Nehemiah 3

THen Eliashib the high priest Grand-child of Ioshua the first High-Priest after their return from Babylon. rose up Began the work. with his brethren the priests, and they built the sheep gate which was next to the Temple, so called, either from the Sheep-Market, or the Sheep-pool of Bethesda, Ioh. 5. 2. where the Sheep were washed, and then brought to the Temple to be sacrificed., they sanctified it Or, they prepared or repaired it: for so the word somtimes signifies. But our translation seems best, both because that use of the word is most common, and because this is spoken only of this gate, which being built by the Priests, and nighest to the Temple, and with a special Eye to the service of the Temple, for which both Men and Things were most commonly brought in this way, and being also the first part of the building, might be in a peculiar manner sanctified by solemn Prayer and Sacrifice, whereby it was dedicated to Gods Service, and this either 1 As it was considered in itself, or with respect to the rest of the building, of which this was the beginning, and in a manner the first-fruits, and therefore in the sanctification of it the whole lump and building was sanctified. And seeing the whole City is oft called the holy City, it is not strange if the Walls and Gates of it be also holy, and said to be sanctified, and especially this Gate. Compare Deut. 20. 5., and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah Or, of an hundred, so called, either because it was an hundred Cubits high, or so far distant from the Sheep-Gate. they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.

And next unto him built the men of Jericho The Posterity of the ancient Inhabitants of Iericho. See Ezra 2 34.: and next to them built Zaccur the son of Imri.

But the fish-gate Of which mention is made 2 Chr. 33. 14. Neh. 12. 39. Zeph. 1. 10. so called, either from the Fish-market which was near it: or because the Fish was brought in by it from the Sea, Neh. 13. 16. this Gate being North-Westward from Ierusalem. 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 This is either here related by anticipation, the whole work being here mentioned together, though this part was not done till afterwards, ch. 6. 1. & 7. 1. Or this was done to some of the Gates, but not to all; and therefore this is said to be done more compleatly and universally afterwards..

And next unto them repaired To wit, the demolished or decayed Wall, there being no gate in this part. And so in the rest which follow. 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.

And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their neck i. e. Did not submit to it, would not further it, either through Pride, or sloth, and carelesness, or covetousness, or secret compliance with the Enemies of the Jews. to the work of their Lord Either 1. Of Nehemiah, who was their Lord and Governour, and had given a general command for the carrying on of this work. Or 2. Of God, whom they owned for their Lord, whose work this was, partly because it had proceeded thus far by Gods singular Providence and Blessing: and partly because it was done for the defence of the City, and People, and Temple of God. And therefore they are branded to all posterity for the neglect of so great and pious a work..

Moreover the old gate repaired Jehojada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodejah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibean, and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governour on this side the river i. e. Unto the place where the Governour of the Country on this side Euphrates, for and under the Persian Kings, somtimes had a Palace or Throne to which all Persons living in the adjacent parts, were to resort for judgment..

Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhajah, of the goldsmiths; next unto him also repaired Hananiah, the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified It is not said, they repaired, as was said of the rest, but they fortified it, either because this part of the Wall was less demolished than the other, and therefore they needed not to repair it, but one ly to make it stronger by some additions: or to note their extraordinary care and diligence, that they would not only repair it, and restore it to its former state, but make it stronger than ever it was; which also might be fit to be done in that part of the City. Others render it, they left, as this word commonly signifies: and so the meaning is, They omitted the building of that part of the Wall, because it remained standing; this being that space of 400 cubits which was pulled down by Ioash King of Israel, and rebuilt by Uzziah, who made it so strong, that the Chaldeans could not pull it down without more trouble than they thought fit to imploy about it. But this Chapter gives us an account of what they did in the Building, not of what they did not, but left as they found it. Jerusalem unto the broad wall.

And next unto them repaired Rephajah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem As Rome was anciently divided into several quarters or Regions, so was Ierusalem, 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, v. 12. but both under the chief Governour of the City..

And next unto them repaired Jedajah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house That part of the Wall which was next to him, which his own Interest obliged him to do with care.: and next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.

Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.

And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem i. e. Of the other half, &c. see on v. 9., he and his daughters Who were either Heiresses, or rich Widows, and caused part to be done at their charges..

The 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.

But the dung-gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Beth-haccerem A Town or Territory, the Government whereof was divided between two persons.: he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

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 That part of the Wall which was directly against that Pool. by the kings garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.

After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Beth-zur unto the place over against the sepulchres of David i. e. The place which David appointed for his own Sepulchre, and the Sepulchres of his Successors the Kings of Israel and Iudah., and to the pool that was made To wit, by Hezekiah, 2 King. 20. 20. Whereby it is distinguished from that Pool which was natural., and unto the house of the mighty Or, of the valiant: which possibly was formerly appointed for the receipt of those chief Captains that should attend upon the King in their courses, or of some other valiant Commanders who should upon occasion resort to Ierusalem..

After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani: next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.

After him repaired Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.

And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshus, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armory Either to the house of the forrest of Lebanon, which was their Armory from Solomons days, Isa. 22. 8. or to some other place, which either before or since that time had been used as another and less Armory for common occasions. at the turning of the wall Or, as the corner: or, which is in the corner..

After him Baruch the son of Zabbai, earnestly repaired Did his work with eminent diligence and fervency: which is here noted to his commendation. the other piece, from the turning of the wall Or, from the corner, as v. 19., unto the door of the house Unto that part of the Wall which was over against or next to this door. of Eliashib the high priest.

After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib, even to the end of the house of Eliashib Therefore the door was not in the middle of the House, as now they commonly are, but at one end of it..

After him repaired the priests, the men of the plain Either of the plairs of Iordan; or of the plain country round about Ierusalem, as it is called, ch. 12. 28. And they are thus called, because they, or their Parents either were born, or now did, or formerly had dwelt in those parts; whence they came to Ierusalem, when the service of the Temple required it..

After him repaired Benjamin, and Hashub, over against their house: after him repaired Azariah the son of Maasejah, the son of Ananiah by his house.

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.

Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall In a part of the Wall, which jutted out as the tower here following did, and therefore was opposite to, or over against that turning., and the tower Or, even the tower. which lieth out from the kings high house Either from the Royal Palace: or from some other smaller House which the King formerly built there either for prospect or for defence., that was by the court of the prison A place oft mentioned: of which see Ier. 32. 2. & 38. 7, 13.: after him, Pedajah the son of Parosh.

Moreover the Nethinims dwell in Ophel Or, who dwelt in Ophel: for this seems to be only a description of the persons, whose work follows., unto the place over against the water-gate So called, because by that Gate Water was brought in, either by the People for the use of that part of the City, or rather by these Nethinims, who were Gibeonites, for the uses of the Temple, for which they were drawers of Water, Jos. 9. 21. toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.

After them the Tekoites The same spoken of before, v. 5. who having dispatched their first share sooner than their Brethren had done theirs, freely offered their help to supply the defects of others, who, as it seems, neglected that part of the work which had been committed to them. And this their double diligence is noted both for the greater shame of their Nobles, who would not do any part of it, v. 5. and for their own greater honour who were so far from being corrupted by the bad Example of their Nobles, that they were rather quickened and enflamed to greater Zeal and Industry in this publick and pious work. repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.

From above the horse-gate Not that belonging to the Kings Palace, 2 Chr. 23. 15. but one of the Gates of the City so called, either because nigh unto that were many Stables for Horses: or because the Horses commonly went out that way to their watering place. repaired the priests, every one over against his house.

After them repaired Zadock the son of Immer, over against his house: after him repaired also Shemajah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the eastgate To wit, of the City, or of the Temple: which being the chief Gate, was committed to his particular Care and Custody..

After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece: after him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, over against his chamber Or, chambers, the singular number for the plural..

After him repaired Malchiah, the gold-smiths son, unto the place of the Nethinims and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.

And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep-gate, repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.