Nehemiah 3

Ne 3:1-32.

THE

NAMES AND

ORDER OF

THEM

THAT

BUILDED THE

WALL OF

JERUSALEM.

1. Then Eliashib the high priest--the grandson of Jeshua, and the

first high priest after the return from Babylon.

rose up with his brethren the priests--that is, set an example by

commencing the work, their labors being confined to the sacred

localities.

and they builded the sheep gate--close to the temple. Its name arose

either from the sheep market, or from the pool of Bethesda, which was

there

(Joh 5:2).

There the sheep were washed and then taken to the temple for sacrifice.

they sanctified it, and set up the doors--Being the common entrance

into the temple, and the first part of the building repaired, it is

probable that some religious ceremonies were observed in gratitude for

its completion. "It was the first-fruits, and therefore, in the

sanctification of it, the whole lump and building was sanctified"

[POOLE].

the tower of Meah--This word is improperly considered, in our

version, as the name of a tower; it is the Hebrew word for "a

hundred," so that the meaning is: they not only rebuilt the sheep gate,

but also a hundred cubits of the wall, which extended as far as the

tower of Hananeel.

2. next unto him builded the men of Jericho, &c.--The wall was

divided into portions, one of which was assigned respectively to each

of the great families which had returned from the captivity. This

distribution, by which the building was carried on in all parts

simultaneously with great energy, was eminently favorable to despatch.

"The villages where the restorers resided being mostly mentioned, it

will be seen that this circumstance affords a general indication of the

part of the wall upon which they labored, such places being on that

side of the city nearest their place of abode; the only apparent

exception being, perhaps, where they repaired more than their piece.

Having completed their first undertaking (if they worked any more),

there being no more work to be done on the side next their residence,

or having arrived after the repairs on that part of the city nearest

them under operation were completed, they would go wherever their

services would be required"

[BARCLAY, City of the Great King].

8. they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall--or, "double wall,"

extending from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred

cubits in length, formerly broken down by Joash, king of Israel

[2Ch 25:23],

but afterwards rebuilt by Uzziah

[2Ch 26:9],

who made it so strong that the Chaldeans, finding it difficult to

demolish, had left it standing.

12. Shallum . . . he and his daughters--who were either heiresses

or rich widows. They undertook to defray the expenses of a part of the

wall next them.

13. the inhabitants of Zanoah--There were two towns so called in the

territory of Judah

(Jos 15:34, 56).

14. Beth-haccerem--a city of Judah, supposed to be now occupied by

Bethulia, on a hill of the same name, which is sometimes called also

the mountain of the Franks, between Jerusalem and Tekoa.

16. the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto

the house of the mighty--that is, along the precipitous cliffs of Zion

[BARCLAY].

19. at the turning of the wall--that is, the wall across the

Tyropœon, being a continuation of the first wall, connecting

Mount Zion with the temple wall [BARCLAY].

25. the tower which lieth out from the king's high house--that is,

watchtower by the royal palace [BARCLAY].

26. the Nethinims--Not only the priests and the Levites, but the

common persons that belonged to the house of God, contributed to the

work. The names of those who repaired the walls of Jerusalem are

commemorated because it was a work of piety and patriotism to repair

the holy city. It was an instance of religion and courage to defend the

true worshippers of God, that they might serve Him in quietness and

safety, and, in the midst of so many enemies, go on with this work,

piously confiding in the power of God to support them

[BISHOP

PATRICK].