Nehemiah

Nehemiah, a Jewish official in the Persian court, prays, then returns to rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem in 52 days. Ezra reads the law to the people, and they recommit themselves to God.

Author

Nehemiah, with Ezra

Written

About 430 BC

Chapters

1. 1Nehemiah 1Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, hears that Jerusalem’s walls are broken down. He weeps, fasts and prays.
2. 2Nehemiah 2The king grants Nehemiah’s request to rebuild Jerusalem. He inspects the walls by night and rallies the people.
3. 3Nehemiah 3Families and groups each rebuild a section of the wall.
4. 4Nehemiah 4Sanballat and Tobiah mock and threaten the builders. Nehemiah posts guards: they work with one hand and hold a weapon in the other.
5. 5Nehemiah 5Nehemiah confronts nobles who exploit the poor and cancels their debts.
6. 6Nehemiah 6Enemies try to trick and frighten Nehemiah, but the wall is finished in 52 days.
7. 7Nehemiah 7Nehemiah appoints leaders and finds the list of those who first returned from exile.
8. 8Nehemiah 8Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the people, and the Levites explain it. The people weep, but are told, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
9. 9Nehemiah 9The people confess their sins, and the Levites pray a long prayer retelling God’s faithfulness through Israel’s history.
10. 10Nehemiah 10The people sign a binding agreement to keep God’s law, the Sabbath and the temple offerings.
11. 11Nehemiah 11Volunteers and some chosen by lot settle in Jerusalem.
12. 12Nehemiah 12The priests and Levites are listed, and the walls are dedicated with two great choirs and loud rejoicing.
13. 13Nehemiah 13Nehemiah returns to find the temple misused and the Sabbath broken. He reforms again: “Remember me, O my God, for good.”