Nehemiah 3

ing (as Conradus Pcllicanns reasonably conjectures) whether the foundation was still sound, and would support a new wall laid upon it; or whether it was rotten, and must be laid again. first entered into it every day; and that from this time it had this virtue. Afterward they dedicated the whole wall, as we read chap. xii. 27. half-part o/Keilak, in his part.] In his street (as Pellicanus renders it), or with the men of his part or country where he was ruler.

Nehemiah 3:1

JL HEN Eliashib the high-priest rose up, with his brethren the priests. Now he shews by whom, and in what order, the wall was built: which was begun by Eliashib, the grandchild of Jeshua the high-priest; (as we read chap, xii. 10.) who with his brethren gave a noble example, in being the first that went about the work, and built the gate here mentioned. And they built the sheep-gate.] Which was at the south side of the city, in that part of the valley which looked towards the city of David and the temple. The sheep used to enter in here which were to be sacrificed; and therefore, I suppose, the priests undertook this part of the work as most proper for them. Dr. Lightfoot hath taken a great deal of pains to find in what quarter these gates were; to whom I refer the reader in his Chorog. Century of the Land of Israel, chap. 26. They sanctified it, and set tip the doors of it.] When they had completed it, they blessed it by solemn prayers, and perhaps by sacrifices; as the first-fruits of this pious woik: for we do not read that any other part, but this which they built, was sanctified. Some think this was done because of the relation that this gate had to sacred uses; but it was rather such a ceremony as was imitated by other nations, when they begun their walls; which they commended to the protection of their gods. Some translate it, they made it an excellent structure: others, they cleansed it from the rubbish, and the profanation which the Babylonians had brought upon it; restoring it to its ancient splendour. But our translation, I think, is best; for it being the priest’s work, it became them to bless and sanctify it. Even unto the tower ofMeah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.] They sanctified the rest of the wall, which they built as far as the tower ofMeah on one side, and the tower of Hananeel on the other. But Pellicanus thinks, that Meah is not the name of a tower, but signifies a hundred; and makesthe sense to be, They not only built the sheep-gate, but a hundred cubits of the wall to a tower so far off from the gate, and also to the tower of Hananeel. This sheep-gate some think is the same with the UpofiaTud), mentioned John v. 2. which being the first that was built by the priests of God, and particularly commended to his blessing, had that singular gift bestowed upon the neighbouring pool, that it should miraculously heal those that

Nehemiah 3:2

And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son oflmri. Whom some take for a principal person in Jericho.

Nehemiah 3:3

But the fish-gate did the sons ofHassenaah build. This was a gate which looked towards the sea; from whence fish was wont to be brought, and sold here. Wlio also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof the locks thereof and the bars thereof] They made a complete piece of work of this gate; to which they gave the last finishing; which was not done universally till after some time. (See chap. vi. 1- vii. 1.)

Nehemiah 3:4

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.] These repaired the wall till they came to the old gate; for there was no other gate till they came there.

Nehemiah 3:5

And next unto them the Tekoites repaired. The people of the city of Tekoa carried on the wall with those three beforenamed. But their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.] They were either proud, and would not stoop to this work; or they were negligent, and cared not whether it were done or not. By their Lord some understand the leader and head of the whole family, who was active in it; others Nehemiah; and some God himself, whose work this was; unto which, therefore, well-disposed persons, though ever so great, put their necks; that is, laboured hard, not refusing to carry burdens, &c.

Nehemiah 3:6

Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son ofPaseah,andMeshullam the son ofBesodeiah. Some think it was called the old gate, because there were some remains of it from the times of the Jebusitcs, yea, of Melchisedec, by whom it was at first built. They laid the), beams thereof and set up the doors thereof and the locks thereof and the bars thereof] They imitated those mentioned ver. 3. as several others did, (ver. 13— 15.)

Nehemiah 3:7

And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeonand ofMizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river. These, and they that follow in the next verse, repaired as far as to the wall of the broad street. And among these was a great man, whose name was Chisse (so Pellicanus translates the word we render the throne), a petty prince in Syria, under the king of Persia; who, being proselyted, joined in this work.

Nehemiah 3:8

Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of liarhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries; and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.] These were two eminent persons; one among the goldsmiths, the other among the perfumers; w r ho did not build the wall, because it was very good in this place; but only fortified it, and made it strong. Near to this was the broad street of the city, where there was a market-place for the selling of commodities.

Nehemiah 3:9

And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Jlur, the ruler of the half part of Jemsalem. There were two principal overseers of the work, on the two sides of the city: this, as some think, in that part which was in the tribe of Judah; and the other, (ver. 12.) in that which was in the tribe of Benjamin. (See chap. iv. 19.)

Nehemiah 3:10

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. The first of these repaired against his house; because that lay most convenient for him to bestow his cost upon it; and thereby he consulted his own safety, together with the public good.

Nehemiah 3:11

Malchijah the son ofHarim, and Hashujb the son of Pahath-Moab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces. The words we translate the other piece, are the second measure. But what the first was we cannot tell, and therefore are ignorant of the second: perhaps, half as much as the former had repaired. The tower of the furnaces is mentioned again, chap. xii. 38. as near to this place. (See there.)

Nehemiah 3:12

And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem. There was another part mentioned before, ver. 9. He and his daughters.] Who are generally thought either to be heiresses, or rich widows; who piously contributed to this work.

Nehemiah 3:13

Tlie valley-gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; 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.] This was called the valley of Jehoshaphat, which lay between the city and the Mount of Olives; through which the brook Kidron ran, from the north to the south. The gate which led to this was the east gate; which was repaired, together with more of the wall than any others repaired, by these persons here mentioned.

Nehemiah 3:14

Then I went on to the gate of the fountain. Either of Siloe, or of Gihon. The wall was not so broken down, but some part of it still remained, and the place where the gates were was known. (See chap. iv. 6, 7. vi. 1.) And to the king’s pool.] Which is generally supposed to be that which Hezekiah made, (2 Chron. xxxii. 3. 30.) But there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass. 2 Being full of rubbish, or of water. But the dung-gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Beth-haccerem: hebuilt it, and set up the doors thereof the locks thereof, and the bars thereof] He was a great man, who commanded part of a city, which had its name from the vineyards that were there, as Pellicanus probably conjectures.

Nehemiah 3:15

Then went I up in the night by the brook. The same night he went by the brook Kidron. And viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned.] He seems not to have gone round about the whole city; for there were several other gates which are not here mentioned: but having seen in what condition so many parts of the wall were, by which he judged of the rest, he turned back into the city, and entered at the same gate from whence he went out, (ver. 13.) But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, 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 Siloah by the king’s garden.] This man also was a great benefactor, being a considerable person, as the former was. And unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.] Which stood upon the high hill of Zion; from whence they descended by steps to Jerusalem'.

Nehemiah 3:16

And the rulers knewnot whither I went, or what I did. These rulers (Conradus Pellicanus thinks) were gentiles, for they are distinguished from the Jews in the following words, and from other rulers among them; and therefore were the officers of the kings of Persia, who had hitherto obstructed the work. Neither had las yet told it to the Jews, nor to the priests, nor todhe nobles, nor to the rulers.] To any of the people of the Jews, for he had not so much as acquainted the priests, nor the nobles, nor any that had authority among them, with his intentions. Nor to the rest that did the work.] Whom he intended hereafter to employ in the work: or, he told none of those that went with bim to view the ruins what his. design was. After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk.] Of the same name, but not of tho same family with the writer of this book. The ruler of the half part’ofBeth-znr, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David.] Where David had a sepulchre for himself, and for his successors in the kingdom. And to the pool that was made.] This is supposed to be tho place mentioned 2 Kings xx. 20. And unto the house of the mighty.] There the king’s guard were lodged, who were all mighty men of valour. But we can only guess at the sense of these words.

Nehemiah 3:17

Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, hoto Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof fire burnt with fire. Not long after he took a fit opportunity to represent to them their low condition; and to let them understand what he intended, and had power to undertake. Cdme, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that ive be no more a reproach.] Exposed to the scorn and insults of the people round about them. “Ver. 18. Tlien I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me.] He acquainted them how favourable God had made the king to him, and all the discourse he had with him, and the commission which he had received from him. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthencd their hands for this good work.] When they heard of the favour of God, and of the king. And after him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son ofBani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the

Nehemiah 3:18

After him repaired their brethren. Other Levites. Bavai the son ofllenadad, the ruler of the half -part of Keilah.] Of the other half of the city.

Nehemiah 3:19

But when Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian, heard it. It is probable, Geshem was the king’s deputy in Arabia, as the two former were in Moab and Amnion. But others take them rather to have been all three great men among the Samaritans. They laughed us to scorn, and despised us;] As men that made a vain attempt, which tkey would never be able to accomplish. And said, Wliat is this thing that ye do? toill ye rebel against the king?] This was the most odious calumny they could invent, that they intended to set up for themselves, and be no longer the king’s subjects. And next to him repaired Ezer the son ofJeskua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece.] Or rather, one piece; because another is mentioned in the next verse. Over against the going tip to the armoury.] There is such a place mentioned in the forest, (Isa. xxii. 8.) which Solomon it is likely made; but this was in Jerusalem, then well known, and one of the most noted places in the city, because here all warlike provision was laid up. At the turning of the wall] At some corner, where the wall turned another way.

Nehemiah 3:20

Then answered I them, and said unto them, Tlie God of heaven, he toill prosper us. We have authority for what we do from a higher power than yours. Therefore we his servants toill arise and build: but you have no port ion,nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.] Do not you trouble yourselves about this matter; who have no part, either in the labour, or the merit, or the fame of it: for you are not of our religion;* and therefore may mind your own business, and not meddle with ours. After him Barnch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece.] With great zeal, as if he was ashamed the work went on so slowly; or that they should repair only one piece, and leave the other undone. From the turning of the wall.] From the place beforementioned. Unto the door of the house ofEliashib the high-priest.] Who had the honour to begin this good work, (ver. 1.)

Nehemiah 3:21

After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son ofKoz, another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib, even to the end of the house ofEliashib. He carried on the work from the place where the other left off, from the entrance of the house to the end of it; which being the house of a great man, we may suppose very large.

Nehemiah 3:22

And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain. Near to Jerusalem, chap. xii. 28.

Nehemiah 3:23

After him. There was some eminent priest who engaged others with him, as Eliashib had done his brethren, (ver. 1.) Repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son ofMaaseiah, the son of Ananiah, by his house.] These were some of the tribe of Benjamin, settled in Jerusalem, who repaired over against their own doors, as far as their houses extended.

Nehemiah 3:24

After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad, another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner. This, in all likelihood, was another of the tribe of Benjamin, who carried on the wall from the place where Azariah ended.

Nehemiah 3:25

Palal 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 Parosh.] There are so many turnings of the wall mentioned, that none can now give an account of them, nor of the king’s high house (which some take to have been a house built for that prospect). The court of the prison is often mentioned in the book of the prophet Jeremiah. Ver. 2G. Moreover, the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water-gate towards the east, and the tower that lieth out.] Not only the priests and Levites, but the meanest persons that belonged to the house of God, inferior officers, contributed to this work. And the watergate, it is likely, was that at which these lower ministers brought in water for the use of (he temple: near to which Ophel was, which seems to have been a great tower, (2 Chron. xxvii. 3.) The tower which lay out I can give n0 account of; but the next verse tells us where it was. -

Nehemiah 3:27

After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel. The people of this place aro mentioned before, ver. 5. whose nobles, perhaps, who at the first withdrew themselves from this work, lent their help, now that they saw every body engaged in it.

Nehemiah 3:28

From above the horse-gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house. It was called the horsegate, as some think, because they went through it to water their horses at the brook Kidron: or, there was a place for the standing of horses.

Nehemiah 3:29

After them repaired Zadok the son oflmmer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemdiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate. It is uncertain whether ho speaks of the east gate of the city, or of the temple: but whichsoever it was, it seems to have been a principal gate, and therefore committed to the custody of an eminent person.

Nehemiah 3:30

After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah. Some copies read after me; as if Nehemiah in modesty concealed his own work, and only intimated that he did something himself: but ours is the right reading.. And Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece.] He had more zeal, it is likely, than his elder brethren, and therefore is here particularly noted as a worthy man, of less estate, but of more virtue than the rest of his family. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.] Which he had, I suppose, in the temple.

Nehemiah 3:31

After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith’s son, unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going np of the corner. It seems the Nethinims had a part of the city assigned them for their habitation, which was among the merchants: near to whom there was a house of correction (as some think the word Miphkad imports), where they visited (as the Hebrews speak), that is, punished, men for their faults.

Nehemiah 3:32

And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep-gate. There they began, (ver. 1.) and there they ended: which shews that they left not off till they had compassed the whole city with a wall, and that it was but ono (as Pellicanus observes), not two or three, which was sufficient to preserve them from the incursions of their enemies. Repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.] Some will have these to have been their names, taken at first from their professions. No man can think (as the same Pellicanus notes) that the names of them that repaired the walls of Jerusalem were set down so diligently, as here they are, without some rational cause for it. And the reason was, because it was a work of great virtue to love and to do honour to their country; a work of piety to restore the holy city; a religious thing to defend the true worshippers of God, that they might serve him in quietness and safety; and a courageous thing, in the midst of so many enemies, to go on with this work in a pious confidence of the power of God to support them. The names, therefore, of such persons deserved to bo preserved and transmitted to future generations, as a most noble example to them.