Nehemiah 1:1 kjv

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,

Nehemiah 1:1 nkjv

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel,

Nehemiah 1:1 niv

The words of Nehemiah son of Hakaliah: In the month of Kislev in the twentieth year, while I was in the citadel of Susa,

Nehemiah 1:1 esv

The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel,

Nehemiah 1:1 nlt

These are the memoirs of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah. Nehemiah's Concern for Jerusalem In late autumn, in the month of Kislev, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes' reign, I was at the fortress of Susa.

Nehemiah 1 verses

Nehemiah 1 1 Meaning

Nehemiah 1:1 begins by identifying the author as Nehemiah, son of Hachaliah, marking this as his personal account or memoirs. It establishes the precise time frame for the commencement of his narrative: the month of Chislev (the ninth month, November/December) in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes I's reign. The location is specified as Susa the citadel, a prominent Persian capital where Nehemiah held a significant position, laying the groundwork for the pivotal events to unfold.

Nehemiah 1 1 Context

Nehemiah 1:1 introduces the book set in the post-exilic period, roughly a century after the first wave of exiles returned to Judah under Cyrus the Great. Though the temple had been rebuilt by Zerubbabel and later reformed by Ezra (chronicled in the Book of Ezra), Jerusalem itself remained in a vulnerable and disgraced state. Its walls were broken down and gates burned, leaving the inhabitants exposed to attack and subject to ridicule. This opening verse positions Nehemiah, a high-ranking official in the Persian court in Susa, at the beginning of his personal memoir, which details his burden for his homeland and God's call on him to lead the colossal task of rebuilding Jerusalem's fortifications, bringing order, and restoring the spiritual vitality of the returned exiles.

Nehemiah 1 1 Word analysis

• "The words" (דִּבְרֵי - dibrey): Plural construct of davar. More than just mere speech; it denotes an "account," "report," "history," or "acts of" someone. It signals an authoritative and personal narrative, akin to memoirs. Its use here immediately signals that the following text is a record of significant events and declarations, deeply personal to the narrator.
• "of Nehemiah" (נְחֶמְיָה - Nechemyah): Means "Yah comforts" or "The LORD comforts." This name holds profound significance as it perfectly encapsulates the divine mission Nehemiah would undertake – to bring comfort, restoration, and reassurance to his downtrodden people and the desolate city of Jerusalem.
• "the son of Hachaliah" (בֶּן־חֲכַלְיָה - ben-Hachalyah): Identifies Nehemiah by his paternal lineage. This customary biblical genealogical detail emphasizes authenticity and positions Nehemiah within his community. While Hachaliah is not mentioned elsewhere, his son’s identity as the royal cupbearer suggests a family with some standing, possibly in exile for generations.
• "And it came to pass" (וַיְהִי - vayehi): A very common Hebrew narrative opening. It signifies a transition to a significant new event or a key point in a historical record, often highlighting divine providential movement in the unfolding story. It underscores that what follows is not merely an anecdote but an important, unfolding sequence of events.
• "in the month Chislev" (בְּחֹדֶשׁ כִּסְלֵו - bechodesh Kislev): Chislev is the ninth month of the Jewish calendar, roughly correlating to November/December. The specificity of the date (month and year) immediately provides a precise historical anchor for the narrative, indicating meticulous record-keeping and historical reliability. It shows an awareness of chronology as vital.
• "in the twentieth year" (בִּשְׁנַת עֶשְׂרִים - bishnat esrim): Refers to the twentieth regnal year of King Artaxerxes I Longimanus of Persia (circa 445/444 BC). This precise dating helps synchronize Nehemiah's activities with the larger Persian historical timeline and provides a fixed point from which subsequent events unfold, demonstrating historical accuracy.
• "as I was" (וַאֲנִי הָיִיתִי - va'ani hayiti): This emphatic first-person statement, combined with the earlier "the words of Nehemiah," solidifies the narrative as a direct personal account, a journal-like entry from Nehemiah himself. It imbues the story with authenticity and emotional depth, highlighting Nehemiah's unique vantage point.
• "in Susa the citadel" (בְּשׁוּשַׁן הַבִּירָה - beShushan habBira): Susa was one of the Achaemenid Persian capitals, primarily used as a winter residence and administrative center. Birah (citadel) denotes the fortified royal complex or administrative capital. This location indicates Nehemiah's proximity to power, setting the stage for his crucial appeal to the king. His position within this central imperial hub shows God's providence in placing His servant strategically.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah": This phrase serves as the official superscription, analogous to the titles of prophetic books (e.g., "The words of Jeremiah"). It immediately signals that the following content is the authoritative, first-hand account of Nehemiah, confirming its nature as a historical memoir penned by its primary subject.
• "And it came to pass in the month Chislev, in the twentieth year": This sets a precise, historical context. The standard biblical phrase "it came to pass" transitions the reader from an introduction to an unfolding narrative. The detailed dating, referencing a specific month and the reign of a particular Persian king, roots Nehemiah's personal experience firmly within the known historical timeline of the post-exilic period, ensuring accuracy and aiding historical corroboration.
• "as I was in Susa the citadel": This crucial detail provides the specific geographical and political setting of Nehemiah at the onset of his crisis. His presence in the highly strategic Persian administrative center, rather than in Jerusalem or a different city, highlights his influential position (implied later as cupbearer). It prepares the reader for an appeal that would need to be made at the heart of the Persian Empire.

Nehemiah 1 1 Bonus section

• The naming of Nehemiah at the very beginning immediately suggests a focus on the human agent, yet his name, "Yah Comforts," consistently points back to God as the true source of comfort and the initiator of the restoration project.
• The absence of the specific title "cupbearer" in this first verse maintains focus on Nehemiah's personal account and identity first, with his significant court role only revealed later (v. 11), building narrative suspense and emphasizing his character before his position.
• The meticulous dating system used in the Bible, exemplified here by the month Chislev and the specific year of Artaxerxes, emphasizes the historical reliability and factuality of the events described, anchoring faith within real-world events rather than mythical narratives.
• Susa was known not only as a royal capital but also for its gardens and architecture, emphasizing the stark contrast between the imperial splendor surrounding Nehemiah and the desperate ruins of Jerusalem, amplifying his profound empathy and call to action.

Nehemiah 1 1 Commentary

Nehemiah 1:1 is far more than a mere opening line; it's a meticulously crafted prologue to a divinely orchestrated work of restoration. It grounds the subsequent narrative in specific historical detail, naming the author, pinpointing the precise date, and locating the start of the action within the very heart of the Persian Empire. This intentional dating to Artaxerxes' twentieth year is critical because it aligns with a pivotal time in post-exilic Judah, where the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls was both a desperate necessity and a symbol of national hope. Nehemiah's humble introduction of himself as "son of Hachaliah" contrasts with his powerful position as cupbearer (revealed in v.11), showcasing God's ability to use strategically placed individuals. The first-person narrative, unique for historical accounts of this magnitude, underscores Nehemiah’s personal conviction, deep anguish, and profound faith. His position in Susa signifies divine providence, placing him where he could intercede with the most powerful ruler of his day, highlighting God's sovereignty over earthly kings for the sake of His covenant people and His city. This verse sets the stage for a story of leadership, prayer, practical action, and the restoration of God's people and His holy city.