Nehemiah 1
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The words of Nehemiah - That this book was compiled out of the journal or memoranda made by Nehemiah himself, there can be no doubt: but that he was not the compiler is evident from several passages in the work it. self. As it is written consecutively as one book with Ezra, many have supposed that this latter was the author: but whoever compares the style of each, in the Hebrew, will soon be convinced that this is not correct; the style is so very different, that they could not possibly be the work of the same person. It is doubtful even whether the Nehemiah who is mentioned Ezr 2:2, who came to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, be the same with him who is the reputed author of this book. By the computation of the best chronologists, Zerubbabel came to Jerusalem in A. M. 3468; and Nehemiah, who is here mentioned, did not come before the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, which falls in with A. M. 3558, ninety years after: and as his account here is carried down to A. M. 3570, nearly twenty years later, he must at his death have been about a hundred and thirty, allowing him to have been only twenty years old at the time that Zerubbabel went up to Jerusalem. This is by no means likely, as this would make him the king's cupbearer when he was upwards of a hundred years of age! It seems, therefore, evident that the Nehemiah of Ezra cannot be the same with the reputed author of this book, and the cup-bearer of the Persian king. Son of Hachaliah - Of what tribe or lineage he was, we cannot tell: this is all we know of his parentage. Some suppose he was a priest, and of the house of Aaron, on the authority of 2 Maccabees 1:18, 21; but this is but slender evidence. It is likely he was of a very eminent family, if not of the blood royal of Judah, as only persons of eminence coul…
Open source ↗NEHEMIAH, UNDERSTANDING BY HANANI THE AFFLICTED STATE OF JERUSALEM, MOURNS, FASTS, AND PRAYS. (Neh 1:1-3) Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah--This eminently pious and patriotic Jew is to be carefully distinguished from two other persons of the same name--one of whom is mentioned as helping to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Neh 3:16), and the other is noticed in the list of those who accompanied Zerubbabel in the first detachment of returning exiles (Ezr 2:2; Neh 7:7). Though little is known of his genealogy, it is highly probable that he was a descendant of the tribe of Judah and the royal family of David. in the month Chisleu--answering to the close of November and the larger part of December. Shushan the palace--the capital of ancient Susiana, east of the Tigris, a province of Persia. From the time of Cyrus it was the favorite winter residence of the Persian kings.
Open source ↗The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah,.... Or his transactions and deeds; for "dibre" signifies things done, as well as words spoken; who Hachaliah his father was is not known; the Arabic version adds, the high priest, without any foundation; though some have thought that Nehemiah was a priest, from a passage in"Therefore whereas we are now purposed to keep the purification of the temple upon the five and twentieth day of the month Chisleu, we thought it necessary to certify you thereof, that ye also might keep it, as the feast of the tabernacles, and of the fire, which was given us when Neemias offered sacrifice, after that he had builded the temple and the altar.'' (2 Maccabees 1:18)and from signing and sealing the covenant at the head of priests, Neh 10:1, but he rather seems to be of the tribe of Judah, see Neh 2:3, and Nehemiah may be the same that went up with Zerubbabel, and returned again, and then became the king's cupbearer; though some are of another opinion; see Gill on Ezr 2:2, and it came to pass in the month Chisleu; the ninth month, as the Arabic version; of which see Ezr 10:9, in the twentieth year; not of Nehemiah's age, for, if he went up with Zerubbabel, he must be many years older; but in the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, Neh 1:1, as I was in Shushan the palace; a city in Persia, the royal seat of the kings of it; as Ecbatana was in the summer time, this in the spring, as Cyrus made it, according to Xenophon (b); but others say (c) it was their seat in winter, and this was the season now when Nehemiah was with the king there; for Chisleu was a winter month, answering to part of November and of December; of Shushan; see Gill on Dan 8:2, to which may be added what a traveller of the last century says (d) of it,"we rested at Valdac, o…
Open source ↗In the twentieth year of the reign of Artaxerxes, Nehemiah, being then at Susa, received from one of his brethren, and other individuals from Judah, information which deeply grieved him, concerning the sad condition of the captive who had returned to the land of their fathers, and the state of Jerusalem. Neh 1:1 contains the title of the whole book: the History of Nehemiah. By the addition "son of Hachaliah," Nehemiah is distinguished from others of the same name (e.g., from Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, Neh 3:16). Another Nehemiah, too, returned from captivity with Zerubbabel, Ezr 2:2. Of Hachaliah we know nothing further, his name occurring but once more, Neh 10:2, in conjunction, as here, with that of Nehemiah. Eusebius and Jerome assert that Nehemiah was of the tribe of Judah, - a statement which may be correct, but is unsupported by any evidence from the Old Testament. According to Neh 1:11, he was cup-bearer to the Persian king, and was, at his own request, appointed for some time Pecha, i.e., governor, of Judah. Comp. Neh 5:14; Neh 12:26, and Neh 8:9; Neh 10:2. "In the month Chisleu of the twentieth year I was in the citadel of Susa" - such is the manner in which Nehemiah commences the narrative of his labours for Jerusalem. Chisleu is the ninth month of the year, answering to our December. Comp. Zac 7:1, 1 Macc. 4:52. The twentieth year is, according to Neh 2:1, the twentieth year of Artaxerxes Longimanus. On the citadel of Susa, see further details in the remarks on Dan 8:2. Susa was the capital of the province Susiana, and its citadel, called by the Greeks Memnoneion, was strongly fortified. The kings of Persia were accustomed to reside here during some months of the year. Neh 1:2-3 There came to Nehemiah Hanani, one of his brethren, and certain men from Judah. מ…
Open source ↗What tribe Nehemiah was of does nowhere appear; but, if it be true (which we are told by the author of the Maccabees, 2 Macc. 1:18) that he offered sacrifice, we must conclude him to have been a priest. Observe, I. Nehemiah's station at the court of Persia. We are here told that he was in Shushan the palace, or royal city, of the king of Persia, where the court was ordinarily kept (Neh 1:1), and (Neh 1:11) that he was the king's cup-bearer. Kings and great men probably looked upon it as a piece of state to be attended by those of other nations. By this place at court he would be the better qualified for the service of his country in that post for which God had designed him, as Moses was the fitter to govern for being bred up in Pharaoh's court, and David in Saul's. He would also have the fairer opportunity of serving his country by his interest in the king and those about him. Observe, He is not forward to tell us what great preferment he had at court; it is not till the end of the chapter that he tells us he was the king's cup-bearer (a place of great trust, as well as of honour and profit), when he could not avoid the mentioning of it because of the following story; but at first he only said, I was in Shushan the palace. We may hence learn to be humble and modest, and slow to speak of our own advancements. But in the providences of God concerning him we may observe, to our comfort, 1. That when God has work to do he will never want instruments to do it with. 2. That those whom God designs to employ in his service he will find out proper ways both to fit for it and to call to it. 3. That God has his remnant in all places; we read of Obadiah in the house of Ahab, saints in Caesar's household, and a devout Nehemiah in Shushan the palace. 4. That God can make the courts o…
Open source ↗1:1–2:20 Upon hearing about Jerusalem’s ruined condition, Nehemiah prayed for God’s grace (1:1-11) and asked the king to send him to Jerusalem (2:1-8). When he arrived, he challenged the people to rebuild the city’s wall (2:11-20). 1:1 Artaxerxes I reigned over Persia from 465 to 424 BC. • The fortress of Susa was the Persian king’s winter palace.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause נְחֶמְיָה (Nᵉchemyâh, H5166) — Nechemjah, the name of three Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חֲכַלְיָה (Chăkalyâh, H2446) — Chakaljah, an Israelite חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month כִּסְלֵו (Kiçlêv, H3691) — Kisleu, the 9th Hebrew month עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) שׁוּשַׁן (Shûwshan, H7800) — Shushan, a place in Persia בִּירָה (bîyrâh, H1002) — a castle or palace
Open source ↗חֲנָנִי (Chănânîy, H2607) — Chanani, the name of six Israelites אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand יְהוּדִי (Yᵉhûwdîy, H3064) — a Jehudite (i.e. Judaite or Jew), or descendant of Jehudah (i.e. Judah) פְּלֵיטָה (pᵉlêyṭâh, H6413) — deliverance; concretely, an escaped portion שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant שְׁבִי (shᵉbîy, H7628) — exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant שְׁבִי (shᵉbîy, H7628) — exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by… מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) חֶרְפָּה (cherpâh, H2781) — contumely, disgrace, the pudenda חוֹמָה (chôwmâh, H2346) — a wall of protection יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine פָּרַץ (pârats, H6555) — to break out (in many applications, direct and indirect, literal and figurative) שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate יָצַת (yâtsath, H3341) — to burn or set on fire; figuratively, to desolate אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בָּכָה (bâkâh, H1058) — to weep; generally to bemoan אָבַל (ʼâbal, H56) — to bewail יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… צוּם (tsûwm, H6684) — to cover over (the mouth), i.e. to fast פָּלַל (pâlal, H6419) — to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אָנָּא (ʼânnâʼ, H577) — oh now! יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) חֵסֵד (chêçêd, H2617) — kindness; by implication (towards God) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or… אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)
Open source ↗אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) קַשָּׁב (qashshâb, H7183) — hearkening עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant פָּלַל (pâlal, H6419) — to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יוֹמָם (yôwmâm, H3119) — daily לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗חָבַל (châbal, H2254) — to wind tightly (as a rope), i.e. to bind; specifically, by a pledge; figuratively, to… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) חֹק (chôq, H2706) — an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage) מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver
Open source ↗זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מָעַל (mâʻal, H4603) — properly, to cover up; used only figuratively, to act covertly, i.e. treacherously פּוּץ (pûwts, H6327) — to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application נָדַח (nâdach, H5080) — to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to… קָצֶה (qâtseh, H7097) — an extremity שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select שָׁכַן (shâkan, H7931) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,…
Open source ↗עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… פָּדָה (pâdâh, H6299) — to sever, i.e. ransom; gener. to release, preserve גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… חָזָק (châzâq, H2389) — strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗אֲדֹנָי (ʼĂdônây, H136) — the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) אָנָּא (ʼânnâʼ, H577) — oh now! אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) קַשָּׁב (qashshâb, H7183) — hearkening תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant חָפֵץ (châphêts, H2655) — pleased with יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… צָלַח (tsâlach, H6743) — to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) רַחַם (racham, H7356) — compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Now these were the ones who sealed the document: Nehemiah the governor, son of Hacaliah, and also Zedekiah,
In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the LORD came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Chislev.
In those days King Xerxes sat on his royal throne in the citadel of Susa.
And in the vision I saw myself in the citadel of Susa, in the province of Elam. I saw in the vision that I was beside the Ulai Canal.
So in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes, he went up to Jerusalem with some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, and temple servants.
Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence,
The couriers left, spurred on by the king’s command, and the edict was issued in the citadel of Susa. Then the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was in confusion.
So within the three days, all the men of Judah and Benjamin assembled in Jerusalem, and on the twentieth day of the ninth month, all the people sat in the square at the house of God, trembling regarding this matter and because of the heavy rain.