Nehemiah 1:6
Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.
Nehemiah 1:6 · King James Version
Meaning
In this verse, the speaker is humbly asking God to be attentive to his prayer, which is for the children of Israel. The speaker acknowledges the sins committed by himself and his family, and seeks forgiveness and mercy from God. By admitting the sins of the children of Israel, the speaker is not only confessing wrongdoing but also expressing a deep sense of responsibility and care for his community. This verse highlights the importance of genuine repentance and intercession on behalf of others. It shows a selfless desire to seek forgiveness and healing for the whole community, rather than just for oneself. It serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God's mercy not only for personal sins but also for the sins of others, showing unity and solidarity in seeking forgiveness and redemption.
Theological Overview
From a theological perspective, this verse highlights the importance of confession and intercession in the life of a believer. The plea made by Nehemiah to God demonstrates his deep concern for the spiritual well-being of his people, the children of Israel. By asking God to be attentive to his prayer and open to his supplication, Nehemiah acknowledges his own sinfulness and the sins of his ancestors. This act of confession not only demonstrates humility and repentance but also serves as a model for believers today. The word "attentive" implies that God is actively listening to Nehemiah's prayer, showing His loving and responsive nature towards His servant. Furthermore, the mention of praying "day and night" signifies Nehemiah's persistence and dedication to seeking God's mercy on behalf of the people of Israel. Through this verse, believers are reminded of the importance of humbly confessing sins and interceding for others, trusting in God's faithfulness to hear and answer prayers.
Nehemiah 1:6 in other translations
American Standard Version
Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee at this time, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee. Yea, I and my father's house have sinned:
World English Bible
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 Israel your servants while I confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Yes, I and my father’s house have sinned.
Douay-Rheims
Let thy ears be attentive, and thy eyes open, to hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, night and day, for the children of Israel thy servants: and I confess the sins of the children of Israel, by which they have sinned against thee: I and my father's house have sinned.
Geneva Bible (1599)
I pray thee, let thine eares be attet, and thine eies open, to heare the praier of thy seruat, which I pray before thee dayly, day and night for ye childre of Israel thy seruats, and confesse the sinnes of the children of Israel, which we haue sinned against thee, both I and my fathers house haue sinned: