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Introduction
to Nehemiah
This summary of the book of Nehemiah provides information about
the title
author(s)
date of writing
chronology
theme
theology
outline
a
brief overview
and the chapters of the Book of Nehemiah.
I.
Nehemiah's First Administration (chs. 1-12)
B.
Nehemiah's Journey to Jerusalem (2:1-10)
C.
Nehemiah's First Actions upon Arrival (2:11-20)
D.
List of the Builders of the Wall (ch.
3)
E.
Opposition to Rebuilding the Wall (ch.
4)
F.
Social and Economic Problems (ch.
5)
G.
The Wall Rebuilt Despite Opposition (ch. 6)
H.
List of Exiles (7:1-73a)
I.
Ezra's Preaching and the Outbreak of Revival (7:73b;10:39)
J.
New Residents of Judah and Jerusalem (ch. 11)
.
Places settled by those from Judah (11:25-30)
K.
Lists of Priests and the Dedication of the Wall (ch.
12)
II.
Nehemiah's Second Administration (ch.
13)
──《New International Version》
Introduction to Nehemiah
The Old Testament history closes with the
book of Nehemiah
wherein is recorded the workings of his heart
in the
management of public affairs; with many devout reflections.
── Matthew Henry《Concise Commentary on
Nehemiah》
00 Overview
NEHEMIAH
INTRODUCTION
THE modem critics are probably right in their conclusion that Ezra
and Nehemiah were compiled from memoranda of those two persons
who were
Tirshathas
i.e.
governors under the Persian kings
and other contemporary
historical documents. But their conclusion does no more than confirm the
previous opinion on the subject. It is evident that certain sections of the
Book of Nehemiah are the personal work of Nehemiah
and if we could think of
him as keeping a diary
we should say there were selected pages from his diary.
But it is also certain that the literary genius of the compiler of Chronicles
and Ezra is strongly marked in the other sections of Nehemiah and in the
general setting and arrangement of the whole work. The very retention of the
first person in the extracts which he selects is an evidence of the work of
this compiler. We may therefore reasonably assume that
while some of the
material was the work of Nehemiah
the book
as we have it
shows the editing
of Ezra
and was designed by him to form a historical supplement to his larger
work.
Thirteen years after the arrival in Jerusalem of the party from
Babylon that was led by Ezra
Nehemiah appeared at Jerusalem. On the whole
it
seems most probable that Ezra was not in Jerusalem at the time
but returned
soon afterwards. Nehemiah came with the authority of Tirshatha
and with a
definite purpose
which he judged it prudent to keep secret for a time. The
first six chapters contain an account of the circumstances which led to his
visiting Jerusalem; the scheme by which he came to know the condition of the
city wall
his successful plan for restoring the wall ; the resistance he met
with
and the skilful way in which he outwitted
and overcame
the national enemies.
The seventh chapter is a genealogy after the manner of Ezra
and the materials
for it
we can hardly doubt
were furnished by him. From the eighth chapter
Ezra is associated with Nehemiah
and the influence of Ezra is especially
marked in the chapters from the eighth to the end. There are signs of his
characteristic priestly interest
and his fondness for genealogical tables. The
point of view in Nehemiah is clearly the same as that we have recognised in
Chronicles and Ezra.
The Date of the Work
so far as collecting and putting together
the sections is concerned
must be the later years of Ezra’s life ; but the
re-editing which put the book into its present form may be dated at least a
century later.
We meet with the same difficulty here that we had to consider when
dealing with the genealogy from David in the Books of Chronicles. Some names in
these genealogical lists come down to a period long posterior to Nehemiah.
Jaddua
for instance
was high-priest at least a century later than Nehemiah. But the explanation
previously given will apply with equal force to this difficulty.
Personal History of Nehemiah
Very little is known of the personal history of Nehemiah
but a
very fair estimate of his character may be formed from the pages of his diary
which have been preserved. His office
as cup-bearer at the Persian Court
was
an honourable one
and he was evidently held in confidence and esteem by the
king. He must have been in position of wealth and influence. “He was a man of
profound piety
connecting everything
great or small
with the will of God.”
But the interjectional prayers which habitually occur in his diary indicate a
somewhat weak self-consciousness. The truly noble man does right in simple
loyalty and love
and does not think about its being accepted and rewarded.
This indicates the week side of an otherwise strong and vigorous individuality.
“His prudence was equally marked ; and there is no better example of dependence
on God
united with practical forethought. He was disinterested and unselfish
and there is not the slightest reference to self apart from the common good . .
. He always appeals to the judgment of a merciful God
and that appeal avails
against much hard modern criticism which dwells on his alleged asperity
self-confidence
and self-assertion.” (W. B. Pope
D. D.)
Dean Stanley says: “There is a pathetic cry
again and stain
repeated throughout this rare autobiographical sketch
hardly found elsewhere
in the Hebrew records
which shows the current of his thoughts
as though at
every turn he feared that those self-denying
self-forgetting labours might
pass away
that his countrymen of the future might be as ungrateful as his
countrymen of the present. ‘Think upon me
my God
for good.’”
G. Rawlinson writes: “It has been said that in the character of
Nehemiah it is almost impossible to detect a single fault
But this praise is a
little exaggerated. Nehemiah’s nature was strongly emotional
and he did not
always control his emotions sufficiently. His ‘fiery soul’ was sometimes ‘roused
to burning frenzy.’ In these fits of passion
he forgot the calmness and
dignified behaviour which befits a governor. He may ‘do well to be angry
’ but
he does it to be vindictive. And he is a little too self-satisfied and
self-complacent. He contrasts with somewhat too evident self-approval his own
conduct in his government with that of former governors. And there is a tinge
of Pharisaism in some of his prayers.”
Contents of the Book
The Book of Nehemiah may be roughly divided into three sections.
I. Chaps. 1-7.
comprising the narrative of Nehemiah’s appointment to office
his rebuilding
in spite of opposition
the walls of Jerusalem
and his purpose of bringing the
people to an orderly settlement.
II. Chaps. 8-10
contain an account of certain religious solemnities.
III. Chaps. 11-13.
are made up of various lists
appointments
and settlements
with a recital of
some acts of Nehemiah’s administration on resuming his post. (Ayre.)
Nehemiah’s first administration at Jerusalem lasted twelve years.
Then he returned to the Persian Court. After some years
variously estimated
from five to nine years
he was permitted to resume his office at Jerusalem
and endeavour to redress the abuses which had grown up during his absence. It
is probable that he spent the remainder of his life at Jerusalem
but of his
death and burial no record has been preserved. Beyond the thirty-second year of
Artaxerxes
to which Nehemiah’s own narrative leads us
we have no account of
Nehemiah whatever.
──《The Biblical Illustrator》