Timeline 450-400 B.C.
The Book of Nehemiah is focused on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after having been destroyed by the Babylonians. After 70 years of exile, the Persians conquered the Babylonians and the Persian kings allowed the Israelites to return to Judah and Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and the city walls. Nehemiah was cupbearer to the King of Persia and also served as governor of Judea under the King for 12 years. Nehemiah encouraged the Israelites to rebuild of the walls of Jerusalem in order to protect the city from invaders. Nehemiah prayed to God, reminding of his promise to Israel to restore them. The walls of Jerusalem laid in ruins and the gates were burned to rubble. So Nehemiah prayed, fasted, mourned, and weeped for months. The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in 52 days.
Nehemiah's Prayer, Weeping, Mourning, Fasting: Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah prayed to God for the restoration of Israel and asks permission from King Artaxerxes to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, which was approved and Nehemiah inspected the walls (Nehemiah 2).
King Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem, Nehemiah Inspects the Walls: Nehemiah 2
The Israelite people, led by Nehemiah, began to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in Judah (Nehemiah 3).
The Wall Rebuilding Begins: Nehemiah 3
Opposition to Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem by local, non-Jewish officials: Nehemiah 4
Local, non-Jewish officials ridiculed and intimidated the Israelite rebuilding.
Nehemiah also spoke against corruption associated with the local officials against the poor (Nehemiah 5).
Nehemiah Helped the Poor: Nehemiah 5
There were plots, threats, and false accusations by local officials to stop the construction of the wall, but the wall was completed (Nehemiah 4, 6). Some falsely claimed the Israelites were revolting against the King and had named Nehemiah as King.
More Opposition to Wall Building: Nehemiah 6
A list of exiles who returned to Israel was given in Nehemiah 7.
List of Exiles Who Returned to Judah and Jerusalem: Nehemiah 7
The Law-Book of Moses was read to the Israelites by Ezra (Nehemiah 8).
Ezra Read the Book of the Law: Nehemiah 8
An account of the Israelites repenting of sin is given in Nehemiah 9, including intermarriage and impurity to the Lord. Marriage to foreign wives led to the worship of foreign gods, so the Israelites were discouraged from inter-marrying.
Israelites Confess Sins: Nehemiah 9
The Priests and Levites made an agreement with the nation of Israel to maintain purity (Nehemiah 10).
Binding Agreement of the Israelite People to Serve the Lord and Remain Pure: Nehemiah 10
The priests and Levites were organized for work in the temple and gradually the city of Jerusalem is repopulated (Nehemiah 11).
Israelites Volunteer to Be New Residents of Jerusalem: Nehemiah 11
Names of Priests and Levites who Returned: Nehemiah 12
The New Wall of Jerusalem was dedicated (Nehemiah 12:27).
Nehemiah encouraged Israel to keep spiritual and religious purity (Nehemiah 13).
Nehemiah's Final Reforms: Nehemiah 13
Nehemiah's final reforms for the Israelites for following the laws of the Lord and remaining pure.
The Book of Nehemiah is focused on rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after having been destroyed by the Babylonians. After 70 years of exile, the Persians conquered the Babylonians and the Persian kings allowed the Israelites to return to Judah and Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple and the city walls. Nehemiah was cupbearer to the King of Persia and also served as governor of Judea under the King for 12 years. Nehemiah encouraged the Israelites to rebuild of the walls of Jerusalem in order to protect the city from invaders. Nehemiah prayed to God, reminding of his promise to Israel to restore them. The walls of Jerusalem laid in ruins and the gates were burned to rubble. So Nehemiah prayed, fasted, mourned, and weeped for months. The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in 52 days.
Nehemiah's Prayer, Weeping, Mourning, Fasting: Nehemiah 1
Nehemiah prayed to God for the restoration of Israel and asks permission from King Artaxerxes to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, which was approved and Nehemiah inspected the walls (Nehemiah 2).
King Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem, Nehemiah Inspects the Walls: Nehemiah 2
The Israelite people, led by Nehemiah, began to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in Judah (Nehemiah 3).
The Wall Rebuilding Begins: Nehemiah 3
Opposition to Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem by local, non-Jewish officials: Nehemiah 4
Local, non-Jewish officials ridiculed and intimidated the Israelite rebuilding.
Nehemiah also spoke against corruption associated with the local officials against the poor (Nehemiah 5).
Nehemiah Helped the Poor: Nehemiah 5
There were plots, threats, and false accusations by local officials to stop the construction of the wall, but the wall was completed (Nehemiah 4, 6). Some falsely claimed the Israelites were revolting against the King and had named Nehemiah as King.
More Opposition to Wall Building: Nehemiah 6
A list of exiles who returned to Israel was given in Nehemiah 7.
List of Exiles Who Returned to Judah and Jerusalem: Nehemiah 7
The Law-Book of Moses was read to the Israelites by Ezra (Nehemiah 8).
Ezra Read the Book of the Law: Nehemiah 8
An account of the Israelites repenting of sin is given in Nehemiah 9, including intermarriage and impurity to the Lord. Marriage to foreign wives led to the worship of foreign gods, so the Israelites were discouraged from inter-marrying.
Israelites Confess Sins: Nehemiah 9
The Priests and Levites made an agreement with the nation of Israel to maintain purity (Nehemiah 10).
Binding Agreement of the Israelite People to Serve the Lord and Remain Pure: Nehemiah 10
The priests and Levites were organized for work in the temple and gradually the city of Jerusalem is repopulated (Nehemiah 11).
Israelites Volunteer to Be New Residents of Jerusalem: Nehemiah 11
Names of Priests and Levites who Returned: Nehemiah 12
The New Wall of Jerusalem was dedicated (Nehemiah 12:27).
Nehemiah encouraged Israel to keep spiritual and religious purity (Nehemiah 13).
Nehemiah's Final Reforms: Nehemiah 13
Nehemiah's final reforms for the Israelites for following the laws of the Lord and remaining pure.
