Nehemiah 13:6But in all this time I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king: and after certain days asked I leave of the king,
The setting
Persian royal court of Artaxerxes, ~433 BC. Nehemiah has returned to serve the king after completing Jerusalem's walls. He's been gone from Jerusalem for several years when corruption creeps back in. Modern-day Iran, likely Persepolis region.
The emotion here: conflicted between duty to earthly king and concern for God's people
The original word
šāʾal (שָׁאַל) — asked permission, petitioned with respect and humility
Why it matters
Artaxerxes was called 'Longimanus' (long-handed) and ruled the Persian Empire at its height — asking his permission required months of protocol
Read with care
What most readers miss in Nehemiah 13:6
Nehemiah had promised the king he'd return after a set time — he was keeping his word even though it meant leaving Jerusalem vulnerable
Common misconceptionPeople think Nehemiah abandoned Jerusalem, but he was fulfilling his promise to return to the king — his integrity in one relationship enabled his effectiveness in another.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Nehemiah 13:6
Bible Genome reading
Nehemiah 13:6 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Nehemiah 13:6 comes from the book of Nehemiah, written during the Post-Exile period. These words are attributed to Nehemiah. The dominant emotion in this verse is resting, with a comfort power of 30% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include absence, chronology. Notable phrases: two and thirtieth year; Artaxerxes king.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same resting
“Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud,”
— 1 Corinthians 13:4
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, "It is finished." He bowed his head, and gave up his spirit.”
— John 19:30
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
— Psalms 23:1
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfor…”
— Psalms 23:4
“"Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth."”
— Psalms 46:10
Your reflection
What does Nehemiah 13:6 mean to you, today?
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