Study notes

Nehemiah 2

Introducing NehemiahWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

2:1

never been sad in his presence: A servant should not let personal issues affect serving the king.

2:1–20 Section

Nehemiah was a faithful and trusted worker in the Persian government in Susa. This was in keeping with Jeremiah’s advice to the Jews who lived in exile. They were to work for the success of the city God sent them to (Jeremiah 29:7).

The king was pleased with Nehemiah’s work. This helped Nehemiah have success when he made his request to Artaxerxes. God also helped Nehemiah have success when he talked with Artaxerxes. The king allowed Nehemiah to travel to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls of the city. Artaxerxes provided everything Nehemiah needed to accomplish the task.

The Jews in Jerusalem didn’t know Nehemiah’s plans. First Nehemiah explained how much God used Artaxerxes to help him. Then the Jews were ready to join him in the work.

Some people opposed the work of rebuilding the wall. This included Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem. They were officials from other people groups who lived in and around Jerusalem. They falsely accused Nehemiah. They said that Nehemiah was going against the authority of the Persian government. They said this because the wall would help Jerusalem be a strong military fort. It would help protect the people inside from being attacked.

But Nehemiah’s desire to rebuild the wall came from God. It wasn’t based on wanting to have power for himself and to fight against Artaxerxes. Nehemiah didn’t want those officials to be part of the community in Jerusalem. He didn’t want them to be part of the worship practices in the temple. The reasons for this are explained in other stories about them (Nehemiah chapters 4 and 6). They were outsiders who wanted to control Jerusalem and the Jews.

Outsiders who were completely committed to the Lord could be part of the community of God’s people. But outsiders who didn’t respect God, his commands or his people weren’t welcome.

2:2

Nehemiah felt scared because he showed his sadness and did not know how the king would react if he explained why he was upset. King Artaxerxes had earlier ordered that Jerusalem should not be rebuilt (Ezra 4:21–22). Nehemiah was not pretending; his deep mourning was visible despite his efforts to hide it.

2:3

Nehemiah showed his loyalty by saying, May the king live forever! (compare Daniel 2:4), but he still admitted his sadness.

2:4

What is your request?: The king followed the God of heaven, and Nehemiah needed God's guidance and help for his request.

2:5

send me to Judah...so that I may rebuild it: Artaxerxes’ willingness to consider this proposal is surprising given Jerusalem’s history of rebellions against Persia (Ezra 4:17–23). The king might have seen Nehemiah’s plan as a way to strengthen his control over a problematic area of his empire.

2:6

How long will your journey take (see Ezra 5:14): Nehemiah likely asked for a short time at first and later requested more time.

2:8

  • Temple fortress might mean the Tower of Hananel or the Tower of the Hundred.

  • the gracious hand of my God was upon me: Nehemiah understood that God guided the king to grant these requests.

2:9

Nehemiah was a government official, so officers and horsemen escorted him to Jerusalem (compare Ezra 8:22).

2:10

  • Some local non-Jewish officials were unhappy because rebuilding Jerusalem's walls would shift political power to the Jews.

  • Sanballat led the opposition to Nehemiah's rebuilding efforts.

  • the Horonite: He was likely from Upper or Lower Horon (Beth-horon, Joshua 16:3), about 19 kilometers (12 miles) northwest of Jerusalem. Sanballat's name suggests he might have descended from the Assyrians brought by Sargon II after Samaria's fall (2 Kings 17:24). A document found in Egypt shows he became Samaria's governor in 408 BC.

2:12–15

Nehemiah needed to see the walls himself to make strong plans for rebuilding and to gather the workers he needed. He secretly checked the walls at night to avoid being seen by his enemies. He only inspected the southern part of the city.

2:13

  • Jackal’s Well might have been En-rogel, a water source about 365 meters (400 yards) south of the city, or the Pool of Siloam, which fills with water from Hezekiah’s winding tunnel.

  • The Dung Gate, called the Potsherd Gate in Jeremiah 19:2, is at the southern end of the western wall (see Nehemiah 3:13) and led to the Hinnom Valley, where city inhabitants threw their garbage.

2:14

The King’s Pool was likely the Pool of Siloam or another pool southeast of the city. Both pools were made from the overflow of the Gihon Spring (see 2 Kings 20:20).

2:16–17

  • Nehemiah kept his inspection and rebuilding plans secret from both the Persian and Jewish leaders to prevent organized opposition. Now, Nehemiah was ready to lead the rebuilding effort.

  • the trouble we are in: The broken walls brought disgrace to the city and reflected poorly on God. Jerusalem certainly did not resemble the city of the great King (Psalm 48:2).

2:18

Clear evidence of God's involvement (Nehemiah 2:8) strongly motivates any project. Nehemiah had God's guidance, the king's permission, the letters needed to get lumber, and a plan to lead the project. As a result, the people eagerly agreed to start working.

2:19

  • Nehemiah’s enemies quickly mocked and tried to halt progress. These opponents were dangerous because they could discourage the people and damage Nehemiah’s credibility.

  • Are you rebelling against the king?: This serious accusation could lead to death (see also Ezra 4:6–23).

2:20

The title God of heaven showed Persian audiences that Israel's true God was not just a local god. Nehemiah focused on obeying his ruler by building the walls.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources