In the 20th year of Artaxerxes I (445 or 444 BC), Nehemiah was cup-bearer to the king. ... Appearing in the Queen's presence may indicate that he was a eunuch, and in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, he is described as such: eunochos (eunuch), rather than oinochoos (wine-cup-bearer).

What was Nehemiah's occupation in the Bible?

Nehemiah then apparently served as governor of the small district of Judea for 12 years, during which he undertook various religious and economic reforms before returning to Persia.

How did Nehemiah become Cupbearer?

Artaxerxes gave Nehemiah permission to go to Jerusalem, which was then a subdivision of the Persian government. The king also provided an escort and wrote letters to governors of provinces through which Nehemiah would pass, giving the cupbearer the authority to receive supplies from the governors.