Bible Strands
Nehemiah 2:1
Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Nehemiah speaks to King Artaxerxes while serving as cupbearer during the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of the king's reign. The moment occurs when wine is placed before the king and Nehemiah presents it to him.
The words — The Hebrew phrase בְּ/חֹדֶשׁ נִיסָן (be./Cho.desh ni.San) literally means "in the month of Nisan," marking a specific point in the Persian calendar. The verb וַ/יְהִי (va/y.Hi) translates to "and it was," establishing the temporal framework for the narrative.
The thread — This chronological marker aligns with the timeline established in Nehemiah 1:1 and Ezra 7:1, which both anchor events to the reign of Artaxerxes. The cupbearer role referenced here connects to Nehemiah 1:11, where Nehemiah identifies himself as the king's cupbearer.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize how a routine court duty becomes the catalyst for a critical conversation. It demands attention to how historical timing and personal demeanor intersect in moments of divine opportunity.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence.
Cross-references
- Ezra 7:1 Many years later, during the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
- 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 1:1 These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,
- Ezra 7:7 So in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes, he went up to Jerusalem with some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants.
- Esther 3:7 In the twelfth year of King Xerxes, in the first month, the month of Nisan, the Pur (that is, the lot) was cast before Haman to determine a day and month. And the lot fell on the twelfth month, the month of Adar.
- Genesis 40:11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into his cup, and placed the cup in his hand.”
- Genesis 40:21 Pharaoh restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand.