Sometime during the next 16 years (between 1st year of Cyrus & 2nd year of Darius Hystaspes) construction of the 2nd temple stopped. Ok Nissan is April and in the 20th year of the king. In this way the Persian era was eclipsed. 10Next to them Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house; and next to him Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs. Once there, Nehemiah defied the opposition of Judah's enemies on all sidesSamaritans, Ammonites, Arabs and Philistinesand rebuilt the walls within 52 days, from the Sheep Gate in the North, the Hananeel Tower at the North West corner, the Fish Gate in the West, the Furnaces Tower at the Temple Mount's South West 22After him the priests, the men of the surrounding area, made repairs. 12Next to him Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs, he and his daughters. The end of days never refers to Yom Kippur in the Tanach. Virtually any citizen of the ancient world could tick off three reasons why a wall was far more than just a pile of rocks. Will they sacrifice? He immediately surveyed the damage to the entire city on his well-known night journey around the walls (Nehemiah 2:1215). David Rohls chronology works only if one disregards major portion of the Hebrew Scriptures. A conquered people emerge from horrific suffering to reform their nation with the sanction of the conqueror to even rebuild their walls. Nehemiah rebuilt the wall to protect the people from the enemies. 16The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing; I had not yet told the Jews, the priests, the nobles, the officials, and the rest that were to do the work. Dig into more than 9,000 articles in the Biblical Archaeology Societys vast library plus much morewith an All-Access pass. 7You have also set up prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, There is a king in Judah! And now it will be reported to the king according to these words. Next to them Meshullam son of Berechiah son of Meshezabel made repairs. [52 days] What did Nehemiah do after rebuilding the walls? Ok here is Nehemiah chapter 1 says, 1The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislevin the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa. Because Haggai and Zechariah prophesied due to the command of YHWH. Daniyel 9 has nothing to do with Yeshu, the Roman fabrication. Nehemiah is the account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. What many commentators fail to notice is that up until the 2nd year Darius (Hystaspes) Judah & Jerusalem were still under a period of 70 years of divine indignation (Zech.1). The Book of Nehemiah is usually read together with the Book of Ezra as one long book. Much work needed to be done, and Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah each led groups of the returned remnant in rebuilding the city of Jerusalem. The burden-bearers carried their loads in such a way that each laboured on the work with one hand and with the other held a weapon. No machinery. The early Messianic expectants would have understood the verse to mean: according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, -even- Artaxerxes. 19Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence, and reported my words to him. It will represent the belief that He is alive, listening and able to respond. 2. The caption reads Nehemiah/Photo: Foto Marburg/Art Resource, NY. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. How did Nehemiah rebuild the walls? No self respecting Jewish zealot would have based it upon a command given by men. Here is how I understand it. Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ, reaching millions worldwide. - So built we the wall.Rather, "and we (still) built the wall" Insults and gibes had no effect on us - did not touch us. Write "The people wanted to work!". 3So I sent messengers to them, saying, I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. American Standard Version So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. Nehemiah served as the kings cupbearer (Nehemiah 1:11), which evidently put him in a position to speak to the king and request favors from him. Ezra soon noticed that contrary to the Jewish law, even Jews of high standing and the priests, had intermarried with pagan, non-Hebrew women. Thanks a lot and I am taking a look ahead to contact you. Rhema I have received from what Nehemiah did: he had a burden for his people; he went out and did want God wanted him to do; God did not give him a timeframe to do it in; and Nehemiah obeyed. 5I said, O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments; 6let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for your servants the people of Israel, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Thats too big a price to pay, and unnecessary. The wall was completed in 52 days, on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul. Based on Ezra 6:14 this was none other than Darius son of Hystaspes. He also made the other nobles and officials forgive all outstanding debts and ordered them to return all land and money that had been taken as taxes so the people would be able to feed themselves and their families. Next to them Zadok son of Baana made repairs. Ezra 7 begins with Ezra going up to Jerusalem in the 7th year of Artaxerxes the king. See http://www.prophecysociety.org for a fuller explanation than can be provided in this forum. The 70th week does not start until the Anti Christ appears who make a covenant with many for one heptad (week) a 7 year period. As noted earlier a variation on this tradition has been carried on by Christians today in their association of Artaxerxes with the Persian Longimanus. 1Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2I gave my brother Hanani charge over Jerusalem, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadelfor he was a faithful man and feared God more than many. 6I was very angry when I heard their outcry and these complaints. Nehemiah 10 identified many of those same men as being sealed with Nehemiah in the 20th year of Artaxerxes. Again I ask you to consider. How long did it take Nehemiah to rebuild the wall? I think Isaac Newtons explanation gets the closest: They seem to have grounded their opinion on the 70 weeks, which they reckoned form the 1st year of Cyrus. Very good study. Its notable (and probably an important lesson) how the High Priest, Eliashib (Neh 3:1) was actually in cahoots with the enemies of Judah (Neh 2:10; Neh 13:4, 7, 28). We will soon discover that Nehemiah has a position of authority in the empire, being the 'cupbearer . This then would naturally explain the chronological flow of Ezra. 10Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. A wall built for Gods Glory Nehemiah depicts the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. and Artaxerxes comes from the waw proceeding Artaxerxes. I think he has placed Israel History in proper date chronology. After them Azariah son of Maaseiah son of Ananiah made repairs beside his own house. Then he acts in secret. Nehemiah motivated his people to rebuild the wall protecting Jerusalem in 52 days. It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the () twentieth year, as I was in () Shushan [] the [] citadel, 2 that () Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. Even their servants lorded it over the people. Brenton Septuagint Translation Interesting. Since Ezra and Nehemyah were together in Yerushalayim at some point (Ezra 8:9) it is unlikely to have been a different Artakhashast in each story. Notice the common names are in the same order in both lists. He enlisted the help of the people to quickly repair the breaches in the wall. This can only be sadness of the heart. Then I was very much afraid. . He is being closely watched, so he doesn't do much for his first three days in the city. There is a way to solve these problems but they do not wish to handle it that way. This is the command to return and build Jerusalem. Access to 50+ curated Special Collections. Nehemiah asked some friends about Jerusalem. I cannot say whether or not I agree or disagree with comments posted by previous contributors, but I thank you all of increasing my knowledge of the many ways in which we can view the bible. Back to Nehemiah My biggest problem with the article is your third supposition, quoted below: The third key to interpretation of the prophecy is to understand the time period meant by the Hebrew word weeks (BHS, Strongs OT: 7620) in verse 25. Ok here is chapter 2 of Nehemiah.. Are you rebelling against the king? 20Then I replied to them, The God of heaven is the one who will give us success, and we his servants are going to start building; but you have no share or claim or historic right in Jerusalem.. Each issue of Biblical Archaeology Review features lavishly illustrated and easy-to-understand articles such as: Fascinating finds from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament periods, The latest scholarship by the world's greatest archaeologists and distinguished scholars, Stunning color photographs, informative maps, and diagrams, Reviews of the latest books on biblical archaeology, 45+ years of Biblical Archaeology Review, 20+ years of Bible Review online, providing critical interpretations of biblical texts. 8Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; 9but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place at which I have chosen to establish my name. 10They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great power and your strong hand. After hearing about the sad state of affairs in Judah, Nehemiah acquired the kings permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city and its fortifications. The temple lay uncompleted. All that was left was to rebuild the city . im so interested with 12 gates of jerusalem. They told him that the people who had survived being captives were suffering. YHWHs house is the heart of Jerusalem, without its completion nothing else matters. sepia. 7We have offended you deeply, failing to keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses. Should you not walk in the fear of our God, to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? Contextually it was all about returning to the temple construction which had stopped. Of the three commands to rebuild the temple as mentioned in Ezra 6, clearly the command by YHWH through Haggai and Zechariah would be the one a Messianic Zealot or their followers would use to base their claim for the fulfillment of Daniel 9. YHWH was telling the people to shuwb or return and build His house that they were neglecting. (Neh. It went from November in the 20th year in chapter 1 to April in the 20th year in chapter 2. Dig into the illuminating world of the Bible with a BAS All-Access membership. Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem exhibited this important component of faith. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. Rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem was an important sign to the enemies of Israel. COPYRIGHT 2023 BIBLICAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY 5614 Connecticut Ave NW #343, Washington DC 20015-2604. So Foto Marburg for the rare occasion that a client specifically wants a Nehemiah labels a statue by an unknown artist thus, taking care to cover themselves legally by stating that actually its a prophet OR (possibly) Nehemiah (when, of course, neither may be true, but prophet is wide enough by definition). The picture of a statue of Nehemiah in this Bible History Daily article caused me to be suspicious. In the twelfth chapter, the word days was used to indicate Day(s) of Atonement. Even in the the 7th year of Daryavesh I he could be no younger than 70. Right or wrong the rest is just opinion. @ Willaim If you can make that translation fit history, more power to you. By this time, exiles who were taken at the time of the Babylonian conquest had already been allowed to return to their homeland, and the ones that did had already rebuilt the Temple in Jerusalem. 8Next to them Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. 11:18-19; 1Chron. One of the powerful messages of Nehemiah is how much you can accomplish when you align yourself with the will and plan of God. The prince to come is key to understanding these verses. Nehemiah 3 is even more specific. That is to steep a cost and it would make them question why they hold the Babylonian traditions alive. Would a man like me go into the temple to save his life? 7Next to them repairs were made by Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothitethe men of Gibeon and of Mizpahwho were under the jurisdiction of the governor of the province Beyond the River. In the eighth chapter of Daniel, the phrase evening-morning(s) was used to indicate Passovers. If you are talking about Daniel 8:14, I do not see anything about Pesach. Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my ancestors graves, lies waste, and its gates have been destroyed by fire? 4Then the king said to me, What do you request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. Will they restore things? Then I turned back and entered by the Valley Gate, and so returned. The al so important, yet lost and presently under known appearance and working of the Urim and Thummim (Neh 7:65), was ignored in the text of the report concerning the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem. 22I also said to the people at that time, Let every man and his servant pass the night inside Jerusalem, so that they may be a guard for us by night and may labour by day. 23So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me ever took off our clothes; each kept his weapon in his right hand. How many days did Nehemiah pray? Daniyel 9:23 says that at the beginning of Daniyels supplications yatsa davar.. In that verse, the word weeks is used in the same way that, elsewhere in the Book of Daniel, Jewish calendar units were used as cryptic references to Jewish festivals. http://kofh2u.tripod.com/kofh/. The prince (lowercase p) is not Jesus Christ. Rebuild our health. In Part 1 prayer was discussed and in this article we have discussed preparation and . Nehemiah decides that the fortifications have to be rebuilt. Will they finish it in a day? If the Bible chronology is followed exactly as written, the reigns of the Hebrew kings synchronize perfectly with one another, without having to disregard Scripture and without having to accept long co-reigns not supported in the biblical text, and those reigns synchronize perfectly with the traditional chronology of Egypt as proposed by Ken Kitchen. The book of Nehemiah, named after Nehemiah is the memoir, of building the walls of Jerusalem and of setting up the Jewish community in Jerusalem. Its is the literal and symbolic event which marked Jerusalems restoration. English translators have taken the liberty of translating it and denoting another separate Artaxerxes. 5Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord. Ezra and Nehemiah, and the wall built during their time, have nothing to do with Daniel 9. The Finklestein chronology, which dismisses the biblical record, is also incorrect.Dan Bruce, The Prophecy Society, David Rohls chronology works only if one disregards major portions of the Hebrew Scriptures. 5In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. But Nehemiah avoids their traps, ignores their threats, and refuses to hide when threatened by assassination. If you sort through the rather scarce historical references of Messianic expectancy in the 1st century BCE you will find like Newton and Davidson that a huge portion of the Persian era was eclipsed. Nehemiah prayed and fasted to God for four months before petitioning the King to return to his home and reinforce Jerusalem's city walls.