Nehemiah 2:16

16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing; and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest that were to do the work.

Nehemiah 2:16 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 2:16

And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did.
&c.] The rulers of the city of Jerusalem, who seem to be officers of the king of Persia, since they are distinguished from Jewish rulers in the next clause:

neither had I as yet told it to the Jews;
what he came about and designed to do:

nor to the priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers;
the principal men among the Jews, both ecclesiastical and civil:

nor to the rest that did the work;
of building and repairing; neither those that were employed in it, nor those that overlooked it.

Nehemiah 2:16 In-Context

14 Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and to the King's Pool; but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.

15 Then I went up in the night by the valley and inspected the wall; and I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned.

16 And the officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing; and I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest that were to do the work.

17 Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer disgrace."

18 And I told them of the hand of my God which had been upon me for good, and also of the words which the king had spoken to me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work.