Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 KJV
About the Book of Nehemiah
Nehemiah was cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes when he heard that Jerusalem's walls were still in ruins. He gets permission to go, organizes the people to rebuild in only 52 days despite threats from Sanballat and Tobiah, and then governs the city. Ezra reads the law aloud and the people respond with weeping, celebration and a renewed covenant. The book closes with Nehemiah's reforms of Sabbath keeping and temple support. It is a practical story about leadership, prayer and getting hard work done.
- Testament: Old Testament
- Genre: History
- Chapters: 13
- Verses: 406
Who Wrote Nehemiah, and When?
Author: Traditionally Nehemiah, using his own memoirs.
When it was written: Probably written around the 5th-4th centuries BC, events around 445-430 BC.
Main Themes in Nehemiah
- Prayer and action together
- Leading under opposition
- Renewing the community
A Key Verse: Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
After the people weep at hearing the law, the leaders tell them the day is holy and joy will be their strength.
Reading Tip
Notice how often Nehemiah prays in short bursts in the middle of a crisis, usually in a single sentence. Use the randomizer above to land on a verse in Nehemiah, then press Show context to read the verses around it.
← Random verse from EzraRandom verse from Esther →
Browse all 66 books on the Bible books page, or get a verse from the whole Bible with the main Bible verse randomizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chapters and verses are in Nehemiah?
Nehemiah has 13 chapters and 406 verses in the King James Version.
Who wrote Nehemiah?
Author: Traditionally Nehemiah, using his own memoirs. When it was written: Probably written around the 5th-4th centuries BC, events around 445-430 BC.
What is Nehemiah about?
Nehemiah was cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes when he heard that Jerusalem's walls were still in ruins. He gets permission to go, organizes the people to rebuild in only 52 days despite threats from Sanballat and Tobiah, and then governs the city. Ezra reads the law aloud and the people respond with weeping, celebration and a renewed covenant. The book closes with Nehemiah's reforms of Sabbath keeping and temple support. It is a practical story about leadership, prayer and getting hard work done.
Can I get a random verse from only Nehemiah?
Yes. This page picks a random verse from Nehemiah only. Every one of its 406 verses has an equal chance.