NEHEMIAS (Hebr. Nēḥemyāh, Septuagint Nemía[s], Vulg. Nehemias). - Restorer of Jerusalem (5th century B.C.) after the exile; he was the son of Hachaliah (Neh. 1:1).
His activity is narrated in autobiographical memoirs that became part of the books of Ezra (v.) and Nehemiah, and it partially overlaps with that of Ezra, in a chronological relationship debated by scholars. The priority of Nehemiah over Ezra is very probable (v. ARTAXERXES).
Nehemiah was a Jew living at the court of Artaxerxes I of Persia, with the office of the king's cupbearer: he was certainly a layman, perhaps a eunuch. Informed (at the end of 445 B.C.) by his brother Hanani of the obstacles that stood in the way of the full resumption of the religious and civil life of Jerusalem, he obtained from the king permission to go personally to the site, with the office of governor (pehāh) of the city and ample powers. The resumption of the life of Jerusalem was being held back by the interests of outsiders, such as Sanballat (Heb. Sanē-bhallāt, Akkad. Sin-uballit), Tobiah (Tōbhijāh) and Geshem (Heb. Gelem), petty lords and raiders, based in localities toward the Arabian desert, who lorded it over the city. The first measure to be taken against them had to be the rebuilding of the walls, which they systematically prevented. With admirable energy and diplomatic tact, amid resurging oppositions and traps set to capture him, Nehemiah gathered the forces of the citizens and within three months of his arrival rebuilt or repaired the protective circuit (gādhēr) of the city. From then on a guard service at the gates secured the life of the inhabitants. Longer was the work devoted to demographic and moral reconstruction: repopulation, the abandonment of mixed marriages, economic improvements for the common people. The reforms received an official and solemn sanction in a new proclamation of the Mosaic law, with a renewal of the "covenant," made on the occasion of a Feast of Tabernacles (it is not known in which year), with the collaboration of Ezra (v.) the Scribe, who had come expressly from Babylon. Nehemiah saw to the collection of the biblical books (cf. II Macc. 2:13). About 12 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 resolutions and abuses, he returned to Jerusalem, where he set his hand to new reforms. But of this second mission, as of the end of Nehemiah, nothing is known, since the biblical account is suddenly cut off with the invocation of the figure: "Remember me, O my God, for good" (Neh. 13:21). Two other influential Jews of the same period were named Nehemiah (ibid. 3:16; 7:7).
Bibliography5 works
Giovanni Rinaldi