Nehemiah
A cupbearer turned governor rebuilds Jerusalem's wall in fifty-two days and its people around God's word
Nehemiah at a glance
A cupbearer turned governor rebuilds Jerusalem's wall in fifty-two days and its people around God's word
Nehemiah continues the story of the return from exile, drawn largely from the first-person memoirs of Nehemiah himself, cupbearer to Artaxerxes king of Persia. Originally one book with Ezra, it is the last of the Old Testament's historical books, set about a century after the first exiles came home. The temple stands, but Jerusalem's wall lies broken, leaving the city defenseless and its people demoralized, and news of this drives Nehemiah to weep, fast, and pray before he ever acts.
Granted leave and letters by the king, Nehemiah surveys the ruins by night, rallies the people, and rebuilds the wall in fifty-two days despite the mockery, plots, and intimidation of Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, with builders working sword in one hand. He also confronts the rich for exacting usury from their poor brethren. Then Ezra reads the book of the law before the assembled people; they weep, celebrate the feast of tabernacles, confess their sins, and seal a covenant to keep God's law, dedicating the wall with great rejoicing.
Nehemiah is Scripture's classic study of prayerful leadership: bold requests grounded in fasting, quick arrow-prayers under pressure, and refusal to be distracted from a great work. It also warns that reform needs maintenance, for the book ends with Nehemiah returning to find old compromises creeping back and driving them out again.
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
Nehemiah 4:6 King James Version
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How Nehemiah unfolds
7 sections- 1Nehemiah's grief and prayer in Shushan (ch. 1-2:10)News of Jerusalem's broken wall moves Nehemiah to fast and pray; the king grants him leave, letters, and timber, and he travels to Judah as opposition begins to stir.
- 2The wall rebuilt against opposition (ch. 2:11-6)After a night survey Nehemiah rallies the builders gate by gate; despite ridicule, threatened attack, extortion among the people, and plots against his life, the wall is finished in fifty-two days.
- 3The city secured and the people registered (ch. 7)Nehemiah sets watches, charges his brother Hanani over the city, and finds the register of the families who first returned with Zerubbabel.
- 4Ezra reads the law; the feast of tabernacles (ch. 8)All the people gather as Ezra reads the law from morning until midday; they are told not to mourn, for the joy of the LORD is their strength, and they keep the feast with great gladness.
- 5Confession and covenant (ch. 9-10)The people fast, rehearse God's faithfulness through all their history, confess their sins, and seal a written covenant to keep the law, the sabbath, and the service of God's house.
- 6Repopulating Jerusalem and dedicating the wall (ch. 11-12)Lots bring one in ten to dwell in the holy city; two great companies of singers walk the wall in a dedication of thanksgiving heard far away.
- 7Nehemiah's final reforms (ch. 13)Returning after an absence, Nehemiah expels Tobiah from the temple, restores the Levites' portions, enforces the sabbath, and confronts mixed marriages.
People to know
6 figures- NehemiahCupbearer to the king of Persia who becomes governor of Judah and leads the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall.
- EzraThe priest and scribe who reads the book of the law to the assembled people and leads them in worship.
- ArtaxerxesThe Persian king who grants Nehemiah leave, letters, and materials for the work.
- SanballatThe Horonite leader of the opposition, who mocks, plots, and tries to lure Nehemiah from the work.
- TobiahThe Ammonite official allied with Sanballat, later found living in a chamber of the temple itself.
- HananiNehemiah's brother, who brings the news about Jerusalem and is later given charge over the city.
Words worth carrying with you
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
Nehemiah 4:6 · KJV
And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?
Nehemiah 6:3 · KJV
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 · KJV
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Bible Quiz: Nehemiah - Rebuild the Wall | 30 Questions
Bible Quiz: Nehemiah - The Law Restored | 30 Questions
Hard Nehemiah Bible Quiz - Can You Score 30/30?