1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded 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 Hassenaah build, who also 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 Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. 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 Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; 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 Jadon 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 Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem 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 Hattush the son of Hashabniah.

11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.

12 And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.

13 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.

14 But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

15 But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, 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, 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 Bethzur, 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 Hashabiah, 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 Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.

20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib 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 Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.

22 And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.

23 After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.

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.

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.

26 Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.

27 After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, 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 also 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 Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.

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 up of the corner.

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

Commentary

Verse 1

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Eliashib - Grand - child of Joshua, the first high - priest after their return from Babylon. Rose - Began the work. Ministers should be foremost in every good work, animating others by their example as well as doctrine. Sheep - gate - Which was next to the temple; so called, because the sheep were brought thro' it to be sacrificed. Sanctified - Or, they prepared or repaired it: for so the word sometimes 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 God's service.
McArther Bible Commentary
A detailed account of rebuilding the walls is given.
Bible Cross References
John 5:2 Nehemiah 3:20 Nehemiah 3:32 Nehemiah 6:1 Nehemiah 7:1 Nehemiah 12:39 Nehemiah 13:28 Psalm 48:12 Jeremiah 31:38 Daniel 9:25

Verse 2

Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 7:36 Nehemiah 3:3

Verse 3

McArther Bible Commentary
Fish Gate. So named because merchants sold fish on the northern side of Jerusalem. Men of Tyre and other coastal towns routinely brought fish to sell (cf. Neh 12:39; Neh 13:16).
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 33:14 Nehemiah 3:4 Nehemiah 6:1 Nehemiah 12:39 Psalm 147:13 Zephaniah 1:10

Verse 4

Bible Cross References
Ezra 8:33 Nehemiah 3:3 Nehemiah 3:5 Nehemiah 10:21

Verse 5

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Their nobles - Did not submit to it, would not further it, either through sloth or covetousness, or secret compliance with the enemies of the Jews. Of their Lord - Of God, whom they owned for their Lord, whose work this was, because it had proceeded thus far by his singular providence: and because it was done for the defence of the city, and people, and temple of God. And therefore they are branded to all posterity. Let not nobles think any thing beneath them, by which they may benefit their country. What is their nobility good for, but that it places them in an higher and larger sphere of usefulness?
McArther Bible Commentary
nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord. One explanation, beyond just the laziness of the rich, is that these nobles had been pledged to Tobiah for personal gain (Neh 6:17-19).
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 3:4 Nehemiah 3:6 Nehemiah 3:27

Verse 6

McArther Bible Commentary
the Old Gate. This is believed to be in the northwest corner of Jerusalem (cf. Neh 12:39).
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 3:5 Nehemiah 12:39

Verse 7

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The throne - Unto the place where the governor of the country on this side Euphrates, under the Persian kings, sometimes had a palace or throne.
Bible Cross References
Ezra 4:11 Nehemiah 2:7

Verse 8

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Fortified - It is not said, they repaired, 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 only to make it stronger: or, to note their extraordinary care and diligence, that they would not only repair it, but make it stronger than ever.
McArther Bible Commentary
the Broad Wall. On the western side of the northern sector (cf. Neh 12:38).
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 3:31 Nehemiah 3:32 Nehemiah 12:38

Verse 9

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Half part - As Rome was anciently divided into several quarters or regions, so was Jerusalem; and especially into two parts, whereof one was in the tribe of Benjamin, and nearest the temple, the other in the tribe of Judah, these accordingly had two several rulers, this man and the other, (Nehemiah 3:12) , but both under the chief governor of the city.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 3:10 Nehemiah 3:12 Nehemiah 3:16 Nehemiah 3:17

Verse 10

Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 3:9 Nehemiah 3:11 Nehemiah 9:5

Verse 11

McArther Bible Commentary
Tower of the Ovens. On the western side of Jerusalem (cf. Neh 12:38).
Bible Cross References
Ezra 10:31 Nehemiah 3:10 Nehemiah 12:38 Psalm 48:12

Verse 12

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
His daughters - Who were either heiresses or rich widows, and caused part to be done at their charges.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 3:9 Nehemiah 3:16

Verse 13

McArther Bible Commentary
the Valley Gate. See note on Neh 2:13, Neh 2:15. the Refuse Gate. See note on Neh 2:13.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 26:9 Nehemiah 2:13

Verse 14

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Beth - haccerem - A town or territory, the government whereof was divided between two persons.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 4:2 1 Chronicles 6:40 Nehemiah 2:13 Jeremiah 6:1

Verse 15

McArther Bible Commentary
Pool of Shelah. See note on Neh 2:14. the King's Garden. In the southeast sector.
Bible Cross References
Luke 13:4 John 9:7 2 Kings 25:4 Nehemiah 2:14 Nehemiah 2:17 Nehemiah 3:19 Nehemiah 12:37 Ecclesiastes 2:6

Verse 16

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Made - By Hezekiah, (2 Kings 20:20) . Whereby it is distinguished from that pool which was natural. 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.
McArther Bible Commentary
tombs of David. Cf. Neh 2:5. Presumably in the southeast sector. House of the Mighty. This location is probably associated with David's mighty men (cf. 2Sa 23:8-39).
Bible Cross References
Acts 2:29 2 Kings 20:20 Nehemiah 3:9 Nehemiah 3:12 Nehemiah 3:17 Ecclesiastes 2:6 Isaiah 7:3 Isaiah 22:9

Verse 17

Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 23:1 Nehemiah 3:9 Nehemiah 3:16 Nehemiah 3:18

Verse 18

Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 23:1 Nehemiah 3:17 Nehemiah 3:19

Verse 19

McArther Bible Commentary
the Armory. Located on the eastern side of Jerusalem.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 26:9 Nehemiah 3:15 Nehemiah 3:18 Nehemiah 3:24

Verse 20

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Earnestly - Did his work with eminent diligence and fervency: which is here noted to his commendation. And it is probable, this good man's zeal provoked many, to take the more pains, and make the more haste.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 3:1 Nehemiah 3:21

Verse 21

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The door - Therefore the door was not in the middle of the house, as now they commonly are, but at one end of it.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 4:8 Ezra 8:33 Nehemiah 3:20 Nehemiah 3:22

Verse 22

Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 3:21 Nehemiah 3:23 Nehemiah 12:28

Verse 23

Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 3:22 Nehemiah 3:24

Verse 24

Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 3:19 Nehemiah 3:23

Verse 25

Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 12:39 Jeremiah 32:2 Jeremiah 38:13

Verse 26

McArther Bible Commentary
Ophel. An area south of the temple mount, near the Water Gate, where the Nethinim lived (cf. Neh 11:21; 2Ch 27:3; 2Ch 33:14). the Water Gate. Near the Gihon Spring on the east side of Jerusalem (cf. Neh 8:16; Neh 12:37).
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 27:3 Nehemiah 7:46 Nehemiah 8:1 Nehemiah 11:21 Nehemiah 12:37

Verse 27

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Tekoites - The same spoken of before, who having dispatched their first share sooner than their brethren, freely offered 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, and for their own honour, who were so far from being corrupted by that bad example, that they were quickened to greater zeal and industry in this pious work.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 7:34 Nehemiah 3:5

Verse 28

McArther Bible Commentary
the Horse Gate. In the northeast sector.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 11:16 2 Chronicles 23:15 Nehemiah 3:29 Jeremiah 31:40

Verse 29

McArther Bible Commentary
the East Gate. Possibly located to the east of the temple mount.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 3:21 Nehemiah 3:28 Nehemiah 3:30

Verse 30

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The sixth son of Zalaph - It seems, his five elder brethren, laid not their hands to the work. But in doing that which is good, we need not stay to see our betters go before us.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 3:29 Nehemiah 3:31

Verse 31

McArther Bible Commentary
the Miphkad Gate. In the northeast sector.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 6:40 Nehemiah 3:8 Nehemiah 3:30 Nehemiah 3:32

Verse 32

McArther Bible Commentary
the Sheep Gate. Having traveled around Jerusalem in a counterclockwise direction, the narrative ends where it began (cf. Neh 3:1; Neh 12:39).
Bible Cross References
John 5:2 Nehemiah 3:1 Nehemiah 3:8 Nehemiah 3:31 Nehemiah 12:39