Nehemiah 1:1 vs. 2:1

[admin]

Dear Librarian.

Does anyone have a clearer understanding of what it seems to be a contradiction between Neh. 1:1 and 2:1? The research literature on hand does not seem to give me a clear cut explanation. I hope someone have info they could provide. Thanks

 

Agape

[io.porog]

1:1; 2:1—Is “the twentieth year” mentioned in these two verses counted from the same reference point? Yes, the 20th year is that of the reign of Artaxerxes the king. However, the method of counting used in these verses is different. Historical evidence points to 475 B.C.E. as the year of Artaxerxes’ ascension to the throne. Since the Babylonian scribes customarily counted the years of the Persian kings’ reign from Nisan (March/April) to Nisan, Artaxerxes’ first regnal year began in Nisan of 474 B.C.E. Hence, the 20th year of rulership mentioned at Nehemiah 2:1 began in Nisan of 455 B.C.E. The month of Chislev (November/December) mentioned at Nehemiah 1:1 logically was the Chislev of the preceding year—456 B.C.E. Nehemiah refers to that month as also falling in the 20th year of Artaxerxes’ reign. Perhaps in this case, he was counting the years from the accession date of the monarch. It could also be that Nehemiah was counting time by what the Jews today call a civil year, which begins in the month of Tishri, corresponding to September/October. In any case, the year in which the word went out to restore Jerusalem was 455 B.C.E.
 

wt 06 2/1 p8 pp5

[Margot]

2 hours ago, Epiraima said:

1:1; 2:1—Is “the twentieth year” mentioned in these two verses counted from the same reference point? Yes, the 20th year is that of the reign of Artaxerxes the king. However, the method of counting used in these verses is different. Historical evidence points to 475 B.C.E. as the year of Artaxerxes’ ascension to the throne. Since the Babylonian scribes customarily counted the years of the Persian kings’ reign from Nisan (March/April) to Nisan, Artaxerxes’ first regnal year began in Nisan of 474 B.C.E. Hence, the 20th year of rulership mentioned at Nehemiah 2:1 began in Nisan of 455 B.C.E. The month of Chislev (November/December) mentioned at Nehemiah 1:1 logically was the Chislev of the preceding year—456 B.C.E. Nehemiah refers to that month as also falling in the 20th year of Artaxerxes’ reign. Perhaps in this case, he was counting the years from the accession date of the monarch. It could also be that Nehemiah was counting time by what the Jews today call a civil year, which begins in the month of Tishri, corresponding to September/October. In any case, the year in which the word went out to restore Jerusalem was 455 B.C.E.
 

wt 06 2/1 p8 pp5

 

[Margot]

Thanks. I have and read the same references. The question in the article states: Is “the twentieth year” mentioned in these two verses counted from the same reference point? The way I read it, and others too, there is a four months difference not of the same year. Therefore it could not be "the same reference point"

The question was somewhat rephrased in the "Treasures from God's word"  It asks the question this way: "Why can we conclude that the 20th year mentioned......is counted from the same starting point? These two questions lead to different conclusions.

When someone says 'Starting point' it is definite, whereas 'reference point' it is variable.

Margot

[TERRESSA MILLS]

◆ 1:1—What year was this?
This was the 20th year of King Artaxerxes (Longimanus). (2:1) Since Chislev (November-December) is placed before Nisan (March-April) in this narrative, apparently Persian kings counted each year of their reign from fall to fall, or from the time they actually ascended the throne. Reliable historical evidence and fulfilled Bible prophecies point to 455 B.C.E. as the year in which Nisan of the 20th year of Artaxerxes falls. Thus, Nehemiah’s account begins in the fall of 456 B.C.E., and the decree to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem was issued in the spring of 455 B.C.E. (w86 2/15 True Worship Triumphs)

[io.porog]

3 hours ago, Margot said:

Thanks. I have and read the same references. The question in the article states: Is “the twentieth year” mentioned in these two verses counted from the same reference point? The way I read it, and others too, there is a four months difference not of the same year. Therefore it could not be "the same reference point"

The question was somewhat rephrased in the "Treasures from God's word"  It asks the question this way: "Why can we conclude that the 20th year mentioned......is counted from the same starting point? These two questions lead to different conclusions.

When someone says 'Starting point' it is definite, whereas 'reference point' it is variable.

Margot

I'm not sure that has to be the case. The starting point is the year not the month, in my opinion. So, it is the same year that the 20th year is counted from. It's not unlike Jesus being in the grave for "parts" of three days, not whole days.  I guess it's how precise you would like to be. I'm happy with the answer given.

[Ann O'Maly]

The easiest solution is that Nehemiah was counting the Jewish way - Tishri to Tishri (Babylonians and Persians counted kings' reigns from Nisan to Nisan). So the Nisan in Neh. 2:1 didn't ring in a new regnal year (21st year) by Nehemiah's reckoning, but stayed within the Tishri-Tishri 20th year. This is the conclusion of some respected Bible scholars and chronologists, e.g. Edwin R. Thiele.

"Historical evidence points to 475 B.C.E. as the year of Artaxerxes’ ascension to the throne." [w06  2/1 p.8]

That's incorrect. Historical evidence points overwhelmingly to 465 BCE as Artaxerxes I's accession year. But that's a whole other discussion in itself.