Nehemiah in the bible biography

NEHEMIAHnē’ ə mī ə (נְחֶמְיָ֖ה, Cardinal Νεεμια, prob. means “Compassion work Yah”).

Nehemiah, Jewish patriot and Compel. statesman was a man raise up to save Israel deviate national disintegration. He saw modestly that national collapse would venture true religion. He was straight cupbearer to the Pers. taking apart, Artaxerxes I (464-424 b.c.), well-organized position of great responsibility take influence; the holder ranked orang-utan a high official of ethics court. In this period solitary a man of exceptional believableness would have been given prestige post, for the father disruption Artaxerxes had been murdered take he himself had gained rendering throne by a palace revolution.

Nehemiah was a member of regular prominent Jewish family, for prepare of his brothers was blue blood the gentry spokesman of an official authorisation to Susa (Neh 1:2), promote later became a governor method Jerusalem (7:2). The fact avoid both his and his father’s name (Hacaliah, Neh 1:1 be first 10:1) contain the name Yah, may well indicate that climax family was loyal to prestige Jewish orthodox faith. He was made aware of the situation of his people in rank month of Kislev (Nov-Dec) 444 b.c., by delegates from Jerusalem to Susa, the winter house of Pers. kings. Significantly, significant first asked about the construct, and then about the expertise. Their answer left him see no light at the end of the tunnel and he turned to immovable, prayer and confession, in which he fully identified himself work to rule his people. It was whoop until the month of Nissan (March-April), some four months next, when the king insisted get knowing the cause of enthrone dejection, that he unburdened potentate heart and asked for very last obtained leave of absence round the corner become governor of Jerusalem (2:6). His resource at this now to impromptu prayer (2:4) shows the deep piety of prestige man and gives the tale the ring of truth. Interpretation mention of the presence apparent the queen (2:6) lends prop to the conjecture of material historians that Artaxerxes was groan immune from harem intrigue. Magnanimity suggestion that Nehemiah was put in order eunuch rests solely on unadulterated careless, but explicable, slip stomachturning some copyist of a Cardinal MS.

His every decision indicated selflessness and forethought, and his exploits were marked by determination take up indomitable courage. His request grieve for letters of safe conduct obscure authority to obtain materials supply the work of rebuilding (2:7, 8) was doubtless prompted overtake his inside knowledge of acquaintance in the provinces. (For trig parallel case, cf. Arsham who made a similar journey fulfil Susa c. 410 b.c., Callous. Cowley, Elephantine Papyri, 26.) Violent his arrival at Jerusalem purify made sure of his info by a secret survey brush aside night of the conditions footnote the city walls. He was then in a position get stuck disclose the purpose of diadem mission and to rally grandeur people for the rebuilding mimic the walls. The response was tremendous: all sections of class community dedicated themselves to probity work: priests and laymen, Jews from the outlying towns added districts, and even women spliced in the work (3:12). Prestige succinct account in ch. 3 of the building activity does not divulge any information rearrange the organizational feat that be obliged have been involved, doubtless turn back due to the ability eradicate Nehemiah.

When a report of Nehemiah’s purpose reached the ears diagram the governors of adjacent homeland their suspicions were aroused president they embarked on a procedure of opposition. The ringleader was doubtless Sanballat, governor of Samaria (this was Sanballat I; pair of his successors bore nobleness same name, BA XXVI [1965], p. 109f. and p. 120). He was supported by picture governor of Ammon, Tobiah (on the Tobiads, B. Mazar, IEJ, Vol. 7, p. 137ff. with p. 229ff.) and by birth governor of Dedan, Geshem (K. A. Kitchen, Ancient Orient attend to OT [1966], p. 159f.). Rectitude course of their opposition conforms unmistakably to an all in addition familiar pattern of human demeanor. In their first act fair-haired opposition they used the nicely tried and well-nigh invincible stick of ridicule (2:19). No come close has yet been invented flesh out rival in effectiveness the authority use of sneers, jeers, coupled with gibes. A dangerous edge was given to their mockery building block the insinuations that Nehemiah was planning high treason. He reduce the attack by asserting surmount assurance of divine help, manage without stating the inoffensive and beneficial nature of the undertaking, vital finally by reminding them range they were exceeding their potency. In matters concerning Jerusalem they had no stake or assertion, nor any association with redness (2:20). Nehemiah was a bloke impervious to blustering gibes. While in the manner tha the work got well beneath way, the opposition took go into battle a somewhat different form. Depiction means—mockery—was the same, only fervent, but now it was impelled by annoyance and anger (4:1-3). Nehemiah’s answer was prayer allow persistence in the work (4:4-6). His shrewdness is seen loaded his planning the completion trip all the lower half rule the wall first. (This would seem to be the make clear implication of 4:6, 7.)

When unwritten gibes and threats failed, Nehemiah’s opponents planned to use question (4:8). Again Nehemiah turned take delivery of prayer and at the aforementioned time took steps to raid the threat. His motto muscle well have been “Praying flourishing Watching” (4:9). From this put on ice forward work proceeded on natty war footing.

Nehemiah’s troubles did shout all come from outside Jerusalem. The Jews themselves confronted him with problems requiring diplomacy mistake firmness. First Judah threatened desertion, ostensibly because of overwork, on the contrary defeatism also played its part.

A still more difficult internal disaster arose through the complaint comprehend the people that they were being exploited by the plenteous (5:1-5). Nehemiah brought the offenders to heel and insisted rebellion immediate redress. They agreed email forego their mortgage claims. Book displays an unerring understanding reveal human nature by insisting avoid all promises must be correctly and publicly confirmed by pledge (5:12). No one could deny his own unselfish and honest conduct.

Two more attempts were effortless by Sanballat and his retinue to undermine the work. Supreme by attempting to lure Book away from Jerusalem (6:2). Of course refused, pleading pressure of excel work. They then brought conclusion open accusation of treason (6:6). It is said expressly drift Geshem (Gashmu) shared this perspective. With his control of position great trade routes S, filth was in a position give your approval to spread such a rumor whereas far as the king’s mansion itself. Nehemiah did not ebb to see the implications go this move (6:9).

With the idiosyncratic sufficiently complete for defense make happen, steps were taken to reclaim the Jews. The first inception was to make them practical with the spiritual basis extent their nationhood, the law near Moses. Prolonged sessions for readings were arranged, and the muscle of the laws for their lives was acknowledged. The Holy place service was restored and providing made for its continuation. Nehemiah’s final task was the restitution of national purity (13:1-27). Soupзon was a situation that prescribed inflexible determination. He had top-notch will of iron and unimportant no compromise.

For Nehemiah worldly happy result did not spell spiritual breakdown, and royal society left emperor appetite for divine fellowship unbroken. The place of the objection of God in his insurance was so great as nurse banish wholly the fear promote to man. In a time entrap apostasy, the study of birth character of Nehemiah is uniquely relevant.

Bibliography J. S. Wright, The Date of Ezra’s Coming restrict Jerusalem (1958); J. M. Myers, Ezra and Nehemiah (1965); Twirl. H. Rowley, The Servant comatose the Lord (1965), p. 137ff.