Nehemiah 3

Chapter context

What is happening in Nehemiah 3?

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Nehemiah 3 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as Nehemiah’s call and the rebuilding of the wall. Nehemiah recounts the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, the renewal of covenant identity, and the hard maintenance of communal reform. Read this chapter with the wider themes of restoration, leadership, and reform in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

¹ Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel. ² And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. ³ But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. ⁴ And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana. ⁵ And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their LORD. ⁶ Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. ⁷ And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river. ⁸ Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall. ⁹ And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem. ¹⁰ And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah. ¹¹ Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces. ¹² And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters. ¹³ The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate. ¹⁴ But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. ¹⁵ But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king’s garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David. ¹⁶ After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty. ¹⁷ After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part. ¹⁸ After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah. ¹⁹ And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall. ²⁰ After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. ²¹ After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib. ²² And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain. ²³ After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house. ²⁴ After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner. ²⁵ Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king’s high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh. ²⁶ Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out. ²⁷ After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel. ²⁸ From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house. ²⁹ After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate. ³⁰ After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber. ³¹ After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith’s son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner. ³² And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.

Study helps

Glossary

Eliashib Person v. 1, 20-21: Whom God will restore. (1. ) A priest, head of one of the courses of the priests of the time of David ( 1 Chr. 24:12 ). (2. ) A high priest in the time of Ezra and Nehemiah ( Neh. 12:22 , 23).
Sheep Gate Place v. 1, 32: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Tower of Hananel Place v. 1: Biblical structure. Modern identification: Antonia Fortress.
Tower of the Hundred Place v. 1: Biblical structure. Modern identification: Antonia Fortress.
Jericho Place v. 2: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell es Sultan.
Zaccur Person v. 2: Mindful. (1. ) Father of Shammua, who was one of the spies sent out by Moses ( Num. 13:4 ). (2. ) A Merarite Levite ( 1 Chr. 24:27 ).
Fish Gate Place v. 3: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Senaah Place v. 3: Thorny, a place many of the inhabitants of which returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel ( Ezra 2:35 ; Neh. 7:38 ). Modern identification: Khirbet el Aujah el Foqa.
Meremoth Person v. 4, 21: Exaltations, heights, a priest who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel ( Neh. 12:3 ), to whom were sent the sacred vessels ( Ezra 8:33 ) belonging to the temple. He took part in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
Meshullam Person v. 4, 6, 30: Befriended. (1. ) One of the chief Gadites in Bashan in the time of Jotham ( 1 Chr. 5:13 ). (2. ) Grandfather of Shaphan, “the scribe,” in the reign of Josiah ( 2 Kings 22:3 ). (3. ) A priest, father of Hilkiah.
Zadok Person v. 4, 29: Righteous. (1. ) A son of Ahitub, of the line of Eleazer ( 2 Sam. 8:17 ; 1 Chr. 24:3 ), high priest in the time of David ( 2 Sam. 20:25 ) and Solomon ( 1 Kings 4:4 ).
Tekoa Place v. 5, 27: Pitching of tents; fastening down, a town of Judah, about 12 miles south of Jerusalem, and visible from the city. Modern identification: Khirbet Teku’a.
Gate of Yeshanah Place v. 6: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Jehoiada Person v. 6: Jehovah-known. (1. ) The father of Benaiah, who was one of David’s chief warriors ( 2 Sam. 8:18 ; 20:23 ). (2. ) The high priest at the time of Athaliah’s usurpation of the throne of Judah.
Beyond the River Place v. 7: Biblical region. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Gibeon Place v. 7: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: El Jib.
Meronoth Place v. 7: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell en Nasbeh.
Mizpah Place v. 7, 15, 19: Or Miz’peh, watch-tower; the look-out. (1. ) A place in Gilead, so named by Laban, who overtook Jacob at this spot ( Gen. 31:49 ) on his return to Palestine from Padan-aram. Modern identification: Tell en Nasbeh.
Broad Wall Place v. 8: Biblical structure. Modern identification: Broad Wall.
Hananiah Tribe v. 8, 30: Jehovah has given. (1. ) A chief of the tribe of Benjamin ( 1 Chr. 8:24 ). (2. ) One of the sons of Heman ( 1 Chr. 25:4 , 23). (3. ) One of Uzziah’s military officers ( 2 Chr. 26:11 ).
Jerusalem Place v. 8-9, 12: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Hur Person v. 9: A hole, as of a viper, etc. (1. ) A son of Caleb ( 1 Chr. 2:19 , 50; 4:1, 4; comp. 2 Chr. 1:5 ). (2. ) The husband of Miriam, Moses’ sister ( Ex. 17:10-12 ).
Hattush Person v. 10: Assembled. (1. ) A priest who returned with Zerubbabel ( Neh. 12:2 ). (2. ) Ezra 8:2 . (3. ) Neh. 3:10 . (4. ) Neh. 10:4 . (5. ) 1 Chr. 3:22 .
Jedaiah Person v. 10: (1. ) Invoker of Jehovah. The son of Shimri, a chief Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:37 ). (2. ) One of those who repaired the walls of Jerusalem after the return from Babylon ( Neh. 3:10 ). (3. ) Knowing Jehovah.
Harim Place v. 11: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Al Haram.
Hashub Person v. 11, 23: Intelligent. (1. ) A Levite of the family of Merari ( Neh. 11:15 ; 1 Chr. 9:14 ). (2. ) Neh. 3:23 . 3:11.
Tower of the Ovens Place v. 11: Biblical structure. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Shallum Person v. 12: Retribution. (1. ) The son of Jabesh, otherwise unknown. He “conspired against Zachariah, and smote him before the people, and slew him, and reigned in his stead” ( 2 Kings 15:10 ).
Dung Gate Place v. 13-14: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Valley Gate Place v. 13: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Zanoah Place v. 13: Marsh. (1. ) A town in the low country or shephelah of Judah, near Zorah ( Josh. 15:34 ). It was re-occupied after the return from the Captivity ( Neh. 11:30 ). Modern identification: Khirbet Zanu.
Beth-haccherem Place v. 14: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Ramat Rahel.
Malchiah Person v. 14, 31: Jehovah’s king. (1. ) The head of the fifth division of the priests in the time of David ( 1 Chr. 24:9 ). (2. ) A priest, the father of Pashur ( 1 Chr. 9:12 ; Jer. 38:1 ).
Rechab Person v. 14: Horseman, or chariot. (1. ) One of Ishbosheth’s “captains of bands” or leaders of predatory troops ( 2 Sam. 4:2 ). (2. ) The father of Jehonadab, who was the father of the Rechabites ( 2 Kings 10:15 , 23; Jer. 35:6-19 ).
City People v. 15: The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).
City of David Place v. 15: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: City of David.
David Person v. 15-16: Beloved, the eighth and youngest son of Jesse, a citizen of Bethlehem. His father seems to have been a man in humble life. His mother’s name is not recorded. Some think she was the Nahash of 2 Sam. 17:25 .
Fountain Gate Place v. 15: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Siloam Place v. 15: Biblical pool. Modern identification: Pool of Siloam.
Beth-zur Place v. 16: House of rock, a town in the mountains of Judah ( Josh. 15:58 ), about 4 miles to the north of Hebron. It was built by Rehoboam for the defence of his kingdom ( 2 Chr. 11:7 ). It stood near the modern ed-Dirweh. Modern identification: Khirbet et Tubeiqa.
Nehemiah Tribe v. 16: Comforted by Jehovah. (1. ) Ezra 2:2 ; Neh. 7:7 . (2. ) Neh. 3:16 . (3. ) The son of Hachaliah ( Neh. 1:1 ), and probably of the tribe of Judah. His family must have belonged to Jerusalem ( Neh. 2:3 ).
Hashabiah Person v. 17: Regarded by Jehovah. (1. ) Merarite Levite ( 1 Chr. 6:45 ; 9:14 ). (2. ) A son of Jeduthun (25:3, 19). (3. ) Son of Kemuel (26:30). (4. ) One of the chief Levites ( 2 Chr. 35:9 ). (5. ) A Levite ( Neh. 11:22 ).
Keilah Place v. 17-18: Citadel, a city in the lowlands of Judah ( Josh. 15:44 ). David rescued it from the attack of the Philistines. Modern identification: Khirbet Qila.
Henadad Person v. 18, 24: Favour of Hadad, the name of a Levite after the Captivity ( Ezra 3:9 ).
Angle Place v. 19-20, 24-25: Biblical structure. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Ezer Person v. 19: Treasure. (1. ) One of the sons of Seir, the native princes, “dukes,” of Mount Hor ( Gen. 36:21 , 27). (2. ) 1 Chr. 7:21 ; (3. ) 4:4. (4. ) One of the Gadite champions who repaired to David at Ziklag (12:9).
Baruch Tribe v. 20: Blessed. (1. ) The secretary of the prophet Jeremiah (32:12; 36:4). He was of the tribe of Judah (51:59). To him Jeremiah dictated his prophecies regarding the invasion of the Babylonians and the Captivity.
Zabbai Person v. 20: Wanderer; pure. (1. ) Ezra 10:28 . (2. ) The father of Baruch, who “earnestly repaired” part of the wall of Jerusalem ( Neh. 3:20 ; marg., “Zaccai”).
Azariah Person v. 23-24: Whom Jehovah helps. (1. ) Son of Ethan, of the tribe of Judah ( 1 Chr. 2:8 ). (2. ) Son of Ahimaaz, who succeeded his grandfather Zadok as high priest ( 1 Chr. 6:9 ; 1 Kings 4:2 ) in the days of Solomon.
Benjamin Person v. 23: Son of my right hand. (1. ) The younger son of Jacob by Rachel ( Gen. 35:18 ). His birth took place at Ephrath, on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, at a short distance from the latter place.
Pedaiah Person v. 25: Redemption of the Lord. (1. ) The father of Zebudah, who was the wife of Josiah and mother of king Jehoiakim ( 2 Kings 23:36 ). (2. ) The father of Zerubbabel ( 1 Chr. 3:17-19 ). (3. ).
Ophel Place v. 26-27: Biblical hill. Modern identification: Ophel.
Water Gate Place v. 26: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Horse Gate Place v. 28: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
East Gate Place v. 29: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Shemaiah Person v. 29: Whom Jehovah heard. (1. ) A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam ( 1 Kings 12:22-24 ). (2. ) Neh. 3:29 . (3. ) A Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:37 ). (4. ) A priest ( Neh. 12:42 ). (5. ) A Levite ( 1 Chr. 9:16 ). (6. ) 1 Chr. 9:14 ; Neh. 11:15 .
Shelemiah Person v. 30: Whom Jehovah repays. (1. ) Ezra 10:39 . (2. ) The father of Hananiah ( Neh. 3:30 ). (3. ) A priest in the time of Nehemiah (13:13). (4. ) Father of one of those who accused Jeremiah to Zedekiah ( Jer. 37:3 ; 38:1 ).
Muster Gate Place v. 31: Biblical gate. Modern identification: Jerusalem.