Nehemiah 1:4

4 It happened, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,

Nehemiah 1:4 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 1:4

And it came to pass, when I heard these words
This sad and melancholy account of things:

that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days;
sat down upon the ground in dust and ashes, after the manner of mourners, and wept bitterly, and mourned in a most sorrowful manner, see ( Job 2:8 Job 2:12 Job 2:13 ) ,

and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven;
that made it, and dwells in it.

Nehemiah 1:4 In-Context

2 that Hanani, one of my brothers, came, he and certain men out of Yehudah; and I asked them concerning the Yehudim who had escaped, who were left of the captivity, and concerning Yerushalayim.

3 They said to me, The remnant who are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Yerushalayim also is broken down, and the gates of it are burned with fire.

4 It happened, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,

5 and said, I beg you, LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and lovingkindness with those who love him and keep his mitzvot:

6 Let your ear now be attentive, and your eyes open, that you may listen to the prayer of your servant, which I pray before you at this time, day and night, for the children of Yisra'el your servants while I confess the sins of the children of Yisra'el, which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father's house have sinned: