Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 2:18

Then 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].

18. the hand of my God ] Cf. Neh 2:8. The blessing which had so far attended his plan.

as also the king’s words ] R.V. as also of, &c. He reported the substance of the king’s words, which the compiler has not given us.

Let us rise up and build ] The people responded with enthusiasm.

So they strengthened their hands ] The presence of enemies on every side made the undertaking hazardous. At the same time the need of courage will be more obvious if we accept the theory of a recent hostile attack (cf. note on Neh 1:2). The versions render the verb in the passive, LXX. , Vulg. confortatae sunt manus eorum, which is followed by Luther, ‘ ihre Hnde wurden gestrkt.

for this good work] R.V. for the good work. Literally, ‘for the good,’ the same expression as ‘the well-fare’ in Neh 2:10. LXX. , Vulg. in bono.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

The kings words – These have not been given; but the royal permission to restore the walls is implied in Neh 2:5-6.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 18. Then I told them] He opened to them his design and his commission.

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

Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me….. Of the kind providence of God in exalting him in the court of the king of Persia, in giving him an opportunity of laying the sad case of Jerusalem before him, and in inclining his heart to show favour to him, and grant his request:

as also the king’s words that he had spoken to me; what passed between them on this subject, the commission he gave him, and the letters he sent by him to his governors on this side the river:

and they said, let us rise up and build; encouraged by this account of things, they proposed to set about the work immediately:

so they strengthened their hands for this good work; animated and encouraged one another to proceed to it at once with cheerfulness, and to go on in it with spirit and resolution.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

To gain the favourable regard of the assembly for his design, he informs them how God had so far prospered his undertaking: I told them of the hand of my God, that it = that the hand my God had graciously provided for me, i.e., that God had so graciously arranged my journey to Jerusalem; and the king’s words that he had spoken to me, sc. with respect to the building of the wall, of which we are told Neh 2:8 only thus much, that the king gave orders to the keeper of the royal forest to give him wood for building. Encouraged by this information, the assembly exclaimed, “Let us arise and build;” and “they strengthened their hands for good,” i.e., they vigorously set about the good work.

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

(18) Then I told them.Nehemiah relates his providential call, with the kings commission, and the people were thoroughly enlisted in the good cause.

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

18. The king’s words Nehemiah informed them, doubtless, not only of what the king had spoken to him, but also of the letters of authority which he held from the king.

They strengthened their hands Encouraged each other, and set vigorously about the work.

For this good work Literally, for good. Vatablus explains it, on account of the favour of God and of the king. But the words seem better taken in the more general sense which the literal rendering gives; they encouraged one another for good, not for evil; they set about the work with a good will.

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

Neh 2:18 Then 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].

Ver. 18. Then I told them of the hand of my God ] i.e., of his gracious providence in prospering me in all.

As also the king’s words] Which were likewise very gracious and comfortable. Now he that hath both God and the king on his side, what would he have more?

And they said, Let us rise up and build ] So forcible are right words, delivered in a mild and moderate manner, as here. Let us rise, say they. Let us linger no longer, but speedily fall to labour; and recover that with our diligence that our fathers lost by their disobedience.

So they strengthened their hands for this good work ] They took courage, and went an end with it. So much good may one man of place, power, and zeal do for the Church, by stirring up to love and good works. It is said of the precious stone Pyrites, that it puts not forth its fiery power till well rubbed; and then it is so hot that it burneth one’s fingers.

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

good work. This work was “good” because it was “prepared” by God. See Eph 2:10.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

the hand: Neh 2:8

So they strengthened: 2Sa 2:7, 1Ch 11:10, 1Ch 19:13, 2Ch 32:5, Ezr 6:22, Hag 1:13, Hag 1:14, Eph 6:10, Phi 2:13

Reciprocal: Gen 48:2 – strengthened 1Sa 23:16 – strengthened Ezr 7:6 – according to Ezr 7:9 – began he to go up Mat 26:10 – a good Act 11:21 – the hand 2Ti 3:17 – thoroughly furnished

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2:18 Then 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 {g} strengthened their hands for [this] good [work].

(g) They were encouraged and gave themselves to do well, and to travel in this worthy enterprise.

Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes