Real Questions. All these events must have already happened at the time when Ezra wrote the events of both books. (I) 9 So I went to the governors of Trans-Euphrates and gave them the king’s letters. ... Nehemiah is given permission by the king to return to Jerusalem, where he is made governor. Some historians trace the demise of the Persian Empire beginning with his reign. Nehemiah then petitioned that the king would send him “to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it” (Neh. 6 Then the king(E), with the queen sitting beside him, asked me, “How long will your journey take, and when will you get back?” It pleased the king to send me; so I set a time. So, Nehemiah asked the Lord to help him give an answer. Artaxerxes the King ARTAXERXES I It is certain that Nehemiah served as the cupbearer of Ar­ taxerxes I (Neh. Nehemiah held the servant role of cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of the Persian court in the capital city of Susa (Rendtorff, 1991). NEHEMIAH ARRIVES IN JERUSALEM WITH AUTHORITY TO REBUILD THE WALLS OF THE CITY; ARTAXERXES GRANTED NEHEMIAH'S REQUEST "Now I was cupbearer to the king. Again we meet Nehemiah before the king & it is said it was in the month of Nisan twentieth year. Artaxerxes sent him to Judah as governor of the province with a mission to rebuild, letters explaining his support for the venture, and provision for timber from the king's forest. All rights reserved worldwide. So Nehemiah answered, “…I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it” (V. 5). (D)”, 4 The king said to me, “What is it you want?”, Then I prayed to the God of heaven, 5 and I answered the king, “If it pleases the king and if your servant has found favor in his sight, let him send me to the city in Judah where my ancestors are buried so that I can rebuild it.”. In addition, … And in turn, he offered the Lord the glory for his success (Ezra 8:18). As a result, he mourned, prayed, and fasted. These are historical books which record the working of God’s divine plans in the restoration of the Jews and their right to exist as a nation. The Book of Nehemiah starts in the 20 th year of king Artaxerxes. He requested also that the king would give him letters for safe passage “for the governors of the regions beyond the River, that they must permit me to pass through till I come to Judah” (Neh. Because Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries this means that Nehemiah's "Artaxerxes" was none other than Darius I 'The Great'. The Nehemiah text is exactly what Darius I and Xerxes I did (what Babylonian scribes did) with the title “King of Babylon” in Babylonian documents. Moses married Zipporah (Exodus 2:11-21), who was one of the seven…. 2:5). Because he was pressured by his own people, Artaxerxes canceled the validity of his letter written to Nehemiah and nullified his own decree extended to Ezra. 14 Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate(R) and the King’s Pool,(S) but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; 15 so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. In fact, King Artaxerxes encouraged Nehemiah by giving him letters providing safety in travel and enabling him to obtain the necessary materials to rebuild the walls. Your Question (required) Would you like this question answered on our show? This report revealed the miserable conditions in Jerusalem. He actually went– he traveled the 800 miles from Persia to Jerusalem to do the work of rebuilding the walls and th… Ac­ Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates are burned with fire?” (Nehemiah 2:3). It applies the essential elements of emotional intelligence in understanding how Nehemiah related with the King, made requests and thus obtained permission and other resources to embark on his vision of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. (B) Why should my face not look sad when the city(C) where my ancestors are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire? Who was the Nehemiah the cup bearer of Artaxerxes? Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. Then I went to the governors in the region beyond the River, and gave them the king’s letters. Further, these books show how the prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah were fulfilled. The king granted his request with added protections in place to accomplish this task. In spite of opposition and accusations the wall was built and the enemies silenced. In the twentieth year of his reign, Artaxerxes noticed that his trusted cupbearer, Nehemiah, was downcast. Then, in 457 b.c., King Artaxerxes sent Ezra back to Judea, with more authority to restructure the nation’s government after Moses’ law. King Artaxerxes had granted Nehemiah’s request to go and rebuild the city of Jerusalem and its gates which had been consumed with fire (Nehemiah 2:3). Artaxerxes I, (died 425 bc, Susa, Elam [now in Iran]), Achaemenid king of Persia (reigned 465â … It’s no trivial point. 7 I also said to him, “If it pleases the king, may I have letters to the governors of Trans-Euphrates,(F) so that they will provide me safe-conduct until I arrive in Judah? 12 April 2nd decree 31 July wall begins 28 July Nehemiah arrives 21 Sept wall finished 444 BC 107 days journey Babylon to Jerusalem 52 days building 3 day rest. (see upcoming show time) YesNo. This page is also available in: हिन्दी (Hindi). Nehemiah set a firm political, social, and moral foundation that was a great basis for the difficult times that followed. And now, I make a decree." (Nehemiah Ch 13) Frustrated, Nehemiah explains his findings of wrong with the Judeans in his book. In Nehemiah 13:6 we have “Artaxerxes, King of Babylon.” In the Kessler text “King of Babylon” comes after “King of Persia, Media” not after the nomen Artaxerxes. ... and at the end of days I have … (T) Come, let us rebuild the wall(U) of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. Real Answers. So, the king asked him what do you request? In this article we will look at the fascinating and complex details off the priests and Levites who came up … Nehemiah, was a trusted Jewish court official who worked for the Persian Empire. Nehemiah 2:1 NKJV. He prays to God, recalling the sins of Israel and God's promise of restoration in the land. There are various explanations for this. For the Lord granted him favor. I had not been sad in his presence before, 2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? ... that in a final article in this series we will look at the chronology from Ezra 7 and the 7 th year of Darius “even” Artaxerxes up to the final years of Nehemiah’s governorship. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. 11 I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days(N) 12 I set out during the night with a few others. When he reached Jerusalem, he stirred the inhabitants to work and they rose up to build the city. The book of Nehemiah starts on April 2, 444 B.C. ... attempt to solve this difficulty by alleging that Artaxerxes II was the king who reigned during the days of Ezra and Nehemiah’s return to Jerusalem, while Artaxerxes I was the king mentioned prior to Darius’ reign (Ezra … (See Yamauchi's survey in the \"Further reading\", below, for examples. Then he said, “May the king live forever! 1 And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king. It is some time before Nehemiah says something about the Judean situation to Artaxerxes. The 1 st Return was 539/38 BC, the temple foundation was laid in second year after coming out to Jerusalem 536BC. 2:7). Once there, Nehe… This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” Bible Based. 16 The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work. 1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. Such was the condition of the city when, in Kislew of the twentieth year (December, 446), Nehemiah, the king's cupbearer, received information from his brethren concerning it. Now I had never been sad in his presence before. A King Artaxerxes (Hebrew: אַרְתַּחְשַׁשְׂתְּא‎, pronounced [artaχʃast]) is described in the Bible as having commissioned Ezra, a kohen and scribe, by means of a letter of decree (see Cyrus's edict), to take charge of the ecclesiastical and civil affairs of the Jewish nation. But now I was. But Artaxerxes was merciful and asked Nehemiah to explain why he was troubled (Nehemiah 2:2). No sooner had word of Nehemiah’s mission spread than the first indication of trouble came. 2nd encounter with Nehemiah in Nisan. The people, inspired by Nehemiah, give tithes of much money, … Home » Bible » Who was the Nehemiah the cup bearer of Artaxerxes? Josephus wrongfully claims that the Ahasuerus (Xerxes) of the Book of Esther is this Artaxerxes I., and also that the Artaxerxes of Ezra and Nehemiah is Xerxes. Then, the king noticed his sadness and inquired about the reason. This brings us to a statement in Nehemiah 13:6 were it tells us that Nehemiah left Jerusalem in the 32 nd year of "Artaxerxes king of Babylon".As I've tried to explain in these articles, Ezra describes king Darius as a Persian "Artaxerxes". The Temple had been completed under Darius II (522-486) and thus before Artaxerxes (Ezra 6:15). There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on. 19 But when Sanballat(X) the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official and Geshem(Y) the Arab heard about it, they mocked and ridiculed us. So, Ezra recorded his return and some of his reforms. Nehemiah realized fully that all this was made possible by God. Van Hoonacker's suggestion to reverse the order of the two missions (of Ezra and Nehemiah) found some supporters, and the view persists in some quarters. Learning that the remnant of Jews in Judah were in distress and that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down, he asked the king for permission to return and rebuild the city, around 20 years after Ezra's arrival in Jerusalem in 468 BC. "Artaxerxes, king of kings, to Ezra the priest, the scribe of the Law of the God of heaven. This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” 17 Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Nehemiah is granted permission to rebuild Jerusalem. In the twentieth year of Artaxerxes, his brother Hanani visited him. Nehemiah wanted God's people to have their own area with boundaries and a sense of identity after years of exile. Then I went: This is another example of Nehemiah’s godly leadership. And his younger brother was named Eliezer. Now the king had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. He served as governor for two terms, and proved to be an able administrator and religious leader. And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, when wine was beside him, that I took up the wine and gave it unto the king. Peace. The book of Nehemiah describes … ... (Nehemiah 6:15) Artaxerxes 2nd decree may be deduced from the time Ezra took to make the same journey. Nehemiah went to King Artaxerxes and asked permission to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. The rebuilding was much more significant than mere cosmetics. It mentions how he, who worked for King Artaxerxes, received report from Jerusalem by Hanani. The king had also sent army officers and cavalry(J) with me. “When Sanballat, the Horonite, and Tobiah, the servant, the Ammonite, … God’s appointed man succeeded in obtaining a royal appointment as governor of Judea. The 20th year of Artaxerxes and the edict to rebuild Jerusalem was therefore in 445 B.C. An Elephantine papyrus, dated to 407, mentions the sons of Sanballat. We his servants will start rebuilding,(AA) but as for you, you have no share(AB) in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it.”. Nehemiah learned from Hanani that the Jews who survived captivity were quite distraught because the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and its gates were ruined by fire (Neh. Then, the king noticed his sadness and inquired about the reason. He also returned the treasures that taken from the temple under the reign of Nebuchadnezzar. Nehemiah askes the king’s permission to return to Jerusalem and later finds the evil doings of the ones he put in charge while he returned to Artaxerxes. So, Nehemiah asked the Lord to help him give an answer. The Bible narrative tells how he succeeded in being sent as governor to … "There was a delay of about four months from Kislev (Nov.-Dec.) [445 B.C. Nehemiah 2 New International Version (NIV) Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem. It mentions how he, who worked for King Artaxerxes, received report from Jerusalem by Hanani. Then King Artaxerxes I asked Nehemiah if he had any request. a. The Cyrus decree was released 539BC. 2 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. Nehemiah pinpointed the time further by giving us the Hebrew month in which this event occurred. (Z) “What is this you are doing?” they asked. The king granted his request with added protections in place to accomplish this task. But again, he doesn’t record for more than ten years, till Nehemiah became a governor, and he reported his own actions in his book. The Lord put in the king’s heart to send his court official to rebuilt Jerusalem with letters for the governors of the region to give him a safe pass. Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my fathers’ tombs, lies waste, and its gates a… 1. 1:1–3, NIV). [444 B.C. As a result, he mourned, prayed, and fasted. the governor of Samaria and adversary of Nehemiah.1 Artaxerxes2 was nicknamed by the Greeks Longimanus. They show how a few people can do great things for God when led by God-fearing, sincere, unselfish, but brave determined leaders. In addition, the king ordered that timber will be provided for the temple, the city wall, and all his requests (V. 8). However, two Persian kings went by this name and it seems that there is some split over which Artaxerxes is being referenced here by Ezra. Recently I noticed a few interesting connections between Nehemiah and the story of Esther. Upgrade to Bible Gateway Plus free for 30 days. King Artaxerxes personally knew of Ezra and Nehemiah. New International Version (NIV). The name Nehemiah means “Yahweh has comforted.” He was one of the three leaders that were sent from Persia on a special mission to rebuild Jerusalem. 2 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. ], when he felt prepared to broach the subject to the king. What does the Bible tell us about Martha. When that city was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, Nehemiah reconstructed the walls (Nehemiah 1 &2), Zerubbabel rebuilt the temple (Ezra 3:8), and Ezra restored the worship of God. 10 When Sanballat(K) the Horonite and Tobiah(L) the Ammonite official heard about this, they were very much disturbed that someone had come to promote the welfare of the Israelites.(M). Nehemiah, cup-bearer to king Artaxerxes, is informed that Jerusalem remains without walls. God answered his prayer by softening the heart of the Persian king, Artaxerxes, who gave not only his blessing, but also supplies to be used in the project. ], when Nehemiah first heard the news (1:1), to Nisan (Mar.-Apr.) In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was … He enforces the … Martha lived in the village of…, This page is also available in: हिन्दी (Hindi)Gershom was Moses’ first son. Artaxerxes supported Ezra?s work (Ezra 7:6-26). I had not been sad in his presence before, 2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? ver 19; Ne 4:1, 7; 6:1-2, 5, 12, 14; 13:28, NIV, Story of Jesus: Experience the Life of Jesus as One Seamless Story, NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Acts, Comfort Print, NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Personal Size, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture, NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Romans, Comfort Print, NIV, Beautiful Word Bible Journal, Luke, Comfort Print, NIV, Biblical Theology Study Bible, Comfort Print: Follow God’s Redemptive Plan as It Unfolds throughout Scripture. Servants were to maintain a pleasing countenance in the king’s presence, and so Nehemiah was technically breaking the law by looking sad. “Are you rebelling against the king?”, 20 I answered them by saying, “The God of heaven will give us success. When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel. If it is a proven fact that Darius served as king before Artaxerxes, why is the kingship of Darius recorded in the book of Ezra subsequent to the reign of Artaxerxes (recorded in Ezra 4:7-23)? To do that, the meaning… OPPOSITION TO REBUILDING THE WALLS Opposition from Without. Esther and Nehemiah as Contemporaries I’ve heard many sermons on Nehemiah in my lifetime, but don’t recall anyone... 2. Are you getting the most out of Bible Gateway? They also provide evidence on how other prophecies, like Daniel 8 and 9, can securely be supported by history. Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem. 8 And may I have a letter to Asaph, keeper of the royal park, so he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel(G) by the temple and for the city wall and for the residence I will occupy?” And because the gracious hand of my God was on me,(H) the king granted my requests. Nehemiah served as cupbearer to Artaxerxes (Neh 2:1), and the king proved sensitive to Nehemiah?s mood (Neh 2:2). 2 In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes,(A) when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. Then he said, “May the king live forever! He had set wine before the king and received the famous edict in the Passover month of Nisan of that year. 13 By night I went out through the Valley Gate(O) toward the Jackal[a] Well and the Dung Gate,(P) examining the walls(Q) of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. I had not been sad in his presence before, 2 so the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.”, I was very much afraid, 3 but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. This he did under continuing threats of violence. Nehemiah, also spelled Nehemias, (flourished 5th century bc), Jewish leader who supervised the rebuilding of Jerusalem in the mid-5th century bc after his release from captivity by the Persian king Artaxerxes I.He also instituted extensive moral and liturgical reforms in rededicating the Jews to Yahweh.. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan. This report revealed the miserable conditions in Jerusalem. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. Nehemiah 5:14 In Nehemiah (1:1, 4, 2:9, 15) â Iâ is referring to Nehemiah. Nehemiah returns to King Artaxerxes to serve him as the condition for his help rebuilding Nehemiah’s hometown. Get our latest answers straight to your inbox when you subscribe here. Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest, a scribe of the law of the God of heaven, perfect peace, and at such a time. (V)” 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me(W) and what the king had said to me. The book of Nehemiah starts on April 2, 444 B.C. 1:1; 2:1). In the 20th year of Artaxerxes I (445 or 444 BC), Nehemiah was cup-bearer to the king. And he completed the rebuilding of the city wall. A few provinces within his empire tried to rebel, but they did not succeed. the Achaemenid king who ruled from 464 to 424 B.C. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. English, Arabic (العربية), French (Français), Hindi (हिन्दी), This page is also available in: हिन्दी (Hindi)Martha was the sister of Mary and Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 11:1-15; 43-44). Artaxerxes commissions him to return to Jerusalem as governor, where he defies the opposition of Judah's enemies on all sides—Samaritans, Ammonites, Arabs and Philistines—to rebuild the walls. But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: Darby Bible Translation And during all that time I was not at Jerusalem; for in the two-and-thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I came to the king; and after some time I obtained leave of the king. Introduction This study focuses on reading Nehemiah 2:1-10 from the perspective of emotional intelligence.