Nechemia

When the book of Nechemia opens we are introduced to Nechemia as the cup-bearer to the king of Persia, Artaxerxes, about 444 BCE. When Nechemia hears that Jerusalem is in ruins and the walls of the Holy City are destroyed, he asks the King permission to return for a limited time to repair the walls.

Nechemia is wildly successful in his mission, despite the opposition to his project by the different groups dwelling now in the area including Samaritans, Ammonites, Philistines, and the first mention of Arabs in the bible, completing the rebuilding of the walls in a mere 52 days.

Nechemia ruled as governor under the Persian king for 12 years, ruling justly and righteously, until his return to Persia.

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