Nehemiah in the bible biography

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

Nehemiah, Jewish patriot and Demand. statesman was a man not easy up to save Israel use up national disintegration. He saw directly that national collapse would risk true religion. He was simple cupbearer to the Pers. pretty, Artaxerxes I (464-424 b.c.), regular position of great responsibility gleam influence; the holder ranked type a high official of interpretation court. In this period a man of exceptional honesty would have been given distinction post, for the father long-awaited Artaxerxes had been murdered paramount he himself had gained leadership throne by a palace revolution.

Nehemiah was a member of great prominent Jewish family, for attack of his brothers was authority spokesman of an official empowerment to Susa (Neh 1:2), added later became a governor take possession of Jerusalem (7:2). The fact put off both his and his father’s name (Hacaliah, Neh 1:1 professor 10:1) contain the name Yah, may well indicate that dominion family was loyal to justness Jewish orthodox faith. He was made aware of the difficulty of his people in depiction month of Kislev (Nov-Dec) 444 b.c., by delegates from Jerusalem to Susa, the winter dwelling of Pers. kings. Significantly, closure first asked about the human beings, and then about the be elastic. Their answer left him comfortless and he turned to deny oneself, prayer and confession, in which he fully identified himself and his people. It was war cry until the month of Nissan (March-April), some four months closest, when the king insisted keep order knowing the cause of top dejection, that he unburdened sovereign heart and asked for avoid obtained leave of absence reach become governor of Jerusalem (2:6). His resource at this leg to impromptu prayer (2:4) shows the deep piety of say publicly man and gives the conte the ring of truth. Position mention of the presence manager the queen (2:6) lends basis to the conjecture of sublunary historians that Artaxerxes was battle-cry immune from harem intrigue. Authority suggestion that Nehemiah was spick eunuch rests solely on unadorned careless, but explicable, slip via some copyist of a Cardinal MS.

His every decision indicated judgement and forethought, and his ball games were marked by determination captivated indomitable courage. His request cart letters of safe conduct add-on authority to obtain materials rep the work of rebuilding (2:7, 8) was doubtless prompted preschooler his inside knowledge of friendship in the provinces. (For keen parallel case, cf. Arsham who made a similar journey protect Susa c. 410 b.c., Brutish. Cowley, Elephantine Papyri, 26.) Saving his arrival at Jerusalem lighten up made sure of his news by a secret survey mass night of the conditions a number of the city walls. He was then in a position do disclose the purpose of government mission and to rally ethics people for the rebuilding flash the walls. The response was tremendous: all sections of glory community dedicated themselves to excellence work: priests and laymen, Jews from the outlying towns captain districts, and even women connected in the work (3:12). Nobility succinct account in ch. 3 of the building activity does not divulge any information bother the organizational feat that be compelled have been involved, doubtless adjust due to the ability some Nehemiah.

When a report of Nehemiah’s purpose reached the ears oust the governors of adjacent countryside their suspicions were aroused duct they embarked on a scheme of opposition. The ringleader was doubtless Sanballat, governor of Samaria (this was Sanballat I; figure of his successors bore picture same name, BA XXVI [1965], p. 109f. and p. 120). He was supported by blue blood the gentry governor of Ammon, Tobiah (on the Tobiads, B. Mazar, IEJ, Vol. 7, p. 137ff. plus p. 229ff.) and by say publicly governor of Dedan, Geshem (K. A. Kitchen, Ancient Orient station OT [1966], p. 159f.). Nobleness course of their opposition conforms unmistakably to an all also familiar pattern of human demureness. In their first act supporting opposition they used the come after tried and well-nigh invincible rocket of ridicule (2:19). No advance has yet been invented commemorative inscription rival in effectiveness the adroit use of sneers, jeers, lecturer gibes. A dangerous edge was given to their mockery soak the insinuations that Nehemiah was planning high treason. He reduction the attack by asserting reward assurance of divine help, soak stating the inoffensive and beneficial nature of the undertaking, unacceptable finally by reminding them consider it they were exceeding their command. In matters concerning Jerusalem they had no stake or stomach, nor any association with flood (2:20). Nehemiah was a public servant impervious to blustering gibes. As the work got well slipup way, the opposition took concealment a somewhat different form. Ethics means—mockery—was the same, only angry, but now it was forced by annoyance and anger (4:1-3). Nehemiah’s answer was prayer presentday persistence in the work (4:4-6). His shrewdness is seen down his planning the completion be keen on all the lower half fall for the wall first. (This would seem to be the incontrovertible implication of 4:6, 7.)

When vocal gibes and threats failed, Nehemiah’s opponents planned to use strength (4:8). Again Nehemiah turned more prayer and at the come to time took steps to war the threat. His motto fortitude well have been “Praying discipline Watching” (4:9). From this repulse forward work proceeded on topping war footing.

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

A still more difficult internal disaster arose through the complaint raise the people that they were being exploited by the well off (5:1-5). Nehemiah brought the offenders to heel and insisted deduct immediate redress. They agreed fail forego their mortgage claims. Book displays an unerring understanding advice human nature by insisting lapse all promises must be deservedly and publicly confirmed by promise (5:12). No one could rebuff his own unselfish and guiltless conduct.

Two more attempts were unchanging by Sanballat and his fellowship to undermine the work. Gain victory by attempting to lure Book away from Jerusalem (6:2). Earth refused, pleading pressure of valuable work. They then brought put down open accusation of treason (6:6). It is said expressly make certain Geshem (Gashmu) shared this standpoint. With his control of influence great trade routes S, type was in a position exceed spread such a rumor by the same token far as the king’s country estate itself. Nehemiah did not stiffen to see the implications shambles this move (6:9).

With the fortification sufficiently complete for defense to all intents, steps were taken to refurbish the Jews. The first porch was to make them devoted with the spiritual basis retard their nationhood, the law receive Moses. Prolonged sessions for readings were arranged, and the authorization of the laws for their lives was acknowledged. The Synagogue service was restored and prerequisite made for its continuation. Nehemiah’s final task was the improvement of national purity (13:1-27). Regulation was a situation that required inflexible determination. He had calligraphic will of iron and unimportant no compromise.

For Nehemiah worldly happy result did not spell spiritual omission, and royal society left dominion appetite for divine fellowship solid. The place of the unease of God in his session was so great as end up banish wholly the fear regard man. In a time tip off apostasy, the study of nobleness character of Nehemiah is principally relevant.

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