Lexical Summary Nechemyah: Nehemiah Original Word: נְחֶמְיָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Nehemiah From nacham and Yahh; consolation of Jah; Nechemjah, the name of three Israelites -- Nehemiah. see HEBREW nacham see HEBREW Yahh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nacham and Yah Definition "Yah comforts," three Isr. NASB Translation Nehemiah (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs נְחֶמְיָה proper name, masculine (Yah comforts, ᵐ5 Νεεμιας(#NAME?), etc.; — proper name נחמיה(וׅ on Israel scarab in BM, ClGannJas 1883, Fév.-Mars. 156 No. 42); — 1 the son of Hachaliah, governor of Judah under Artaxerxes Longimanus Nehemiah 1:1; Nehemiah 8:9; Nehemiah 10:2; Nehemiah 12:26,47. 2 ruler of half the district of Bethzur Nehemiah 3:16. 3 one of twelve heads of people who returned with Zerubbabel Ezra 2:2 = Nehemiah 7:7. Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Nehemiah, “Yahweh comforts,” appears eight times in the Hebrew Scriptures. The name is borne by three distinct men, the most notable being Nehemiah son of Hacaliah, governor of Judah after the exile. Historical Context The recorded activity of Nehemiah falls in the reign of Artaxerxes I (465-423 BC). Judah had persisted under Persian rule for almost a century; the temple had been rebuilt (516 BC) and Ezra had led a reform movement (458 BC), yet Jerusalem’s walls still lay in ruins (Nehemiah 1:3-4). God raised up Nehemiah to complete the restoration begun under Zerubbabel and Ezra. Nehemiah Son of Hacaliah: Royal Cupbearer Serving as cupbearer (Nehemiah 1:11), Nehemiah held a position of high trust in the Persian court. When he heard of Judah’s distress he responded first with prayer and fasting, then with courageous petition: “If it pleases the king… send me to Judah… that I may rebuild it” (Nehemiah 2:5). His access to Artaxerxes provided royal letters, military escort, and timber from the king’s forest—tangible reminders that “the gracious hand of my God was upon me” (Nehemiah 2:8). Governor and Builder of the Wall Arriving in 445 BC, Nehemiah surveyed the damage by night and mobilized the people. In the face of mockery, threat, and attempted intrigue, he organized work parties, stationed armed guards, and completed the wall in fifty-two days (Nehemiah 6:15-16). The achievement demonstrated divine enablement and restored Jerusalem’s security and identity. Spiritual Reformer Nehemiah’s role extended beyond masonry. Together with Ezra he led a covenant renewal. “Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites… said to all the people, ‘This day is holy to the LORD your God’” (Nehemiah 8:9). The reading of the Law produced confession, worship, and a written pledge (Nehemiah 9–10). Nehemiah enforced Sabbath observance, opposed mixed marriages, and ensured temple support (Nehemiah 13). Other Bearers of the Name 1. A leader who returned with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2; Nehemiah 7:7), active nearly a century before the governor. Legacy “During the days of Zerubbabel and of Nehemiah all Israel gave the daily portions for the singers and the gatekeepers” (Nehemiah 12:47). His administration established patterns of giving, worship, and civic order that endured beyond his tenure. Typological Foreshadowing Nehemiah’s burden, intercession, and sacrificial leadership prefigure Christ, who left the courts of heaven to rebuild fallen humanity (Philippians 2:5-8). The completed wall anticipates the secure city of Revelation 21. Theological Themes • Providence: God guides through prayer and circumstance (Nehemiah 2:8). Practical Lessons 1. Begin every undertaking with sustained prayer (Nehemiah 1:4-11). Key Verses Nehemiah 2:17-18; Nehemiah 6:3; Nehemiah 8:10; Nehemiah 13:14. Forms and Transliterations נְ֠חֶמְיָה נְחֶמְיָ֖ה נְחֶמְיָ֗ה נְחֶמְיָ֡ה נְחֶמְיָ֣ה נְחֶמְיָ֧ה נחמיה nə·ḥem·yāh Nechemyah nəḥemyāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezra 2:2 HEB: זְרֻבָּבֶ֗ל יֵשׁ֡וּעַ נְ֠חֶמְיָה שְׂרָיָ֨ה רְֽעֵלָיָ֜ה NAS: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, KJV: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, INT: Zerubbabel Jeshua Nehemiah Seraiah Reelaiah Nehemiah 1:1 Nehemiah 3:16 Nehemiah 7:7 Nehemiah 8:9 Nehemiah 10:1 Nehemiah 12:26 Nehemiah 12:47 8 Occurrences |
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