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Nehemiah Chapter Three

 

Nehemiah 3 Outlines

Rebuilding the Wall

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

Nehemiah 3:1. Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred [a] and consecrated it then as far as the Tower of Hananel.

   YLT And Eliashib the high priest riseth and his brethren the priests and they build the sheep-gate; they have sanctified it and set up its doors even unto the tower of Meah they have sanctified it unto the tower of Hananeel;

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests ....

This was the grandson of Jeshua or Joshua the high priest his father's name was Joiakim Nehemiah 12:10 being high priest and rising first he set a good example both to the priests and to the people and served no doubt greatly to animate and encourage them:

and they built the sheep gate;

so called because the sheep were led through it to the temple and near it was the sheep market where they were sold and the sheep pool where the sacrifices were washed; and this being near the temple and for the service of it the priests undertook that; not that they laboured with their hands at it though it is possible some of them might; but they were at the expense of it employed labourers and paid them and directed them and had the oversight of them: this gate was to the south of the city; and RauwolffF21Travels par. 3. c. 3. p. 226 228. says it was still standing by Moriah the mountain of the temple which the Turks have taken to themselves and built on it a Turkish mosque or temple. Near the gate you see still he says the sheep pond which is large and deep wherein the Nethinims used to wash the beasts and then gave them to the priests; it is saidF23Vid. Quistorp. in loc. to lead to the mount of Olives to Bethany to Jericho the desert and all the east country to Jordan:

they sanctified it;

this being for sacred use and they sacred persons; and this the first part of the building they prayed for a blessing on it and in it on the whole work undertaken of which this was the firstfruits:

and set up the doors of it;

and so finished it:

even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it unto the tower of Hananeel;

so far they built and what they built they sanctified. The tower of Meah or a "hundred" as the word signifies might be so called either because it was one hundred cubits from the sheep gate on one side and as many from the tower of Hananeel on the other side standing between both; or because it was one hundred cubits high: these two towers perhaps were firm and strong and needed no repair since no mention is made of any; though they seem to me to be one and the same tower; see Jeremiah 31:38.

 

Nehemiah 3:2. Next to Eliashib[b] the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.

   YLT and by his hand have men of Jericho built; and by their hand hath Zaccur son of Imri built;

And next unto him builded the men of Jericho ....

The posterity of those that formerly inhabited that city; these began where Eliashib and the priests ended and went on from thence:

and next to them;

or rather "to him" the high priest:

builded Zaccur the son of Imri;

who probably was the chief of the men of Jericho.

 

Nehemiah 3:3. Also the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars.

   YLT and the fish-gate have sons of Hassenaah built they have walled it and set up its doors its locks and its bars.

But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build ....

So called because fish was brought from the sea coasts through it and near it was the fish market; this also was southward according to Dr. LightfootF24 Chorograph. Cent. of the Land of Israel c. 26. p. 27. vol. 2. ; others say northward; some say it led to the sea of Galilee Jordan and all the east and north country: but it is most likely to be westward towards the Mediterranean sea Tyre and Joppa from whence fish were brought; and Rauwolff saysF25Ut supra (Travels par. 3. c. 3.) p. 226 227. it is still standing towards the west behind Mount Sion and over against Mount Gihon see 2 Chronicles 33:14 he also says this gate was called the gate of Hebron because the road of Hebron went through it which is about seven or eight hours' walking distant from it:

who also laid the beams thereof and set up the doors thereof the locks thereof and the bars thereof;

completely finished it.

 

Nehemiah 3:4. And next to them Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz [c] made repairs. Next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah the son of Meshezabel made repairs. Next to them Zadok the son of Baana made repairs.

   YLT And by their hand hath Merimoth son of Urijah son of Koz strengthened; and by his hand hath Meshullam son of Berechiah son of Meshezabeel strengthened; and by his hand hath Zadok son of Baana strengthened;

And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Koz ....

And the men under him; see Ezra 8:33 this part of the wall on which they worked was not wholly demolished only weakened and therefore did not rebuild it but repaired and strengthened it and this phrase is used all along afterwards:

and next unto them repaired Meshullam the sort of Berechiah the son of Meshezabeel: and next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana;

but who they were cannot be said.

 

Nehemiah 3:5. Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders[d] to the work of their Lord.

   YLT and by his hand have the Tekoites strengthened and their honourable ones have not brought in their neck to the service of their Lord.

And next unto them the Tekoites repaired ....

The inhabitants of Tekoa a city in the tribe of Judah; see Amos 1:1

but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord;

either of Nehemiah as some or rather of the lord and prince appointed over their families as Aben Ezra to whom they would not be subject; though it seems best with Jarchi to understand it of the Lord their God by whose command this work was begun; but they refused to give any assistance to it with their purses or presence but withdrew from it as refractory oxen withdraw their necks from the yoke. This is observed to their disgrace when the common people of their city were ready to work and did.

 

Nehemiah 3:6. Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars.

   YLT And the old gate have Jehoiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah strengthened; they have walled it and set up its doors and its locks and its bars.

Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah ....

Which some think was so called because it led to the old city Salem. Dr. LightfootF1Ut supra. (Chorograph. Cent. of the Land of Israel c. 26. p. 27. vol. 2.) thinks it is the same with the second or third gate Zephaniah 1:10. According to Vatablus it was the gate of the old pool Isaiah 22:11 or rather perhaps it was the gate of the old wall Josephus speaks ofF2De Bello Jud. l. 5. c. 4. sect. 2 3. ; it led to the north of the land:

they laid the beams thereof;

as in Nehemiah 3:3.

 

Nehemiah 3:7. And next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite Jadon the Meronothite the men of Gibeon and Mizpah repaired the residence[e] of the governor of the region beyond the River.

   YLT And by their hand hath Melatiah the Gibeonite strengthened and Jadon the Meronothite men of Gibeon and of Mizpah to the throne of the governor beyond the River.

And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite the men of Gibeon and Mizpah ....

Which places were both in the tribe of Benjamin Joshua 18:25 and one of these men was of the one place and the other of the other:

unto the throne of the governor on this side the river;

where the governor of those parts under the king of Persia had his seat and now Nehemiah; but according to Aben Ezra Cisse rendered "throne" is the name of a man who was the governor.

 

Nehemiah 3:8. Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah one of the goldsmiths made repairs. Also next to him Hananiah one[f] of the perfumers made repairs; and they fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.

   YLT By his hand hath Uzziel son of Harhaiah of the refiners strengthened; and by his hand hath Hananiah son of [one of] the compounders strengthened; and they leave Jerusalem unto the broad wall.

Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah of the goldsmiths ....

Or Tzorephim which according to Jarchi was the name of a family so called from their trade and business:

next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries;

or confectioners which also might be the name of a family so called for the same reason:

and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall;

which reached from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate which was broken down by Joash king of Israel but was rebuilt so strong by Uzziah king of Judah that it stood firm to this time; wherefore these men repaired up to it but left that as they found it; see 2 Chronicles 25:23 and were not careful to repair it it not wanting any repair.

 

Nehemiah 3:9. And next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur leader of half the district of Jerusalem made repairs.

   YLT And by their hand hath Rephaiah son of Hur head of the half of the district of Jerusalem strengthened.

And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.

That city belonging partly to the tribe of Judah and partly to the tribe of Benjamin; one part of it was under a governor that was of the tribe of Judah as this man seems to be; and the other part under one of the tribe of Benjamin; see Nehemiah 3:12.

 

Nehemiah 3:10. Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs in front of his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabniah made repairs.

   YLT And by their hand hath Jedaiah son of Harumaph strengthened and over-against his own house; and by his hand hath Hattush son of Hashabniah strengthened.

And next unto him repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph over against his house ....

That part of the wall which stood right against his house; and to take this part he could not well object to it and it might be reasonably thought he would take care to repair it well and make it strong for his own safety:

and next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah;

but who he was is not known.

 

Nehemiah 3:11. Malchijah the son of Harim and Hashub the son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section as well as the Tower of the Ovens.

   YLT A second measure hath Malchijah son of Harim strengthened and Hashub son of Pahath-Moab even the tower of the furnaces.

Malchijah the son of Harim and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab ....

The fathers of these were heads of families that came out of captivity with Zerubbabel Ezra 2:6

repaired the other piece:

or second piece below and next to that which Hattush repaired the last builder mentioned:

and the tower of the furnaces;

near to which were furnaces for the baking of bread or of bricks.

 

Nehemiah 3:12. And next to him was Shallum the son of Hallohesh leader of half the district of Jerusalem; he and his daughters made repairs.

   YLT And by his hand hath Shallum son of Halohesh head of the half of the district of Jerusalem strengthened he and his daughters.

And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh ....

So called as Ben Melech says from his being an enchanter of serpents or a wise prudent counsellor:

the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem;

of the other half; see Nehemiah 3:9

he and his daughters;

who were rich widows or heiresses and employed men to build at their own expense; he seems to have had no sons.

 

Nehemiah 3:13. Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They built it hung its doors with its bolts and bars and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Refuse Gate.

   YLT The gate of the valley hath Hanun strengthened and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they have built it and set up its doors its locks and its bars and a thousand cubits in the wall unto the dung-gate.

The valley gate repaired Hanun ....

Of which see Nehemiah 2:13

and the inhabitants of Zanoah;

a city in the tribe of Judah Joshua 15:34

they built it and set up the doors thereof

see Nehemiah 3:3

and a thousand cubits on the wall to the dung gate;

that is they repaired the wall to such a length from the valley gate to the dung gate; see Nehemiah 2:13.

 

Nehemiah 3:14. Malchijah the son of Rechab leader of the district of Beth Haccerem repaired the Refuse Gate; he built it and hung its doors with its bolts and bars.

   YLT And the dung-gate hath Malchijah son of Rechab head of the district of Beth-Haccerem strengthened; he doth built it and set up its doors its locks and its bars.

But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab ....

If this was one of the Rechabites they were forbid to build houses Jeremiah 35:7 but perhaps though they might not build private houses for themselves to dwell in they might be employed in building walls and fortresses for public security; though it is more probable that this man was not of that family:

the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem;

or of the tract of Bethhaccerem a place between Tekoah and Jerusalem; see Jeremiah 6:1

he built it and set up the doors thereof;

as in Nehemiah 3:3.

 

Nehemiah 3:15. Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh leader of the district of Mizpah repaired the Fountain Gate; he built it covered it hung its doors with its bolts and bars and repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David.

   YLT And the gate of the fountain hath Shallum son of Col-Hozeh head of the district of Mizpah strengthened: he doth build it and cover it and set up its doors its locks and its bars and the wall of the pool of Siloah to the garden of the king and unto the steps that are going down from the city of David.

But the gate of the fountain ....

Of which see Nehemiah 2:14

repaired Shallum the son of Colhozeh the ruler of part of Mizpah;

of a tract district town or city so called; perhaps that in the tribe of Benjamin; see Nehemiah 3:7

he built it and covered it;

roofed it which is not said of any of the other gates whether because of the fountain at it:

and set up the doors thereof

finished it completely:

and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden;

which was formerly without the wall on the west but afterwards taken in by Manasseh who built it; see 2 Chronicles 33:14 and from hence the king's garden was watered:

and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David:

Zion which was built on an eminence from which they went down by steps into the lower city Acra.

 

Nehemiah 3:16. After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk leader of half the district of Beth Zur made repairs as far as the place in front of the tombs[g] of David to the man-made pool and as far as the House of the Mighty.

   YLT After him hath Nehemiah son of Azbuk head of the half of the district of Beth-Zur strengthened unto over-against the graves of David and unto the pool that is made and unto the house of the mighty ones.

After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk the ruler of the half part of Bethzur.

A strong fortified place in the tribe of Judah Joshua 15:58

unto the place over against the sepulchres of David;

where he and his family and the kings of his race were buried which remained to this time untouched by the Babylonians and to many ages after; see Acts 2:29

and to the pool that was made;

not a natural but an artificial one which was made by Hezekiah 2 Kings 20:20

and unto the house of the mighty;

where was a garrison of soldiers in former time for defence.

 

Nehemiah 3:17. After him the Levites under Rehum the son of Bani made repairs. Next to him Hashabiah leader of half the district of Keilah made repairs for his district.

   YLT After him have the Levites strengthened [and] Rehum son of Bani: by his hand hath Hashabiah head of the half of the district of Keilah strengthened for his district.

After him repaired the Levites Rehum the son of Bani ....

Who was one of them as he that follows was another:

next unto him repaired Hashabiah the ruler of the half part of Keilah:

a city of the tribe of Judah Joshua 15:4

in his part;

either with the men of that part of Keilah under his jurisdiction or at the expense of that part of it.

 

Nehemiah 3:18. After him their brethren under Bavai[h] the son of Henadad leader of the other half of the district of Keilah made repairs.

   YLT After him have their brethren strengthened [and] Bavvai son of Henadad head of the half of the district of Keilah.

After him repaired their brethren ....

Either the brethren of the two before named particularly or the Levites their brethren in general as Jarchi:

Bavai the son of Henadad the ruler of the half part of Keilah;

the other half of that place.

 

Nehemiah 3:19. And next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua the leader of Mizpah repaired another section in front of the Ascent to the Armory at the buttress.

   YLT And Ezer son of Jeshua head of Mizpah doth strengthen by his hand a second measure from over-against the ascent of the armoury at the angle.

And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua the ruler of Mizpah ....

Either of another Mizpah or of the other half of Mizpah Nehemiah 3:15

another piece;

or a second piece; one of the two pieces; for another is mentioned in the next verse:

over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall;

the western wall towards the south near to which was a place where armour was laid up; perhaps the same with the tower of David to which there is an allusion in Song of Solomon 4:4.

 

Nehemiah 3:20. After him Baruch the son of Zabbai[i] carefully repaired the other section from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.

   YLT After him hath Baruch son of Zabbai hastened to strengthen a second measure from the angle unto the opening of the house of Eliashib the high priest.

After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece ....

Towards and next to that Ezer the last builder mentioned had repaired; and this he did "earnestly" or in anger as the word signifies being angry with himself or others that there was any backwardness shown to the work; and therefore with all haste and eagerness imaginable attended to it:

from the turning of the wall;

see the preceding verse:

unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest;

of whom see Nehemiah 3:1 now either his house was upon the wall or that part of the wall that was right against the door of his house is here meant.

 

Nehemiah 3:21. After him Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz [j] repaired another section from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib.

   YLT After him hath Meremoth son of Urijah son of Koz strengthened a second measure from the opening of the house of Eliashib even unto the completion of the house of Eliashib.

After him repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Koz another piece ....

He had wrought before in another part Nehemiah 3:4 but having finished that he sets his hand a second time to the work:

from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib;

the door of his house seems to have been at one end of it and from that end to the other was a considerable length; he being a great man the high priest had a large house.

 

Nehemiah 3:22. And after him the priests the men of the plain made repairs.

   YLT And after him have the priests men of the circuit strengthened.

And after him repaired the priests the men of the plain.

Either of the plain of Jericho where in later times at least there was a station of the priests or of the plain about Jerusalem; those also assisted in the repairs of the wall.

 

Nehemiah 3:23. After him Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah made repairs by his house.

   YLT After them hath Benjamin strengthened and Hashub over-against their house; after him hath Azariah son of Maaseiah son of Ananiah strengthened near his house.

After him ....

The last of the priests before mentioned:

repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house;

as much of the wall as the length of their house or houses were:

after him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house:

as far as that reached.

 

Nehemiah 3:24. After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section from the house of Azariah to the buttress even as far as the corner.

   YLT After him hath Binnui son of Henadad strengthened a second measure from the house of Azariah unto the angle and unto the corner.

After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece.....

Beginning where Azariah ended:

unto the turning of the wall even unto the corner;

the corner where the wall turned from the south to the east.

 

Nehemiah 3:25. Palal the son of Uzai made repairs opposite the buttress and on the tower which projects from the king’s upper house that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh made repairs.

   YLT Palal son of Uzai from over-against the angle and the tower that is going out from the upper house of the king that [is] at the court of the prison; after him Pedaiah son of Parosh.

Palal the son of Uzai over against the turning of the wall ....

Who dwelt there and so repaired what was right against him:

and the tower which lieth out from the king's high house:

which might be built for prospect or his upper house:

that was by the court of the prison;

and we often read in Jeremiah of the court of the prison being in or near the king's house see Jeremiah 32:2

after him Pedaiah the son of Parosh; went on from hence with the repair.

 

Nehemiah 3:26. Moreover the Nethinim who dwelt in Ophel made repairs as far as the place in front of the Water Gate toward the east and on the projecting tower.

   YLT And the Nethinim have been dwelling in Ophel unto over-against the water-gate at the east and the tower that goeth out.

Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel ....

An high tower upon the wait in this part of it see 2 Chronicles 27:3 these were servants to the Levites and repaired here where their dwellings were:

unto the place over against the water gate toward the east:

and as one part of their work was to fetch water for the temple they were here very properly situated; it led to the king's garden the valley of Jehoshaphat and from thence a plain way to Bethany:

and the tower that lieth out;

from the wall.

 

Nehemiah 3:27. After them the Tekoites repaired another section next to the great projecting tower and as far as the wall of Ophel.

   YLT After him have the Tekoites strengthened a second measure from over-against the great tower that goeth out and unto the wall of Ophel.

After them the Tekoites repaired another piece ....

Having finished what they undertook in another part of the wall Nehemiah 3:5 they engage in this part of it; which shows their great zeal and diligence when their nobles were so backward to it and withdrew from it:

over against the great tower that lieth out;

the same as in the preceding verse:

even unto the wall of Ophel;

from right against the great tower unto the wall the Tekoites repaired.

 

Nehemiah 3:28. Beyond the Horse Gate the priests made repairs each in front of his own house.

   YLT From above the horse-gate have the priests strengthened each over-against his house.

From above the horse gate repaired the priests ....

So called either because near it were stables for horses; or through it horses were led to be watered at the brook of Kidron to which it was near; or to be exercised in the valley; JosephusF3Ut supra. (De Bello Jud. l. 5. c. 4. sect. 2 3.) speaks of the "hippie" or horse tower which might be near it:

everyone over against his house;

for it seems there was a row of houses in which the priests dwelt and each of them repaired as much of the wall as was right against his house.

 

Nehemiah 3:29. After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah the keeper of the East Gate made repairs.

   YLT After them hath Zadok son of Immer strengthened over against his house; and after him hath Shemaiah son of Shechaniah keeper of the east gate strengthened.

After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house ....

After the last of the priests this begun where they ended and repaired as far as his house reached; and being perhaps a person of some note his house might be a large one:

after him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah the keeper of the east gate;

that is of the temple; for the gates of the city having been burnt so long it cannot be thought there should be a keeper of any of them.

 

Nehemiah 3:30. After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs in front of his dwelling.

   YLT After him hath Hananiah son of Shelemiah strengthened and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph a second measure; after him hath Meshullam son of Berechiah strengthened over-against his chamber.

After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph another piece ....

This last man had six sons; but only his youngest son wrought at this work which is observed to his great commendation:

after him repaired Shelemiah the son of Berechiah over against his chamber;

the same as in Nehemiah 3:4 who having finished what he engaged in there took his part where his chamber was and repaired over against that.

 

Nehemiah 3:31. After him Malchijah one of the goldsmiths made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants in front of the Miphkad[k] Gate and as far as the upper room at the corner.

   YLT After him hath Malchijah son of the refiner strengthened unto the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants over-against the gate of the Miphkad and unto the ascent of the corner.

After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son ....

Or the son of Tzoreph as some so called from his business:

unto the place of the Nethinims and of the merchants;

he repaired up to the place where these dwelt:

over against the gate Miphkad; where some think was an house of visitation or correction; and others where the sanhedrim sat tried causes and exercised justice:

and to the going up of the corner;

from the east to the north.

 

Nehemiah 3:32. And between the upper room at the corner as far as the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.

   YLT And between the ascent of the corner and the sheep-gate have the refiners and the merchants strengthened.

And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate ....

Where the building first began and where it now ended:

repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants;

or druggists; which was done at their expense; and so the wall all round with the gates of it were rebuilt and repaired which was all done in fifty two days Nehemiah 6:15.

 

──John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

 

New King James Version (NKJV)

Footnotes:

a.    Nehemiah 3:1 Hebrew Hammeah also at 12:39

b.    Nehemiah 3:2 Literally On his hand

c.Nehemiah 3:4 Or Hakkoz

d.    Nehemiah 3:5 Literally necks

e.    Nehemiah 3:7 Literally throne

f. Nehemiah 3:8 Literally the son

g.    Nehemiah 3:16 Septuagint Syriac and Vulgate read tomb.

h.    Nehemiah 3:18 Following Masoretic Text and Vulgate; some Hebrew manuscripts Septuagint and Syriac read Binnui (compare verse 24).

i.  Nehemiah 3:20 A few Hebrew manuscripts Syriac and Vulgate read Zaccai.

j.  Nehemiah 3:21 Or Hakkoz

k.Nehemiah 3:31 Literally Inspection or Recruiting