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Nehemiah 3:1-12 King James Version (KJV)

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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.

Nehemiah 3:1-12 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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1 Then Eliashib H475 the high H1419 priest H3548 rose up H6965 with his brethren H251 the priests, H3548 and they builded H1129 the sheep H6629 gate; H8179 they sanctified H6942 it, and set up H5975 the doors H1817 of it; even unto the tower H4026 of Meah H3968 they sanctified H6942 it, unto the tower H4026 of Hananeel. H2606

2 And next unto him H3027 builded H1129 the men H582 of Jericho. H3405 And next to them builded H1129 Zaccur H2139 the son H1121 of Imri. H566

3 But the fish H1709 gate H8179 did the sons H1121 of Hassenaah H5570 build, H1129 who also laid the beams H7136 thereof, and set up H5975 the doors H1817 thereof, the locks H4514 thereof, and the bars H1280 thereof.

4 And next unto them H3027 repaired H2388 Meremoth H4822 the son H1121 of Urijah, H223 the son H1121 of Koz. H6976 And next unto them H3027 repaired H2388 Meshullam H4918 the son H1121 of Berechiah, H1296 the son H1121 of Meshezabeel. H4898 And next unto them H3027 repaired H2388 Zadok H6659 the son H1121 of Baana. H1195

5 And next unto them H3027 the Tekoites H8621 repaired; H2388 but their nobles H117 put H935 not their necks H6677 to the work H5656 of their Lord. H113

6 Moreover the old H3465 gate H8179 repaired H2388 Jehoiada H3111 the son H1121 of Paseah, H6454 and Meshullam H4918 the son H1121 of Besodeiah; H1152 they laid the beams H7136 thereof, and set up H5975 the doors H1817 thereof, and the locks H4514 thereof, and the bars H1280 thereof.

7 And next unto them H3027 repaired H2388 Melatiah H4424 the Gibeonite, H1393 and Jadon H3036 the Meronothite, H4824 the men H582 of Gibeon, H1391 and of Mizpah, H4709 unto the throne H3678 of the governor H6346 on this side H5676 the river. H5104

8 Next unto him H3027 repaired H2388 Uzziel H5816 the son H1121 of Harhaiah, H2736 of the goldsmiths. H6884 Next unto him H3027 also repaired H2388 Hananiah H2608 the son H1121 of one of the apothecaries, H7546 and they fortified H5800 Jerusalem H3389 unto the broad H7342 wall. H2346

9 And next unto them H3027 repaired H2388 Rephaiah H7509 the son H1121 of Hur, H2354 the ruler H8269 of the half H2677 part H6418 of Jerusalem. H3389

10 And next unto them H3027 repaired H2388 Jedaiah H3042 the son H1121 of Harumaph, H2739 even over against his house. H1004 And next unto him H3027 repaired H2388 Hattush H2407 the son H1121 of Hashabniah. H2813

11 Malchijah H4441 the son H1121 of Harim, H2766 and Hashub H2815 the son H1121 of Pahathmoab, H6355 repaired H2388 the other H8145 piece, H4060 and the tower H4026 of the furnaces. H8574

12 And next unto him H3027 repaired H2388 Shallum H7967 the son H1121 of Halohesh, H3873 the ruler H8269 of the half H2677 part H6418 of Jerusalem, H3389 he and his daughters. H1323

Nehemiah 3:1-12 American Standard (ASV)

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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 Hammeah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananel.

2 And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.

3 And the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof.

4 And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel. 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 And the old gate repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the bolts 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, `that appertained' to the throne of the governor beyond the River.

8 Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths. And next unto him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers, and they fortified Jerusalem even unto the broad wall.

9 And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem.

10 And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabneiah.

11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired another portion, and the tower of the furnaces.

12 And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.

Nehemiah 3:1-12 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

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1 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;

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

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

4 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;

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

6 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.

7 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.

8 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.

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

10 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.

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

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

Nehemiah 3:1-12 Darby English Bible (DARBY)

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1 And Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they built the sheep-gate. They hallowed it, and set up its doors; and they hallowed it even to the tower of Meah, to the tower of Hananeel.

2 And next to them built the men of Jericho. And next to them built Zaccur the son of Imri.

3 And the fish-gate did the sons of Senaah build: they laid its beams, and set up its doors, its locks and its bars.

4 And next to them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next to them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next to them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.

5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.

6 And the gate of the old [wall] repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodiah; they laid its beams, and set up its doors, and its locks, and its bars.

7 And next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, to the seat of the governor on this side the river.

8 Next to them repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths; and next to him repaired Hananiah of the perfumers, and they left Jerusalem [in its state] as far as the broad wall.

9 And next to them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.

10 And next to them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next to him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.

11 Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-Moab repaired a second piece, and the tower of the furnaces.

12 And next to them repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.

Nehemiah 3:1-12 World English Bible (WEB)

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1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even to the tower of Hammeah they sanctified it, to the tower of Hananel.

2 Next to him built the men of Jericho. Next to them built Zaccur the son of Imri.

3 The fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build; they laid the beams of it, and set up the doors of it, the bolts of it, and the bars of it.

4 Next to them repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz. Next to them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel. Next to them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.

5 Next to them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles didn't put their necks to the work of their lord.

6 The old gate repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams of it, and set up the doors of it, and the bolts of it, and the bars of it.

7 Next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, [that appertained] to the throne of the governor beyond the River.

8 Next to him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths. Next to him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers, and they fortified Jerusalem even to the broad wall.

9 Next to them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem.

10 Next to them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, over against his house. Next to him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabneiah.

11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired another portion, and the tower of the furnaces.

12 Next to him repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.

Nehemiah 3:1-12 Bible in Basic English (BBE)

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1 Then Eliashib, the chief priest, got up with his brothers the priests, and took in hand the building of the sheep doorway; they made it holy and put its doors in position; as far as the tower of Hammeah they made it holy, even to the tower of Hananel.

2 And by his side the men of Jericho were building. And after them, Zaccur, the son of Imri.

3 The sons of Hassenaah were the builders of the fish doorway; they put its boards in place and put up its doors, with their locks and rods.

4 By their side Meremoth, the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, was making good the walls. Then Meshullam, the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel; and by him, Zadok, the son of Baana.

5 Near them, the Tekoites were at work; but their chiefs did not put their necks to the work of their Lord.

6 Joiada, the son of Paseah, and Meshullam, the son of Besodeiah, made good the old doorway; they put its boards in place and put up its doors, with their locks and rods.

7 By their side were working Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah from the seat of the ruler across the river.

8 Near them was working Uzziel, the son of Harhaiah, the gold-worker. And by him was Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, building up Jerusalem as far as the wide wall.

9 Near them was working Rephaiah, the son of Hur, the ruler of half Jerusalem.

10 By his side was Jedaiah, the son of Harumaph, opposite his house. And by him was Hattush, the son of Hashabneiah.

11 Malchijah, the son of Harim, and Hasshub, the son of Pahath-moab, were working on another part, and the tower of the ovens.

12 Near them was Shallum, the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half Jerusalem, with his daughters.

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.