I. Political, Administrative, and Leadership Terms (Persian Period Context):;xNLx;;xNLx;Governor (Hebrew: tirshatha or pechah) (e.g., Nehemiah 5:14, 18; 8:9; 10:1; 12:26): The chief official appointed by the Persian king to rule over the province of Judah. Nehemiah held this position. The term tirshatha is a Persian loanword.;xNLx;King of Persia (e.g., Nehemiah 1:11 [Artaxerxes]; 2:1, 6, 8; 5:4; 13:6): The supreme ruler of the Persian Empire, which controlled Judah. Artaxerxes I is the king during Nehemiah's time.;xNLx;Decree / Edict (Implied by royal permission and letters, e.g., Nehemiah 2:7-9): Official orders or authorizations from the Persian king. Nehemiah received royal letters granting him permission to go to Judah, timber for rebuilding, and safe passage.;xNLx;Province Beyond the River / Trans-Euphrates (e.g., Nehemiah 2:7, 9; 3:7): The Persian administrative district west of the Euphrates River, which included Judah and Jerusalem. Nehemiah traveled to the governors of this province.;xNLx;Letters (Royal Letters) (e.g., Nehemiah 2:7-9; 6:5, 17, 19): Official documents or correspondence from the Persian king or between officials, used for authorization, communication, or, in the case of Nehemiah's opponents, for intimidation.;xNLx;Cupbearer (Nehemiah 1:11; 2:1): A high-ranking and trusted official in the royal Persian court who tasted the king's wine to ensure it was not poisoned and generally had close access to the king. Nehemiah held this influential position before going to Jerusalem.;xNLx;Officials / Nobles / Rulers / Elders (e.g., Nehemiah 2:16; 3:5, 9, 12, 14-19; 4:14, 19; 5:7, 17; 6:17-18; 7:2, 5; 10:1-27 [signatories]; 11:1, 3; 12:31-32, 40; 13:11, 17): Various leaders within the Jewish community or Persian administration, including heads of prominent families, administrative officers, and those responsible for civic or religious governance.;xNLx;Levy / Forced Labor (Implied in the context of royal building projects, though not a direct complaint against Nehemiah's wall building as it was largely volunteer work by the Jews. However, past burdens are mentioned in Nehemiah 5:4, 15, 18): Compulsory labor for state projects. While the wall was rebuilt by the Jews, earlier Persian exactions and the burdens imposed by previous governors are noted. Nehemiah, by contrast, did not take the governor's food allowance.;xNLx;Tribute / Tax (e.g., Nehemiah 5:4; 9:37): Payments made to the Persian crown or for local administration. The burden of royal taxes is mentioned as a cause of hardship.;xNLx;Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite servant/official, Geshem the Arab (e.g., Nehemiah 2:10, 19; 4:1-3, 7-8; 6:1-19): Prominent local officials or leaders in surrounding regions (Samaria, Ammon, Arabia) who actively opposed Nehemiah's efforts to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, viewing it as a threat to their own influence or Persian interests.;xNLx;Army / Soldiers (e.g., Nehemiah 2:9 [Persian escort]; 4:2, 13-23 [Jewish guards]): Military forces. Nehemiah was given a Persian military escort, and he organized the Jewish builders into a defensive force.;xNLx;II. Architectural, Rebuilding, and Geographical Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Wall(s) of Jerusalem (Throughout Nehemiah, e.g., 1:3; 2:11-17; Chapters 3-4, 6; 7:1; 12:27-43): The primary focus of Nehemiah's mission – to rebuild the defensive fortifications of Jerusalem, which had been in ruins since the Babylonian destruction.;xNLx;Gates (of Jerusalem) (e.g., Nehemiah 1:3; 2:3, 8, 13-15, 17; Chapter 3 [various gates named]; 7:1, 3; 8:1, 3, 16; 12:29-31, 37, 39; 13:19, 22): The various entry and exit points in Jerusalem's walls, which were repaired and had doors, bolts, and bars installed. Specific gates mentioned include the Valley Gate, Dung Gate, Fountain Gate, Water Gate, Horse Gate, East Gate, Sheep Gate, Fish Gate, etc.;xNLx;Towers (e.g., Nehemiah 3:1, 11, 25-27; 12:38-39): Fortified structures built into the city walls for defense and observation, such as the Tower of the Hundred, the Tower of Hananel.;xNLx;Citadel / Fortress / Stronghold (Hebrew: birah) (Nehemiah 2:8; 7:2): A fortified complex or structure, possibly referring to a specific fortified area near the Temple or the governor's residence.;xNLx;Rubble / Debris (Nehemiah 2:14; 4:2, 10): The broken remains of the previously destroyed walls and buildings that had to be cleared or contended with during the rebuilding process.;xNLx;Mortar / Setting stones (Implied in wall construction, e.g., Nehemiah 4:1-23): Materials and techniques used in building stone walls.;xNLx;Timber (Nehemiah 2:8; 3:3, 6): Wood needed for beams, gates, and other construction purposes, which Nehemiah was granted permission to obtain from the king's forest.;xNLx;Broad Wall (Nehemiah 3:8; 12:38): A section of Jerusalem's wall, possibly an older, wider part or a section that was particularly reinforced.;xNLx;Ophel (Nehemiah 3:26-27; 11:21): A fortified hill or spur in Jerusalem, likely the southeastern hill area associated with the original City of David, located near the Temple.;xNLx;Water Gate (Nehemiah 3:26; 8:1, 3, 16; 12:37): An important gate in Jerusalem, near which public readings of the Law took place.;xNLx;III. Religious, Covenantal, and Social Reform Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;House of God / House of the LORD / Temple (e.g., Nehemiah 6:10; 8:16; 10:32-39; 11:11, 16, 22; 12:40, 43, 45; 13:1-14): The Second Temple in Jerusalem, rebuilt earlier under Zerubbabel (as recounted in Ezra). Nehemiah was concerned with its proper functioning, support, and the purity of its service.;xNLx;Priests (e.g., Nehemiah 2:1 [Ezra]; 3:1, 20, 22, 28; 7:39-42, 61-65, 70; 8:2, 9, 13; 9:38; 10:1, 8, 28, 34, 37-39; 11:3, 10-14, 20; 12:1, 7, 10, 12, 22, 26, 30, 35-36, 41, 44, 47; 13:4-5, 13, 28-30): Descendants of Aaron responsible for Temple worship, sacrifices, and teaching the Law.;xNLx;Levites (e.g., Nehemiah 3:17; 7:43-45, 61-65, 73; 8:7, 9, 11, 13; 9:4-5, 38; 10:1, 9-13, 28, 37-39; 11:3, 15-18, 20, 22; 12:8, 22-24, 27, 30, 44-47; 13:5, 10-13, 22, 29-30): Members of the tribe of Levi who assisted the priests in Temple service, including music, gatekeeping, teaching, and managing Temple storerooms.;xNLx;Singers / Gatekeepers / Temple Servants (Nethinim) (e.g., Nehemiah 7:1, 44-45, 46-56, 60, 73; 10:28, 39; 11:19, 22-23; 12:25, 27-29, 42, 45-47; 13:5, 10, 22): Specific classes of Levites or other Temple personnel with designated roles.;xNLx;Nethinim: Temple servants assigned to assist the Levites.;xNLx;Book of the Law of Moses / Book of the Law / The Law (e.g., Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5, 7-9, 13-14, 18; 9:3, 14, 26, 29, 34; 10:28-29, 34, 36; 12:44; 13:1-3): The Torah, the divine instruction given through Moses, which was publicly read and expounded by Ezra, leading to covenant renewal and reforms.;xNLx;Scribe (Nehemiah 8:1, 4, 9, 13; 9:38 [context of writing]; 12:26, 36; 13:13): A person skilled in writing, copying, interpreting, and teaching the Law. Ezra was a prominent scribe.;xNLx;Assembly / Congregation (e.g., Nehemiah 5:7, 13; 7:5, 66; 8:1-2, 4-5, 9, 13-14, 17; 9:1 [solemn assembly]; 10:1; 13:1): The gathering of the Jewish people for public readings of the Law, covenant renewal, decision-making, or worship.;xNLx;Covenant (Hebrew: berit) (e.g., Nehemiah 1:5; 9:8, 32; Chapter 10 [renewal of covenant]; 13:29): The solemn agreement between God and Israel. A major event in Nehemiah is the formal renewal of the covenant by the people, pledging to obey God's laws.;xNLx;Oath / Curse (Nehemiah 5:12-13; 10:29; 13:2, 25): A solemn promise, often invoking God as a witness and including self-cursing if the oath is violated, to affirm a commitment. The people took an oath to follow the Law.;xNLx;Sabbath (e.g., Nehemiah 9:14; 10:31, 33; 13:15-22): The weekly day of rest and worship. Nehemiah enforced strict Sabbath observance, prohibiting commerce and labor.;xNLx;Holy day / Festival / Appointed Feasts (e.g., Nehemiah 8:2, 9-12; 10:33; 12:44): Specific times set apart for religious observance, worship, and celebration according to the Law.;xNLx;Feast of Booths / Tabernacles (Nehemiah 8:13-18): An important autumn festival, joyfully celebrated by the people according to the instructions in the Law after its public reading.;xNLx;Tithes / Contributions / Firstfruits / Portions (e.g., Nehemiah 10:32-39; 12:44, 47; 13:5, 10-13): Offerings and contributions required by the Law for the support of the priests, Levites, Temple services, and the needy. Nehemiah instituted reforms to ensure these were properly collected and distributed.;xNLx;Holy / Sanctify (e.g., Nehemiah 3:1 [Sheep Gate]; 7:1; 8:9, 11; 9:14; 11:1, 18; 12:27, 30, 47; 13:3, 22, 30): Set apart for God or for a sacred purpose. This applied to people (like priests and Levites), places (like Jerusalem and the Temple), objects, and time (like the Sabbath).;xNLx;Intermarriage / Mixed Marriages / Foreign Wives (e.g., Nehemiah 6:18; 9:2; 10:30; 13:1-3, 23-30): Marriages between Israelites and non-Jewish peoples from surrounding nations. This was a major concern for Nehemiah (as it was for Ezra) because it led to religious compromise and disobedience to God's Law. He took strong measures to end such marriages.;xNLx;Separate / Separation (e.g., Nehemiah 9:2; 10:28; 13:1-3, 30): The act of distinguishing or setting apart the Jewish people from foreign influences and pagan practices to maintain their covenant identity and purity.;xNLx;Usury / Interest (Nehemiah 5:7, 10-11): Charging interest on loans, especially to fellow impoverished Jews, which was causing hardship and was condemned by Nehemiah as unjust. He compelled the nobles and officials to return lands, houses, and the interest they had exacted.;xNLx;Genealogy / Registered by genealogy (e.g., Nehemiah 7:5, 61, 64; 11:3-24 [lists of residents]; 12:1-26 [priests and Levites], 22-23): Official lists and records tracing lineage, which were crucial for establishing identity, rights to property, priestly or Levitical status, and participation in the restored community.;xNLx;Remember / Remembrance (e.g., Nehemiah 1:8; 4:14; 5:19; 6:14; 8:15 [to do what was written]; 9:17; 13:14, 22, 29, 31): A key theme. Nehemiah frequently prays for God to "remember" him for his good deeds and for God to "remember" the sins of his opponents. The people are also called to remember God's Law and past actions.;xNLx;This list should aid in clarifying some of the significant terms encountered in the Book of Nehemiah (ESV), facilitating a deeper understanding of the challenges, leadership, and reforms during this critical period of restoration for the Jewish people.