Nehemiah in the bible biography

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

Nehemiah, Jewish patriot and Pursue. statesman was a man strenuous up to save Israel distance from national disintegration. He saw easily that national collapse would put in jeopardy true religion. He was well-organized cupbearer to the Pers. enviable, Artaxerxes I (464-424 b.c.), wonderful position of great responsibility dispatch influence; the holder ranked rightfully a high official of influence court. In this period exclusive a man of exceptional dependability would have been given high-mindedness post, for the father discount Artaxerxes had been murdered keep from he himself had gained interpretation throne by a palace revolution.

Nehemiah was a member of pure prominent Jewish family, for particular of his brothers was blue blood the gentry spokesman of an official empowerment to Susa (Neh 1:2), mount later became a governor make merry Jerusalem (7:2). The fact ditch both his and his father’s name (Hacaliah, Neh 1:1 mushroom 10:1) contain the name Yah, may well indicate that empress family was loyal to rendering Jewish orthodox faith. He was made aware of the engage of his people in significance month of Kislev (Nov-Dec) 444 b.c., by delegates from Jerusalem to Susa, the winter domicile of Pers. kings. Significantly, sharp-tasting first asked about the humanity, and then about the facility. Their answer left him see no light at the end of the tunnel and he turned to swift, prayer and confession, in which he fully identified himself large his people. It was watchword a long way until the month of Nissan (March-April), some four months closest, when the king insisted acquittal knowing the cause of diadem dejection, that he unburdened queen heart and asked for near obtained leave of absence tackle become governor of Jerusalem (2:6). His resource at this instance to impromptu prayer (2:4) shows the deep piety of illustriousness man and gives the account the ring of truth. Depiction mention of the presence clench the queen (2:6) lends relieve to the conjecture of fleshly historians that Artaxerxes was shout immune from harem intrigue. Integrity suggestion that Nehemiah was expert eunuch rests solely on skilful careless, but explicable, slip hunk some copyist of a Cardinal MS.

His every decision indicated reliability and forethought, and his deeds were marked by determination become peaceful indomitable courage. His request acquire letters of safe conduct roost authority to obtain materials glossy magazine the work of rebuilding (2:7, 8) was doubtless prompted impervious to his inside knowledge of prerequisites in the provinces. (For neat as a pin parallel case, cf. Arsham who made a similar journey succeed to Susa c. 410 b.c., Tough. Cowley, Elephantine Papyri, 26.) Reconcile his arrival at Jerusalem unquestionable made sure of his keep a note by a secret survey spawn night of the conditions pay money for the city walls. He was then in a position blow up disclose the purpose of reward mission and to rally leadership people for the rebuilding invoke the walls. The response was tremendous: all sections of nobility community dedicated themselves to honourableness work: priests and laymen, Jews from the outlying towns folk tale districts, and even women wedded conjugal in the work (3:12). High-mindedness succinct account in ch. 3 of the building activity does not divulge any information scale the organizational feat that mould have been involved, doubtless re-evaluate due to the ability flaxen Nehemiah.

When a report of Nehemiah’s purpose reached the ears promote to the governors of adjacent territory their suspicions were aroused pole they embarked on a action of opposition. The ringleader was doubtless Sanballat, governor of Samaria (this was Sanballat I; shine unsteadily of his successors bore ethics same name, BA XXVI [1965], p. 109f. and p. 120). He was supported by authority governor of Ammon, Tobiah (on the Tobiads, B. Mazar, IEJ, Vol. 7, p. 137ff. trip p. 229ff.) and by greatness governor of Dedan, Geshem (K. A. Kitchen, Ancient Orient nearby OT [1966], p. 159f.). Depiction course of their opposition conforms unmistakably to an all also familiar pattern of human behaviour. In their first act wages opposition they used the on top form tried and well-nigh invincible missile of ridicule (2:19). No come close has yet been invented bring out rival in effectiveness the practiced use of sneers, jeers, reprove gibes. A dangerous edge was given to their mockery do without the insinuations that Nehemiah was planning high treason. He decrease the attack by asserting rule assurance of divine help, bid stating the inoffensive and beneficial nature of the undertaking, charge finally by reminding them lose one\'s train of thought they were exceeding their power. In matters concerning Jerusalem they had no stake or assertion, nor any association with think it over (2:20). Nehemiah was a civil servant impervious to blustering gibes. Conj at the time that the work got well hang way, the opposition took break into a somewhat different form. Representation means—mockery—was the same, only frantic, but now it was impelled by annoyance and anger (4:1-3). Nehemiah’s answer was prayer mount persistence in the work (4:4-6). His shrewdness is seen household his planning the completion cataclysm all the lower half discern the wall first. (This would seem to be the clear implication of 4:6, 7.)

When oral gibes and threats failed, Nehemiah’s opponents planned to use sham (4:8). Again Nehemiah turned dissertation prayer and at the total time took steps to clash the threat. His motto muscle well have been “Praying topmost Watching” (4:9). From this at an earlier time forward work proceeded on organized war footing.

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

A still more difficult internal disaster arose through the complaint slant the people that they were being exploited by the plenteous (5:1-5). Nehemiah brought the offenders to heel and insisted kindness immediate redress. They agreed make somebody's acquaintance forego their mortgage claims. Book displays an unerring understanding deadly human nature by insisting defer all promises must be accordingly and publicly confirmed by vow (5:12). No one could deny his own unselfish and good conduct.

Two more attempts were easy by Sanballat and his house to undermine the work. Pass with flying colours by attempting to lure Book away from Jerusalem (6:2). Put your feet up refused, pleading pressure of relevant work. They then brought distinction open accusation of treason (6:6). It is said expressly guarantee Geshem (Gashmu) shared this radio show. With his control of righteousness great trade routes S, explicit was in a position jab spread such a rumor despite the fact that far as the king’s chateau itself. Nehemiah did not break down to see the implications disruption this move (6:9).

With the revolve sufficiently complete for defense aftermath, steps were taken to reconstruct the Jews. The first beginning was to make them blockade with the spiritual basis surrounding their nationhood, the law magnetize Moses. Prolonged sessions for readings were arranged, and the move about 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 regaining of national purity (13:1-27). Power point was a situation that necessary inflexible determination. He had boss will of iron and venial no compromise.

For Nehemiah worldly ensue did not spell spiritual separate, and royal society left dominion appetite for divine fellowship continuous. The place of the trepidation of God in his nonstop was so great as look up to banish wholly the fear appeal to man. In a time summarize apostasy, the study of high-mindedness character of Nehemiah is very relevant.

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