Editing Book of Nehemiah (section)

== Summary ==
The events take place in the second half of the 5th century BC. Listed together with the Book of Ezra as [[Ezra–Nehemiah]], it represents the final chapter in the historical narrative of the Hebrew Bible.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Biblical Period from Abraham to Ezra: An Historical Survey|last=Albright|first=William|author-link=William F. Albright|year=1963|publisher=Harpercollins College Div|isbn=0-06-130102-7|url=https://archive.org/details/biblicalperiodfr0000albr|url-access=registration}}</ref>

The original core of the book, the first-person memoir, may have been combined with the core of the [[Book of Ezra]] around 400&nbsp;BC. Further editing probably continued into the [[Hellenistic period|Hellenistic era]].<ref>Paul Cartledge, Peter Garnsey, Erich S. Gruen (editors), ''Hellenistic Constructs: Essays In Culture, History, and Historiography'', p. 92 (University of California Press, 1997). {{ISBN|0-520-20676-2}}</ref>

The book tells how Nehemiah, at the court of the king in [[Susa]], is informed that [[Jerusalem]] is without walls, and resolves to restore them. The king appoints him as governor of [[Yehud Medinata|Judah]] and he travels to Jerusalem. There he rebuilds the walls, despite the opposition of Israel's enemies, and reforms the community in conformity with the [[law of Moses]]. After 12 years in [[Jerusalem]], he returns to [[Susa]] but subsequently revisits Jerusalem. He finds that the Israelites have been [[backsliding]] and taking non-Hebrew wives, and he stays in Jerusalem to enforce the Law.

;''Chapters''
# In the 20th year of [[Artaxerxes I of Persia]], Nehemiah, [[cup-bearer]] to the king in [[Susa]] (the Persian capital), learns that the wall of Jerusalem is destroyed. He prays to God, confessing the sins of Israel, then reminding God of His promise to restore the [[Promised Land]]. He asks God for success in asking King Artaxerxes for permission to return to Jerusalem to rebuild its wall.
# While Nehemiah is serving wine the king notices his sadness. Nehemiah humbly confesses it is because the city of his ancestors is in ruins and asks permission to rebuild the city wall. The king agrees. Nehemiah then asks for letters of safe-conduct and for permission to obtain timber from the royal forest. The king agrees to these requests and additionally dispatches a military escort to accompany Nehemiah to Jerusalem. When Nehemiah arrives he secretly inspects the wall before encouraging the local leaders to join him in rebuilding. However, when [[Sanballat the Horonite|Sanballat of Samaria]], [[Tobiah (Ammonite)|Tobiah the Ammonite]], and [[Geshem the Arabian|Geshem the Arab]] hear about it they mock the Israelites and accused them of rebelling against the king.
# The families and leaders of Jerusalem each take a gate or a section of wall and begin rebuilding.
# The leaders of the opposing tribes – Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, Geshem the Arab, and the men of [[Isdud|Ashdod]] – plot together to attack Jerusalem, which forces the Hebrews rebuilding the wall to work with weapons in their hands.
# Nehemiah, having seen the Hebrew nobles oppressing the poor, orders the cancellation of all debt and mortgages; previous governors have been corrupt and oppressive, but he has been righteous and just.
# Sanballat accuses Nehemiah of planning rebellion against Artaxerxes, and Nehemiah is opposed even by Hebrew nobles and prophets, but the wall is completed.
# Nehemiah appoints officials and sets guards on the wall and gates; he plans to register the Hebrews, and finds the census of those who had returned earlier.
# Nehemiah assembles the people and has Ezra read to them the law-book of Moses; Nehemiah, Ezra and the [[Levite]]s institute the [[Sukkot|Feast of Booths]], in accordance with the Law.
# The Hebrews assemble in penance and prayer, recalling their past sins, God's help to them, and his promise of the land.
# The priests, Levites and the Israelite people enter into a covenant, agreeing to separate themselves from the surrounding peoples and to keep the Law.
# Jerusalem is repopulated by the Hebrews living in the towns and villages of Judah and Benjamin.
# A list of priests and Levites who returned in the days of Cyrus (the first returnees from Babylon) is presented; Nehemiah, aided by Ezra, oversees the dedication of the walls and the rebuilt city.
# After 12 years Nehemiah returns to Susa; he later comes back to Jerusalem, and finds that there has been backsliding in his absence. He takes measures to enforce his earlier reforms and asks for God's favour.