And said unto the king, Let the king live for ever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ sepulchres, lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire?
And I said to the king, 'May the king live forever! How can I not look sad when the city where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned down?'
Nehemiah is explaining to the Persian king why he looks sad - because his ancestral city of Jerusalem is destroyed and in ruins.
📚 Historical Context
In the 5th century BC, Nehemiah was a Jewish exile serving as the cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, a role that required great trust and proximity to the king. When Nehemiah heard about the destruction of Jerusalem, including its walls and gates burned by enemies, he was deeply grieved because it was the sacred city and the burial place of his ancestors. This verse captures his bold yet respectful response to the king, setting the stage for his eventual mission to lead the rebuilding efforts.
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