Ezra and Nehemiah were originally a single book, and as a matter of fact early editions seemed to assume that they were actually the same person -- that the story was told twice, in different versions. Certainly it does seem that there is an echo in here. Both characters are Jews who have favor in the court of Ataxerxes, who sends them to be governors of Judah, and they carry out similar projects. Whatever the case, historians seem to believe that Nehemiah was a real person, that he actually was the cupbearer to Ataxerxes, as the narrator claims to be. That means he was a highly trusted courtier -- his job was basically to make sure the emperor's food wasn't poisoned, which apparently required considerable diligence. It also means that he was a eunuch, since commoners who might have contact with the harem were not allowed to have testicles.
In any case, the basic political message is the same. Judah is now a subject province of the Persian empire, and it's the emperor's servant who is made governor, and it's the emperor's indulgence that supports the rebuilding of the Temple and in this case also the walls of Jerusalem. As we will see, the stories of Ezra and Nehemiah also end in the same way, with the expulsion of non-Jewish wives, so either these really are the same tale, twice told; or there was backsliding after Ezra accomplished his purification, which must have happened awfully quickly since both stories happen within the reign of Ataxerxes, 465-424 BC, in other words just 41 years. Anyway, decide for yourself.
1 The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah:
In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa, 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem.
3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. 5 Then I said:
“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 6 let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. 7 We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
8 “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, 9 but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’
10 “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. 11 Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”
I was cupbearer to the king.
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