# Nehemiah ## Facts: Nehemiah was an Israelite forced to move to the Babylonian empire when the people of Israel and Judah were taken captive by the Babylonians. * While he was the cupbearer to the Persian king, Artaxerxes, Nehemiah asked the king for permission to return to Jerusalem. * Nehemiah led the Israelites in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem which had been destroyed by the Babylonians. * For twelve years Nehemiah was the governor of Jerusalem before returning to the king's palace. * The Old Testament book of Nehemiah tells the story of Nehemiah's work in rebuilding the walls and his governing of the people in Jerusalem. * There were also other men named Nehemiah in the Old Testament. Usually the name of the father was added, to distinguish which Nehemiah was being talked about. (Translation suggestions: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-names]]) (See also: [Artaxerxes](../names/artaxerxes.md), [Babylon](../names/babylon.md), [Jerusalem](../names/jerusalem.md), [son](../kt/son.md)) ## Bible References: * [Ezra 02:1-2](rc://en/tn/help/ezr/02/01) * [Nehemiah 01:02](rc://en/tn/help/neh/01/02) * [Nehemiah 10:03](rc://en/tn/help/neh/10/03) * [Nehemiah 12:46](rc://en/tn/help/neh/12/46) ## Word Data: * Strong's: H5166