Book of Nehemiah

Old Testament and Tanakh

Jewish, Protestant, Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra (1 Esdras) Nehemiah (2 Esdras) Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Solomon Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Oriental Orthodox Tobit Judith 1 Maccabees 2 Maccabees Wisdom (Wisdom of Solomon) Ben Sira (Ecclesiasticus) (Wisdom of Sirach) Baruch Letter of Jeremiah - Considered as part of Baruch in Roman Catholic Tradition Additions to Daniel Additions to Esther

Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox 1 Esdras (3 Esdras) 3 Maccabees 4 Maccabees Book of Odes (includes Prayer of Manasseh) Psalm 151

Russian and Oriental Orthodox 2 Esdras (4 Esdras)

Oriental Orthodox Jubilees Enoch

Books of Ketuvim
Three Poetic Books
1. Psalms
2. Book of Proverbs
3. Book of Job
Five Megillot
4. Song of Solomon
5. Book of Ruth
6. Book of Lamentations
7. Ecclesiastes
8. Book of Esther
Other Books
9. Book of Daniel
10. Book of Ezra - Book of Nehemiah
11. Books of Chronicles
Old Testament

Information

The author of this book was no doubt Nehemiah himself. There are portions of the book written in the first person (ch. 1-7; 12:27-47, and 13). But there are also portions of it in which Nehemiah is spoken of in the third person (ch. 8; 9; 10). It is supposed that these portions may have been written by Ezra; of this, however, there is no distinct evidence. These portions had their place assigned them in the book, there can be no doubt, by Nehemiah. He was the responsible author of the whole book, with the exception of ch. 12:11, 22, 23.

The date at which the book was written was probably about B.C. 431-430, when Nehemiah had returned the second time to Jerusalem after his visit to Persia.

The book, which may historically be regarded as a continuation of the book of Ezra, consists of four parts. (1.) An account of the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, and of the register Nehemiah had found of those who had returned from Babylon (ch. 1-7). (2.) An account of the state of religion among the Jews during this time (8-10). (3.) Increase of the inhabitants of Jerusalem; the census of the adult male population, and names of the chiefs, together with lists of priests and Levites (11-12:1-26). (4.) Dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the arrangement of the temple officers, and the reforms carried out by Nehemiah (12:27-ch. 13).

This book closes the history of the Old Testament. Malachi the prophet was contemporary with Nehemiah.

Chapters

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13

This entry incorporates text from the public domain Easton's Bible Dictionary, originally published in 1897.