Nehemiah

From Encyclopediak

Nehemiah, a book of the Old Testament, following Ezra and preceding Esther also the name of the author of the book. Originally the book of Nehemiah was united with the book of Ezra. Nehemiah was a pious Jew who was made cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia. In 445 B. C. he was sent as governor to Jerusalem, being commissioned to rebuild the walls and gates of the city. This task he accomplished in spite of many difficulties, besides inspiring the hearts of the people with the spirit of piety and enthusiasm. He revisited Jerusalem in 433 for the purpose of abolishing certain abuses that had crept in during his absence. The period covered by the book of Nehemiah, which chronicles these events, is of 13 years duration, from 445 B. C. to 432 B. C. See BIBLE, subhead The Old Testament.