Definition: That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and [certain] men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 1:2. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse is about a man named Hanani, who was part of a group of people trying to find out what happened to Jewish people who had fled Jerusalem during the time of King Jehoahaz’s rule. Let’s unpack it word by word: “That Hanani, one of my brethren” : This tells us that Hanani is a member of the group being discussed. “Brother” suggests a close relationship and perhaps a shared past. “came” : He arrived or went to see them. “he and certain men of Judah” : This is important! “Judah” refers to the region around Jerusalem, which was under control at the time. "Certain men" means there were a group of people involved. “and I asked them concerning…” : This is the key part – he was asking questions. “…the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity” : This is where it gets more detailed. “The Jews that had escaped” refers to Jewish people who fled Jerusalem during King Jehoahaz’s rule. "Left of the captivity" means they were separated from the rest of their community because they had been exiled or forced out. “and concerning Jerusalem” : He was asking about what happened in the city itself – Jerusalem, which was under siege and facing a difficult situation. In short: Hanani is looking into why there were still Jewish people living in Jerusalem after the time of Jehoahaz's rule. He’s trying to understand what had happened to them. What does this verse tell us about the context? This passage is part of a larger story in the Bible that focuses on rebuilding and restoring Israel. It highlights the importance of seeking out those who were displaced and trying to understand their situation, as well as the challenges facing Jerusalem. Do you want me to: Explain another verse from Nehemiah? Discuss the significance of this particular event in biblical history?