15So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. Your theory is very interesting, but based on these statements alone, I cannot justify the 70 weeks referring to 70 years (or 70 Shavuot). I have seen some [arguing for Artaxerxes I] say that his genealogy leaves out some generations, but it doesnt really make sense that there should be a gap of 128 years right between his last ancestor in his genealogy and himself/his first dateable appearance. Amazing issues here. Within three days of his arrival in Jerusalem he did a thorough inspection of the walls (Nehemiah 2:11-16). Nehemiah understood the urgency of rebuilding the wall and because he was obedient to God, it was completed in 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15). If you will read chapters six and seven in my book (link given above), you will see just how precisely the interpretation I have given fits recorded history and the Scriptures. One of the most astonishing facts about Nehemiah is that he finished the walls in just 52 days. Of course, no artist can claim knowledge of what any biblical character looked like. 3They replied, The survivors there in the province who escaped captivity are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been destroyed by fire.. Joshua & Zerubbabel restarted construction but their enemies lodge a protest with Darius Hystaspes. A wall built for Gods Glory Nehemiah depicts the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. 19Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people. Read more. Nehemiah is the account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Will they restore things? The word restore is shuwb- its primary meaning is to return or turn back. They instead have claimed an unknown and contextually inaccurate addition to those original commands which started and completed the contruction of the 2nd temple as specified in Ezra 6. You don't have to rebuild a wall to do the will of God. It went from November in the 20th year in chapter 1 to April in the 20th year in chapter 2. Much work needed to be done, and Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah each led groups of the returned remnant in rebuilding the city of Jerusalem. 12 Blessed is he who waits and arrives at the 1,335 days. Although Newton believed the early messianic expectants based their counting from the 1st year of Cyrus, it is more likely as Davidson noted, the 2nd year of Darius Hystaspes which was the basis for the chronological errors that crept into the early rabbinic chronology. Thanks for the article. Each issue of Biblical Archaeology Review features lavishly illustrated and easy-to-understand articles such as: Fascinating finds from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament periods, The latest scholarship by the world's greatest archaeologists and distinguished scholars, Stunning color photographs, informative maps, and diagrams, Reviews of the latest books on biblical archaeology, 45+ years of Biblical Archaeology Review, 20+ years of Bible Review online, providing critical interpretations of biblical texts. These walls had been down for 100 years. Being a representative of the king to rebuild jerusalem was such a great feat that he would not have time for a family either. Should you not walk in the fear of our God, to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? 13 But go your way till the end. I dont think the prophecy of Daniel 9 gets the attention it deserves in regards to the influence it has had on Biblical and secular chronology. Kind of like a pervert pedophile looking for a job with the boys choir or the boy scouts, I guess. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me. It happened at a time when the captivity of the Jews had already come to an end. This theme actually comes from the book of Nehemiah (2:20), which describes how God led the people Israel in the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Despite the free time, which is a rarity in my life, beautiful breezy weather and a book I cant stop reading, my mood was, lets put it nicely, stormy. They completed the wall in a mere 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15). Contextually there is no evidence for another Artaxerxes who was instrumental in getting the temple builded and finished by the 6th year as stated in Ezra 6. Let's get started." They rolled up their sleeves, ready for the good work. Ok kislev is November, and notice it says the 20th year of the king? The word used in Daniyel is shavuim, while the word for weeks is shavuot. The workers built the walls in only 52 days. You too offer an interesting interpretation. The new chronology I have introduced in my book Sacred Chronology of the Hebrew Kings (available for reading free on my website) shows how the chronologies of the Bible, Egypt, and Assyria are in perfect agreement when the correct chronology for the kings is used. 52 days God instructed Nehemiah to build a wall around Jerusalem to protect its citizens from enemy attack. 492BCE minus 490 years leaves us at the Birth of Christ at 2BCE!! After hearing about the sad state of affairs in Judah, Nehemiah acquired the kings permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city and its fortifications. Video lectures from world-renowned experts. Equip. Building Jerusalem had been going on since the 1st year of Cyrus, that was never the issue. Required fields are marked *. What does the wall represent in Nehemiah? He is even given letters from the king to ensure safe passage and to obtain timber from the kings forest for the gates and walls of Jerusalem. Here in the ninth chapter, the word weeks means Feast of Weeks, or, focusing on the main festival day as shorthand, it means the Day of Pentecost. 3I said to the king, May the king live for ever! Notice the common names are in the same order in both lists. (Neh.8) This likely indicates this was a Sabbath year. Nehemiah encountered hostility from the (non-Jewish) local officials in neighbouring districts, but in the space of 52 days the Jews under his direction succeeded in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. The church is named after St Lazare (Lazarus of Bethany, whom Jesus raised from the dead Gospel of John, 11) and, historically, was a famous place of pilgrimage because of its claim to have a piece of Lazarusskull as a relic, reputed to have the power to cure leprosy. 20After him Baruch son of Zabbai repaired another section from the Angle to the door of the house of the high priest Eliashib. The traditional Bible chronology based on Thieles harmonization of the Hebrew kings and the Rohl chronology for Egypt are incorrect. . 18After him their kin made repairs: Binnui, son of Henadad, ruler of half the district of Keilah; 19next to him Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section opposite the ascent to the armoury at the Angle. Notice the importance YHWH, not man, places on the construction efforts: Zechariah 1:13-16 And YHWH answered the angel that talked with me with good words and comfortable words. 20Rally to us wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet. I would also like to address a comment regarding Yeshu, the Roman Fabrication. Yeshua being a Roman fabrication is as reasonable and historically accurate as those who say Israel is a British one. Nehemiah 12 states Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam(Shallum), Talmon and Akkub all lived in the days of Joiakim, Nehemiah and Ezra. Ezra insisted upon the dismissal of these wives. So Foto Marburg for the rare occasion that a client specifically wants a Nehemiah labels a statue by an unknown artist thus, taking care to cover themselves legally by stating that actually its a prophet OR (possibly) Nehemiah (when, of course, neither may be true, but prophet is wide enough by definition). "Nehemiah 6:15", and "The city of . Notice then what YHWH says in verse 16: I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall built in it, saith YHWH of hosts, and a line shall be stretched forth upon Jerusalem.. Notice the context. He expounded and enforced the Law of God. During this time according to Haggai 1 the people were busy working on their own houses. Ill stick with what the biblical text states, that the key time-location events are the decree of Caesar in 44 BCE and the building of the broad place and moat in 43 BCE. Nehemiah 6:15 (Holman Christian Standard Bible) 15 The wall was completed (A) in 52 days, on the twenty-fifth day of the month Ellul. Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been challenging coaches and athletes to use the powerful medium of athletics to impact the world for Jesus Christ, reaching millions worldwide. 9Then I came to the governors of the province Beyond the River, and gave them the kings letters. Thanks a lot and I am taking a look ahead to contact you. Ezra 6:14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. If you've ever been to Jerusalem, and seen the size and capacity of the stones you realize the monumental task that was at hand. 5Do not cover their guilt, and do not let their sin be blotted out from your sight; for they have hurled insults in the face of the builders. Our hearts. These take place in the 2nd year of Darius. Israel is Gods earthly time clock. Nehemiah 4 1 Now when Sanballat heard that we were building the wall, he was angry and greatly enraged, and he mocked the Jews. 21So we laboured at the work, and half of them held the spears from break of dawn until the stars came out. How difficult is it to build a wall? He also made the other nobles and officials forgive all outstanding debts and ordered them to return all land and money that had been taken as taxes so the people would be able to feed themselves and their families. 32And between the upper room of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs. I wonder if we know or have a way of knowing if he was married at the time of the story or if he had been married at all at any time? Darius Hystaspes checks the records and confirms that in fact Cyruss did issue a decree and therefore the contruction could go on. According to a story, Nehemiah, a high official in the Persian court of King Artaxerxes I at the capital city of Susa, was very troubled that there was no wall to protect his beloved city of Jerusalem, its walls and gates. In my opinion it does not represent a reasonable interpretation of the available Scriptural evidence. So take 492BCE in Jeremiahs prophecy on the 490 years and until messiah the prince, whats that put us at? Just a few years later Cyrus gave his command(at the prompting of YHWH) which allowed the people to return and rebuild the temple. This is the command to return and build Jerusalem. 5I said, O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments; 6let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for your servants the people of Israel, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. The waw would have been more accurately translated as a hendiadys where the 2nd word specifies the first. There was no other explanation but God. Our lives are in ruin and we co-exist under the [], It is interesting reading thoughts, theories and views expressed by all posted on this page from 2012 to 2014. (Nehemiah 6:16). Nehemiah settled the people in the city and its suburbs. Contextually it was all about returning to the temple construction which had stopped. Even their servants lorded it over the people. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah all had the same author, Chronicles does not mention any figures or events from the northern kingdom., The reason for the people of Judah to be taken captive was worshiping false God. (2 Peter 3:3) Sanballat and Tobiah ridiculed the work of God. So come, therefore, and let us confer together. 8Then I sent to him, saying, No such things as you say have been done; you are inventing them out of your own mind 9for they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done. But now, O God, strengthen my hands. Nehemiah 12 identifies those chief of their fathers who went up with Jeshua and Zerubabbel in the 1st year of Cyrus. Combining Nehemiah's times with his character, we get the message of this book: Nehemiah proves that seemingly impossible things . This wall is said to have been 4.5 miles long, 24 ft at the base and just over 26 ft. tall. One day they were reading in the book of Moses out loud to all the congregation of people. to quickly repair the breaches in the wall, Ancient Israel: From Abraham to the Destruction of the Temple, http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/80353228.jpg, http://www.prophecysociety.org/books/LV2012/LV-091.html. Few people are familiar with the Biblical figure Nehemiah, and yet he was instrumental in the rebuilding and reestablishment of Jerusalem in the fifth century B.C. YHWH was telling the people to shuwb or return and build His house that they were neglecting. Thats 12 years later than what ppl think!! Photo: Foto Marburg/Art Resource, NY. I have read your theory and I do understand your position. Then after the 62 7- sevens the Messiah is cut off. That decree restores Jerusalem to a messiah (anointed one)/political leader (in this case, the high priest and ethnarch Hyrcanus II), and indicates that the seventy weeks will be fulfilled AFTER the broad place and moat has been rebuilt, an event that happened between 44 BCE and 43 BCE, when Antipater, appointed by Rome to assist Hyrcanus govern the city of Jerusalem, is known to have rebuilt the wall and tower gate (with the broad place for assembling troops behind the tower) and restored the moat in front of the wall by clearing out the rubbish that had been used by Pompey in 63 BCE to fill in the moat so his Roman troops could use siege engines against the wall. He wanted them to know what standards he and they would live by. Your email address will not be published. The wall was at last completed52 days (a week shy of two months) after the reconstruction under Nehemiah commenced (verse 15). The prophecy fits his advent exactly. Of the three commands to rebuild the temple as mentioned in Ezra 6, clearly the command by YHWH through Haggai and Zechariah would be the one a Messianic Zealot or their followers would use to base their claim for the fulfillment of Daniel 9. Nehemiah is the central figure of the Book of Nehemiah, which describes his work in rebuilding Jerusalem during the Second Temple period.He was governor of Persian Judea under Artaxerxes I of Persia (465-424 BC). English translators have taken the liberty of translating it and denoting another separate Artaxerxes. Jesus is "the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" ( John 1:29 ). We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it" ( Nehemiah 2:20 ). Notes And Next Steps Nehemiah 3 + Part 4 of the series "Nehemiah: Rise & Build" The Sheep Gate (3:1). In the eighth chapter of Daniel, the phrase evening-morning(s) was used to indicate Passovers. It took Nehemiah 52 days to reinforce the gaps and rebuild the wall. The symbolic focal point of the rebuilding efforts, the Temple, lie waste. 7Next to them repairs were made by Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothitethe men of Gibeon and of Mizpahwho were under the jurisdiction of the governor of the province Beyond the River. 16After him Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, repaired from a point opposite the graves of David, as far as the artificial pool and the house of the warriors. The book of Nehemiah records the rebuilding of Jerusalem's city wall in about 445BC. 4Next to them Meremoth son of Uriah son of Hakkoz made repairs. Nehemiah 2:20 'The God of heaven will give us success. In the eighth chapter of Daniel, the phrase evening-morning(s) was used to indicate Passovers. If you are talking about Daniel 8:14, I do not see anything about Pesach. God was using Nehemiah to lead His people to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem. Our God will fight for us.. 9:1-19) They were also present at the completion and dedication of the wall. The answer is that Nehemiah did not build on top of the ridge but repaired Hezekiah's mid-slope wall. 1Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish kin. Enemies of God heard the people were rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah's leadership; they were jealous and they were furious. Give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man! This decree or command by YHWH (in the 12th month, 2nd year of Darius) followed a similar decree given to Haggai just a few months earlier(Hag.1). Biblical Archaeology Review is the guide on that fascinating journey. 15So I went up by way of the valley by night and inspected the wall. Nehemiah's willingness to sacrifice for the benefit of others David Rohls chronology works only if one disregards major portion of the Hebrew Scriptures. Put in your recipe box or binder and keep the card template you used on 13Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate; they rebuilt it and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall, as far as the Dung Gate. In the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, while I was in Susa the capital, 2one of my brothers, Hanani, came with certain men from Judah; and I asked them about the Jews that survived, those who had escaped the captivity, and about Jerusalem. There is a way to solve these problems but they do not wish to handle it that way. That would put Ezras aliyah around 515 BCE, and Nehemyahs time in Yerushalayim from around 502 BCE to 490 BCE. He is even given letters from the king to ensure safe passage and to obtain timber from the kings forest for the gates and walls of Jerusalem. 19But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they mocked and ridiculed us, saying, What is this that you are doing? and Artaxerxes comes from the waw proceeding Artaxerxes. Your interpretation of a verse does not make it any more the word of God than does mine. The CSB E3 Discipleship Bible is full of intentionally crafted discipleship tools and resources based on the E3 discipleship methodEngage. There was no other mention of him, until after the rebuilding of the city walls. At the top of the eastern ridge of the City of David, Nehemiah and the returned exiles built a new city wall. He organized them into two groups of singers. The KING is coming soon and HE IS A JEW, YESHUA HAMASHIACH/JESUS THE CHRIST! In Part 1 prayer was discussed and in this article we have discussed preparation and . Where do you get the following statement from? @ Willaim If you can make that translation fit history, more power to you. 17Then I said to them, You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burnt. WHAT DID NEHEMIAH DO THAT ENABLED HIM TO ENJOY THE FAVOR AND THE HAND OF GOD IN HIS TASK OF RESTORING. He immediately surveyed the damage to the entire city on his well-known night journey around the walls (Nehemiah 2:1215). God bless those truly seeking Him. Note: I would like to make a clarification to my other post. Nehemiah 3 is even more specific. Zechariah 1:12 Then the angel of YHWH answered and said, O YHWH of hosts, how long wilt thou not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? He is even given letters from the king to ensure safe passage and to obtain timber from the kings forest for the gates and walls of Jerusalem. (who came up with Zerubabbel) Talmon and Akkub were porters who kept the gates during the time Nehemiah was in Jerusalem. the walls in 586. It identified the time of the introduction of the new covenant prophesied by Jeremiah that would be offered to Israel by John the Baptist, and it identified the anointed one, Jesus, who would confirm that new covenant during the Passion Week. How many days did Nehemiah pray? This company acts as an image bank/agency they own, or represent photographers (and artists, if recent), with regard to copyright.