NEHEMIAH, Boon or. One of the histor ical hooks of the Old Testament. In some Greek and Latin versions it is called the Second Book of Ezra, and in the Jewish canon the books of Ezra and Nehemiah originally constituted one book. It is the opinion of modern scholars that both books were put into their present form by one and the same editor. (See EznA, Boot: OF.) The period covered by the Rook of Nehemiah is the years B.C. 445-432. It is based upon the genuine memoirs of Nehemiah, but also, accord ing to the critical view. contains much extraneous material, the memoirs having been freely used by compilers whose aim it was to prove that the work of restoration of the temple, the cult. and the general reorganization was performed by Babylonian Jews who returned from the Exile; whereas. as a matter of fact. much of the work was (hie to the section of the Jewish community of Jerusalem which had remained in the coun try. The contents of the book may be sum marized as follows: Nehemiah's sorrow over the desolation of Jerusalem is depicted, and he prays to God for opportunity to rebuild the city (eh. i.). Permission is gm-anted him by King to undertake the work; he arrives at Jeru salem, surveys the ruins, and begins to rebuild the walls ii.-iii.). The opposition of enemies is related and the plans by which their schemes were defeated (61). iv.). The people com plain against the oppression of the nobles and the evil is redressed (ch. v.). Enemies form a plot to interrupt the work. which is frustrated by Nehemiah's boldness 1 ch. vi.). A record of the families that returned first from Babylon is given, followed by an account of the offerings made by rich and poor for the work (eh.
The law is read by Ezra the Scribe, accompanied with a joyful celebration of the feast of taber nacles (ch. viii.). The people mourn. fast. and a full eonfession of sin is made and a solemn covenant sealed by princes, priests, and LeViieS, and confirmed with an oath by the whole multitude to observe the sanctify the Sabbath, sustain the services of the temple. and bring in all the tithes (ells. ix.-x.). A tenth of the people are selected by lot to dwell in Jeru salem and the rest are distributed through the other cities of the land (ch. xi.). A list of prie.N and Levites is given, and the joyous dedication of the wall, accompanied with sacri fices. i. described (ch. xii.). During Nehemiah's absence frt Persia heathen strangers were ad mitted into the temitle; they are expelled after his return. and the broken covenant to pay the tithes, to sanctify the Sabbath, and to refrain from mixed marriages is enforced (eh. xiii.).
The chronological questions involved in the Book of NO114,11114111 will he found discussed in the articles EzRA, Boot or and NEHEMIAH, As to how lunch of the book represents Neheiniall's memoirs, scholar' are not agreed. The genuine historical basis of the work is probably the ac count of Nehemiah's first visit, his activity in the rebuilding of the walls, his return to Persia, and his subsequent second visit to Jerusalem to en force the regulations of the 'Priestly Code,' which had been adopted by the (people in B.C. 444 on the ()evasion of the first visit. For literature, con sult the works mentioned under EzRA, Boot: ov.