Nehemiah: Rebuilding the Wall

Nehemiah at a Glance

Nehemiah is a book about a man whose heart broke over a ruined city, and who did something about it. It is the last historical book of the Old Testament in time, and in the Hebrew Bible it was joined to Ezra as one book.

• Author. Nehemiah, son of Hachaliah, cupbearer to King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 1:1; Nehemiah 1:11). Most of the book is written in the first person, like a memoir, with lists and records worked in.
• Date. The wall was built in 445 BC, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 2:1). Nehemiah governed for twelve years (Nehemiah 5:14) and returned for a second term after 432 BC (Nehemiah 13:6–7). He probably finished the book about 430 BC.
• Written To. The restored community in Jerusalem, who needed to see how God works through those who pray and then get to work.
• Setting. The Persian palace at Susa, then Jerusalem, about ninety years after the first return. The temple was rebuilt, but the city lay open with its walls broken. The prophet Malachi likely ministered at about the same time.
• Key Verse. Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work (Nehemiah 2:18).
• Key Word or Theme. Rebuilding: prayer, planning, and perseverance in the work of God.