Nehemiah 3

Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. Nehemiah 3:1

Building a wall around Jerusalem was a massive work. British humorist Jerome K. Jerome said, “I like work, it fascinates me. I can sit and look at it for hours.” [1] The returnees had been sitting and looking at the work for almost a hundred years. Now it was time to do the work. It is interesting that the high priest led his fellow priests and started the work. This chapter is filled out with more than 50 other people who followed his example. [2]

The fact that the high priest led out is testimony to the great leadership of Nehemiah. Later on, we will discover that Eliashib was really a secret enemy of Nehemiah. The leading of the high priest was surely a testimony and encouragement to all the workers. McConville says: “Their co-operation on the walls is one of the Old Testament’s finest pictures of its ideal of Israelite brotherhood.” [3] Anders says: “In the work of God, the greatest accomplishments come from a unity of purpose when people of diverse backgrounds, interests, and abilities join together under a compelling vision. Success is achieved not because we are all the same but because our differences are put aside to work for a greater goal.” [4]

We might say a thing or two about the high priest Eliashib. We note that Eliashib was the grandson of the great Jeshua (Neh. 12:10). In Nehemiah 13:4, 7, we will learn that Eliashib was also a close associate with the enemy Tobiah. Also, Joiada, one of the sons of Eliashib, was son-in-law to the other enemy, Sanballat the Horonite (13:28). When we realize that Tobiah and Sanballat were likely involved in syncretism we can understand how serious that situation was. Both were greatly opposed to the blessing and well-being of Jerusalem.

Eliashib and the priests constructed the Sheep Gate. The north side of the city was the only side that was not protected by deep ravines so it was necessary to build strong walls, gates and towers to ward off enemies. It is noted that they rebuilt the Sheep Gate. That probably indicates that it had been totally destroyed by enemies. [5] We can understand why the priests desired to rebuild this gate since it was close to the temple. It was also the gate where the sheep were brought in for marketing and sacrifice.

The matter of building defensive walls and gates is probably not what we suppose. The stones were likely those left over from the Babylonian destruction. They were not just concrete blocks that we are used to. The stones were much larger and they were quite heavy. Also, from the Kenyon excavation on Nehemiah’s east wall, we know that the wall was eight feet thick (2.43 m.). [6] So, to build a wall it took a lot of heavy stones and a lot of lifting (Prov. 27:3). It reminds us of Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might…” Also, it was not just a matter of hanging gates like we would hang curtains. The gate structures were quite large and complex. The present gates of Jerusalem may give us some idea. They often have a sharp turn on the inside and a tall bulwark or rampart above for their defense. Forces strategically placed above could keep enemy soldiers on the outside from getting too close to the actual gate. The priests built the northern towers and walls and then they dedicated them. Other walls were not dedicated until later (12:27).

Pett comments: “A city which was largely uninhabited, lay partially in ruins, had no means of protection, and was making little impact on the surrounding area (apart from its significance to the returnees themselves as the site of the temple), was about to arise from the ashes and become a powerful influence throughout the area.” [7]

“The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zakkur son of Imri built next to them” (3:2). The wall had approximately 40 sections of variable lengths. [8] So people from surrounding towns and areas were assigned a section to complete. It appears that Nehemiah tried to assign them the area of the city that was closest to them. We know from Ezra’s list that 345 exiles were settled in Jericho (Ezr. 2:34). They certainly had a connection with Jerusalem and the temple. We will see that several other outlying villages and cities were also a part of the rebuilding. We know nothing about Zakkur. He probably had a large family to help him build. We need to note that the building was going on in a counterclockwise direction.

Building Other Gates

The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. Nehemiah 3:3

The Fish Gate was west of the Sheep Gate and each gate had a defensive tower near it, the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel. This whole north side of the city was probably thoroughly destroyed by the Babylonians. We see that the Fish Gate also had to be rebuilt. Marvin Breneman, Buenos Aires Professor of Old Testament, says of it: “The ‘Fish Gate’ was near the northwest corner, probably also called the Ephraim Gate (8:16; 12;39; 2 Kgs. 14:13) and the Middle Gate (Jer. 39:3). There probably was a fish market there at one time. It is thought to have been near the location of the present-day Damascus Gate.” [9] Roads from it led north to the Sea of Galilee and toward Tyre (Neh. 13:16). These areas were the sources of most fish in Jerusalem. [10] Israel had a warm climate most of the year so we need to understand that many fish were salted before they were transported. On the Sea of Galilee, fish were salted at Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene.

We need to understand how massive this repair and rebuilding project was. We have 38 individual workers named in this chapter and 42 different groups identified. [11] They were organized by common interests, professions and by geography. Pett comments: “Each group was given its task to do and were left to get on with it…Divinely speaking it reminds us that God has a place for all of us so that we can participate in his purposes, and that he is individually interested in what each of us is doing.” [12] Pett continues: “We learn here a recurring lesson of life in that having rebuilt our spiritual gateway with God’s help we are to set up doors, bars and bolts to keep out the enemy (compare Ephesians 6:10-18). It is not spiritual to be careless.” [13]

“Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs” (3:4). Meremoth and his father are mentioned in Ezra 8:33. Texas Bible professor Bob Utley feels that this shows a definite historical link between Ezra and Nehemiah. [14] We do need to understand that many names mentioned are quite common and there is often no sure way of a positive identification. We should take note of the word “repaired.” The Hebrew is cha-zaq and is used 20 times in this chapter. It means to make strong and to fortify. [15]

“The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors” (3:5). The men of Tekoa were an ambitious group. Later we see them repairing another section of the wall (3:28). It is interesting that they worked without their leaders. Tekoa was the home of the prophet Amos (Amos 1:1) and it was situated on the edge of the wilderness. It is thought by some that these leaders were subservient to Sanballat, [16] but it seems more likely that they were in league with Geshem since they were several miles south of Bethlehem and near the wilderness. D. Guthrie of London Bible College comments: “Their territory was on the fringes of civilization, adjacent to the area controlled by Geshem (cf. 2:19).” [17] Once again, we see how difficult the job of Nehemiah was.

“The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place” (3:6). In Hebrew, this is known as the Old Gate (NKJ, NRS, RSV). Wiersbe feels like this was the gate at the northwest corner of the city (2 Ki. 14:13; Jer. 31:38). [18] Pett reminds us: “It must be recognized that the repairing of a gateway was not simply a matter of preparing a place to hang the gates, but would include the construction and repair of guardrooms, administrative rooms and storerooms within the gateway.” [19]

Repairing The Walls

Next to them, repairs were made by men from Gibeon and Mizpah – Melatiah of Gibeon and Jadon of Meronoth – places under the authority of the governor of Trans-Euphrates.

Nehemiah 3:7.

We need to remember that we are still moving counterclockwise in direction and are now going south on the west side of Nehemiah’s city. Both Gibeon and Mizpah were cities approximately five miles (8 km.) north and northwest of the city. These areas were not under Nehemiah’s jurisdiction. They were part of the large Persian province named Beyond the River, or Trans-Euphrates, which included Syria and most of the land of Israel. It was called the fifth satrapy.

Some translations read as though this satrap had a residence in Jerusalem (NASB, NKJV) but it would seem quite unlikely that he would have an official residence in the city. Barnes tries to clarify this by saying: “The meaning is thought to be ‘the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, who, though they worked for Nehemiah, were not under his government, but belonged to the jurisdiction of the governor on this side the river.’” [20]

“Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall” (3:8). It is rather amazing to see goldsmiths, who normally dealt with small and precious things, to be lifting heavy stones. McGee quips, “These men were really rock-and-rollers now!” [21] It just did not seem to be an appropriate job for jewelers and perfume makers but they pitched in with all their hearts.

A mention of the Broad Wall pricks this author’s interest. The Broad Wall was constructed by Hezekiah at the time of the Assyrian threat. It ran in a westerly/southwesterly direction from the temple and helped enclose the large Mishneh area. This wall was excavated from 1968 to 1982 by Nahman Avigad. The wall was massive being some 23 feet (7 meters) broad. [22] Since its excavation, a portion of this wall is seen on regular display in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City. When my family and I moved to Israel in 1982 we stayed with friends in the Jewish Quarter for several weeks. The couple we stayed with saw themselves as intercessors or, “watchmen on the wall” (Isa. 62:6), and they prayed constantly for Jerusalem’s welfare. Little did we know at the time that this ancient wall ran under the very area where we all were staying!

“Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section. Adjoining this, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his house, and Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs next to him” (3:9-10). Clarke comments: “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 in verse 12, was the other. There were other rulers or governors of particular country or village districts.” [23] Nehemiah regularly assigned people to repair the wall that was next to their homes or businesses. He knew they would have a vested interest in doing a good job.

“Malkijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section and the Tower of the Ovens. Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section with the help of his daughters” (3:11-12). Malkijah (my King is God) may well have been mentioned in Ezra 10:31. If so, he was confronted by Ezra for having a pagan wife. Apparently, Malkijah got it right with God and served him. [24] The Tower of the Ovens is possibly a reference to the area where the bakers worked. Shallum, the ruler of the second half of Jerusalem (cf. 3:9) worked with the help of his daughters. Utley says, “It is unusual in this culture that this man’s daughters would help him in manual labor. It is so unusual that it is specifically stated!” [25]

More Gates To Repair

The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place. They also repaired a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Dung Gate. Nehemiah 3:13

As we remember, the Valley Gate was the one where Nehemiah began his night inspection of the City of David. This gate was discovered by J. W. Crowfoot in 1927. [26] Zanoah was a town in the territory of Judah (Josh. 15:34, 56), about 10 miles (16 km.) west of Jerusalem.

We note that this group also repaired the wall for a thousand cubits toward the Dung Gate. A cubit was the distance from the tip of a man’s hand to the elbow. The whole distance would have been around 525 meters (1722 ft.). [27] Some have questioned how such a great distance could be repaired by one group. Anders says, “Quite possibly the wall was not as severely damaged in this area, allowing the workers to mend a longer section.” [28] The archaeologist Ritmeyer says: “The builders were constructing on top of a high rock scarp, so only a low wall was required. If others had to build a 15 foot (4-5 m.) high wall, the latter team would only have had to build 3 feet (1 m.) in order to protect the defenders of the city. Here again, is a wonderful confirmation of the veracity of Nehemiah’s account.” [29]

“The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Rekab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place” (3:14). In earlier times King Manasseh had allowed young children to be burned in the fire, sacrificing them to pagan gods. All this was done in the Hinnom Valley (2 Chron. 33:6). Later King Josiah in his reforms turned the valley into a rubbish heap (2 Ki. 23:10). Rubbish of all kinds was carried through the Dung Gate and cast into the valley. Jesus later compared the valley with hell or Gehenna (Matt. 23:15). The old Dung Gate has not yet been discovered by archaeologists.

The district of Beth Hakkerem (house of the vineyard) was close to Tekoa (Jer. 6:1). We note that Malkijah was the designated ruler of this district. It seems that Nehemiah had chosen leaders not only from areas in and around Jerusalem but also from areas across the country. [30]

“The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofing it over and putting its doors and bolts and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Siloam, by the King’s Garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David” (3:15). As we pass the Pool of Siloam, the King’s Garden and the Dung Gate we are rounding the southern end of David’s city and beginning to climb up the eastern side. There we approach the Fountain Gate. Ritmeyer believes that this gate may have provided access to the spring of En-rogel. This spring was referred to as the Dragon Well (Neh. 2:13). [31] The NIV refers to it as the Jackal Well (2:13).

The Difficult Eastern Side

Beyond him, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of a half-district of Beth Zur, made repairs up to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Heroes. Nehemiah 3:16

Breneman remarks: “The style of this section of the text is somewhat different from vv. 1-15. The most evident difference is that the landmarks are now primarily houses and other buildings instead of gates…the wall on the east side of the city did not follow the old wall but was built farther up on the crest of the hill.” [32] Pett adds: “Many see it as a wholly new section of the wall, built higher up the slope because the wall at this point had been so thoroughly demolished that its rubble made building on the old line impossible.” [33] In this section, we will be seeing many builders and many sections built. Ritmeyer says, “A typical section would have been about 82 feet (25 m.) long.” [34]

The tombs of David are mentioned here and that could be confusing. Today the traditional tomb of David is on the western ridge of the present Old City of Jerusalem. There is absolutely no archaeological evidence for this location. We read in 1 Kings 2:10, that David was buried in his own small city. [35] Obviously, Nehemiah is speaking here of that original tomb of David before it was moved. My son is a licensed Israeli tour guide and I have gone with him in years past to inspect these two tombs. They were in the ancient City of David although biblical custom generally required that tombs be placed outside inhabited areas. It was Raymond Weill in 1913-14 who identified these tombs as from the Royal House of David. [36]

Beth Zur (house of rock), home of Azbuk, was located south of Bethlehem, about fifteen miles (24 km.) from Jerusalem. We know nothing about the artificial pool or the House of Heroes mentioned in this verse.

“Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites under Rehum son of Bani. Beside him, Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, carried out repairs for his district. Next to him, the repairs were made by their fellow Levites under Binnui son of Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah” (3:17-18). This is the area where Nehemiah on his night ride found a pile of rubble so deep that he moved the new wall up the hill to avoid it. It seems that the Levites had much to do with the repairs in this area. Keilah was a village in the old Philistine coastal plain (Josh. 15:44). David once rescued the city but then had to flee from King Saul’s advance (1 Sam. 23:1-13).

“Next to him, Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section, from a point facing the ascent to the armory as far as the angle of the wall. Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest” (3:19-20). Mizpah means “watchtower” in Hebrew and there were several places with this same name. Clarke says of the armory and this section of wall: “This was a tower that defended the angle where the two walls met; or the city arsenal, where shields, spears…were kept to arm the people in time of danger.” [37] Ritmeyer sheds more light on this section. He notes that the house of armor might be the same one that Hezekiah showed the Babylonian messengers (Isa. 39:2). He says of the “angle” or turning of the wall that an actual wall fragment of Nehemiah’s period was found by French excavator Charles Clermont-Ganneau in 1873. The wall had two turnings or angles since part of it was moved further up the slope to avoid all the rubble. [38]

We note how Baruch repaired the wall “zealously.” That is more evidence of the good and positive leadership of Nehemiah. Pett comments: “In view of the close connection with the house/palace of the High Priest all this may suggest that it is most likely that Baruch was a priest.” [39]

“Next to him, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired another section, from the entrance of Eliashib’s house to the end of it. The repairs next to him were made by the priests from the surrounding region” (3:21-22). Ritmeyer says of Meremoth that he, “must have been a very diligent worker, as he had already built the first section of the city wall next to the Fish Gate.” [40] This area, close to the house of the high priest, was necessarily made by priests.

“Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house; and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house. Next to him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from Azariah’s house to the angle and the corner,” (3:23-24). Once more we see that people were assigned to repair the wall in the area of their own houses. Nehemiah could be sure that these people would do an excellent job. It is of interest that portions of Nehemiah’s wall in this area were found during the 1980s excavations of Yigal Shiloh. [41] “and Palal son of Uzai worked opposite the angle and the tower projecting from the upper palace near the court of the guard. Next to him, Pedaiah son of Parosh and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs up to a point opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower” (3:25-26). The temple servants or Nethinim made repairs in this area. The Nethinim were originally Levites (Num. 8:14-16) but in time captive people were made a part of this group. Many Nethinim dwelt in Ophel, a rise or bulge near the Temple Mount. It was a handy place for temple service and for drawing water (Josh. 9:23). Apparently, the Gihon Spring was near the Water Gate of this section. It was Jerusalem’s main source of water. [42] Wiersbe remarks: “Jerusalem was one of the few great cities of antiquity that was not built near a great river, and the city depended on reservoirs and springs for its water.” [43]

“Next to them, the men of Tekoa repaired another section, from the great projecting tower to the wall of Ophel. Above the Horse Gate, the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house” (3:27-28). The busy Tekoites had taken on another repair job (cf. 3:5). Utley says of the “great projecting tower” in this area: “Apparently, there were two towers by the Water Gate, one noticeably larger.” [44] Nehemiah mentions the Horse Gate but he does not mention any repairs on it. Perhaps it was left in good shape from the Babylonian attack. Interestingly, there is a vaulted empty area under the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount today that is called Solomon’s Stables. In Crusader times this area was given to housing the horses of the Templar Knights.

“Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house. Next to him, Shemaiah son of Shekaniah, the guard at the East Gate, made repairs. Next to him, Hananiah son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. Next to them, Meshullam son of Berekiah made repairs opposite his living quarters” (3:29-30). Pett says of Meshullam, “His daughter, in fact, married the son of Tobiah the Servant (Nehemiah 6:18), and he may well have been influential for Tobiah also later having a chamber in the Temple (Nehemiah 13:4-9).” [45]

“Next to him, Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the room above the corner; and between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs” (3:31-32). Once again, a goldsmith who normally works with small and precious things is found lifting very heavy stones. Others of his trade will join him in these two verses. The Inspection Gate is mentioned here. In Hebrew its name is miphkad, meaning muster inspection, or appointed place. [46]

We have made the circuit of Nehemiah’s walls. Breneman comments: “…the book’s concern for separation from pagan influence suggests it also had symbolic significance (cf. 13:19-22). Rather than simply providing security, the walls encouraged in the people of God a sense of identity and distinctiveness.” [47] The people worked together despite some of their differences. Nehemiah’s building has spiritual meaning for us today. In 1 Corinthians 15:58, Paul says: “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

Footnotes

1. Quoted in Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT, p. 758.

2. Guzik, Enduring Word Bible Commentary, Ezra, vs. 3:1-3.

3. McConville, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther, p. 89.

4. Anders, g. ed. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Holman Old Testament Commentary, p. 157.

5. Ibid., p. 158.

6. Breneman, Ezra, Nehemiah & Esther, The New American Commentary, p. 184.

7. Pett, Commentary on Nehemiah, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, vs. 3:1-32.

8. James Burton Coffman, Commentary on Nehemiah, Coffman Commentaries on the Bible Abilene Christian (Abilene, TX: University Press, 1983-1999), pp. 3:1-2. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bcc/nehemiah-1.html.

9. Breneman, Ezra, Nehemiah & Esther, The New American Commentary, p. 187.

10. Utley, Bible Lessons International, Nehemiah, v. 3:3.

11. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT, p. 759.

12. Pett, Commentary on Nehemiah, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, vs. 3:1-32.

13. Ibid, v. 3:3.

14. Utley, Bible Lessons International, Nehemiah, v. 3:4.

15. Francis Brown, S. R. Driver & Charles A. Briggs, Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1957), p. 304.

16. Coffman, Commentary on Nehemiah, Coffman Commentaries on the Bible, v. 3:3.

17. Guthrie, et. al., The New Bible Commentary, p. 406.

18. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT, p. 761.

19. Pett, Commentary on Nehemiah, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, vs. 3:6.

20. Barnes, Commentary on Nehemiah, Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible, v. 3:7.

21. McGee, History of Israel, Ezra Nehemiah, Esther, p. 95.

22. Leen & Kathleen Ritmeyer, Jerusalem In The Time of Nehemiah (Jerusalem: Carta, 2005), p. 34.

23. Clarke, Commentary on Nehemiah, The Adam Clarke Commentary, v. 3:9.

24. Guzik, Enduring Word Bible Commentary, Ezra, vs. 3:6-12.

25. Utley, Bible Lessons International, Nehemiah, v. 3:11.

26. Ritmeyer, Jerusalem In The Time of Nehemiah, p. 38.

27. Ibid., p. 39

28. Anders, g. ed. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Holman Old Testament Commentary, p. 160.

29. Ritmeyer, Jerusalem In The Time of Nehemiah, p. 39.

30. Pett, Commentary on Nehemiah, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, vs. 3:1-32.

31. Ritmeyer, Jerusalem In The Time of Nehemiah, p. 41.

32. Breneman, Ezra, Nehemiah & Esther, The New American Commentary, p. 190.

33. Pett, Commentary on Nehemiah, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, v. 3:16.

34. Ritmeyer, Jerusalem In The Time of Nehemiah, p. 38.

35. Kidner, Ezra & Nehemiah, p. 88.

36. Ritmeyer, Jerusalem In The Time of Nehemiah, p. 43.

37. Clarke, Commentary on Nehemiah, The Adam Clarke Commentary, v. 3:19.

38. Ritmeyer, Jerusalem In The Time of Nehemiah, p. 51.

39. Pett, Commentary on Nehemiah, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, v. 3:20.

40. Ritmeyer, Jerusalem In The Time of Nehemiah, p. 52.

41. Ibid., p. 53.

42. Kidner, Ezra & Nehemiah, p. 89.

43. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT, p. 761.

44. Utley, Bible Lessons International, Nehemiah, v. 3:27.

45. Pett, Commentary on Nehemiah, Peter Pett’s Commentary on the Bible, v. 3:30.

46. Ibid., v. 3:31.

47. Breneman, Ezra, Nehemiah & Esther, The New American Commentary, p. 192.