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Nehemiah 3:26 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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26 Moreover the Nethinims H5411 dwelt H3427 in Ophel, H6077 unto the place over against the water H4325 gate H8179 toward the east, H4217 and the tower H4026 that lieth out. H3318

Cross Reference

Nehemiah 8:1 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

And all the people H5971 gathered themselves together H622 as one H259 man H376 into the street H7339 that was before H6440 the water H4325 gate; H8179 and they spake H559 unto Ezra H5830 the scribe H5608 to bring H935 the book H5612 of the law H8451 of Moses, H4872 which the LORD H3068 had commanded H6680 to Israel. H3478

Nehemiah 11:21 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

But the Nethinims H5411 dwelt H3427 in Ophel: H6077 and Ziha H6727 and Gispa H1658 were over the Nethinims. H5411

Nehemiah 8:3 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

And he read H7121 therein before H6440 the street H7339 that was before H6440 the water H4325 gate H8179 from the morning H216 until midday, H4276 H3117 before the men H582 and the women, H802 and those that could understand; H995 and the ears H241 of all the people H5971 were attentive unto the book H5612 of the law. H8451

Nehemiah 12:37 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

And at the fountain H5869 gate, H8179 which was over against them, they went up H5927 by the stairs H4609 of the city H5892 of David, H1732 at the going up H4608 of the wall, H2346 above the house H1004 of David, H1732 even unto the water H4325 gate H8179 eastward. H4217

2 Chronicles 27:3 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

He built H1129 the high H5945 gate H8179 of the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 and on the wall H2346 of Ophel H6077 he built H1129 much. H7230

2 Chronicles 33:14 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Now after this H310 he built H1129 a wall H2346 without H2435 the city H5892 of David, H1732 on the west side H4628 of Gihon, H1521 in the valley, H5158 even to the entering in H935 at the fish H1709 gate, H8179 and compassed H5437 about Ophel, H6077 and raised it up H1361 a very great height, H3966 and put H7760 captains H8269 of war H2428 in all the fenced H1219 cities H5892 of Judah. H3063

1 Chronicles 9:2 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Now the first H7223 inhabitants H3427 that dwelt in their possessions H272 in their cities H5892 were, the Israelites, H3478 the priests, H3548 Levites, H3881 and the Nethinims. H5411

Ezra 2:43-58 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

The Nethinims: H5411 the children H1121 of Ziha, H6727 the children H1121 of Hasupha, H2817 the children H1121 of Tabbaoth, H2884 The children H1121 of Keros, H7026 the children H1121 of Siaha, H5517 the children H1121 of Padon, H6303 The children H1121 of Lebanah, H3838 the children H1121 of Hagabah, H2286 the children H1121 of Akkub, H6126 The children H1121 of Hagab, H2285 the children H1121 of Shalmai, H8073 the children H1121 of Hanan, H2605 The children H1121 of Giddel, H1435 the children H1121 of Gahar, H1515 the children H1121 of Reaiah, H7211 The children H1121 of Rezin, H7526 the children H1121 of Nekoda, H5353 the children H1121 of Gazzam, H1502 The children H1121 of Uzza, H5798 the children H1121 of Paseah, H6454 the children H1121 of Besai, H1153 The children H1121 of Asnah, H619 the children H1121 of Mehunim, H4586 the children H1121 of Nephusim, H5300 H5304 The children H1121 of Bakbuk, H1227 the children H1121 of Hakupha, H2709 the children H1121 of Harhur, H2744 The children H1121 of Bazluth, H1213 the children H1121 of Mehida, H4240 the children H1121 of Harsha, H2797 The children H1121 of Barkos, H1302 the children H1121 of Sisera, H5516 the children H1121 of Thamah, H8547 The children H1121 of Neziah, H5335 the children H1121 of Hatipha. H2412 The children H1121 of Solomon's H8010 servants: H5650 the children H1121 of Sotai, H5479 the children H1121 of Sophereth, H5618 the children H1121 of Peruda, H6514 The children H1121 of Jaalah, H3279 the children H1121 of Darkon, H1874 the children H1121 of Giddel, H1435 The children H1121 of Shephatiah, H8203 the children H1121 of Hattil, H2411 the children H1121 of Pochereth of Zebaim, H6380 the children H1121 of Ami. H532 All the Nethinims, H5411 and the children H1121 of Solomon's H8010 servants, H5650 were three H7969 hundred H3967 ninety H8673 and two. H8147

Nehemiah 3:27 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

After H310 them the Tekoites H8621 repaired H2388 another H8145 piece, H4060 over against the great H1419 tower H4026 that lieth out, H3318 even unto the wall H2346 of Ophel. H6077

Nehemiah 7:46-56 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

The Nethinims: H5411 the children H1121 of Ziha, H6727 the children H1121 of Hashupha, H2817 the children H1121 of Tabbaoth, H2884 The children H1121 of Keros, H7026 the children H1121 of Sia, H5517 the children H1121 of Padon, H6303 The children H1121 of Lebana, H3838 the children H1121 of Hagaba, H2286 the children H1121 of Shalmai, H8014 The children H1121 of Hanan, H2605 the children H1121 of Giddel, H1435 the children H1121 of Gahar, H1515 The children H1121 of Reaiah, H7211 the children H1121 of Rezin, H7526 the children H1121 of Nekoda, H5353 The children H1121 of Gazzam, H1502 the children H1121 of Uzza, H5798 the children H1121 of Phaseah, H6454 The children H1121 of Besai, H1153 the children H1121 of Meunim, H4586 the children H1121 of Nephishesim, H5300 H5304 The children H1121 of Bakbuk, H1227 the children H1121 of Hakupha, H2709 the children H1121 of Harhur, H2744 The children H1121 of Bazlith, H1213 the children H1121 of Mehida, H4240 the children H1121 of Harsha, H2797 The children H1121 of Barkos, H1302 the children H1121 of Sisera, H5516 the children H1121 of Tamah, H8547 The children H1121 of Neziah, H5335 the children H1121 of Hatipha. H2412

Nehemiah 8:16 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

So the people H5971 went forth, H3318 and brought H935 them, and made H6213 themselves booths, H5521 every one H376 upon the roof of his house, H1406 and in their courts, H2691 and in the courts H2691 of the house H1004 of God, H430 and in the street H7339 of the water H4325 gate, H8179 and in the street H7339 of the gate H8179 of Ephraim. H669

Nehemiah 10:28 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

And the rest H7605 of the people, H5971 the priests, H3548 the Levites, H3881 the porters, H7778 the singers, H7891 the Nethinims, H5411 and all they that had separated H914 themselves from the people H5971 of the lands H776 unto the law H8451 of God, H430 their wives, H802 their sons, H1121 and their daughters, H1323 every one having knowledge, H3045 and having understanding; H995

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Nehemiah 3

Commentary on Nehemiah 3 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill   Keil & Delitzsch   Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible  

Chapter 3

Saying and doing are often two things: many are ready to say, "Let us rise up and build,' who sit still and do nothing, like that fair-spoken son who said,"I go, Sir, but went not.' The undertakers here were none of those. As soon as they had resolved to build the wall about Jerusalem they lost no time, but set about it presently, as we find in this chapter. Let it never be said that we left that good work to be done to-morrow which we might as well have done to-day. This chapter gives an account of two things:-

  • I. The names of the builders, which are recorded here to their honour, for they were such as herein discovered a great zeal for God and their country, both a pious and a public spirit, a great degree both of industry and courage; and what they did was fit to be thus largely registered, both for their praise and for the encouragement of others to follow their example.
  • II. The order of the building; they took it before them, and ended where they began. They repaired,
    • 1. From the sheep-gate to the fish-gate (v. 1, 2).
    • 2. Thence to the old-gate (v. 3-5).
    • 3. Thence to the valley-gate (v. 6-12).
    • 4. Thence to the dung-gate (v. 13, 14).
    • 5. Thence to the gate of the fountain (v. 15).
    • 6. Thence to the water-gate (v. 16-26).
    • 7. Thence by the horse-gate to the sheep-gate again, where they began (v. 27-32), and so they brought their work quite round the city.

Neh 3:1-32

The best way to know how to divide this chapter is to observe how the work was divided among the undertakers, that every one might know what he had to do, and mind it accordingly with a holy emulation, and desire to excel, yet without any contention, animosity, or separate interest. No strife appears among them but which should do most for the public good. Several things are observable in the account here given of the building of the wall about Jerusalem:-

  • I. That Eliashib the high priest, with his brethren the priests, led the van in this troop of builders, v. 1. Ministers should be foremost in every good work; for their office obliges them to teach and quicken by their example, as well as by their doctrine. If there be labour in it, who so fit as they to work? if danger, who so fit as they to venture? The dignity of the high priest was very great, and obliged him to signalize himself in this service. The priests repaired the sheep-gate, so called because through it were brought the sheep that were to be sacrificed in the temple; and therefore the priests undertook the repair of it because the offerings of the Lord made by fire were their inheritance. And of this gate only it is said that they sanctified it with the word and prayer, and perhaps with sacrifices perhaps,
    • 1. Because it led to the temple; or,
    • 2. Because with this the building of the wall began, and it is probable (though they were at work in all parts of the wall at the same time) that this was first finished, and therefore at this gate they solemnly committed their city and the walls of it to the divine protection; or,
    • 3. Because the priests were the builders of it; and it becomes ministers above others, being themselves in a peculiar manner sanctified to God, to sanctify to him all their performances, and to do even their common actions after a godly sort.
  • II. That the undertakers were very many, who each took his share, some more and some less, in this work, according as their ability was. Note, What is to be done for the public good every one should assist in, and further, to the utmost of his place and power. United force will conquer that which no individual dares venture on. Many hands will make light work.
  • III. That many were active in this work who were not themselves inhabitants of Jerusalem, and therefore consulted purely the public welfare and not any private interest or advantage of their own. Here are the men of Jericho with the first (v. 2), the men of Gibeon and Mizpah (v. 7), and Zanoah, v. 13. Every Israelite should lend a hand towards the building up of Jerusalem.
  • IV. That several rulers, both of Jerusalem and of other cities, were active in this work, thinking themselves bound in honour to do the utmost that their wealth and power enabled them to do for the furtherance of this good work. But it is observable that they are called rulers of part, or the half part, of their respective cities. One was ruler of the half part of Jerusalem (v. 12), another of part of Beth-haccerem (v. 14), another of part of Mizpah (v. 15), another of the half part of Beth-zur (v. 16), one was ruler of one half part, and another of the other half part, of Keilah, v. 17, 18. Perhaps the Persian government would not entrust any one with a strong city, but appointed two to be a watch upon each other. Rome had two consuls.
  • V. Here is a just reproach fastened upon the nobles of Tekoa, that they put not their necks to the work of their Lord (v. 5), that is, they would not come under the yoke of an obligation to this service; as if the dignity and liberty of their peerage were their discharge from serving God and doing good, which are indeed the highest honour and the truest freedom. Let not nobles think any thing below them by which they may advance the interests of their country; for what else is their nobility good for but that it puts them in a higher and larger sphere of usefulness than that in which inferior persons move?
  • VI. Two persons joined in repairing the old gate (v. 6), and so were co-founders, and shared the honour of it between them. The good work which we cannot compass ourselves we must be thankful to those that will go partners with us in. Some think that this is called the old gate because it belonged to the ancient Salem, which was said to be first built by Melchizedek.
  • VII. Several good honest tradesmen, as well as priests and rulers, were active in this work-goldsmiths, apothecaries, merchants, v. 8, 32. They did not think their callings excused them, nor plead that they could not leave their shops to attend the public business, knowing that what they lost would certainly be made up to them by the blessing of God upon their callings.
  • VIII. Some ladies are spoken of as helping forward this work-Shallum and his daughters (v. 12), who, though not capable of personal service, yet having their portions in their own hands, or being rich widows, contributed money for buying materials and paying workmen. St. Paul speaks of some good women that laboured with him in the gospel, Phil. 4:3.
  • IX. Of some it is said that they repaired over against their houses (v. 10, 23, 28, 29), and of one (who, it is likely, was only a lodger) that he repaired over against his chamber, v. 30. When a general good work is to be done each should apply himself to that part of it that falls nearest to him and is within his reach. If every one will sweep before his own door, the street will be clean; if every one will mend one, we shall be all mended. If he that has but a chamber will repair before that, he does his part.
  • X. Of one it is said that he earnestly repaired that which fell to his share (v. 20)-he did it with an inflamed zeal; not that others were cold or indifferent, but he was the most vigorous of any of them and consequently made himself remarkable. It is good to be thus zealously affected in a good thing; and it is probable that this good man's zeal provoked very many to take the more pains and make the more haste.
  • XI. Of one of these builders it is observed that he was the sixth son of his father, v. 30. His five elder brethren, it seems, laid not their hand to this work, but he did. In doing that which is good we need not stay to see our elders go before us; if they decline it, it does not therefore follow that we must. Thus the younger brother, if he be the better man, and does God and his generation better service, is indeed the better gentleman; those are most honourable that are most useful.
  • XII. Some of those that had first done helped their fellows, and undertook another share where they saw there was most need. Meremoth repaired, v. 4. and again, v. 21. And the Tekoites, besides the piece they repaired (v. 5), undertook another piece (v. 27), which is the more remarkable because their nobles set them a bad example by withdrawing from the service, which, instead of serving them for an excuse to sit still, perhaps made them the more forward to do double work, that by their zeal they might either shame or atone for the covetousness and carelessness of their nobles.
  • Lastly, Here is no mention of any particular share that Nehemiah himself had in this work. A name-sake of his is mentioned, v. 16. But did he do nothing? Yes, though he undertook not any particular piece of the wall, yet he did more than any of them, for he had the oversight of them all; half of his servants worked where there was most need, and the other half stood sentinel, as we find afterwards (ch. 4:16), while he himself in his own person walked the rounds, directed and encouraged the builders, set his hand to the work where he saw occasion, and kept a watchful eye upon the motions of the enemy, as we shall find in the next chapter. The pilot needs not haul at a rope: it is enough for him to steer.