Leader · People associated with book · Old Testament
The Story of Nehemiah
Also: Nehemia (Kiswahili)
Cupbearer to the Persian king who returned to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Editorial text in English. Scripture is quoted from the version you choose; references stay the same in every version.
Introduction
Nehemiah son of Hacaliah, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes, wept and prayed when he heard that Jerusalem's walls were broken down. Nehemiah 1:1–11
Sent as governor, he led the people in rebuilding the wall in fifty-two days despite opposition, and worked for reform among the people. Nehemiah 2:1–8Nehemiah 6:15Nehemiah 13:6–31
Told in: Nehemiah
Life at a glance
- Father
- Hacaliah Nehemiah 1:1
- Role
- Cupbearer to the king; governor of Judah Nehemiah 1:11Nehemiah 8:9
Only what Scripture records. Where the Bible is silent, nothing is filled in.
Follow the life of Nehemiah
Events in the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here, or open the chapter in the reader.
Prayer in Susa
Hearing of Jerusalem's ruin, Nehemiah fasts and prays, confessing the people's sins.
More about this event
Places named: Susa
Sent by the king
The king notices Nehemiah's sadness; after a quick prayer Nehemiah asks to rebuild Jerusalem, and the king sends him. He inspects the walls by night.
Building despite opposition
Nehemiah 4:1–23 · Nehemiah 6:1–16
The people rebuild with tools in one hand and weapons near; Nehemiah answers Sanballat and Tobiah, and the wall is finished in fifty-two days.
The Law read and the wall dedicated
Nehemiah 8:9–12 · Nehemiah 12:27–43
Ezra reads the Law, the people confess and make a covenant, and the wall is dedicated with thanksgiving.
Final reforms
Returning to Jerusalem, Nehemiah removes Tobiah from the temple rooms, restores the Levites' support and enforces the Sabbath.
Family and relationships
- EzraServed alongside himNehemiah 8:9
- ArtaxerxesKing he servedNehemiah 2:1
Books associated with Nehemiah
- Nehemiah Named as author in the text
The book opens as 'the words of Nehemiah' and much of it is his first-person account. Nehemiah 1:1
A book named after someone is not necessarily written by them. Authorship traditions are shown as traditions.
Themes and study
Study prompts written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
PrayerLeadership
- How does Nehemiah pray in Nehemiah 1:5-11 and 2:4?
Stories and studies
- Prayer Theme
Nehemiah prays before acting.
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