Nehemiah 1:1

¶ The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,

The words {H1697} of Nehemiah {H5166} the son {H1121} of Hachaliah {H2446}. And it came to pass in the month {H2320} Chisleu {H3691}, in the twentieth {H6242} year {H8141}, as I was in Shushan {H7800} the palace {H1002},

The words of Nechemyah the son of Hakhalyah: It was in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the capital,

These are the words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace,

Nehemiah 1:1 serves as the concise and pivotal opening to the Book of Nehemiah, immediately establishing the author, the historical context, and the initial geographical setting. This verse sets the stage for a profound narrative of leadership, prayer, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse immediately places the reader in the post-exilic period, after the seventy years of Babylonian captivity. It introduces Nehemiah, a key figure in the restoration efforts in Jerusalem following the decrees allowing the Jewish exiles to return. The setting, "Shushan the palace," was one of the major capitals of the vast Persian Empire, a prominent location also featured significantly in the Book of Esther. The "twentieth year" refers to the reign of King Artaxerxes I Longimanus, a crucial detail for dating the events that unfold in the book, including Nehemiah's prayer and subsequent journey to Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:1).

Key Themes and Messages

This opening verse acts as a succinct prologue, establishing the foundational elements of the book:

  • Authorship and Authenticity: The phrase "The words of Nehemiah" immediately signals that the book is a personal account, written from Nehemiah's first-person perspective. This lends a strong sense of authenticity and personal testimony to the subsequent narrative.
  • Historical Anchoring: The precise dating ("in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year") firmly roots the events in real-world history. This emphasis on specific times and places underscores the biblical truth that God works within actual historical circumstances, not abstract concepts.
  • Geographical Setting: Nehemiah's initial location in "Shushan the palace" highlights his position within the heart of the Persian Empire, far removed from Jerusalem. This contrast sets the stage for the deep burden he feels for his people and their distant homeland.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "The words of Nehemiah" (Divrei Nehemiah) is a common literary device used to introduce prophetic or historical accounts, similar to the opening of other biblical books like Jeremiah 1:1. It suggests an authoritative compilation of his experiences and messages. "Chisleu" is the ninth month of the Jewish civil calendar, corresponding to late November or early December, indicating the time of year when Nehemiah received the distressing news about the condition of Jerusalem's walls.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 1:1 reminds us that God often calls and uses individuals who are strategically placed, even in seemingly secular or distant environments. Nehemiah, serving as a cupbearer in a foreign palace, was deeply connected to his heritage and burdened by the condition of his people and the city of Jerusalem. This verse sets the stage for a powerful story of leadership, fervent prayer, and divine provision, demonstrating that God's grand plans unfold within specific times and places, often through the faithfulness and obedience of dedicated individuals.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Nehemiah 10:1

    ¶ Now those that sealed [were], Nehemiah, the Tirshatha, the son of Hachaliah, and Zidkijah,

  • Zechariah 7:1

    ¶ And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Darius, [that] the word of the LORD came unto Zechariah in the fourth [day] of the ninth month, [even] in Chisleu;

  • Esther 1:2

    [That] in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which [was] in Shushan the palace,

  • Daniel 8:2

    And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I [was] at Shushan [in] the palace, which [is] in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.

  • Ezra 7:7

    And there went up [some] of the children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims, unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the king.

  • Ezra 10:9

    Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It [was] the ninth month, on the twentieth [day] of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of [this] matter, and for the great rain.

  • Esther 3:15

    The posts went out, being hastened by the king's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed.

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