May 13, 2025
What opposition did Nehemiah face?
Nehemiah 5-7
Bo Richardson
Big Book Idea
Nehemiah sought to follow God faithfully despite opposition.
Key Verse | Nehemiah 6:15-16
So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God.
Nehemiah 5-7
Chapter 5
Nehemiah Stops Oppression of the Poor
1 Now there arose a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish brothers. 2 For there were those who said, “With our sons and our daughters, we are many. So let us get grain, that we may eat and keep alive.” 3 There were also those who said, “We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards, and our houses to get grain because of the famine.” 4 And there were those who said, “We have borrowed money for the king's tax on our fields and our vineyards. 5 Now our flesh is as the flesh of our brothers, our children are as their children. Yet we are forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves, and some of our daughters have already been enslaved, but it is not in our power to help it, for other men have our fields and our vineyards.”
6 I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these words. 7 I took counsel with myself, and I brought charges against the nobles and the officials. I said to them, “You are exacting interest, each from his brother.” And I held a great assembly against them 8 and said to them, “We, as far as we are able, have bought back our Jewish brothers who have been sold to the nations, but you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us!” They were silent and could not find a word to say. 9 So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? 10 Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us abandon this exacting of interest. 11 Return to them this very day their fields, their vineyards, their olive orchards, and their houses, and the percentage of money, grain, wine, and oil that you have been exacting from them.” 12 Then they said, “We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say.” And I called the priests and made them swear to do as they had promised. 13 I also shook out the fold 1 5:13 Hebrew bosom of my garment and said, “So may God shake out every man from his house and from his labor who does not keep this promise. So may he be shaken out and emptied.” And all the assembly said “Amen” and praised the LORD. And the people did as they had promised.
Nehemiah's Generosity
14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. 15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration 2 5:15 Compare Vulgate; Hebrew took from them for food and wine after forty shekels 3 5:15 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. 16 I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 Now what was prepared at my expense 4 5:18 Or prepared for me for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. 19 Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.
Chapter 6
Conspiracy Against Nehemiah
1 Now when Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem the Arab and the rest of our enemies heard that I had built the wall and that there was no breach left in it (although up to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), 2 Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together at Hakkephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. 3 And I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?” 4 And they sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 5 In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. 6 In it was written, “It is reported among the nations, and Geshem 5 6:6 Hebrew Gashmu also says it, that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall. And according to these reports you wish to become their king. 7 And you have also set up prophets to proclaim concerning you in Jerusalem, ‘There is a king in Judah.’ And now the king will hear of these reports. So now come and let us take counsel together.” 8 Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” 9 For they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, 6 6:9 Hebrew lacks O God strengthen my hands.
10 Now when I went into the house of Shemaiah the son of Delaiah, son of Mehetabel, who was confined to his home, he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple. Let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you. They are coming to kill you by night.” 11 But I said, “Should such a man as I run away? And what man such as I could go into the temple and live? 7 6:11 Or would go into the temple to save his life I will not go in.” 12 And I understood and saw that God had not sent him, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. 13 For this purpose he was hired, that I should be afraid and act in this way and sin, and so they could give me a bad name in order to taunt me. 14 Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.
The Wall Is Finished
15 So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. 16 And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. 17 Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah's letters came to them. 18 For many in Judah were bound by oath to him, because he was the son-in-law of Shecaniah the son of Arah: and his son Jehohanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah as his wife. 19 Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence and reported my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to make me afraid.
Chapter 7
1 Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2 I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many. 3 And I said to them, “Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes.” 4 The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt.
Lists of Returned Exiles
5 Then my God put it into my heart to assemble the nobles and the officials and the people to be enrolled by genealogy. And I found the book of the genealogy of those who came up at the first, and I found written in it:
6 These were the people of the province who came up out of the captivity of those exiles whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried into exile. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his town. 7 They came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah.
The number of the men of the people of Israel: 8 the sons of Parosh, 2,172. 9 The sons of Shephatiah, 372. 10 The sons of Arah, 652. 11 The sons of Pahath-moab, namely the sons of Jeshua and Joab, 2,818. 12 The sons of Elam, 1,254. 13 The sons of Zattu, 845. 14 The sons of Zaccai, 760. 15 The sons of Binnui, 648. 16 The sons of Bebai, 628. 17 The sons of Azgad, 2,322. 18 The sons of Adonikam, 667. 19 The sons of Bigvai, 2,067. 20 The sons of Adin, 655. 21 The sons of Ater, namely of Hezekiah, 98. 22 The sons of Hashum, 328. 23 The sons of Bezai, 324. 24 The sons of Hariph, 112. 25 The sons of Gibeon, 95. 26 The men of Bethlehem and Netophah, 188. 27 The men of Anathoth, 128. 28 The men of Beth-azmaveth, 42. 29 The men of Kiriath-jearim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, 743. 30 The men of Ramah and Geba, 621. 31 The men of Michmas, 122. 32 The men of Bethel and Ai, 123. 33 The men of the other Nebo, 52. 34 The sons of the other Elam, 1,254. 35 The sons of Harim, 320. 36 The sons of Jericho, 345. 37 The sons of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721. 38 The sons of Senaah, 3,930.
39 The priests: the sons of Jedaiah, namely the house of Jeshua, 973. 40 The sons of Immer, 1,052. 41 The sons of Pashhur, 1,247. 42 The sons of Harim, 1,017.
43 The Levites: the sons of Jeshua, namely of Kadmiel of the sons of Hodevah, 74. 44 The singers: the sons of Asaph, 148. 45 The gatekeepers: the sons of Shallum, the sons of Ater, the sons of Talmon, the sons of Akkub, the sons of Hatita, the sons of Shobai, 138.
46 The temple servants: the sons of Ziha, the sons of Hasupha, the sons of Tabbaoth, 47 the sons of Keros, the sons of Sia, the sons of Padon, 48 the sons of Lebana, the sons of Hagaba, the sons of Shalmai, 49 the sons of Hanan, the sons of Giddel, the sons of Gahar, 50 the sons of Reaiah, the sons of Rezin, the sons of Nekoda, 51 the sons of Gazzam, the sons of Uzza, the sons of Paseah, 52 the sons of Besai, the sons of Meunim, the sons of Nephushesim, 53 the sons of Bakbuk, the sons of Hakupha, the sons of Harhur, 54 the sons of Bazlith, the sons of Mehida, the sons of Harsha, 55 the sons of Barkos, the sons of Sisera, the sons of Temah, 56 the sons of Neziah, the sons of Hatipha.
57 The sons of Solomon's servants: the sons of Sotai, the sons of Sophereth, the sons of Perida, 58 the sons of Jaala, the sons of Darkon, the sons of Giddel, 59 the sons of Shephatiah, the sons of Hattil, the sons of Pochereth-hazzebaim, the sons of Amon.
60 All the temple servants and the sons of Solomon's servants were 392.
61 The following were those who came up from Tel-melah, Tel-harsha, Cherub, Addon, and Immer, but they could not prove their fathers' houses nor their descent, whether they belonged to Israel: 62 the sons of Delaiah, the sons of Tobiah, the sons of Nekoda, 642. 63 Also, of the priests: the sons of Hobaiah, the sons of Hakkoz, the sons of Barzillai (who had taken a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite and was called by their name). 64 These sought their registration among those enrolled in the genealogies, but it was not found there, so they were excluded from the priesthood as unclean. 65 The governor told them that they were not to partake of the most holy food until a priest with Urim and Thummim should arise.
Totals of People and Gifts
66 The whole assembly together was 42,360, 67 besides their male and female servants, of whom there were 7,337. And they had 245 singers, male and female. 68 Their horses were 736, their mules 245, 8 7:68 Compare Ezra 2:66 and the margins of some Hebrew manuscripts; Hebrew lacks Their horses 245 69 their camels 435, and their donkeys 6,720.
70 Now some of the heads of fathers' houses gave to the work. The governor gave to the treasury 1,000 darics 9 7:70 A daric was a coin weighing about 1/4 ounce or 8.5 grams of gold, 50 basins, 30 priests' garments and 500 minas 10 7:70 A mina was about 1 1/4 pounds or 0.6 kilogram of silver. 11 7:70 Probable reading; Hebrew lacks minas of silver 71 And some of the heads of fathers' houses gave into the treasury of the work 20,000 darics of gold and 2,200 minas of silver. 72 And what the rest of the people gave was 20,000 darics of gold, 2,000 minas of silver, and 67 priests' garments.
73 So the priests, the Levites, the gatekeepers, the singers, some of the people, the temple servants, and all Israel, lived in their towns.
And when the seventh month had come, the people of Israel were in their towns.
Footnotes
[1] 5:13 Hebrew bosom[2] 5:15 Compare Vulgate; Hebrew took from them for food and wine after
[3] 5:15 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
[4] 5:18 Or prepared for me
[5] 6:6 Hebrew Gashmu
[6] 6:9 Hebrew lacks O God
[7] 6:11 Or would go into the temple to save his life
[8] 7:68 Compare Ezra 2:66 and the margins of some Hebrew manuscripts; Hebrew lacks Their horses . . . 245
[9] 7:70 A daric was a coin weighing about 1/4 ounce or 8.5 grams
[10] 7:70 A mina was about 1 1/4 pounds or 0.6 kilogram
[11] 7:70 Probable reading; Hebrew lacks minas of silver
Table of Contents
Introduction to Nehemiah
Timeline
Author and Date
Nehemiah is the central figure in the book. It contains some of his own records, but he is not the author of the entire book. The same author probably wrote Nehemiah and portions of Ezra. Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem in 445 B.C., 13 years after Ezra arrived. He returned for a further visit sometime between 433 and 423 B.C. He may have made several journeys between Persian capitals and Jerusalem in this period of 20 years (see chart).
Theme
The theme of Nehemiah is the Lord’s protection of his people and their need to be faithful in worship and in keeping the Mosaic law.
Purpose and Background
The basic purpose and background of Nehemiah are the same as that for Ezra (see Introduction to Ezra). Ezra, “a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses” (Ezra 7:6), called the returning exiles back to covenant loyalty and obedience to the law. Nehemiah rebuilt the city walls so that the community could be protected from enemies who might take advantage of them.
Key Themes
- The Lord hears prayer (1:4–6).
- The Lord works providentially, especially through powerful rulers, to bring about his greater purposes (e.g., 2:8).
- The Lord protects his people. Because of this, they need not be afraid (4:14).
- The Lord is merciful and faithful to his promises despite his people’s ongoing sin (9:32–35).
- Worship is at the center of the life of God’s people. It includes the willing, joyful giving of resources (10:32–39).
- God’s people need to be on their guard against their own moral weakness (ch. 13).
Outline
- Nehemiah Returns to Jerusalem to Rebuild Its Walls (1:1–2:20)
- The Wall Is Built, Despite Difficulties (3:1–7:4)
- A Record of Those Who Returned from Exile (7:5–73)
- The Reading of the Law, and Covenant Renewal (8:1–10:39)
- The Population of Jerusalem and the Villages; Priests and Levites (11:1–12:43)
- Nehemiah Deals with Problems in the Community (12:44–13:31)
The Persian Empire at the Time of Nehemiah
c. 450 B.C.
During the time of Nehemiah, the Persian Empire had reached its greatest extent, engulfing nearly the entire Near East. In 539 B.C. the Persians under Cyrus the Great defeated the Babylonians and absorbed the lands of Israel and Judah (which they called “Beyond the River”) into their empire. The next year Cyrus allowed the people of Judah (now called Jews) to return home and rebuild the temple of the Lord. Several waves of returning Jews resettled in Judea. In about 445 B.C., Nehemiah was granted permission to rebuild Jerusalem’s ruined walls.
Fact: Mortgage their property
The returned exiles would sometimes mortgage their property (5:3) to raise money for the heavy taxes imposed on them. This mortgaging would have involved temporarily forfeiting the use of one’s property and any fruit it produced to wealthier people who could afford to pay the taxes. The Mosaic law forbade such practices, and Nehemiah was quick to oppose it.
Fact: Open letter
An open letter (6:5) was one that was read to the entire public, not just the individual to whom it was addressed. By publicly claiming that Artaxerxes would be angry about the rebuilding of the walls, Sanballat was hoping to frighten the laborers into ceasing their work.
Fact: Can Nehemiah’s wall be seen today?
Can Nehemiah’s wall be seen today? In the 2,500 years since Nehemiah’s day, Jerusalem has been rebuilt, destroyed, and rebuilt again. This has made evidence of Nehemiah’s wall difficult to find. However, a part of the wall can still be seen.
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
Chronology of Nehemiah
| Event | Month/Day | Year | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanani brings Nehemiah a report from Jerusalem (20th year of Artaxerxes I) | 445–444 B.C. | 1:1 | |
| Nehemiah before King Artaxerxes | 1 | 445 | 2:1 |
| Nehemiah arrives to inspect Jerusalem walls | 445 | 2:11 | |
| Wall is finished | 6/25 | 445 | 6:15 |
| People of Israel gather | 7 | 445 | 7:73–8:1 |
| People of Israel celebrate Feast of Booths | 7/15–22 | 445 | 8:14 |
| People of Israel fast and confess sins | 7/24 | 445 | 9:1 |
| Nehemiah returns to Susa (32nd year of Artaxerxes I) | 433 | 5:14; 13:6 |
Neh. 5:1 The people are the ordinary citizens, not nobles or officials (see v. 7). And of their wives adds to the picture of families made desperate by hunger. Jewish brothers shows the strong bond among all Israelites. By Mosaic law, no Israelite should permanently enslave or take advantage of another (Deut. 15:1–15).
Neh. 5:2–3 let us get grain. Perhaps the men who are working full time on the building project cannot do their usual work to feed their families. Some of them were mortgaging their fields and houses to pay the heavy tax charged by the Persians.
Fact: Mortgage their property
The returned exiles would sometimes mortgage their property (5:3) to raise money for the heavy taxes imposed on them. This mortgaging would have involved temporarily forfeiting the use of one’s property and any fruit it produced to wealthier people who could afford to pay the taxes. The Mosaic law forbade such practices, and Nehemiah was quick to oppose it.
Neh. 5:5 forcing our sons and our daughters to be slaves. Temporary debt-slavery (but not permanent chattel-slavery) was permitted in Mosaic law among Israelites. It was often the only way a debt could be paid (see Deut. 15:12).
Neh. 5:7 The nobles and the officials within the Jewish community are accused of oppressing their own people. Oppression of the weak by the strong had been one of the reasons for the exile (see Isa. 5:7–10; Amos 2:6–8). exacting interest. Property might be taken in pledge, pending repayment of a loan. Taking interest from a fellow Israelite who borrowed out of need was forbidden (Deut. 23:19–20).
Neh. 5:8 sold . . . sell . . . sold. In his anger, Nehemiah points out the irony of the Jews being redeemed from exile only to be sold into slavery by their own brothers.
Neh. 5:10 Let us. Nehemiah suggests that he himself has been guilty of this injustice.
Neh. 5:11–12 Return . . . their fields. This commands returning the illegitimately seized interest, but it also seems to order a return of the items pledged to secure the loans. This goes beyond plans for debt-release (Deut. 15:1–11) or jubilee (Leviticus 25), since it is to be done without delay.
Neh. 5:13 shook out the fold. A symbolic action matching the words of the curse that follow. So may God shake out. This type of curse-formula was a way of compelling people to do something. By saying Amen, the whole assembly agreed to the terms of Nehemiah’s curse.
Neh. 5:14 governor. This is the first indication that Nehemiah held this official post in the province of Yehud (Judea), within the larger province of Beyond the River. twentieth . . . to the thirty-second year. 445 to 433 B.C. Nehemiah returned to Susa in 433, and then returned to Jerusalem sometime between 433 and 423. food allowance of the governor. Governors could raise taxes for their own use, but Nehemiah has not done so.
Chronology of Nehemiah
| Event | Month/Day | Year | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanani brings Nehemiah a report from Jerusalem (20th year of Artaxerxes I) | 445–444 B.C. | 1:1 | |
| Nehemiah before King Artaxerxes | 1 | 445 | 2:1 |
| Nehemiah arrives to inspect Jerusalem walls | 445 | 2:11 | |
| Wall is finished | 6/25 | 445 | 6:15 |
| People of Israel gather | 7 | 445 | 7:73–8:1 |
| People of Israel celebrate Feast of Booths | 7/15–22 | 445 | 8:14 |
| People of Israel fast and confess sins | 7/24 | 445 | 9:1 |
| Nehemiah returns to Susa (32nd year of Artaxerxes I) | 433 | 5:14; 13:6 |
Neh. 5:15 former governors. Nehemiah’s predecessors had used the people to enrich themselves and their servants.
Neh. 5:16 I also persevered. Nehemiah has made himself equal with his fellow Jews, laboring with them and not using his position for gain.
Neh. 5:17–18 At my table seems to refer to Nehemiah’s obligations as governor. Those who came . . . from the nations may have been diplomatic visitors. This heavy burden makes Nehemiah’s self-sacrifice of the food allowance all the more remarkable.
5:1–19 Nehemiah Deals with Injustices in the Community; Nehemiah’s Personal Contribution to the Project. Nehemiah takes measures to end the exploitation of the weak in the community by its powerful members, who are ignoring God’s commandments.
Neh. 5:19 Remember. The first of Nehemiah’s prayers asking God to remember either his deeds or his opponents’ deeds (compare 6:14; 13:29).
Neh. 6:3 I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Nehemiah refused to leave his work for discussions with his enemies. He knew such a meeting would be fruitless and probably dangerous.
Fact: Open letter
An open letter (6:5) was one that was read to the entire public, not just the individual to whom it was addressed. By publicly claiming that Artaxerxes would be angry about the rebuilding of the walls, Sanballat was hoping to frighten the laborers into ceasing their work.
Neh. 6:5–7 Sanballat’s fifth attempt to defeat Nehemiah was an open letter (v. 5). Its public nature was intended to exert extra pressure on Nehemiah. Sanballat once again accuses the people of rebelling against Persia (see Ezra 4:12–13). He portrays himself as loyal to Persia and as a friend of the Jews. He offers to defuse the danger posed by their supposed rebellion. The king will hear is, of course, a veiled threat. While he may have held long-term messianic hopes, Nehemiah remained a loyal servant of Artaxerxes. He had no desire to be king, and there is no reason to think he was a descendant of David.
Neh. 6:10–11 Shemaiah is not otherwise known, but he may have been a priest, which explains his proposal for a meeting in the temple (perhaps a second meeting from the one mentioned here). confined to his home. This possible translation of a difficult Hebrew word tries to explain why Nehemiah went to this man’s house. It is not clear why he had been confined to his home: perhaps it was meant as a symbolic act suggesting that Jerusalem was surrounded by enemies. within the temple . . . for they are coming to kill you. This “warning” suggests a plot by Sanballat and other enemies. Shemaiah proposes that Nehemiah simply take refuge in the temple. Nehemiah replies that such an act would be cowardly.
Neh. 6:12 God had not sent him. Nehemiah sees that Shemaiah’s prophecy was false.
Neh. 6:13 To be afraid would be the opposite of having faith in this situation, and so would be sin (see Deut. 1:28–33; note on Ezra 3:3). This sort of unbelief would allow his enemies to taunt Nehemiah (see Neh. 5:9) and thus undermine his authority.
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
Chronology of Nehemiah
| Event | Month/Day | Year | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanani brings Nehemiah a report from Jerusalem (20th year of Artaxerxes I) | 445–444 B.C. | 1:1 | |
| Nehemiah before King Artaxerxes | 1 | 445 | 2:1 |
| Nehemiah arrives to inspect Jerusalem walls | 445 | 2:11 | |
| Wall is finished | 6/25 | 445 | 6:15 |
| People of Israel gather | 7 | 445 | 7:73–8:1 |
| People of Israel celebrate Feast of Booths | 7/15–22 | 445 | 8:14 |
| People of Israel fast and confess sins | 7/24 | 445 | 9:1 |
| Nehemiah returns to Susa (32nd year of Artaxerxes I) | 433 | 5:14; 13:6 |
Neh. 6:15–16 Elul was the sixth month (August/September), so it has been less than six months since Nehemiah spoke to the king. they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. If God had helped the people of Judah, the nations feared he would turn Judah into a powerful nation that would be a threat to them.
Neh. 6:18 bound by oath to him. It is not clear how they were bound. But there was clearly a powerful group in Jerusalem committed to Tobiah and opposed to Nehemiah.
Neh. 7:1 Gatekeepers, singers, Levites is a typical grouping of worship officials (see Ezra 2:40–42). It is surprising to find them guarding the walls. Yet protecting the city was ultimately related to establishing the worship of Yahweh in his temple.
Neh. 7:2–3 On Hanani, see 1:2. He and Hananiah possibly replace the “rulers” named in 3:9, 12. The appointed guards live in the city and so they are most committed to it.
Fact: Can Nehemiah’s wall be seen today?
Can Nehemiah’s wall be seen today? In the 2,500 years since Nehemiah’s day, Jerusalem has been rebuilt, destroyed, and rebuilt again. This has made evidence of Nehemiah’s wall difficult to find. However, a part of the wall can still be seen.
Neh. 3:1–7:4 The Wall Is Built, Despite Difficulties. The people of Judah build and repair the walls, despite the efforts to stop them. Excavations in Jerusalem have uncovered remains of Nehemiah’s wall, which apparently incorporated walls from previous times.
6:1–7:4 A Conspiracy against Nehemiah, but the Wall Is Finished. Nehemiah’s enemies try to scare him into ceasing the work, but he is not deterred and the wall is finished.
Neh. 7:4 Apparently the people are relatively few. Building houses has taken second place to reconstructing the walls.
Neh. 7:5–73 A Record of Those Who Returned from Exile. Nehemiah lists the returned exiles from the time of Zerubbabel.
Neh. 7:6–73 This list is virtually identical to the one in Ezra 2 (see notes there). Nehemiah’s next concern is to repopulate Jerusalem (see Neh. 7:4).
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
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Listen NowDive Deeper | Nehemiah 5-7
Opposition to our faith and God's plan for our life is guaranteed. "[A]nd you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:22) How can we endure to the end? Today, we are going to learn from Nehemiah what it looks like to follow God faithfully despite opposition.
First, we must fix our eyes on Jesus and be firm in our faith. "Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies?" (Nehemiah 5:9) Nehemiah is reminding the nobles and officials not to focus on defeating the enemy, but to focus on staying faithful to God.
Following God faithfully despite opposition starts with simply following God faithfully. When God calls, we need to pick up. Nehemiah facilitated the reconstruction of the wall in just 52 days because he faithfully followed God! At the same time, the apostles were stoned, crucified upside down, and beheaded because they followed God faithfully.
It is hard to face opposition, but we have a God who has already defeated death and anything that can stand in our way. "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem are Nehemiah's opposition. We have three oppositions in the present day: Satan, our flesh, and the world. Luckily, the Bible tells us how to defeat them. We are to flee from the devil, put to death our flesh, and be a loving light to the world. This is how we face opposition.
“So the wall was finished . . . . And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God." (Nehemiah 6:15) People notice when we are faithful to God. It crushes the enemy and displays God's glory to a broken world.
This month's memory verse
"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
– Job 1:21b
Discussion Questions
1. What is one thing opposing your faith right now?
An important step in combating opposition and remaining faithful is simply recognizing when opposition is present. Nehemiah discerned his opposition's schemes and was therefore able to avoid their traps.
2. What is one way you can prepare for future opposition?
You may not have obvious enemies right now, but our faith will be tested. It's important that we have a strong and steadfast faith and that we are able to give a defense for our hope. Nehemiah sets guards around the wall at all times to defend against possible attacks.
3. Who is one person who will fight opposition with you and support your faith?
We are not called to bear our burdens alone. We are made for community and need people who will enter into spiritual warfare with us through accountability, counsel, and prayer. Nehemiah had his brother Hanani and Hananiah, whom Nehemiah describes as a God-fearing man, to help him.