Nehemiah — Introduction & Outline

The book clearly makes use of Nehemiah's personal memoirs. It is possible that Nehemiah himself wrote the book since so much is in first person (1:1-7:5; 12:27-43; 13:4-31). Another possibility is that Ezra used Nehemiah's memoirs for these sections and compiled the sections not in first person (7:6-12:26; 12:44-13:3). Hebrew tradition had considered the two books one, thus indicating they may have been one written by Ezra. However, the repetition of the lists in Ezra 2 and Nehemiah 7 may argue they were separate works.

Nehemiah is identified as the cupbearer to king Artaxerxes I. This was a great position of trust and responsibility in the Persian administration. He became governor of Jerusalem and governed from 444 to 432 B.C. His character exhibits courage, compassion, integrity, godliness, and unselfishness.

The record of the second visit to Jerusalem in the "thirty-second year of Artaxerxes" (13:6) places the date of writing sometime shortly after about 425 B.C.

Nehemiah shares much the same historical background as Ezra. The book records the third return of the exiles to Jerusalem in 444 B.C., or 13 years after Ezra's return. The book thus covers almost 20 years from the time of his first visit to the time of his second visit to Jerusalem in about 425 B.C. (13:6). Nehemiah led the Jews in rebuilding the walls of the city and in reorganizing the people. Malachi was a chief prophet who encouraged the people in their restoration during Nehemiah's administration. From his prophecy it is clear this period of Israel's history had many besetting sins which revealed indifference toward God and laxity in keeping the covenant.

Nehemiah documents the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall and the restoration of Jerusalem's people. It shows how God used Nehemiah to protect His people and the new temple as an assurance of His covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah also serves as an important beginning point for future prophecy because the date of the decree to rebuild Jerusalem (2:4-8) marks the beginning of the "seventy weeks" prophecy of Daniel (Dan. 9:24ff.). As such, it is an encouragement to Israel that God is working in unfolding His program in history to bring about His kingdom.

Nehemiah has two main parts, one recording the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem under Nehemiah, and the other recording the restoration of the people in Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah. The first emphasizes the physical reconstruction of Jerusalem, and the latter the spiritual renewal of the Jews.

In the first part of the book Nehemiah leads the Jews in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem (1:1-7:73). The account of the preparation to rebuild the wall (1:1-2:20) begins with Nehemiah in the service of Artaxerxes in Persia. There he hears of the ruined wall of Jerusalem (1:1-3) and petitions God for mercy (1:4-11). His prayer reflects an astute understanding of the terms of the Mosaic covenant as well as confidence in God's covenant faithfulness. His faith brings him before the king to request permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its wall (2:1- 10). Upon the king's decree of permission, Nehemiah visits Jerusalem to inspect the damage and encourages the Jews there to undertake the project (2:11-20). The theme of opposition to the work surfaces in these events (2:9-10,19-20) and foreshadows trouble ahead.

Next proceeds a record of the rebuilding (3:1-6:19). The work and the workers are well organized to cover all sections of the wall (3:1-32). However, Nehemiah and the Jews soon encounter problems within and without which threaten their project (4:1-6:14). Without, ridicule and threats led by Sanballat and Tobiah discourage the people until Nehemiah arms them and reminds them that God will fight for them (4:1-23). Within, the people complain of extortion from their leaders and Nehemiah is forced to rebuke the leaders (5:1-13). The mention of his unselfish sharing with others (5:14-19) forms a contrast with these selfish leaders. A second external threat comes from a conspiracy of Tobiah and Sanballat to do Nehemiah harm (6:1-14). However, he is able to avoid their treachery while continually expressing his faith in God through prayer (6:9,14). Amid the opposition, the wall is finally completed (6:15-19).

Nehemiah attributes this accomplishment to God's doing (6:16), an assertion proven by the rapid completion (6:15).

The first half of the book ends with the registration of the people in Jerusalem (7:1- 73). The details of organization show Nehemiah's diligence in rebuilding the nation. This completes the account of his physical restoration of the remnant.

The spiritual restoration of the remnant under Ezra and Nehemiah is the focus of the second half of the book (8:1-13:31). This begins with the renewal of the covenant led by Ezra (8:1-10:39). The reading of the law (8:1-18) results in celebration and observance of the Feast of Tabernacles. Soon after, the covenant renewal takes place (9:1-10:39) with the confession of sin by the people (9:1-4) and by the Levites (9:5-38). The prayer of the Levites reveals their clear understanding of God's program based on His covenants and His faithfulness to the covenants.

The leaders then set their seals upon the covenant in ratification (10:1-27). The covenant contained stipulations about separation, the Sabbath, and temple worship (10:28-39). Ezra thus brought spiritual renewal according to the Mosaic provision through confession, prayer, and repentance.

The reformation of the nation continues under the leadership of Nehemiah (11:1- 13:31). His first reform directed the resettlement of people who would dwell inside and outside of Jerusalem (11:1-36). There is also a record given of the priests and Levites registered and able to serve in the temple (12:1-26). These priests and Levites participated in the joyful ceremonies dedicating the completed wall (12:27-47).

The book closes with a list of reforms instituted by Nehemiah that concern the morality of the people (13:1-31). First, they are separated from the Gentile foreigners according to the law (13:1-3). Nehemiah also institutes reforms for temple practice (13;4-14), for observing the Sabbath (13:15-22), and for mixed marriages (13:23-29). Nehemiah's faith and strict adherence to the law is an example for the nation in their post-exilic circumstances. The book demonstrates that God will unfold His program for Israel despite opposition and sin because He is faithful to His promises.

1. The Rebuilding of the Wall under Nehemiah 1:1-7:73

   1. The preparation to rebuild the wall 1:1-2:20

      1. Nehemiah's discovery of the Jerusalem's ruined walls 1:1-3
      2. Nehemiah's prayer for God's mercy 1:4-11
      3. Nehemiah's request of King Artaxerxes 2:1-10

         1. The favorable response of the king 2:1-8
         2. The unfavorable concern of the governors 2:9-10
      4. Nehemiah's preparatory work in Jerusalem 2:11-20

         1. He inspects the walls of Jerusalem. 2:11-16
         2. He exhorts the people of Jerusalem. 2:17-18
         3. He answers the enemies. 2:19-20
   2. The rebuilding of the wall 3:1-6:19

      1. The record of the work and the workers 3:1-32

         1. The workers on the north wall 3:1-5
         2. The workers on the west wall 3:6-12
         3. The workers on the south wall 3:13-14
         4. The workers on the southeast wall 3:15-27
         5. The workers on the northeast wall 3:28-32
      2. The problems with the work 4:1-6:14

         1. The opposition from without 4:1-23

            1. The ridicule from the enemies 4:1-6
            2. The threat of attack by the enemies 4:7-9
            3. The discouragement of the people 4:10-12
            4. The precautions of Nehemiah 4:13-23
         2. The oppression from within 5:1-19

            1. The complaint of the people about extortion 5:1-5
            2. The correction of the rulers by Nehemiah 5:6-13
            3. The example of unselfishness by Nehemiah 5:14-19
         3. The conspiracy from without 6:1-14

            1. The deceitful invitation of the enemies 6:1-4
            2. The threatening letter of the enemies 6:5-9
            3. The treacherous plot of the enemies 6:10-14
      3. The completion of the work 6:15-19

         1. The completion of the wall 6:15-16
         2. The continuation of opposition 6:17-19
   3. The registration of the people in Jerusalem 7:1-73

      1. The organization of Jerusalem's security 7:1-3
      2. The registration of Jerusalem's people 7:4-73

         1. The plan of registration by genealogy 7:4-5
         2. The register of those of known descent 7:6-60

            1. The leaders 7:6-7
            2. The men of Israel 7:8-38
            3. The priests 7:39-42
            4. The Levites 7:43-45
            5. The servants 7:46-60
         3. The register of those of unknown descent 7:61-65

            1. The men of Israel 7:61-62
            2. The priests 7:63-65
         4. The summary of the registration 7:66-73

            1. The number of people and livestock 7:66-69
            2. The amounts of the gifts for the treasury 7:70-73
2. The Restoration of the People under Ezra and Nehemiah 8:1-13:31

   1. The renewal of the covenant under Ezra 8:1-10:39

      1. The reading of the law 8:1-18

         1. The reading and interpretation of the law 8:1-8
         2. The response of the people 8:9-18
         1. The celebration because of understanding 8:9-12
         2. The observance of the Feast of Tabernacles 8:13-18
      2. The renewal of the covenant 9:1-10:39

         1. The preparation for the renewal of the covenant 9:1-38

            1. The repentance of the people 9:1-4
            2. The prayer of the Levites 9:5-38
            1. The reiteration of God's great works 9:5-15
            2. The reiteration of Israel's sins 9:16-31
            3. The concluding request and commitment 9:32-38
         2. The ratification of the covenant 10:1-27

            1. The seals of the priests 10:1-8
            2. The seals of the Levites 10:9-13
            3. The seals of the leaders of the people 10:14-27
         3. The stipulations of the covenant 10:28-39

            1. Concerning separation and the Sabbath 10:28-31
            2. Concerning temple worship 10:32-39
   2. The reformation of the nation under Nehemiah 11:1-13:31

      1. The resettlement of the people 11:1-36

         1. The plan of resettlement 11:1-2
         2. The people dwelling inside Jerusalem 11:3-24

            1. The children of Judah 11:3-6
            2. The children of Benjamin 11:7-9
            3. The priests 11:10-14
            4. The Levites 11:15-24
         3. The people dwelling outside of Jerusalem 11:25-36

            1. The children of Judah 11:25-30
            2. The children of Benjamin 11:31-36
      2. The register of the priests and Levites 12:1-26

         1. Those during the return of Zerubbabel 12:1-11
         2. Those during the reign of Joiakim 12:12-21
         3. Those during the reign of Darius 12:22-26
      3. The dedication of the Jerusalem wall 12:27-47

         1. The preparation of the Levites and priests 12:27-30
         2. The procession of the thanksgiving choir 12:31-43
         3. The provision for contributions 12:44-47
      4. The reformation of the people 13:1-31

         1. Israel's separation from foreigners 13:1-3
         2. Nehemiah's reforms in Israel 13:4-31
         1. Reforms concerning temple service 13:4-14

            1. The expulsion of Tobiah from the temple 13:4-9
            2. The restoration of Levitical support 13:10-14
         2. Reforms concerning the Sabbath 13:15-22

            1. The rebuke for profaning the Sabbath 13:15-18
            2. The cessation of trade on the Sabbath 13:19-22
         3. Reforms concerning mixed marriages 13:23-29

            1. The rebuke of mixed marriages 13:23-27
            2. The expulsion of Joiada 13:28-29
         4. Reforms summarized 13:30-31