Introduction to Nehemiah

The book of Nehemiah is about strength under pressure—having the fortitude to follow Yahweh, no matter what. In 445 bc the king of Persia sent Nehemiah, his Jewish cupbearer, to oversee the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was accompanied by Jewish exiles—descendants of the captives who were taken to Babylon in 586 bc. When they arrived in Judah, the people already living there opposed the changes they wanted to make. But despite opposition, Nehemiah and his supporters finished the wall.

Background

Nehemiah starts where Ezra left off, in 444 bc. Ezra has led a third group of exiles back to Jerusalem and now Nehemiah leads a fourth. This continuity is evident in that Ezra and Nehemiah were treated as a single book in antiquity.

The events of Nehemiah occur between 444 and 432 bc during King Artaxerxes’ reign over the Persian Empire (which included Judah). While the text of Nehemiah portrays Artaxerxes positively in his dealings with the Jews, historical sources present a broader picture: He killed his opponents—including his older brother Darius, who was the true heir to the throne. He also put down two significant rebellions (in 460 and 448 bc). Nehemiah’s return to Jerusalem took place shortly after the second rebellion. Nehemiah was likely Artaxerxes’ choice for governor of Judah because the ruler wanted a loyal subject overseeing the area, which was strategically located between Babylon (modern-day Iraq) and unstable Egypt.

The narrative is set in two cities: Susa and Jerusalem. Susa (sometimes translated “Shushan”) was the empire’s winter capital and was located on the Karkheh River, roughly 150 miles north of the Persian Gulf. Nehemiah was the royal cupbearer in the palace at Susa (Neh 1:11). Once he became governor of Judah, he lived in Jerusalem, which is the setting for Nehemiah 2:11–13:31.

During Nehemiah’s tenure as governor, Judah was less than 900 square miles, small enough that it could be ruled from a single fortification. The non-Jewish people living in Judah strongly opposed the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s wall: The building of the wall would effectively allow the Jews to secure the city as a central fortress—and, thus, to once again dominate the region. On the other hand, if the wall was not restored, the Jews would essentially be unable to resist an enemy’s attack.

Sanballat the Samaritan, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arab—the governors of their respective regions—led the foreigners. They ruled over the nations surrounding Judah on three sides: Samaria in the north, Ammon in the east, and Arabia in the south.

Structure

The book begins with a distressing report that the wall of Jerusalem was in ruins, followed by the announcement of Nehemiah’s mission (1:1–2:8). Nehemiah then travels to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall (2:9–7:73). Like the work to restore the temple in Ezra 3–6, the fortification of the wall incites opposition, but the project is finished eventually (Neh 3–4; 6:15–7:4). Along the way, Nehemiah enacts an initial reform to deal with conflicts and injustice among the people, leading by example (5:1–19). He also foils a conspiracy his enemies had concocted against him (6:1–14).

After the wall is restored, Nehemiah focuses on restoring the Jewish people. Ezra the priest reads God’s law, and the people respond by confessing their sin (chs. 8–9) and drafting a covenant (a contract) outlining the basic rules of the community (10:28–39). After the wall of Jerusalem is dedicated, the people worship at the temple (12:27–47). A series of further reforms follows (13:4–31).

Outline

• The wall is rebuilt (1:1–7:73)

• The covenant is renewed (8:1–10:39)

• Society is reformed (11:1–13:31)

Themes

Originally a single work, the books of Ezra and Nehemiah were intended to encourage the Jewish community to remain obedient to God’s covenant in the face of hardship. Decades after the Babylonian exile had ended, the people were struggling to restore Jerusalem, where insecurity abounded and so did ungodly values.

In the face of this adversity, Nehemiah faithfully perseveres. For Nehemiah, loyalty to God and His people looks like leaving his position as the king’s cupbearer—a trusted and esteemed role. Nehemiah then acts upon the plans God places on his heart, acting with integrity and calling others to do the same (2:12; 7:5).

Nehemiah continually calls the Jews’ attention to their identity, as people in relationship with Yahweh. Being God’s people comes with responsibilities, challenges, and sacrifices. In each new generation, God’s work continues, and His people, who today are those who have chosen Jesus, carry it forward. We are called to make the world a more just and God-honoring place.