Nehemiah 1:1
The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Nehemiah, a trusted official in the Persian king's court, is introduced at the winter palace in Susa, the capital. This sets the stage for him receiving devastating news about the broken walls and gates of Jerusalem, which will soon lead to his impassioned prayer and bold request to the king.
This passage opens the book of Nehemiah, introducing him as the author and setting the scene in Susa, the Persian royal palace, during the winter month of Chislev in the king's twentieth year. This establishes Nehemiah's position within the Persian court, far from Jerusalem, and the time frame for the events that are about to unfold. The verse serves as a historical marker, preparing the reader for the weighty news Nehemiah will soon receive about his people and their ruined city.
Ever wonder why some biblical books start with "The words of..."? It's more than just a title; it's a clue about the book's origin and author.
A Personal Account
The opening of Nehemiah, "The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah," immediately tells us this is a personal narrative. Unlike many historical accounts that might be compiled by later scribes, this book stems directly from Nehemiah's own experiences and insights. Think of it like a journal or memoir – it's his story, filtered through his perspective.
Not Just Stories, but Deeds
While translated as "words," the original Hebrew can also mean "acts" or "affairs." So, it's not just about what Nehemiah said, but what he did and what happened to him. This sets up the book as a record of significant events and Nehemiah's role within them.
Dates and locations in the Bible aren't just background details; they anchor the story in reality and reveal crucial context for understanding the events.
The Month of Chislev
The text pinpoints the event to the month of Chislev, which falls roughly in our November/December. This wasn't just any month; it was a significant time, often associated with the deepening of winter and a period of reflection. The use of this post-exilic month name indicates the time frame after the Israelites' return from Babylonian captivity.
The Twentieth Year in Susa
"The twentieth year" refers to the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' reign. This specific date grounds Nehemiah's experience in a particular historical moment. He wasn't in Jerusalem, the city he would later focus on, but in Susa the citadel – a major administrative and royal center of the Persian Empire. This detail highlights Nehemiah's position within the powerful Persian court before his pivotal mission to Jerusalem.
Understand the original words
Kislev · Hebrew Noun
A Jewish month (Kislev) corresponding to November/December, historically significant as the time of the Feast of Dedication and marking the onset of winter.
birah · Hebrew Noun
A title or geographical designation for the administrative capital of the Persian Empire; often associated with royal palace complexes, implying Nehemiah's position of proximity to the king.
This verse places Nehemiah's personal narrative within the broader context of the post-exilic Jewish community, highlighting the ongoing challenges of rebuilding and maintaining their identity in a hostile environment centuries after the initial return from Babylon.
c. 538 BC
First Jewish Return from Exile
Following Cyrus the Great's decree, a group of exiled Jews, led by Zerubbabel, returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
The priest and scribe Ezra led a second significant group of exiles back to Jerusalem, focusing on religious reform and the restoration of Jewish law.
c. 446 BC— this verse
Nehemiah Hears of Jerusalem's Plight
In Susa, the Persian capital, Nehemiah, a Jewish courtier, receives devastating news from Judah about the city's ruined walls and suffering people.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Arrives in Jerusalem
Artaxerxes grants Nehemiah's request to return to Jerusalem as governor, providing resources to rebuild the city walls.
This verse functions similarly to Jeremiah 1:1, acting as a superscription that introduces the words of a prophet, grounding the subsequent message in a specific time and place.
Esther 1:1-2Nehemiah's setting in 'Shushan the palace' echoes the grand and expansive setting of King Ahasuerus's feast in Esther, highlighting the opulent backdrop from which these significant historical events unfold.
Daniel 8:2The mention of Shushan connects to Daniel's vision, placing Nehemiah's experience within the same historical and geographical context that was significant for prophetic revelation.
Ezra 4:23-24The rebuilding efforts mentioned in Ezra were halted, setting the stage for the dire news Nehemiah receives, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for Jerusalem's restoration.
clarkeNehemiah 1:1: "The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,"
The words of Nehemiah - That this book was compiled out of the journal or memoranda made by Nehemiah himself, there can be no doubt: but that he was not the compiler is evident from several passages in the work it. self. As it is written consecutively as one book with Ezra, many have supposed that this latter was the author: but whoever com…
pulpitNehemiah 1:1: "The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,"
Verse 1. - The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. Compare Jeremiah 1:1; Hosea 1:2; Amos 1:1, etc. No other historical book commences in this manner, and we may best account for the introduction of the clause by the consideration that "Nehemiah" having been originally appended to "Ezra," it marked the point at which a new narrative bega…
Nehemiah, a trusted official in the Persian king's court, is introduced at the winter palace in Susa, the capital. This sets the stage for him receiving devastating news about the broken walls and gates of Jerusalem, which will soon lead to his impassioned prayer and bold request to the king.
This passage opens the book of Nehemiah, introducing him as the author and setting the scene in Susa, the Persian royal palace, during the winter month of Chislev in the king's twentieth year. This establishes Nehemiah's position within the Persian court, far from Jerusalem, and the time frame for the events that are about to unfold. The verse serves as a historical marker, preparing the reader for the weighty news Nehemiah will soon receive about his people and their ruined city.
This passage opens the book of Nehemiah, introducing him as the author and setting the scene in Susa, the Persian royal palace, during the winter month of Chislev in the king's twentieth year. This establishes Nehemiah's position within the Persian court, far from Jerusalem, and the time frame for the events that are about to unfold. The verse serves as a historical marker, preparing the reader for the weighty news Nehemiah will soon receive about his people and their ruined city.
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c. 445-444 BC
Rebuilding of Jerusalem's Walls
Despite opposition from surrounding peoples, Nehemiah mobilizes the Jews to rapidly reconstruct the defensive walls of Jerusalem.
"The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah.
Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel," — Nehemiah, a trusted official in the Persian king's court, is introduced at the winter palace in Susa, the capital. This sets the stage for him receiving devastating news about the broken walls and ga…
