His request to the king had been so favorably received that Nehemiah was encouraged to ask for still further assistance. To give dignity and authority to his mission, as well as to provide protection on the journey, he asked for and secured a military escort. He obtained royal letters to the governors of the provinces beyond the Euphrates, the territory through which he must pass on his way to Judea; and he obtained, also, a letter to the keeper of the king's forest in the mountains of Lebanon, directing him to furnish such timber as would be needed. That there might be no occasion for complaint that he had exceeded his commission, Nehemiah was careful to have the authority and privileges accorded him, clearly defined.

Kongen havde stillet sig så imødekommende over for Nehemias' anmodning, at denne tog mod til sig og bad om yderligere hjælp. Det var ham magtpåliggende, at hans rejse fik et værdigt og officielt præg, og at rejseselskabet blev beskyttet på færden. Han bad derfor kongen om militær eskorte. Han bad også om at måtte få breve med til statholderne hinsides Eufratfloden, fordi han skulle rejse igennem deres område på vejen til Judæa. Desuden fik han et brev med til opsynsmanden over den kongelige skov i Libanons bjerge. I brevet blev det pålagt denne mand at stille det nødvendige tømmer til rådighed. For at forebygge, at der blev klaget over, at han havde overskredet sine beføjelser, sørgede han omhyggeligt for, at disse blev klart formuleret.