Nehemiah 2:7

7 I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah.

Nehemiah 2:7 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 2:7

Moreover, I said unto the king, let letters be given me to
the governors beyond the river
The river of Euphrates, on that side of it towards the land of Judea:

that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;
furnish him with provisions, and a guard to protect him.

Nehemiah 2:7 In-Context

5 I replied, “If it please the king, and if you are pleased with me, your servant, send me to Judah to rebuild the city where my ancestors are buried.”

6 The king, with the queen sitting beside him, asked, “How long will you be gone? When will you return?” After I told him how long I would be gone, the king agreed to my request.

7 I also said to the king, “If it please the king, let me have letters addressed to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, instructing them to let me travel safely through their territories on my way to Judah.

8 And please give me a letter addressed to Asaph, the manager of the king’s forest, instructing him to give me timber. I will need it to make beams for the gates of the Temple fortress, for the city walls, and for a house for myself.” And the king granted these requests, because the gracious hand of God was on me.

9 When I came to the governors of the province west of the Euphrates River, I delivered the king’s letters to them. The king, I should add, had sent along army officers and horsemen to protect me.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew the province beyond the river; also in 2:9 .