Nehemiah 3:9
Nehemiah 3:9 in Multiple Translations
Next to them, Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, made repairs;
And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem.
Near them was working Rephaiah, the son of Hur, the ruler of half Jerusalem.
Next was Rephaiah, son of Hur, ruler of a Jerusalem half-district.
Also next vnto them fortified Rephaiah, the sonne of Hur, the ruler of the halfe part of Ierusalem.
And by their hand hath Rephaiah son of Hur, head of the half of the district of Jerusalem, strengthened.
Next to them, Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs.
And next to them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
And next to him built Raphaia the son of Hur, lord of the street of Jerusalem.
Next to them, Rephaiah the son of Hur, who ruled half of Jerusalem District, repaired part of the wall.
Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 3:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Nehemiah 3:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/עַל
יָדָ֤/ם
הֶחֱזִיק֙
רְפָיָ֣ה
בֶן
ח֔וּר
שַׂ֕ר
חֲצִ֖י
פֶּ֥לֶךְ
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם
וְ/עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Conj | Prep
יָדָ֤/ם
yâd
H3027
hand
N-cs | Suff
הֶחֱזִיק֙
châzaq
H2388
to strengthen
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
רְפָיָ֣ה
Rᵉphâyâh
H7509
Rephaiah
N-proper
בֶן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
ח֔וּר
Chûwr
H2354
Hur
N-proper
שַׂ֕ר
sar
H8269
ruler
N-ms
חֲצִ֖י
chêtsîy
H2677
half
N-ms
פֶּ֥לֶךְ
pelek
H6418
district
N-ms
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
Jerusalem
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 3:9
וְ/עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Conj | Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
יָדָ֤/ם
yâd
H3027
"hand"
N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
הֶחֱזִיק֙
châzaq
H2388
"to strengthen"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
To strengthen means to be strong or courageous, and can also mean to seize or conquer, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: : strengthen/support/encourage 1) to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be strong, grow strong 1a1a) to prevail, prevail upon 1a1b) to be firm, be caught fast, be secure 1a1c) to press, be urgent 1a1d) to grow stout, grow rigid, grow hard (bad sense) 1a1e) to be severe, be grievous 1a2) to strengthen 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to make strong 1b2) to restore to strength, give strength 1b3) to strengthen, sustain, encourage 1b4) to make strong, make bold, encourage 1b5) to make firm 1b6) to make rigid, make hard 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make strong, strengthen 1c2) to make firm 1c3) to display strength 1c4) to make severe 1c5) to support 1c6) to repair 1c7) to prevail, prevail upon 1c8) to have or take or keep hold of, retain, hold up, sustain, support 1c9) to hold, contain 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to strengthen oneself 1d2) to put forth strength, use one's strength 1d3) to withstand 1d4) to hold strongly with
Usage: Occurs in 266 OT verses. KJV: aid, amend, [idiom] calker, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain, continue, be of good (take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify, make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man, mend, become (wax) mighty, prevail, be recovered, repair, retain, seize, be (wax) sore, strengthen (self), be stout, be (make, shew, wax) strong(-er), be sure, take (hold), be urgent, behave self valiantly, withstand. See also: Genesis 19:16; 1 Chronicles 22:13; Psalms 27:14.
רְפָיָ֣ה
Rᵉphâyâh
H7509
"Rephaiah"
N-proper
Rephaiah means healed of Jehovah, the name of five Israelites, including a descendant of David and a Simeonite chief. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.8.37; son of: Binea (H1150); brother of: Eleasah (H0501H) and Azel (H0682A); also called Rephaiah at 1Ch.9.43; Another name of ra.pah (רָפָא "Raphah" H7498G) § Rephaiah = "healed of Jehovah" 1) a descendant of Zerubbabel and David 2) a Simeonite chief in the reign of Hezekiah 3) son of Tola and grandson of Issachar 4) son of Binea and a descendant of Saul 5) son of Hur and a ruler of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Rephaiah. See also: 1 Chronicles 3:21; 1 Chronicles 7:2; Nehemiah 3:9.
בֶן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
ח֔וּר
Chûwr
H2354
"Hur"
N-proper
Hur was a personal name given to several Israelites and one Midianite, including a chief assistant to Moses and Aaron, and a father of Rephaiah in the time of Nehemiah, as mentioned in Nehemiah 3:9 and other biblical passages.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.3.9; father of: Rephaiah (H7509J) § Hur = "hole" 1) a chief assistant to Moses and Aaron 2) grandfather of Bezaleel, the chief artificer of the tabernacle; possibly the same as 1 above 3) the 4th of the 5 kings of Midian who were slain with Balaam after Peor 4) father of Rephaiah in the time of Nehemiah 5) father of Ben-Hur who was commissariat officer for Solomon in Mount Ephraim
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: Hur. See also: Exodus 17:10; Joshua 13:21; Nehemiah 3:9.
שַׂ֕ר
sar
H8269
"ruler"
N-ms
A leader or person in charge, like a prince or captain, as seen in the Bible with King David and other rulers.
Definition: 1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain 1a) chieftain, leader 1b) vassal, noble, official (under king) 1c) captain, general, commander (military) 1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes) 1e) heads, princes (of religious office) 1f) elders (of representative leaders of people) 1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity) 1h) patron-angel 1i) Ruler of rulers (of God) 1j) warden
Usage: Occurs in 368 OT verses. KJV: captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. See also: Genesis 12:15; 1 Kings 22:32; 2 Chronicles 32:21.
חֲצִ֖י
chêtsîy
H2677
"half"
N-ms
This word means half or middle, describing a division or a part of something. It is used to talk about physical things or time, like half of the day. The Bible uses it in various contexts.
Definition: 1) half 1a) half 1b) middle
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: half, middle, mid(-night), midst, part, two parts. See also: Exodus 12:29; Ruth 3:8; Psalms 102:25.
פֶּ֥לֶךְ
pelek
H6418
"district"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word can refer to a district or region, like a specific area of land. It can also mean a spindle or a staff, as in the book of Isaiah. The KJV translates it as staff or participle.
Definition: 1) whirl of spindle, stick, district 1a) whirl of spindle, stick 1b) district, circuit
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: (di-) staff, participle See also: 2 Samuel 3:29; Nehemiah 3:15; Proverbs 31:19.
יְרוּשָׁלִָֽם
Yᵉrûwshâlaim
H3389
"Jerusalem"
N-proper
Jerusalem is the capital city of Palestine, also known as the city of peace. It was the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.
Definition: § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split
Usage: Occurs in 600 OT verses. KJV: Jerusalem. See also: Joshua 10:1; 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 24:6.
Study Notes — Nehemiah 3:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Nehemiah 3:9 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 3:9
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 3:9
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 3:9
- Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 3:9
- Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 3:9
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 3:9
- Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 3:9
- Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 3:9
- Sermons on Nehemiah 3:9
Context — The Builders of the Walls
7Next to them, repairs were made by Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, who were under the authority of the governor of the region west of the Euphrates.
8Next to them, Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. And next to him, Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs. They fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
9Next to them, Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, made repairs;
10next to him, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs across from his house; and next to him, Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs. 11Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-moab repaired another section, as well as the Tower of the Ovens.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 3:12 | And next to them, Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of the other half-district of Jerusalem, made repairs, with the help of his daughters. |
| 2 | Nehemiah 3:17 | Next to him, the Levites made repairs under Rehum son of Bani, and next to him, Hashabiah, ruler of a half-district of Keilah, made repairs for his district. |
Nehemiah 3:9 Summary
[Nehemiah 3:9 tells us that Rephaiah, a leader in Jerusalem, helped repair the city's walls. This shows that everyone, no matter their position or status, can contribute to the work of the Lord. Just like Rephaiah, we can use our gifts and talents to serve God and others, as seen in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. By working together and using our unique abilities, we can accomplish great things for God's kingdom, just as the Israelites did in Nehemiah 3:1-32.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What can we learn from the fact that Rephaiah, a ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, was involved in the repairs?
This shows that leaders and those in positions of authority are not exempt from serving and contributing to the work of the Lord, just as Moses led by example in Exodus 18:13 and Nehemiah himself did in Nehemiah 5:14-19.
How does Rephaiah's involvement in the repairs relate to the broader context of Nehemiah's mission?
Rephaiah's contribution to the repairs is part of the larger effort to restore Jerusalem's walls and gates, as described in Nehemiah 3:1-32, which was necessary for the safety and security of God's people, as seen in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 and Psalm 122:6-9.
What role did Rephaiah's family background play in his involvement in the repairs?
As the son of Hur, Rephaiah may have been influenced by his family's history and legacy, just as the Israelites were to remember their heritage and the Lord's faithfulness to their ancestors, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:9-10 and Psalm 78:1-8.
How can we apply the example of Rephaiah's service to our own lives?
We can learn from Rephaiah's example by being willing to serve and contribute to the work of the Lord, using our gifts, talents, and positions to further God's kingdom, as taught in Romans 12:4-8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can use my own gifts and talents to serve the Lord and contribute to the work of His kingdom?
- How can I, like Rephaiah, be a leader and example to others in my own community and sphere of influence?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to 'make repairs' and restore my relationship with the Lord, as described in Isaiah 58:12 and 2 Corinthians 5:17-21?
- In what ways can I work together with others, like the Israelites did in Nehemiah 3, to accomplish great things for God's kingdom?
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 3:9
And next unto them repaired Rephaiah, the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 3:9
And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 3:9
As Rome was anciently divided into several quarters or regions, so was Jerusalem, and especially this was divided into two parts, whereof one was in the tribe of Benjamin, and nearest to the temple; the other in the tribe of Judah, and more remote from it; which accordingly had two several rulers, this man and the other, , but both under the chief governor of the city.
Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 3:9
Nehemiah 3:9 And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.Ver. 9. Ruler of the half part of Jerusalem] Which, being part in Judah and part in Benjamin, had two general rulers. See Nehemiah 3:12.
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 3:9
(9) The half part of Jerusalem.—Of the district belonging to Jerusalem.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 3:9
Verse 9. Ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.] Probably the city was divided into two parts; one for Judah, and the other for Benjamin, each having its proper governor. Rephaiah mentioned here was one of these governors, and Shallum, mentioned Ne 3:12, was the other. There were other rulers or governors of particular country or village districts.
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 3:9
9. the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem] R.V. the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem. Rephaiah was ruler not of the city but of one of the districts into which Jerusalem was divided. The ruler of the other half is Shallum, mentioned in Nehemiah 3:12. Compare the different positions of ‘the ruler of Mizpah’ (Nehemiah 3:19) and ‘the ruler of the district of Mizpah’ (Nehemiah 3:5). By comparison of this expression with 2 Kings 22:14; Zephaniah 1:10, it would appear that some such division, necessitated by the growth of the Capital, had taken place during the Monarchy in the interests of urban administration. The district here referred to would be the commercial quarter of the city.
Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 3:9
9. Ruler of the half part of Jerusalem — Rather, prince of half of the circuit of Jerusalem.
Sermons on Nehemiah 3:9
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Greenwood Hills Conference 1989-01 Nehemiah 1 by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not being idle in the work of the Lord. He highlights the need for accountability in our assemblies and on the foreign fiel |