My biggest problem with the article is your third supposition, quoted below: The third key to interpretation of the prophecy is to understand the time period meant by the Hebrew word weeks (BHS, Strongs OT: 7620) in verse 25. They make their money by licensing temporary rights for a specific use to newspapers, magazines and other media. Would a man like me go into the temple to save his life? 15So I went up by way of the valley by night and inspected the wall. I have included Daniel 9:25 below just to be perfectly clear just what the biblical text states. Nehemiah settled the people in the city and its suburbs. But thats not when he built the walls, its only when he inspected it for 3 days!! This wall is said to have been 4.5 miles long, 24 ft at the base and just over 26 ft. tall. From the coming forth means the times were set at the finish. 6In it was written, It is reported among the nationsand Geshem also says itthat you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall; and according to this report you wish to become their king. 1Now when the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites had been appointed, 2I gave my brother Hanani charge over Jerusalem, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadelfor he was a faithful man and feared God more than many. The wall was at last completed52 days (a week shy of two months) after the reconstruction under Nehemiah commenced (verse 15). The prince to come is key to understanding these verses. Only this time the Christian chronologists have removed the contextual necessity of association between the command given by YHWH and the 2nd year of Darius even- Artaxerxes. He read the Book of Moses and wanted to make sure the people stayed faithful to God's ways. And the Old Testament book of Nehemiah records how Nehemiah completed that massive project in record time just 52 days. The prophecy fits his advent exactly. seventh] of one year, since work was not to be done on a sabbath. 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. They were allowed to return to Israel to rebuild their nation. []. 15And Shallum son of Col-hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he rebuilt it and covered it and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars; and he built the wall of the Pool of Shelah of the kings garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David. Trying to apply that prophecy to the Persian period is simply incorrect. I wonder if there might be some significance to the notion that it took 52 days to complete. See http://www.prophecysociety.org for a fuller explanation than can be provided in this forum. The picture of a statue of Nehemiah in this Bible History Daily article caused me to be suspicious. Nehemiah 12 states Mattaniah, Bakbukiah, Obadiah, Meshullam(Shallum), Talmon and Akkub all lived in the days of Joiakim, Nehemiah and Ezra. [] In it, Nehemiah describes his efforts to rebuild the city, even in the face of hostile neighbors: NehemiahThe Man Behind the Wall Biblical Archaeology Society Daniel 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to []. A survey of websites with information on the town of Avallon and its church with its unusual, single portal statue (the front entrance of most mediaeval churches with such statues are usually lined by several of them on either side), ALL refer to it as depicting a prophet. At the top of the eastern ridge of the City of David, Nehemiah and the returned exiles built a new city wall. 2 He said in the presence of his associates and of the army of Samaria, 'What are these feeble Jews doing? 8 years of Archaeology Odyssey online, exploring the ancient roots of the Western world in a scholarly and entertaining way, The New Encyclopedia of Archaeological Excavations in the Holy Land. Nehemiah rebuilt Jerusalem's wall in only 52 days. In Part 1 prayer was discussed and in this article we have discussed preparation and . "Nehemiah 6:15", and "The city of . The accounts are punctuated by prayers to God, such as Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people (Nehemiah 5:19). The book of Nehemiah records the rebuilding of Jerusalem's city wall in about 445BC. 16Indeed, I devoted myself to the work on this wall, and acquired no land; and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 19And I said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, The work is great and widely spread out, and we are separated far from one another on the wall. Daniel 9 did two things. 3The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars. etc., but apparently no available stock photo of a work from the Middle Ages whose artist actually recorded that his intention was to depict Nehemiah. And the plot thickens The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.' When [Nehemiah] heard these things, [he] sat down and wept" (Nehemiah 1:3). I think he has placed Israel History in proper date chronology. 19Also they spoke of his good deeds in my presence, and reported my words to him. as the provincial governor of Judah/Yehud. We his servants will start rebuilding, but as for you, you have no share in Jerusalem or any claim or historic right to it'. The 70th week does not start until the Anti Christ appears who make a covenant with many for one heptad (week) a 7 year period. "'Jerusalem's wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down. They will be captured by many false competing Churches and charlatan Prophets around us. 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? The dating of the ministries of Nehemiah and Ezra have been juggled to fit both Jewish and Christian misinterpretations of Daniel 9, unfortunately, and repeated so often that they have become gospel in their respective circles. 14Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. We can learn about the society where the ancient Israelites, and later Jesus and the Apostles, lived through the modern discoveries that provide us clues. And you shall rest and shall stand in your allotted place at the end of the days.. Ok so Ill show you something that ppl dont see and its on the 490 weeks of years prophecy Jeremiah wrote but Daniel was given the chronology on it. Ironic, that the work of rebuilding the wall was done in a kind of sabbath [i.e. 22I also said to the people at that time, Let every man and his servant pass the night inside Jerusalem, so that they may be a guard for us by night and may labour by day. 23So neither I nor my brothers nor my servants nor the men of the guard who followed me ever took off our clothes; each kept his weapon in his right hand. May God bless your search for understanding. The wall was completed in 52 days, on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul. The wall completed: 6:15-19. Let's get started." They rolled up their sleeves, ready for the good work. Four months later, they arrived in Jerusalem. Nehemiah prayed and fasted to God for four months before petitioning the King to return to his home and reinforce Jerusalem's city walls. In my opinion the underlying text does not say anything about restoring Jerusalem to a messiah. The text clearly states it will be 7 sevens from the command unto the Messiah. Rebuilding the walls showed that God was with His people. 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. Based on Ezra 6:14 this was none other than Darius son of Hystaspes. During this time according to Haggai 1 the people were busy working on their own houses. 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 ). Ezra insisted upon the dismissal of these wives. Contextually it was all about returning to the temple construction which had stopped. Its notable (and probably an important lesson) how the High Priest, Eliashib (Neh 3:1) was actually in cahoots with the enemies of Judah (Neh 2:10; Neh 13:4, 7, 28). 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.. 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. Rhema I have received from what Nehemiah did: he had a burden for his people; he went out and did want God wanted him to do; God did not give him a timeframe to do it in; and Nehemiah obeyed. Ezra 6 ends with completion of the temple in the 6th year of Darius even- Artaxerxes. - So built we the wall.Rather, "and we (still) built the wall" Insults and gibes had no effect on us - did not touch us. 2So the king said to me, Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? Nehemiah's Wall & Gates were finished in 52 days on Elul 25; which holds the mysteries of the 12 levels of Consciousness through the restored gates of the soul and its cycle. [], [] like in Nehemiahs time, we are living within broken down walls. Chapter 13 says Nehemiah 13:6 6 But in all this time was not I at Jerusalem: for in the two and thirtieth year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon came I unto the king, and after certain days obtained I leave of the king: 7 And I came to Jerusalem, and understood of the evil that Eliashib did for Tobiah, in preparing him a chamber in the courts of the house of God. The book of Nehemiah, named after Nehemiah is the memoir, of building the walls of Jerusalem and of setting up the Jewish community in Jerusalem. Lots of debate here and that is ok as long as we remember that in-fighting amongst believers only makes the unbelievers more of an unbeliever. Also, where do you get the following statement from? Will you please drop me a mail? Nehemiah 4-6. Building the Wall and Dealing With Resistance. Nothing else would qualify. 6So we rebuilt the wall, and all the wall was joined together to half its height; for the people had a mind to work. Written by the worlds foremost biblical scholars and archaeologists, each chapter has been updated and expanded to incorporate more than a decades worth of outstanding new discoveries and fresh scholarly perspectives. Here is your ticket to join us as we discover more and more about the biblical world and its people. Your email address will not be published. Nehemiah served as the kings cupbearer (Nehemiah 1:11), which evidently put him in a position to speak to the king and request favors from him. One side is built on the. He also provided a place where the people could wait for God's salvation. It is during 62 sevens that the wall and the street were built again. Will they finish it in a day? 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. Nehemiah rebuilt the wall to protect the people from the enemies. Nehemiah asked some friends about Jerusalem. The Book of Nehemiah is usually read together with the Book of Ezra as one long book. 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.. 3And I said to them, The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot; while the gatekeepers are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Note: I would like to make a clarification to my other post. Its just out there, bigger than I can [], [] The night following the release of these articles, I just finished reading the story ofNehemiah. Still, they are incorrect.Dan Bruce, The Prophecy Society. 25Palal son of Uzai repaired opposite the Angle and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard. Write "The people wanted to work!". Will they restore things? 5In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. Not only did he trust God to bless his efforts, he physically did his part to complete the project. Christ is clearly cut off at the determination of the 69th week. Nehemiah is the account of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. Photo: Foto Marburg/Art Resource, NY. The word restore is shuwb- its primary meaning is to return or turn back. At the end all glory to God was given. 2 And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. The governors of surrounding territories viciously oppose Nehemiah's efforts, but the wall is finished in just 52 days ( Neh 7:15 ). 10Moreover, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. It made the city smaller than the original boundaries. 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. 32And between the upper room of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs. The Second Reason: Water Neatly tucked away in the eastern slope of the City of David is the entrance to the ancient Jebusite passageway leading to the Gihon Spring. If the Bible chronology is followed exactly as written, the reigns of the Hebrew kings synchronize perfectly with one another, without having to disregard Scripture and without having to accept long co-reigns not supported in the biblical text, and those reigns synchronize perfectly with the traditional chronology of Egypt as proposed by Ken Kitchen. 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. Once there, Nehemiah defied the opposition of Judah's enemies on all sidesSamaritans, Ammonites, Arabs and Philistinesand rebuilt the walls within 52 days, from the Sheep Gate in the North, the Hananeel Tower at the North West corner, the Fish Gate in the West, the Furnaces Tower at the Temple Mount's South West. Nehemiah's Wall. [Nehemiah 5:14 - Governor for 12 years before returning to the palace.] 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? Anyways, so ppl pin point the building of the walls by Nehemiah being in the 20th year of this king which is Darius the great who was married to queen Esther. Each of them has a name and a biblical story. In the twelfth chapter, the word days was used to indicate Day(s) of Atonement. I assume you are talking about Daniel 12:11-13, which says the following: 11 And from the time that the regular burnt offering is taken away and the abomination that makes desolate is set up, there shall be 1,290 days. 15 And I am very sore displeased with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased, and they helped forward the affliction. It is correct. 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. 2. When Nehemiah hears that "the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire," ( Neh 1:3 ), he gets permission from Persian King Artaxerxes to rebuild the city. The liberal wants to revise history by dithering about dates . For the people had a mind to work. 17Then I said to them, You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burnt. Empower. Kind of like a pervert pedophile looking for a job with the boys choir or the boy scouts, I guess. The hurried work of repairing and rebuilding Jerusalems walls and gates was completed in just 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15). In an individual life, then, the rebuilding of the walls would be a picture of re-establishing the strength of that life. Nice talking to you. Ezras genealogy would make him impossibly old in the 7th year of Artaxerxes I, as his father was killed when the Mikdash was destroyed. Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem in 445 B.C. Im very glad to look your post. 11So I came to Jerusalem and was there for three days. Read full chapter Nehemiah 1 Nehemiah 3 The Message (MSG) 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. In the reign of King Artaxerxes, Scribe Ezra, was authorised to take charge of the Jewish nation. In the eighth chapter of Daniel, the phrase evening-morning(s) was used to indicate Passovers. 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. Photo: Zev Radovan. 8Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; 9but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place at which I have chosen to establish my name. 10They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great power and your strong hand. Reversing these often repeated, monstrous trends of history is Gods hand unparalleled among ANY people to demonstrate His glory. Once there, Nehemiah defied the opposition of Judah's enemies on all sidesSamaritans, Ammonites, Arabs and Philistinesand rebuilt the walls within 52 days, from the Sheep Gate in the North, the Hananeel Tower at the North West corner, the Fish Gate in the West, the Furnaces Tower at the Temple Mount's South West. As a leader with strong Christian values holding various ministerial positions in government at a state and federal level within our country, the writings of Nehemiah was my blue print on how to be strategic, diplomatic and never forgetting my purpose. (Site from http://www.biblicalarchaelogy.org) []. The burden-bearers carried their loads in such a way that each laboured on the work with one hand and with the other held a weapon. 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. This event symbolically and chronologically marked the end of the 70 years of Jerusalems desolation. 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. At the 70 year time, we go into great tribulation, the final 3 and a half years. 1 The words of () Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. This cycle is hinted at in 52 days of 52 weeks to complete the 360 degree cycle of the soul. Write "Nehemiah and the people build the wall in 52 days!" in the middle of the yellow paper. A wall built for Gods Glory Nehemiah depicts the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. So about 444 bc Nehemiah journeyed to Jerusalem and aroused the people there to the necessity of repopulating the city and rebuilding its walls. Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem's Walls (Nehemiah 2:11-16) Landmarks in Building the Wall of Jerusalem ( Larger map) Notice carefully Nehemiah's strategy. Bring in the new Chronology. 7We have offended you deeply, failing to keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances that you commanded your servant Moses. 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. I am not a scholar or a biblical archaeologist, just someone who has viewed Nehemiahs role and strategies as a model of best practise in leadership and how to empower a community/ people. 17Moreover, in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters to Tobiah, and Tobiahs letters came to them. The end of days never refers to Yom Kippur in the Tanach. Ok Nissan is April and in the 20th year of the king. As governor, Nehemiah says that he didnt take advantage of food and land allotments that were allowed him due to his office, because there was already such a great burden on the people of his province (Nehemiah 5:1419). Now he could rebuild his beloved city of Jerusalem, its walls and gates. 20Rally to us wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet. They are appropriate here again: Ezra 6:14 14 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. Ok here is chapter 2 of Nehemiah.. After him Meshullam son of Berechiah made repairs opposite his living quarters. Will they sacrifice? The All-Access membership pass is the way to get to know the Bible through biblical archaeology. Verse 6. Notice the verse again. 1Now there was a great outcry of the people and of their wives against their Jewish kin. . Defying the opposition of Judahs enemies on all sidesSamaritans, Ammonites, Arabs and Philistines, the original walls of the City of David were rebuilt by the people in 52 days, working with a trowel in one hand & a sword in the other. When Daniel received the vision, the 70 years of the captivity period spoken of in Jeremiah 25 were just drawing to a close. interesting question, Wasen,t Nehemiah considered an eunich? And it could not (as Josephus says) be Khshayarsha, who only reign 20 years. Moving on to the 62 sevens they have nothing to do with the original command to return and build Jerusalem. 2In the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes,when wine was brought for him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. 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). 52 days Once there, Nehemiah defied the opposition of Judah's enemies on all sidesSamaritans, Ammonites, Arabs and Philistinesand rebuilt the walls within 52 days, from the Sheep Gate in the North, the Hananeel Tower at the North West corner, the Fish Gate in the West, the Furnaces Tower at the Temple . And the Old Testament book of Nehemiah records how Nehemiah completed that massive project in record time just 52 days. I do not see a reference to Yom Kippur in these verses. Answer (1 of 3): Re your query: Did Nehemiah rebuild the temple? Notice the common names are in the same order in both lists. Your theory is very interesting, but based on these statements alone, I cannot justify the 70 weeks referring to 70 years (or 70 Shavuot). Rebuild our health. In the past 2000 years, no one else has. Then they said, Let us start building! So they committed themselves to the common good. However, there is a world of difference between an artists own title to his work and the labeling of a picture hundreds of years later without any proof of the artists original intention. Darius Hystaspes checks the records and confirms that in fact Cyruss did issue a decree and therefore the contruction could go on. Daniyel 9:23 says that at the beginning of Daniyels supplications yatsa davar.. Nehemiah 10 identified many of those same men as being sealed with Nehemiah in the 20th year of Artaxerxes. 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. Here is where the problem develops in the chronology. Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my ancestors graves, lies waste, and its gates have been destroyed by fire? 4Then the king said to me, What do you request? So I prayed to the God of heaven. Four highly acclaimed books, published in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution: Aspects of Monotheism, Feminist Approaches to the Bible, The Rise of Ancient Israel and The Search for Jesus. Christian chronologists have preserved this same reckoning of Ezra and Nehemiah because it is the only way to show that Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the prophecy of Daniel 9. Problems of the builders: ridicule; intimidation; loss of energy; shortage of food and money; conflict of interest. No one has made it fit the biblical text that way. They told me that those who had survived and were back in the homeland were in great difficulty and that the foreigners who lived . Combine a one-year tablet and print subscription to BAR with membership in the BAS Library to start your journey into the ancient past today! Nehemiah Chapter 3 1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel. The traditional Bible chronology based on Thieles harmonization of the Hebrew kings and the Rohl chronology that shortens the chronology of Egypt are incorrect. Notes And Next Steps Nehemiah 3 + Part 4 of the series "Nehemiah: Rise & Build" The Sheep Gate (3:1). One of the most astonishing facts about Nehemiah is that he finished the walls in just 52 days. Ok kislev is November, and notice it says the 20th year of the king? of Ancient Kingdoms Amended). 2He said in the presence of his associates and of the army of Samaria, What are these feeble Jews doing? So take 492BCE in Jeremiahs prophecy on the 490 years and until messiah the prince, whats that put us at?