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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historical documents.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》