Definition: And the king said unto me, (the queen also sitting by him,) For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the king to send me; and I set him a time.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Nehemiah 2:6. It’s a really interesting and slightly mysterious passage! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse is about a king asking for someone to help him with a big task – rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after it was destroyed by enemies. The king is essentially saying, “You’re going to be here for a while, and I need to know when you’ll return.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And the king said unto me…” – This means the King is speaking directly to the person being asked. “…(the queen also sitting by him)” - This suggests the king might be sharing this conversation with someone else, possibly a royal advisor or official. “For how long shall thy journey be?” – This asks about the duration of the task. What's the length of time the person will be needed? “And when wilt thou return?” - This is the crucial part. It’s asking for a timeframe – a deadline. When will this person return? "So it pleased the king to send me…” – The King is giving permission and assigning someone to undertake this task. “And I set him a time.” - This is the most important part! The King has given the person a specific timeframe, establishing a schedule for their work. What does it mean in bigger picture terms? This verse highlights several key themes: Divine Providence: The king isn’t just asking for help; he's trusting that God is working behind the scenes to guide this process and ensure its success. Order & Structure: It shows a sense of order and planning – the king is establishing a clear path and timeframe for the task. Trust & Responsibility: The person being asked has a responsibility to carry out the King’s instructions, demonstrating trust in their abilities. In short, it's a blessing from God that He will provide support and guidance for this important endeavor. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse from Nehemiah? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Explore what this verse might symbolize in a broader spiritual sense?