NEEHEMIAH (Hebr. Nēhemjāh, Septuagint Neemla [c], Vulg. Nehemias). - Restorer of Jerusalem (5th cent. B.C.) after the exile; he was the son of Hacaliah (Neh. 1:1).
His activity is recounted in autobiographical memoirs that have become part of the books of Ezra (q.v.) and Nehemiah, and it partially coincides with that of Ezra, in a chronological relationship debated by scholars. The priority of Nehemiah over Ezra (q.V. ARTAXERXES) is very probable.
Nehemiah was a Jew living at the court of Artaxerxes I of Persia, serving as the king’s cupbearer; he was certainly a layman, perhaps even a eunuch. Having been informed (late 445 B.C.) by his brother Hanani of the obstacles impeding the full resumption of religious and civil life in Jerusalem, he obtained permission from the king to go there in person, entrusted with the office of governor (peḥāh) of the city and granted broad powers. The resumption of life in Jerusalem was hindered by the interests of outsiders—such as Sanballat (Hebr. Sanahallat, Akkad. Sin-uballit), Tobiah (Tōbhiyāh), and Geshem (Hebr. Gesem), petty lords and marauders based in areas toward the Arabian desert who were domineering in the city. The first measure to be taken against them had to be the rebuilding of the walls, which they systematically obstructed. With remarkable energy and diplomatic skill, amid resurgent opposition and traps set to capture him, Nehemiah rallied the citizens and within three months of his arrival rebuilt or repaired the protective wall (gādhēr) of the city. From then on, a guard service at the gates ensured the safety of the inhabitants. Longer was the work devoted to demographic and moral reconstruction: repopulation, abandonment of mixed marriages, and economic improvements for the common people. The reforms received official and solemn sanction in a new proclamation of Mosaic law, with a renewal of the “covenant,” made on the occasion of a Feast of Tabernacles (the year is unknown), with the collaboration of Ezra (q.v.) the Scribe, who had come specially from Babylon. Nehemiah also took care to collect biblical books (cf. 2 Macc. 2:13). About twelve years after his arrival, the great reformer returned to the court.
Some time later, having received alarming news about the stability of his work due to lapses in good intentions and abuses, he returned to Jerusalem to implement further reforms. But of this second mission, as of Nehemiah’s end, we have no information, since the biblical narrative breaks off abruptly with the invocation of the figure: “Remember me, O my God, for good” (Neh. 13:31). Two other influential Jews of the same period bore the name Nehemiah (ibid., 3:16; 7:7).