The words. Divine revelation in writing must be made up of words (see App-47). The "words" here were written, chronologically, long before the book of Ezra. See the Structures (pp 616, 617, notes on p. 618; also App-50, App-57, and App-58).
Nehemiah. comforter of (= appointed by) Jehovah. From Nehemiah 10:1 he was one of the "princes" (Nehemiah 9:38) who signed the Solemn Covenant:. prince of Judah, for the "king's seed" and "princes" were taken to Babylon (Daniel 1:3), according to the prophecy in 2 Kings 20:17; 2 Kings 20:18. The next who signed was Zidkijah,. son of king Jehoiakim (1 Chronicles 3:16). Hanani (Nehemiah 1:2), his brother or near kinsman (a shortened form of Hananiah, Compare Nehemiah 1:2, and Nehemiah 7:2), was another "prince", renamed Shadrach (Daniel 1:3-6), Nehemiah was the Sheshbazzar of Ezra 1:8. Five parties seen in action in this book: Nehemiah, Ezra, the People, their enemies, and the God of heaven,
Chisleu. The ninth month. See App-51.
twentieth year. See App-50. Compare Nehemiah 2:1. Forty-two years from the beginning of the Babylonian Servitude, thirty-five years from Jehoiachin's captivity, and twenty-three years from the destruction of Jerusalem, and the beginning of the Desolations. See special note on 2 Chronicles 36:21
I was in Shushan. Like Joseph in Egypt, Obadiah in Samaria, Daniel in Babylon, and the saints in Caesar's household (Philippians 1:4; Philippians 1:22).
was. came to be.
Shushan. He had been there about sixteen years, and was removed thither from Babylon. Excavations in 1909 by M. de Morgan, at Susa, exposed the remains of three cities. Among them, four black stone pillars, with the Code of Khammurabi (see App-15). Bricks of his palace or temple were also found. Occupied by Babylonians in 2800 B.C.