Between the end of Ezra in 457 BC, and the beginning of Nehemiah in 445 BC, it's not as if nothing happened. For Ezra to break up marriages with pagan families could not have won the admiration of the local pagans. Just when they were beginning to get some leverage with the Jews, it's broken all at once. The primary enemies of Judah in Samaria and Edom would be looking for a way to take revenge.
It appears Ezra gave it to them. Their renewed hostility called for defensive measures. Ezra probably felt sure his commission included protecting the City of Jerusalem as best he could, to include rebuilding the ancient walls. The Samaritans and Edomites had also seen a copy of commission and were betting Ezra was wrong. As soon as the walls were started, they sent word to someone in the Imperial Court with a bribe. The result was soldiers dispatched to destroy the wall and burn the gates (Ezra 4:6-23). Apparently Artaxerxes didn't consider his decree to include a wall, either. The damage to the city and resulting despair were communicated to the Jewish community back in Babylon.
Nehemiah 1 -- When the news of this came to Nehemiah, he is residing at the palace at Susa, serving Artaxerxes as Wine Taster. Essentially, it is a ceremonial job of taking the first sip of every cup of wine the Emperor drinks. The idea being if it is poisoned, the wine taster will sicken and die first, and the ruler is spared. It was an ancient custom to have a wine taster, but hardly necessary in Artaxerxes' time, and was merely ceremonial. However, the position had gained tremendous power and prestige over the centuries before. Nehemiah was a big shot. It's obvious he had influence in the Court of Heaven, as well. His prayer is very persuasive. The news came to him in December 445 BC. Over the next four months he prayed and fasted.
2:1-10 -- Recall servants of the Emperor were not permitted to display sadness or sorrow in his presence without specific orders. Four months of intense prayer had given him a dreary countenance, and the Emperor noticed. He was rather patient with Nehemiah, sensing it was some deep sorrow of the heart. It wasn't merely fear of offending Artaxerxes, but of making a request contrary to his previous actions regarding Jerusalem. He renewed his prayer silently, then spoke of his sadness over the city and his people. The Emperor's question was of the nature, "So, what do you want to do about it?"
Nehemiah's answer was that the latter decree regarding Jerusalem (Ezra 4:21) would include sending him to do just that: rebuild the wall of the city. When asked for a return time, Nehemiah provided an estimate. He also requested the decree include a letter of safe passage and an order of timber from the Imperial Forester. This was all granted. With an armed guard he arrived at the Satrap's office in Syria, announcing his intentions. The primary enemies are named: Sanballat of Beth Horon, and Tobiah the Ammonite. Tobiah was an Ammonite nobleman serving the Satrap of Syria. Sanballat is known to have been the governor of Samaria.
2:11-20 -- Apparently the bulk of the soldiers who escorted Nehemiah had orders to return when he arrived at Jerusalem. Likely he kept only a small contingent of Persian bodyguard. The enemies had been tipped off, but were not fully aware of all the plans. Waiting three days, Nehemiah took a few trusted escorts with him to inspect the walls of the city during the night. Any spies within the city were unlikely to know what was up. His description is a little obscure. Our best guess is he went out of the Old City at a western gate, rode down along the wall to the Pool of Siloam, but could not pass further. Dropping down into the valley, he circled around and rode up the Kidron a bit. Then he turned and came back in the same gate where he started.
Next day, he revealed his plans to the leadership in the city. With an imperial decree behind him, they were ready to try again. The two enemies were joined by an Arab nobleman named Geshem. When these troublemakers ridiculed the idea, they subtly threatened to report the city was in revolt. Nehemiah warned them they really had no say in the matter.
3: -- The city by this time was probably rather broad across the northern half where the ridge is flatter, and narrowed down to the steep-sided hump of the old City of David. Nehemiah lists the households and the portion they worked. His description starts with the gate nearest the northeast corner of the Temple Mount. From there, his list runs along the northern line to the west. There are two towers which guard the northern side, which is the easiest approach to the city. Near the northwest corner is mentioned the residence for the Satrap of Syria ("Region Beyond the River" from the perspective of the Mesopotamian Valley). Not that he would live there full time, it was his to use if he ever came. On the western wall was a long section leading to the Tower of Ovens, which was near the baker's district. This was near the Valley Gate, which was connected to the lower west wall running down past the Pool of Siloam to the Refuse or Dung Gate. This was the lowest point of the wall, letting down into the Hinnom Valley where it joined the Kidron. Running north up the east side was a double wall for a distance. The outer wall was down nearer the valley floor. Both walls were completely rebuilt, along with a couple more towers. We believe the double walls rejoined near the lower east corner of the newer city and Temple Plaza. From there up to the northeast corner again were priests, Levites, Nethinim and goldsmiths repairing the walls nearest their homes and shops.
This description locates the people and the areas they worked, but the job hardly progressed in a simple manner.
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Ed Hurst
06 August 2005
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