Nehemiah in the Bible — The Wall Builder Who Would Not Come Down

Nehemiah was a government official — cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. When he heard Jerusalem's walls were broken down, he wept, fasted, and prayed for four months before making his request. The king gave him everything he needed. In Jerusalem he organized the project with military precision, posting guards and keeping the workers armed. His famous response to threats: 'I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down.' The walls were completed in 52 days. Below are 6 key passages from the King James Version (KJV) on this theme.

What does the Bible say about nehemiah?

Who is Nehemiah in the Bible? A cupbearer to the king of Persia who heard Jerusalem's walls lay in ruins — wept, fasted, prayed, and then boldly asked the king for permission to rebuild. He completed the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days against intense opposition.

6 Bible Verses About Nehemiah (KJV)

“And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,”

Nehemiah 1:4 KJV — The Genealogy and Birth of Jesus Read Nehemiah chapter 1 →

“Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father’s house have sinned.”

Nehemiah 1:6 KJV — The Genealogy and Birth of Jesus Read Nehemiah chapter 1 →

“Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.”

Nehemiah 4:9 KJV — The Temptation of Jesus in the Wilderness Read Nehemiah chapter 4 →

“And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?”

Nehemiah 6:3 KJV — The Lord's Prayer — Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread Read Nehemiah chapter 6 →

“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 Read Nehemiah chapter 8 →

“And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.”

Nehemiah 9:17 KJV Read Nehemiah chapter 9 →