Book of History; the sixteenth book of the Old Testament; the sixteenth book of the Bible.
Author: Ezra is the most likely author, as the book was originally probably written as a single text, following the passages contained in the book of Ezra.
Audience: Nehemiah was written to the Jewish people who had recently returned to Jerusalem and the surrounding area following seventy years of exile in Babylonian captivity. The book of Ezra emphasizes the spiritual aspects of God’s renewal, while the book of Nehemiah focuses more on renewal of the city and civil government. Even in the midst of Jerusalem’s renewal, the attention remains on God’s sovereign power to provide. He enables Nehemiah to lead people to Jerusalem, the rebuilding of the city’s walls, and the ability to withstand opposition during times of difficulty.
Date: Between 457 and 444 BC.