Nehemiah 1:1 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hacaliah. Now it happened in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Susa the citadel…
Nehemiah means “Yah comforts”.
Of note, the books of Ezra and Nehemiah were originally one book. They were divided into two books by Jerome the Latin translator (Holman Illustrated Pocket Bible Handbook).
Nehemiah is one of three men who would lead the Israelites back to Jerusalem. The process would take close to 100 years to complete the return from exile to Jerusalem.
First, Zerubbabel lead a group of about 50,000 back to rebuild the Temple. Ezra followed about 80 years later and re-started the Temple worship service. Roughly 13 years later, Nehemiah made the request of King Artaxerxes to return and rebuild the city of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:1b Now I was cupbearer to the king.
Nehemiah was a cupbearer or a mashqeh in the Hebrew. The word is also translated as butler. This is the position of one who serves the king wine. He would be a highly trusted individual and he would be paid well. A cupbearer was also be a high ranking official in the kingdom. This was a position of influence.
A cupbearer would also be the taste tester for the king. Historically, some of these folks were poisoned instead of the king. At times, a king would have requested the cupbearer drink and swallow wine before him. https://biblehub.com/topical/c/cupbearer.htm
Nehemiah served as a governor of Judah for King Artaxerxes for 12 years.
Nehemiah 5:14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor.
Nehemiah was appointed governor of Judah a second time. The length of this term is unknown.
Nehemiah 13:6-7a While this was taking place, I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes king of Babylon I went to the king. And after some time I asked leave of the king and came to Jerusalem…
It is clear from reading the remainder of Nehemiah 13, Nehemiah is in a position of authority and made multiple declarations and decrees. He returned vessels to the Temple. Nehemiah reinstituted the tithe on the people for the Levites. Elements of the sacrificial were re-started. Treasurers were appointed for the store houses. The Sabbath was enforced.
Socially, Nehemiah called on Jews to not intermarry and swear an oath of allegiance to God. Arguably, he was for one common language of the people.
In summary, this is what Nehemiah completed as governor of Judah.
Nehemiah 13:30-31 Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work; and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits.
Remember me, O my God, for good.
