Nehemiah 2:6

The queen. According to ancient historians, women frequently played a major role in decisions taken by the king. It is told of Xerxes that he was a plaything in the hand of his wives, and that amorous adventures and harem intrigues were of greater interest to him than politics and administration. Darius II was completely ruled by his treacherous and cruel wife, Parysatis, who was at the same time his sister, and of whom it is said that she distinguished herself by her thirst for power.

The Hebrew word shegal is usually translated “queen,” here and in Ps. 45:9, the only other place where it is used in the OT. It is from the root shagal, “to ravish,” “to have sexual intercourse,” and means “concubine,” as the LXX has translated it correctly in Neh. 2:6. The discussion here reported took place in the presence of the queen. Nehemiah probably decided that this was a favorable opportunity for lodging his request — perhaps with the marked support of one of Artaxerxes’ concubines who may have been favorably disposed toward Nehemiah.

I set him a time. It is not stated how much time Nehemiah requested, but it would seem probable that this did not exceed two or three years, which would be sufficient to make the journey and complete the work. From Neh. 5:14 it becomes clear that Nehemiah was absent from court for 12 years, probably much longer than he originally planned. He may have received extensions of his leave of absence from time to time. It is unlikely that Nehemiah asked for a 12-year leave of absence, for so long a time would probably not have been granted him.