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People of the Bible
Who Was Nehemiah?
In short
Nehemiah was a cupbearer to a Persian king who was heartbroken by the news that Jerusalem lay in ruins. He asked permission to go and rebuild its walls.
Against fierce opposition, he led the people to finish the wall in just 52 days, joining fervent prayer to determined work, a model of faith that rolls up its sleeves.
“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our LORD: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 · King James Version (public domain)
Nehemiah at a glance
| Name | Nehemiah |
|---|---|
| Where to read about them | Nehemiah |
| Key passage on this page | Nehemiah 8:10 |
| Passages linked to that verse | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Scripture explains Scripture. These passages are linked to this one most often by readers.
- Psalms 28:7-8
- Proverbs 17:22
- 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
- Ecclesiastes 9:7
- Isaiah 12:1-3
- Isaiah 61:10
- Psalms 149:2
- Esther 9:19
- 2 Corinthians 8:2
- Esther 9:22
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where can I read about Nehemiah in the Bible?
Nehemiah appears in Nehemiah. Start with the key passage on this page, then read the whole chapter around it.
What other passages sit beside Nehemiah 8:10?
Readers most often set it next to Psalms 28:7-8, Proverbs 17:22, 2 Corinthians 12:8-9, Ecclesiastes 9:7.
Why does Nehemiah matter to Christians today?
Because the story of Nehemiah is told to point to Christ and to teach us to love one another. Read it as part of the one story of Scripture, not as a stand-alone biography.
Pray this
Father, you are already present in Nehemiah, before any of us arrive. We bring you Nehemiah, Nehemiah. Teach us to love one another, as you have loved us. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Three small things you can do this week.
- Read the key passage, Nehemiah 8:10, aloud once today.
- Write one sentence about what Nehemiah's story says about God, not only about Nehemiah.
- Tell one person what you noticed, and ask what Bible story has stayed with them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Christ meets people in a place, and then walks on with them. Here are doors that walk on.
Read the story of Nehemiah
You can read the story of Nehemiah in Nehemiah on The Living Bread, free, with audio, and with Simon to answer your questions along the way.
