Verse-by-Verse Commentary
The Book of Nehemiah
Nehemiah tells how the broken wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt in fifty-two days against fierce opposition, and how the returned people were renewed in the covenant of God. It is a book of prayer, courage, and leadership that begins with one man on his knees. This commentary walks through it verse by verse.
About This Commentary
The Book of Nehemiah, once joined with Ezra, records the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes and later governor of Judah. Against mockery, threats, and internal discouragement, the wall rises in fifty-two days. The book then turns to spiritual renewal: the public reading of the Law by Ezra, confession, covenant, and reform among the returned people.
This commentary covers Nehemiah verse by verse, with the Hebrew words that sharpen the meaning, verified background, and an Apostolic reading. Nehemiah's burdened prayer, humble leadership, and dependence on God model what it means to build for God in a hostile world, pointing to the greater Builder who builds His church. References are given at the foot of each chapter.
This book is complete, all thirteen chapters, from Nehemiah weeping over the ruined wall to its joyful dedication and his final reforms, ending in the humble prayer, remember me, O my God, for good.
Author
Largely Nehemiah's own first-person memoir.
Setting
Jerusalem, roughly 445 BC, rebuilding the city wall.
Key People
Nehemiah, Ezra the scribe, and the opposers Sanballat and Tobiah.
Theme
Prayerful, courageous leadership rebuilds God's city and people.
Translation
King James Version (KJV) throughout.
The Chapters
Nehemiah Commentary
The chapters below are available now. The rest are being written and will open here as they are finished and verified.
Nehemiah 1:1-11
He Sat Down and Wept
Nehemiah hears that Jerusalem's wall is broken down, and before he acts he weeps, fasts, and prays a great prayer of confession and faith in God's promises.
Read Chapter 1 →Nehemiah 2:1-20
Let Us Rise Up and Build
Before answering the king, Nehemiah prays to the God of heaven; the king grants his request according to the good hand of his God upon him. Surveying the ruined walls, he rallies the people, come, and let us build up the wall, and they answer, let us rise up and build; and to scoffing enemies he replies, the God of heaven, he will prosper us.
Read Chapter 2 →Nehemiah 3:1-32
Next Unto Him Repaired
The builders of the wall: the priests begin at the sheep gate and sanctify it, pointing to the Lamb, and family after family repairs next unto one another. The Tekoite nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord, a warning against pride; and many build over against their own houses, each doing the part nearest at hand until the whole wall rises.
Read Chapter 3 →Nehemiah 4:1-23
We Made Our Prayer, and Set a Watch
The enemies mock and then plot, but the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah answers with prayer and a watch day and night, rallies the fearful, be not afraid, remember the Lord which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, and the builders work with a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other, confident that our God shall fight for us.
Read Chapter 4 →Nehemiah 5:1-19
Ought Ye Not to Walk in the Fear of Our God?
An inward crisis, as the rich exact usury of their poorer brethren and seize their lands and children for debt. Nehemiah rebukes them to walk in the fear of God, and leads by example, refusing even the governor's rightful due, so did not I, because of the fear of God, and praying, think upon me, my God, for good.
Read Chapter 5 →Nehemiah 6:1-19
I Am Doing a Great Work
The enemies try to lure Nehemiah into distraction and then into fear, but he answers, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down, prays O God strengthen my hands, and refuses a false prophet's trap, should such a man as I flee? So the wall is finished in fifty-two days, and even the enemies perceive that this work was wrought of our God.
Read Chapter 6 →Nehemiah 7:1-73
A Faithful Man, and Feared God Above Many
With the wall built, Nehemiah sets faithful, God-fearing men over Jerusalem, choosing Hananiah because he was a faithful man and feared God above many, and orders the gates guarded. Seeing the city large but the people few and the houses not builded, God puts it in his heart to gather them by the register of those who first returned.
Read Chapter 7 →Nehemiah 8:1-18
The Joy of the LORD Is Your Strength
The people gather at the water gate and stand attentive as Ezra reads the law from morning until midday, worshipping with Amen, Amen and bowed heads. The Levites read distinctly and give the sense so the people understand; and when the word convicts them to tears, they are lifted into joy, this day is holy, neither be ye sorry, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Read Chapter 8 →Nehemiah 9:1-38
Thou, Even Thou, Art LORD Alone
The great confession of the Levites: a rehearsal of God's faithfulness through history, opening Thou, even thou, art LORD alone, Maker and Sustainer of all. Against Israel's repeated rebellion shines God's mercy, thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful; He gave His good Spirit to instruct them; and the prayer ends vindicating God, thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly.
Read Chapter 9 →Nehemiah 10:1-39
We Will Not Forsake the House of Our God
Confession becomes covenant. Sealed by the leaders and entered by all who had understanding, the people bind themselves by oath to walk in God's law, pledging the firstfruits and the tithes year by year, and closing with the great resolve that sums up a devoted heart: we will not forsake the house of our God.
Read Chapter 10 →Nehemiah 11:1-36
They Willingly Offered Themselves
With the wall built, the holy city must be filled. Lots are cast to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, the rulers leading by example, and the people bless all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell there, embracing the harder, holier place as a glad freewill offering.
Read Chapter 11 →Nehemiah 12:1-47
The Joy of Jerusalem Was Heard Even Afar Off
The joyful dedication of the wall: the Levite singers are gathered to keep the dedication with gladness, thanksgivings, and singing, and two great companies of praise march upon the wall itself. Great sacrifices are offered and the people rejoice, for God had made them rejoice with great joy, so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off.
Read Chapter 12 →Nehemiah 13:1-31
Remember Me, O My God, for Good
Returning to find the covenant unraveled, Nehemiah contends for the neglected worship, why is the house of God forsaken? cleanses the temple, restores the Levites and the sabbath, and casts himself again and again on God's mercy, spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy, closing the whole book with a humble plea of grace: remember me, O my God, for good.
Read Chapter 13 →