Who was Nehemiah? He is mentioned five times in the book and never outside of the book (Neh 1:1, 8:9, 8:10, 10:1, 12:26 and 12:47).[1] The book of Nehemiah fits the reign of Artaxerxes 1 of Persia (464-423 BC). Esther is Artaxerxes step mother and perhaps instrumental in Nehemiah's appointment as King's cup bearer (to protect the king from poisoning and acted as butler and advisor).