Book 16 of 66 · Old Testament

Nehemiah

A cupbearer to the Persian king returns to rebuild Jerusalem's ruined walls against fierce opposition.

13 chapters406 versesWritten in HebrewSet Jerusalem after the exile (c. 445 BC)

Overview

Nehemiah continues the story of the return from exile. Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, hears that Jerusalem's walls lie in ruins and gets permission to rebuild them. Against ridicule, threats, and sabotage from neighbours like Sanballat and Tobiah, the wall is finished in fifty-two days. With Ezra, Nehemiah then leads the people to renew the law and the covenant. Much of it is written in Nehemiah's own voice.

Book facts

Author: Nehemiah (in large part)Much of the book is Nehemiah's first-person memoir; it was likely completed by a later editor.
Date written: c. 430–400 BCDuring and after Nehemiah's governorship of Jerusalem.
Original language: HebrewHebrew narrative, including a long first-person memoir.
Setting: Jerusalem after the exile (c. 445 BC)Rebuilding the city's walls under Persian rule.

How it came to be

Nehemiah is written largely as Nehemiah's own memoir, in the first person. It continues the story of Ezra, with which it was once joined as a single book.

The candid, first-person "Nehemiah memoir" is one of the most personal accounts in the Old Testament.

What is arguedHow much is Nehemiah's own writing and how much a later editor's arrangement, and how it fits with the book of Ezra. Most accept a core memoir with later framing.

The whole book, chapter by chapter

Chapter	What happens	Who is in it
Rebuilding the wall — from the ruins to a finished wall, chapters 1–7
Chapter 1Nehemiah's prayer	Nehemiah, cupbearer in Shushan, hears that Jerusalem's walls are broken down, and prays.
Chapter 2The night inspection	The king lets Nehemiah go to Jerusalem, where he inspects the ruined walls by night.	, , ,
Chapter 3The wall builders	The families of Jerusalem each rebuild a section of the wall and its gates.
Chapter 4The armed builders	Mocked and threatened, the builders work with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other.	, ,
Chapter 5The people's outcry	Nehemiah stops the rich from charging the poor heavy debts, and refuses the governor's food allowance.
Chapter 6The wall finished	Despite plots to trap him, Nehemiah finishes the wall in fifty-two days.	, , ,
Chapter 7The register	Nehemiah sets guards and records the register of those who first returned from exile.
Renewing the covenant — the law read and the people re-committed, chapters 8–13
Chapter 8The law read	Ezra reads the law aloud to the assembled people, who weep and then celebrate.	,
Chapter 9The confession	The people fast and confess their long history of unfaithfulness.	—
Chapter 10The sealed covenant	The leaders seal a written covenant to keep the law.
Chapter 11The city dwellers	Lots are cast to bring a tenth of the people to live in Jerusalem.	—
Chapter 12The wall dedicated	The wall is dedicated with two great choirs and joyful thanksgiving.	,
Chapter 13Nehemiah's reforms	Returning after a time away, Nehemiah corrects abuses in the temple, the Sabbath, and mixed marriages.

All 13 chapters. Start reading →

Worth knowing

Key people

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Key places

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Known for

Some of the book's best-known moments — tap the verse to read it.

The wall built in fifty-two daysNehemiah 6:15
"The joy of the Lord is your strength"Nehemiah 8:10
A tool in one hand, a weapon in the otherNehemiah 4:17
Ezra reads the lawNehemiah 8:3