave of absence lengthened; for in the same year we find he was made governor of the Jews, in which office he continued twelve years, viz., from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes, Ne 5:14. He then returned to Susa; and after staying a short time, had leave to return to rectify some abuses that Tobiah the Ammonite had introduced into the temple, Ne 13:6-7, and several others of which the people themselves were guilty. After having performed this service, it is likely he returned to the Persian king, and died in his office of cup-bearer; but of this latter circumstance we have no mention in the text.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

The queen also sitting by him; which is here noted, partly as an unusual thing; for commonly the kings of Persia dined alone, and their queens seldom dined with them, as historians note; and peradventure because the queen expressed some kindness to him, and promoted his request with the king.

When wilt thou return? this question showed the kings respect and affection to him, and that he was not willing to want his attendance longer than was necessary.

I set him a time; either that twelve years mentioned Neh 5:14; 13:6, or rather a far shorter time; for which cause, among others, he built the walls with such despatch, even in fifty-two days, Neh 6:15; and probably not very long after that returned to the king, by whom he was sent a second time with more ample commission, and for the kings service, and the government of that part of his dominions.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

6-9. the queen also sitting byhimAs the Persian monarchs did not admit their wives to bepresent at their state festivals, this must have been a privateoccasion. The queen referred to was probably Esther, whose presencewould tend greatly to embolden Nehemiah in stating his request; andthrough her influence, powerfully exerted it may be supposed, also byher sympathy with the patriotic design, his petition was granted, togo as deputy governor of Judea, accompanied by a military guard, andinvested with full powers to obtain materials for the building inJerusalem, as well as to get all requisite aid in promoting hisenterprise.

I set him a timeConsideringthe great despatch made in raising the walls, it is probable thatthis leave of absence was limited at first to a year or six months,after which he returned to his duties in Shushan. The circumstance offixing a set time for his return, as well as entrusting so importanta work as the refortification of Jerusalem to his care, proves thehigh favor and confidence Nehemiah enjoyed at the Persian court, andthe great estimation in which his services were held. At a laterperiod he received a new commission for the better settlement of theaffairs of Judea and remained governor of that province for twelveyears (Ne 5:14).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

And the king said unto me, the queen also sitting by him,…. Which it seems was not very common for the queens of Persia to dine with the kings their husbands; though this may be observed, not so much for the singularity of it, as for the providence of God in it, that so it should be, she having a good respect for Nehemiah, and the Jewish nation, and forwarded the king in his grant to him: if this king was Darius Hystaspis, this his queen was Atossa, daughter of Cyrus q, who might be the more friendly to the Jews, on account of her father’s great regard unto them:

for how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? what time would he ask to do this business in? this shows the king had a great respect for him, and was loath to part with him, at least for any great length of time:

so it pleased the king to send me, when he promised to return unto him, not in twelve years, which was the time of his government in Judea, but in a lesser space, perhaps a year at most, since in less than two months the wall of Jerusalem was finished; and it may be that he then returned to the king of Persia, who sent him again under the character of a governor, finding it was for his interest to have such a man in those parts.

q Herodot. Polymnia, sive l. 7. c. 1.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

The king and the queen, who was sitting near him ( , Psa 45:10), grant him permission to depart after he has, in answer to their inquiry, fixed the period of his absence. Nehemiah makes the result of the conversation, “And it pleased the king,” etc., follow immediately upon the question of the king and queen: For how long shall thy journey be, and when wilt thou return? before telling us what was his answer to this question, which is not brought in till afterwards, so that must be understood as expressing: since I had determined the time.

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

(6) The queen also sitting by him.Probably Damaspia, the one legitimate queen: Shegal, as in Ps. 14:13, where, however, she stands as in the presenco of her Divine-human Lord. This was not a public feast, as in that case the queen would not be present (Est. 1:9-12).

I set him a time.Whatever that was, circumstances afterwards prolonged it.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

6. The queen also sitting by him Probably the queen consort, the principal wife, is meant; not one of his concubines, or a mistress, as the Septuagint translates it. The influence of a wife over a Persian monarch is shown in the Book of Esther.

How long The king did not wish to lose this noble officer of his court for a great length of time.

I set him a time This may have been altered afterwards, and Nehemiah’s leave of absence extended. This would necessarily follow from his being appointed governor, which appointment was made that same year. Nehemiah filled that office for the twelve succeeding years. Neh 5:14.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Neh 2:6. And I set him a time How long this was is not certain. It is said, indeed, that he was governor of the land of Judah for twelve years, chap. Neh 5:14 Neh 13:6. But, considering what haste he made for dispatching the building of the walls, which he finished in fifty-two days, the leave that he asked might be but for a year, or perhaps half so long; after which time, it is likely, he returned to Shushan according to his promise; but some time after was sent back again by the king (who found his presence there serviceable, or perhaps necessary for the better regulation of that province), to be his governor for twelve years.

REFLECTIONS.1. The king, perceiving the meaning of Nehemiah’s sorrows, and his fear to ask, kindly bids him make his request. Note; Christ our king has given us an unlimited promise; and shall we be backward to make our requests known to him?

2. Encouraged by this condescension, he lifts up his heart to God for power to speak aright, and a blessing on his request; a warm ejaculation fled to the throne of grace, and God strengthened and prospered him. He begs permission to rebuild his native city, a convoy to guard him safe, and an order upon the governors to supply him with necessaries for the work. Note; (1.) Whatever we set about, let prayer prepare the way. (2.) Frequent ejaculations tend to preserve the spirituality of our temper. (3.) Nothing is too much to ask when we come to Jesus, who will do for us exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think.

3. The king consented that he should go; but, unwilling to part with him long, engages him to return within a stipulated time. The queen, who providentially was now present, probably stood his friend; and he had peculiar reason that day to acknowledge the good hand of God in his success. Note; (1.) The prayer of faith never ascends in vain. (2.) Providential help is often given when little expected; and friends unknown to us before are raised up of God in our difficulties. (3.) Whatever mercy we receive, let God’s good hand be acknowledged with thankfulness.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Neh 2:6 And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

Ver. 6. And the king said unto me ] He yields for the thing, only indents for the time; as being loth to deny Nehemiah his suit, and yet as loth to forego so faithful a servant. Ipse aspectus viri boni delectat (Seneca).

The queen also sitting by him ] And assisting his cause likely. Some think this was Esther, the queen mother. But the Hebrew word here is, wife: now the kings of Persia were noted for uxorious.

For how long, &c. ] The departure of a dear friend is so grievous, that death itself is called by that name.

So it pleased the king to send me ] As a governor, Neh 5:14 . This was the fruit of prayer, and, therefore, so much the sweeter.

And I set him a time ] sc. Twelve years, Neh 5:14 . But more probably a shorter time at first.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

the queen. Hebrew. ha-shegal = wife. Occurs only here and in Psa 45:9. Dan 5:2, Dan 5:3, Dan 5:23. Not a Hebrew word, but borrowed from the Akkadian sha = a bride, and gal = great. Used of a foreign queen. Here it would exactly suit “the great bride” or “foreign (Jewish) queen”, Esther. (See notes on the Chronological Structure of Ezra-Nehemiah, p. 618.) Esther is introduced here (parenthetically) because of her sympathy and interest, which Nehemiah so greatly needed at this juncture, as Mordecai had needed it before (Est 4:14).

sitting. Not reclining.

by = close to.

it pleased the king. The fruit of Nehemiah’s prayer (Neh 2:4).

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

the queen: Heb. the wife, It was probably Esther who was present at this time, and who seconded Nehemiah’s request.

So it pleased: Neh 2:4, Neh 1:11, Isa 58:12, Isa 61:4, Isa 65:24

I set him a time: It is probable that this time was no more than six months, or a year; after which he either returned, or had his leave of absence lengthened, as we find he was twelve years governor of the Jews. Neh 5:14, Neh 13:6

Reciprocal: Isa 49:23 – kings

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Neh 2:6. The queen also sitting by him Which is here noted as an unusual thing, for commonly the kings of Persia dined alone; and perhaps because the queen expressed some kindness to him, and promoted his request. How long shall thy journey be? This question showed the kings affection for him, and that he was not willing to want his attendance longer than was necessary. So it pleased the king to send me Having told the king how long he desired to be absent from his office, the king permitted him to go. How long that was, is not certain. But it is not likely it was for twelve years, mentioned Neh 5:14; Neh 13:6, but rather, he asked leave for a year, or perhaps for half that time: which made him so quick in despatching the building of the wall, which he finished in fifty-two days, chap. Neh 6:15. After which, it is likely, he returned to Shushan, according to his appointment, and that the king sent him back as his governor for twelve years; his presence being very serviceable, or perhaps necessary there, for the better ordering of that province to the kings satisfaction.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments