Nehemiah 2:12 I set out at night with a few men. I did not tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one on which I was riding.

◄ Nehemiah 2:12 ►

New International Version
I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on.

New Living Translation
I slipped out during the night, taking only a few others with me. I had not told anyone about the plans God had put in my heart for Jerusalem. We took no pack animals with us except the donkey I was riding.

English Standard Version
Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. And I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There was no animal with me but the one on which I rode.

Berean Standard Bible
I set out at night with a few men. I did not tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one on which I was riding.

King James Bible
And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.

New King James Version
Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me, except the one on which I rode.

New American Standard Bible
And I got up in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem, and there was no animal with me except the animal on which I was riding.

NASB 1995
And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem and there was no animal with me except the animal on which I was riding.

NASB 1977
And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my mind to do for Jerusalem and there was no animal with me except the animal on which I was riding.

Legacy Standard Bible
And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting into my heart to do for Jerusalem; and there was no animal with me except the animal on which I was riding.

Amplified Bible
Then I got up in the night, I and a few men with me. I did not tell anyone what my God was putting in my heart to do for Jerusalem, and there was no animal with me except the one on which I was riding [so as not to attract attention].

Christian Standard Bible
I got up at night and took a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal I took was the one I was riding.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I got up at night and took a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal I took was the one I was riding.

American Standard Version
And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem; neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.

Contemporary English Version
I got up during the night and left my house. I took some men with me, without telling anyone what I thought God wanted me to do for the city. The only animal I took was the donkey I rode on.

English Revised Version
And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
During the night I went out with a few men without telling anyone what my God had inspired me to do for Jerusalem. The only animal I had was the one I was riding.

Good News Translation
I did not tell anyone what God had inspired me to do for Jerusalem. Then in the middle of the night I got up and went out, taking a few of my companions with me. The only animal we took was the donkey that I rode on.

International Standard Version
Then I got up at night, along with a few men with me. I had not confided to any person what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. Furthermore, there was no other animal with me except for the one I was riding.

Majority Standard Bible
I set out at night with a few men. I did not tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one on which I was riding.

NET Bible
I got up during the night, along with a few men who were with me. But I did not tell anyone what my God was putting on my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no animals with me, except for the one I was riding.

New Heart English Bible
I arose in the night, I and some few men with me. And I told no one what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem; neither was there any animal with me, except the animal that I rode on.

Webster's Bible Translation
And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.

World English Bible
I arose in the night, I and a few men with me. I didn’t tell anyone what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. There wasn’t any animal with me except the animal that I rode on.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and I rise by night, I and a few men with me, and have not declared to a man what my God is giving to my heart to do for Jerusalem, and there is no beast with me except the beast on which I am riding.

Young's Literal Translation
and I rise by night, I and a few men with me, and have not declared to a man what my God is giving unto my heart to do for Jerusalem, and there is no beast with me except the beast on which I am riding.

Smith's Literal Translation
And I shall rise in the night, I and a few men with me; and I announced not to man what my God gave into my heart to do at Jerusalem: and no beast with me but the beast that I rode upon it.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me, and I told not any man what God had put in my heart to do in Jerusalem, and there was no beast with me, but the beast that I rode upon.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And I got up in the night, I and a few men with me. And I did not reveal to anyone what God had placed in my heart to do in Jerusalem. And there was no animal with me, except the animal on which I was sitting.

New American Bible
I set out by night with only a few other men and with no other animals but my own mount (for I had not told anyone what my God had inspired me to do for Jerusalem).

New Revised Standard Version
Then I got up during the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal I took was the animal I rode.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And I arose in the night, I and the men who had come with me; and I told no man what my God had put in my heart to do in Jerusalem; neither was there any beast with me, except the beast that I rode upon.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And I arose in the night, I and men who were with me, and I told no man the thing that my God put in my heart to do for Jerusalem, and no beast was with me except the beast upon which I was riding.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God put into my heart to do for Jerusalem; neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And I rose up by night, I and a few men with me; and I told no man what God put into my heart to do with Israel; and there was no beast with me, except the beast which I rode upon.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Nehemiah Inspects the Walls
11After I had arrived in Jerusalem and had been there three days, 12I set out at night with a few men. I did not tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one on which I was riding. 13So I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Well of the Serpent and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Nehemiah 1:11
O Lord, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.)

Nehemiah 7:5
Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles, the officials, and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. I found the genealogical register of those who had first returned, and I found the following written in it:

Ezra 7:27-28
Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put into the heart of the king to so honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, / and who has shown me favor before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officials. And because the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, I took courage and gathered the leaders of Israel to return with me.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; / in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” And I said: “Here am I. Send me!”

Daniel 2:19-23
During the night, the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision, and he blessed the God of heaven / and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. / He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. ...

Acts 23:11
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”

Acts 20:22-24
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. / I only know that in town after town the Holy Spirit warns me that chains and afflictions await me. / But I consider my life of no value to me, if only I may finish my course and complete the ministry I have received from the Lord Jesus—the ministry of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

1 Corinthians 2:9-10
Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” / But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Ephesians 3:20
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Genesis 24:27
saying, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not withheld His kindness and faithfulness from my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.”

Exodus 3:10-12
Therefore, go! I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring My people the Israelites out of Egypt.” / But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” / “I will surely be with you,” God said, “and this will be the sign to you that I have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, all of you will worship God on this mountain.”

Treasury of Scripture

And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode on.

I arose

Genesis 32:22-24
And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok…

Joshua 10:9
Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night.

Judges 6:27
Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.

neither

Ecclesiastes 3:7
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

Amos 5:13
Therefore the prudent shall keep silence in that time; for it is an evil time.

Micah 7:5
Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom.

Ezra 7:27
Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem:

Psalm 51:18
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Psalm 122:6
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

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Nehemiah 2

1. Artaxerxes, understanding the cause of Nehemiah's sadness,
6. sends him with letters and commission to Jerusalem
9. Nehemiah, to the grief of the enemies, comes to Jerusalem
12. He views secretly the ruins of the walls
17. He incites the Jews to build

Berean Study Bible

I set out during the night
The phrase "I set out during the night" indicates a strategic and cautious approach by Nehemiah. In the Hebrew context, night often symbolizes a time of secrecy and protection. Nehemiah's decision to move under the cover of darkness reflects his wisdom and understanding of the potential opposition he might face. It also signifies a spiritual metaphor, where God often works in the unseen and hidden moments of our lives, preparing us for His purposes.

with a few men
The choice of "a few men" underscores the importance of selectivity and trust. Nehemiah chose a small, trusted group to accompany him, highlighting the need for discernment in leadership. This reflects the biblical principle of surrounding oneself with faithful and reliable companions, as seen in the relationships of David with his mighty men or Jesus with His disciples. It emphasizes the value of quality over quantity in fulfilling God's mission.

I had not told anyone
The phrase "I had not told anyone" reveals Nehemiah's discretion and patience. In the Hebrew tradition, wisdom is often associated with knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. Nehemiah's silence allowed him to seek God's guidance without external influence or premature opposition. This teaches us the importance of guarding our God-given visions until the right time for revelation.

what my God had put in my heart
This phrase highlights the divine origin of Nehemiah's mission. The Hebrew understanding of the heart is the center of one's being, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. Nehemiah's acknowledgment that God placed this burden in his heart emphasizes the personal and intimate relationship between God and His servants. It serves as a reminder that true calling and purpose are birthed from divine inspiration and alignment with God's will.

to do for Jerusalem
The focus "to do for Jerusalem" reflects Nehemiah's commitment to the restoration of God's people and city. Jerusalem, the center of Jewish worship and identity, held significant historical and spiritual importance. Nehemiah's mission was not just a physical rebuilding but a spiritual renewal, aligning with the prophetic promises of restoration found throughout the Old Testament. It calls believers to prioritize God's kingdom and His people in their endeavors.

There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding
This detail, "There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding," signifies humility and simplicity. Nehemiah's choice to limit resources and rely on a single mount reflects his dependence on God rather than human strength or wealth. It serves as a metaphor for the Christian journey, where reliance on God and contentment with His provision are paramount. This echoes the biblical theme of God using the humble and lowly to accomplish His great purposes.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(12-18) Nehemiah's cautious preliminaries.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - Some few men with me. All the arrangements are made to avoid notice. Nehemiah goes out by night, with few attendants, and with only one beast. He is anxious to see with his own eyes what is the extent of the repair needed, but wishes as few as possible to know of his proceedings.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

I
אֲנִי֮ (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

set out
וָאָק֣וּם ׀ (wā·’ā·qūm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

at night
לַ֗יְלָה (lay·lāh)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

with
עִמִּי֒ (‘im·mî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

a few
מְעַט֮ (mə·‘aṭ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few

men.
וַאֲנָשִׁ֣ים ׀ (wa·’ă·nā·šîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

I did not
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

tell
הִגַּ֣דְתִּי (hig·gaḏ·tî)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

anyone
לְאָדָ֔ם (lə·’ā·ḏām)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

what
מָ֗ה (māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

my God
אֱלֹהַי֙ (’ĕ·lō·hay)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common singular
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

had laid
נֹתֵ֣ן (nō·ṯên)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

on
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

my heart
לִבִּ֔י (lib·bî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

to do
לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת (la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213: To do, make

for Jerusalem.
לִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (lî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

The only
כִּ֚י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

animal
וּבְהֵמָה֙ (ū·ḇə·hê·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

with me
עִמִּ֔י (‘im·mî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

was the one
הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה (hab·bə·hê·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal

on which
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I
אֲנִ֖י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

was riding.
רֹכֵ֥ב (rō·ḵêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7392: To ride, to place upon, to despatch

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OT History: Nehemiah 2:12 I arose in the night (Neh Ne)