Nehemiah 3

Nehemiah 3:1-33

In this chapter we have the building the wall, the order of the work, the names of the builders, and their prosperous conception, viz. 1—32. Chap. vii. 1. THEN ‘Eliathib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they built ’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 Haffenah build, who alys 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 Methullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshierabeel: 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 Jehoiah the son of Peirah, and Methullam the son of Befoeiah; 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 Judon 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 Uzaiel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths: next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerulalem ‘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 Hattuth the son of Haifahniah. 11. Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahath-moah, repaired the ‘other piece, and the tower of the furnaces. 12. And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halubeh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and ‘his daughters. 13. The valley-gate repaired Hanon, and the inhabitants of Zannah; 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 Rechah, the ruler of part of Beth-hatcerem: he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. 15. But ’the gate of the fountain repaired Shallum the son of Gal-burah, 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 Suhaib by the king’s gazette, 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 Beth-zut, 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 Haifahniah 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 Jefhus, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armory, at the turning of the wall. 20. After him Baruch the son of ‘Zabba, carnefly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall, unto the door of the house of Eliathib 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 Eliathib, even to the end of the house of Eliathib. 22. And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain. 23. After him repaired Bagamin, and Haifah, over against their house: after him repaired Azariah, the son of Maafiah, the son of Azariah, by his house. 24. After him repaired Binnon the son of Henadad, another piece, from the house of Azariah, unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner. 25. Palai 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 Paroth. 26. Moreover, the Nethinins dwelt in a Ophel, ‘unto the place over against the water-gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out. 27. After them the Tekoites repaired and their pieces, 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 al- 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 Methullam the son of Berechiah, over against his chamber. 31. After him repaired Malchiah, the goldsmith’s son, unto the place of the Nethinins, and of the merchants over against the gate Miphakad, and to the ‘going up of the corner. 32. And between the going up of the corner unto the sheepgate, repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants. The work being resolved upon, we have here the distribution of it. Holy emulation warmed their hearts, and seal for the public welfare quickened their labour. 1. The

1. The high priest with his brethren led the way, beginning at the three-gate, through which the sacrifices went to the temple; and when they had finished their portion, they fancized it by prayer and thanksgiving, for the assistance God had given them. Note, (1.) Ministers of God should show among the foremost zeal for his glory, and diligence in his service. (2.) Our common employments should be fancized by prayer and thanksgiving. (3.) They who look up to God for help, will be enabled to finish the work he hath given them to do.

2. The rest zealously followed to good an example; and not only the inhabitants of Jerusalem, but those of the neighbouring cities and villages, cheerfully lent their hand to the work. Rulers, and people of all trades and occupations, affixed. None were too great to think themselves debated by labouring; none for little, but that they could contribute something to the great, of good. The nobles of Tekon alone refuted their assistance, and therefore a just brand of infamy stands for ever on their memory. Note, (1.) Unanimity in a good caule is the furth taken of success. (2.) Every man hath something to do for God according to his station and abilities: none are to little as to be selected; none so great, as to be above the work of the Lord.

3. Shallum’s daughters are honourably mentioned, as affiting in this good work. Though they could not themselves handle the crowd, they could hire assistance, and provide materials. Good women in every age have been great helpers in the caule of God.

4. One of the builders is noted for his zeal, v. 20. another, though the sixth son, is remarked as more honourable than his brethren, v. 30. who been not to have like him engaged in the service. Note, (1.) When the work is God’s, we cannot be too zealously affected. (2.) The blessing of God doth not always follow the birthright: the younger son is often the better man.

5. Some, who had finished their first portion, having done sooner than their brethren, undertook a second, v. 4—21. 5—27. When we affect the service, we shall not merely consider how much we must do to save our credit, but do all we can, because we love the caule.