Nehemiah 3: 1 – 32
Build the Wall
3 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 Next to Eliashib the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built. 3 Also the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars. 4 And next to them Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, made repairs. Next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok the son of Baana made repairs. 5 Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord. 6 Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors, with its bolts and bars. 7 And next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, repaired the residence of the governor of the region beyond the River. 8 Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. Also next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs; and they fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 And next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, leader of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs. 10 Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs in front of his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabniah made repairs. 11 Malchijah the son of Harim and Hashub the son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section, as well as the Tower of the Ovens. 12 And next to him was Shallum the son of Hallohesh, leader of half the district of Jerusalem; he and his daughters made repairs. 13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They built it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Refuse Gate. 14 Malchijah the son of Rechab, leader of the district of Beth Haccerem, repaired the Refuse Gate; he built it and hung its doors with its bolts and bars. 15 Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David. 16 After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, leader of half the district of Beth Zur, made repairs as far as the place in front of the tombs of David, to the man-made pool, and as far as the House of the Mighty. 17 After him the Levites, under Rehum the son of Bani, made repairs. Next to him Hashabiah, leader of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district. 18 After him their brethren, under Bavai the son of Henadad, leader of the other half of the district of Keilah, made repairs. 19 And next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, the leader of Mizpah, repaired another section in front of the Ascent to the Armory at the buttress. 20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai carefully repaired the other section, from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 21 After him Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, repaired another section, from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib. 22 And after him the priests, the men of the plain, made repairs. 23 After him Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs by his house. 24 After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress, even as far as the corner. 25 Palal the son of Uzai made repairs opposite the buttress, and on the tower which projects from the king’s upper house that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh made repairs. 26 Moreover the Nethinim who dwelt in Ophel made repairs as far as the place in front of the Water Gate toward the east, and on the projecting tower. 27 After them the Tekoites repaired another section, next to the great projecting tower, and as far as the wall of Ophel. 28 Beyond the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house. 29 After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs. 30 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs in front of his dwelling. 31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, in front of the Miphkad Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner. 32 And between the upper room at the corner, as far as the Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.
Today we are going to look at chapter 2 of the book of Nehemiah. The title is ‘Build the wall’. Does this sound familiar? Yes, I am sure you are thinking about the present conditions in our country, but we want to focus on Israel and why they built a wall?
We exist now from this time of biblical history 2, 464 years in the future yet we along with the tiny nation of Israel have the whole world complaining about everything we do with our own sovereign nation. Sadly, we understand that both of our countries experience liberal objectors who agree with our enemies.
I am not going to go on a speech relative to the issues with the United States but focus on what Israel has done to protect their citizens.
I should have named the chapter History repeats itself for the same things that were happening in Nehemiah’s time we also have to deal with today.
When talking of Israel, the thing which first comes in our mind is its technology and defense system. Surrounded by all hostile forces, Israel has equipped himself with a ballistic missile system. Moreover, Israel has built such a technologically advanced wall on its borders that's always in the news headlines for one reason or the other. The wall is so strong that it can't be trespassed by anyone. According to Israel, there has been a drastic drop in the number of attacks the country has faced in the recent years.
The technologically advanced Israel's wall is built on a technology which in the current time, is only possessed by Israel and the USA. The work on this wall started way back in 1994 with fencing. The budget though was 1 billion dollars, but the actual expenditure was just double, estimated to be at 20 dollars per kilometer. The wall has led to a drop-in attack by 90% and has also helped the country to reduce the money spent on army and use it elsewhere. Spread through an area of 20,000 kilometers, this wall covers an entire 1068-kilometer-long border of Israel. At some places, it is 16 feet while at others it has razor fencing. At the most sensitive places, this wall extends to 8 foot inside the ground. Let’s have a look at top 5 special features of this wall-
2 billion dollars was spent to build this wall. And more is being spent every year to maintain the wall. The wall stretches to 700 kilometers and on an average 10 meters long. The wall is equipped with sensors which can record any activity even 10 meters down the ground and there are check posts every few kilometers lined up with the wall.
Israel has a satellite system of its own which it doesn't share with any other country. Thus, it has the capability to use drones and it effectively uses them to keep a watch on its wall.
According to reports, an Israel company has made a device through which it is possible to see through the wall. The device is used on the wall at many places and it can give information about any activity near the wall.
To further ensure the border security and safety of the wall and its soldiers, Israel has built numerous bulletproof cabins on top of its wall. These cabins, besides keeping a watch on the wall, are also equipped with night vision camera and lens to assist better visibility even in the dark.
At several places where the human settlements are just some kilometers away from the wall, there are 2 walls instead of one for greater safety of its citizens. That is, just a few meters away from the wall, there is a second wall. Israeli soldiers patrol in between the space between the walls all throughout the day.
It is difficult to overemphasize the huge impact of what was about to be accomplished. 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. And it would all begin with the rebuilding of its walls.
That this was clearly seen by all comes out both in the ferocity of the opposition that was provoked, and in the dedication of God’s people to the task in hand. On the one hand were those who strove to prevent it by any means possible, including propaganda, threats and violence, and on the other were those who were prepared, as depicted in this chapter, to set aside personal interests, and work together in spite of their differences, in order to ensure the completion of the work. Nor would the building work continue without cost. Many of those who were involved in the building would consequently find themselves in debt (5.3-5), all would have to be on constant alert against the dangers of threatened violence (4.17-18), and their families would meanwhile have to struggle on alone in the face of adversity.
This chapter, which might at first appear simply to be a list of names, brings out the intensity of what was involved. For in it we have described to us details of those who were involved in the building of the wall, both in their unity and in their diversity, and how they worked together as one in their fulfilment of their God-given task. Each group was given its task to do and were left to get on with it. What is only a name to us represented a gang of dedicated builders. This mention of them individually be an indication that they were all observed by God.
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. Humanly speaking it is the record of a great achievement in which many disparate elements united to achieve a common purpose.
That it was a great achievement cannot be doubted. The necessary material had to be obtained and shaped, no doubt including making use of the stones from the old wall; there had to be full cooperation where one piece of wall connected with the next; and food and drink had to be continually supplied to the workers, no doubt by interested womenfolk. It was a combined operation on a large scale carried out voluntarily by all involved.
We must not underestimate the enormity of the task achieved. Furthermore, it was achieved in a remarkably short space of time such that it took even their enemies by surprise. They probably worked in shifts continually day and night. The chapter certainly bears testimony to Nehemiah’s organizational capabilities and his ability to enthuse disparate elements to join in a common task
3 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel.
Even the greatest were involved in the project. Eliashib the High Priest (the grandson of Jeshua - 12.10-11), together with his brother priests, set to work with a will on the portion allotted to them. And as each part was built they sanctified it (set it apart to God as holy). The priests were genuinely grateful to God for the fact that the wall was being built, as well they might be, for it protected their Temple. ‘They rose up -- and built.’ Thus, we see them fulfilling what had been decided on earlier, ‘we will arise and build’ (2.20). The narrative deliberately begins with the activity of the priests. Central to the whole description is that the house of God is being protected, along with the city that it made holy.
The priests apparently commenced work at the Sheep Gate (near the north east corner), but the work would no doubt also continue at the same time along the whole of their section on the northern wall, as far as the Tower of Hammeah (The Hundred) and the Tower of Hananel.
The Sheep Gate was probably the gate through which sacrificial sheep were brought to the Temple. It was in the north-east corner of the city wall. Compare John 5.2.
2 Next to Eliashib the men of Jericho built. And next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.
‘And next to him --’ is a feature of the next few verses up to verse 12. From then on, a few verses having intervened, it is ‘after him --’ (verses 16-31), although ‘next to him’ occurs in verses 17, 19. ‘Next to him’ indicated that they were following the line of previous walls, whereas ‘after him’ indicated a new line for the eastern wall at the top of the eastern ridge, a line made necessary by the rubble from the previous devastation. ‘
‘The men of Jericho’ were among the returnees (Nehemiah 7.36; Ezra 2.34) although there described as ‘the sons of Jericho’. They had now come to Jerusalem to assist in the building of the wall. This would be at no small sacrifice. It was clearly seen as important for the prestige of the whole area. The Jordan, by Jericho, may well have marked the eastern border of the new district of Judah.
Next to them built Zaccur, the son of Imri. He rebuilt the next section as far as the Fish Gate. Clearly Zaccur did not build on his own. This no doubt refers to him as including the large household or wider family which were his as a prominent and comparatively wealthy man. His whole wider family would be involved in building. It was possibly this Zaccur who was a sealant of Nehemiah’s covenant (Nehemiah 10.12), in which case he was a Levite, and probably identifiable with the father of Hanan (Nehemiah 13.13).
3 Also the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars.
The Fish Gate itself was repaired by ‘the sons of Hassenaaah’. Hassenaah is probably a place name, referring to the place to which the sons of Senaah had returned (Ezra 2.35; Nehemiah 7.38). These returnee families, now living in Senaah, rebuilt the fish gate. This gate may well have been near the north-west corner of the walls, possibly a little to the south of it.
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.
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 (Ephesians 6.10-18). It is not spiritual to be careless.
4 And next to them Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, made repairs. Next to them Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok the son of Baana made repairs.
The verb now changes from ‘rebuilt’ to ‘repair’, ‘to be made strong’. This may indicate that in this section the walls were in a better state of preservation.
This important northern section was repaired under the oversight of Meremoth, the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz. It is probable that he is the same Meremoth, son of Uriah, son of Hazzoz, who is in charge of a group of priestly builders in 3.21 with regard to ‘a second portion’. Thus, he was clearly seen as very reliable, having oversight over two portions.
It appears that this Meshullam later gave his daughter to be wife of Jehohanan, the son of Tobiah, suggesting that, at least by that stage, he was favorably inclined towards Tobiah, who was an adversary of Nehemiah’s and opposed to the building of the wall (2.19). But however, that may be, Meshullam here, along with his wider family, plays his full part in the building of the wall. His presence is, however, a reminder of the divisions which grew up among the descendants of the returnees as they continued to settle in the land (Nehemiah 6.17-19). He was not the only one to be so involved. Many of the aristocracy became friendly with Tobiah and were in constant communication with him (6.17), reminding us that not all was straightforward for Nehemiah, even among the descendants of the returnees. But differences had to be set aside when the walls of Jerusalem had to be rebuilt.
Another Meshullam, son of Besodeia, helped to repair the gate of the old city (verse 6) whilst even another ‘Meshullam, the son of Berechiah’, repaired a further part of the wall (verse 30). This latter might be identifiable with the one here, but as there is no mention of him as building ‘a second portion’, it may simply be a coincidence of names.
The next section was repaired under the supervision of Zadok ben-Baana. This was probably the same Zadok who was also one of the signatories to the covenant made with Nehemiah by the princes, priests and Levites of Israel (Nehemiah 10.21).
5 Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.
Next to Zadok and his wider family were the Tekoites. However, their leadership refused to be involved. They were stiff-necked. They refused to take on themselves the yoke ‘of their lords’. That may signify Nehemiah and the nobles as ‘their lords’, or it may signify the Lord God as ‘their Lord’. Tekoa was a sub-region of Beth-zur, south of Bethlehem and they might simply have felt themselves above this kind of work, while willingly offering their townsfolk for the task. It is clear, however, that Nehemiah did not view their attitude with anything but disfavour. He felt that all should be willing to do what they could for the Lord.
6 Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors, with its bolts and bars.
The next gate following the Fish Gate was the ‘gate of the old’, that is, either of the old city or of the old wall. It was jointly repaired by Joiada ben-Paseah and Meshullam ben-Besodeia and their families. A son of Eliashib the High Priest was also called Joiada. The gateway and the gatehouses would be repaired first, with the beams being put in place ready for the gates, then later the gates with their bolts and bars would be hung.
7 And next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, repaired the residence of the governor of the region beyond the River.
The part of the wall following the Gate of the Old City/Wall was repaired by Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, who supervised the men of Gibeon and Mizpah. As Melatiah was a Gibeonite, Meronoth was presumably connected with Mizpah. The Mizpah in question is possibly identified as being the place where the Governor of Beyond The River had his residence when he visited Judah (‘the seat of the Governor’). Or it may be that ‘towards the seat of the governor of Beyond the River’ refers to the part of the wall being repaired, it being by the Governor’s Jerusalem residence.
All the work described above was on the northern wall, and it is around this point that we move to the work on the western wall.
8 Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. Also next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs; and they fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
The next part of the wall was repaired by the family or guild of Uzziel ben Harhaiah, who were goldsmiths. The name of the family guild head is intended to include both his own wider family and the guild of goldsmiths who would all assist in building. In Jerusalem each occupation would have its guild, and they would tend to live together in their own ‘quarter’ where their products were sold. This part of the wall probably sheltered ‘the quarter of the goldsmiths’, where gold was moulded and then sold in the gold market.
Next to the quarter of the goldsmiths was the quarter of the perfumers where perfume was made and traded (or ‘of the apothecaries’). A leading light of the guild was Hananiah. This part of the wall appears to have been built leaving outside the wall a section of Jerusalem, which had possibly grown up subsequently since the previous wall was built.
‘Even to the broad wall’ suggests that there was a section of Jerusalem which was left outside the walls going ‘as far as the broad wall’, a no doubt recognizable landmark. If this omitted section had never previously been included within the walls of Jerusalem we can understand why they would not want to build a new wall enclosing it due to time pressure. Rather they repaired the old one which left it outside. The work had to be done quickly. It had previously had to be rebuilt and had been made broader to increase its strength.
9 And next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, leader of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs.
Next to the perfumers repaired Rephaiah, and the residents of half the district of Jerusalem over whom he was ruler.
The mention of five rulers of districts in the passage is a reminder of the fact that Judah was split up into administrative districts. (The others mentioned are Beth-hakkerrem (verse 14 - 3 miles north of Bethlehem), Mizpah (verse 15 - 7 4 miles south of Bethel), Beth-zur (verse 16 - 4 miles north of Hebron), and Keilah (verse 17 - in the Shephelah, 10 miles north east of Lachish). The non-mention of other such rulers of districts may either suggest that their rulers were not sympathetic to the returnees, or that they were simply not sympathetic towards the rebuilding of the wall.
10 Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs in front of his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabniah made repairs.
This suggests that Jedaiah was an important man who had a large house in that part of Jerusalem. It confirms that where possible those who had residences in Jerusalem built the section of the wall in which they were most interested (as with the goldsmiths and the perfumers). This may, of course, have been at their own suggestion, but it would certainly encourage them to ensure that the work was done properly.
Jedaiah, which means ‘Yah knows’. ‘Sons of Jedaiah’ had previously arrived with the first batch of exiles a hundred years earlier (7.39; Ezra 2.36). Thus Jedaiah was a family name.
Next to the household of Jedaiah, repaired Hattush, son of Hashabneiah, and his household. Here was another prominent man, made responsible for the repair of this part of the wall.
A Hattush was one of those who signed the covenant with Nehemiah (10.4), but that may have been the prominent Hattush of the sons of David who had returned with Ezra (Ezra 8.2).
11 Malchijah the son of Harim and Hashub the son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section, as well as the Tower of the Ovens.
Two further prominent men and their households, Malchijah and Hasshub, repaired the next section. This included the tower of the furnaces (or ‘ovens’). This was possibly the quarters occupied by the bakers.
Malchijah, the son of Harim, is mentioned elsewhere as having taken a foreign wife, and having to put her away at the insistence of Ezra because of her idolatry (Ezra 10.31). She was probably from a prominent family and the affair no doubt caused some resentment against the returnees. This confirms that Ezra and Nehemiah were contemporaries (compare also on verse 4a).
Malchijah (Yah is my king) was a prominent Israelite name. Two other Malchijahs were involved in the building of the wall, one the son of Rechab, ruler of Bethhecceram (3.14), and the other a goldsmith (3.31). A Malchijah is mentioned as one of those at Ezra’s left hand during the reading of the Law (8.4), and a Malchijah was a signatory of Nehemiah’s covenant (10.3).
Hasshub was the name of another prominent builder of the wall (3.23), and of one of the signatories to Nehemiah’s covenant who was one of ‘the chiefs of the people’. It was also the name of a Levite chief (11.15; 1 Chronicles 9.14).
12 And next to him was Shallum the son of Hallohesh, leader of half the district of Jerusalem; he and his daughters made repairs.
In charge of the repairing of the next section of the wall were Shallum, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem (verse 9 for the ruler of the other half), ‘and his daughters’. The daughters no doubt took oversight rather than doing the actual building, (they were chief’s daughters). They would inherit his name and property and can be compared with the daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 36.1-8). They are the only women described as involving themselves in the work. It is, however, extremely probable that others played their part in some way in a more humble fashion.
13 Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the Valley Gate. They built it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Refuse Gate.
Next to Shallum and his daughters were Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah. They repaired the Valley Gate (from which Nehemiah initially went out to view the walls and the wall for the next fifteen hundred feet going as far as the Dung Gate, which was at the southernmost part of the walls. The Dung Gate was the gate through which rubbish was taken out to be flung into the valley below. It was by the Pool of Siloam. Responsibility for such a large section may suggest that the wall in that section was in a fairly good state of repair.
Hanun, which means ‘favored’ or ‘pitied’, was also the name of one of the six sons of Zalaph who assisted in repairing the East wall (3.30.
14 Malchijah the son of Rechab, leader of the district of Beth Haccerem, repaired the Refuse Gate; he built it and hung its doors with its bolts and bars.
The Dung Gate itself was repaired by a second Malchijah, who was the son of Rechab, and was ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem. He and his helpers rebuilt the whole gatehouse, making it ready to receive the doors, bars and bolts which were later put in place. It must be seen as possible that the short length of wall between the Dung Gate and the Fountain Gate, going around the southernmost point, had been left standing, thus not requiring repair.
15 Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David.
The section after the Dung Gate was repaired by Shallun, ruler of the district of Mizpah, along with his helpers. This included the Fountain or Spring Gate which was fairly close to the Dung Gate, and was fully repaired. Also, within his responsibility was the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King’s Garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the city of David. Two gates close together (the Dung Gate and the Fountain Gate) were necessary because one was for the disposal of rubbish, whilst the other was by the King’s Garden, and led down to a water supply, possibly the King’s Pool (2.14).
The Pool of Shelah may well be the same as the Pool of Shiloah (Isaiah 8.6; the consonants are the same), possibly also the Pool of Siloam, and ‘the upper pool’ (2 Kings 18.17; Isaiah 7.3; 36.2). It was within the walls and supplied by Hezekiah’s tunnel (2 Kings 20.20), but watered the King’s Garden, possibly situated on the hillside leading down from the gate, by means of a conduit as the water also supplied the King’s Pool. It was by this conduit that the Assyrian generals stood as they addressed the inhabitants of the city (2 Kings 18.17), possibly on the stairs that go down from the city of David, which may have led to this pool.
We read in verse 19 where Ezer is also ruler of Mizpah. But this is not difficult to understand for there were several Mizpahs, which simply means ‘watchtower’. The main Mizpah was a Benjamite city north of Jerusalem, near Gibeon and Ramah and it was where Gedaliah, the governor appointed by Nebuchadnezzar after the destruction of Jerusalem, ruled and was assassinated (2 Kings 25.22-26; Jeremiah 40.6; 41.1-2). One may have ruled the city of Mizpah, while the other ruled the surrounding district, also called Mizpah.
16 After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, leader of half the district of Beth Zur, made repairs as far as the place in front of the tombs of David, to the man-made pool, and as far as the House of the Mighty.
From now on we have ‘after him’ (3.16-31) in contrast with ‘next to him’ (3.2-12). ‘Next to him’ is used mainly on the northern and western wall, ‘after him’ on the eastern wall, with neither being used going round the southernmost point from the Valley Gate to the Fountain Gate.
This is a general description of the section repaired by Nehemiah, the son of Azbuk, who was ruler of the half district of Beth-zur. Here we have one of two other Nehemiahs. He was clearly a man of importance. Beth-zur was four miles north of Hebron,
The section of the wall repaired by this Nehemiah and his helpers is identified by three apparently well known landmarks, the sepulchers of David, the Man-made Pool, and the House of the Mighty Men/warriors. 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. Nehemiah had been hindered in his examination of the wall at this point, being unable to pass along because of the rubble (2.14-15).
17 After him the Levites, under Rehum the son of Bani, made repairs. Next to him Hashabiah, leader of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district.
This next section of the wall, up to verse 19 (or 20) was repaired by Levites who had become involved in administration. This may have been because they were looked to for leadership after the devastation of the land by the Babylonians.
Rehum, son of Bani, was clearly a man of importance needing no further introduction. He and his household repaired a part of the wall beyond the Barracks, a section of the wall which led up to the High Priest’s palace (verse 20). He may well have been a descendant of the Rehum mentioned in Ezra 2.2 as one of the ten important men who returned with Sheshbazzar and Zerubbabel
Next to Rehum operated Hashabiah along with men from Keilah, the district over half of which Hashabiah was ruler. This may be the Hashabiah who signed Nehemiah’s covenant (10.11) and was one of the chiefs of the Levites mentioned in 12.24. The other half of Keilah was ruled over by his fellow-Levite, Bavvai, who was repairing the next section (verse 18).
18 After him their brethren, under Bavai the son of Henadad, leader of the other half of the district of Keilah, made repairs.
The next section of the wall was repaired by ‘their brothers’, that is the remainder of the men of Keilah, under Bavvai the son of Henadad, ruler of the half district of Keilah. It may well have been his brother Binnui and his household who repaired the wall further on (verse 24).
Henadad was a Levite family name (Ezra 3.9). Binnui of the sons of Henadad signed Nehemiah’s covenant (10.9).
19 And next to him Ezer the son of Jeshua, the leader of Mizpah, repaired another section in front of the Ascent to the Armory at the buttress.
Thus, next to Bavvai and the men of Keilah repaired Ezer and the men of Mizpeh. They repaired the portion opposite the ascent to the armoury ‘at the turning’ or ‘at the angle’ or ‘by the buttress’ or ‘by the escarpment’.
Ezer was ruler of Mizpah. See on verse 15. An Ezer (meaning ‘help’) was also a musician in one of the large companies appointed by Nehemiah to give thanks at the dedication of the wall (12.42).
20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai carefully repaired the other section, from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
It is an open question as to whether Baruch is the last of the list of ‘the Levites’ (verse 17) or is in fact introducing groups of priests responsible for the wall which was by the house of Eliashib the High Priest. Eliashib himself had taken responsibility for the part of the northern wall near the Temple area (3.1) and was not therefore available to work here. A priest named Baruch signed Nehemiah’s covenant (10.6). 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. From this point on the line of the wall is defined mainly in terms of people’s houses. So Baruch and his helpers repaired the portion from the ‘turning’ or buttress, to the High Priest’s palace.
21 After him Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, repaired another section, from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib.
This Meremoth was also responsible for another section of the wall in verse 4 but the section mentioned here does not appear to have been very large (it was the length of the High Priest’s house/palace). Meremoth was clearly seen by the High Priest as very reliable.
22 And after him the priests, the men of the plain, made repairs.
Finishing off the section of the wall near the High Priest’s house were ‘the priests, the men of the countryside’
23 After him Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs opposite their house. After them Azariah the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs by his house.
The next part of the wall was repaired by Benjamin and Hasshub. Benjamin and Hasshub may have had two houses one close to the other
The next part of the wall, which was by his house, was repaired by Azariah, the son of Maaseiah and his household. The naming of two elements among his forebears suggest his importance, and probably the importance of Ananiah.
24 After him Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress, even as far as the corner.
Binnui the son of Henadad (and brother of Bavvai - verse 18) repaired the part of the wall between the end of the house of Azariah to the next angle in the wall and then on to the corner.
25 Palal the son of Uzai made repairs opposite the buttress, and on the tower which projects from the king’s upper house that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh made repairs.
The next section, which was repaired by Palal the son of Uzai, was either near, or contained, a tower which was a part of David’s palace complex. The palace probably had a number of towers and this one is identified by its position ‘by the court of the guard’. This tower ‘stood out from the upper house of the king’, possibly at the southernmost end of the palace. (The palace was situated near the Temple.
Pedaiah repaired was the southern point of Ophel (the rising ground leading up to the Temple) and was thus where the Nephinim dwelt.
The idea here may be that Pedaiah repaired the section which was adjacent to the houses of the Nethinim in Ophel. He repaired as far as the place which was adjacent to the Water Gate towards the east, and as far as the projecting tower.
26 Moreover the Nethinim who dwelt in Ophel made repairs as far as the place in front of the Water Gate toward the east, and on the projecting tower.
The Ophel (‘swelling, rising’) was the rising ground rising up eventually to the Temple, and was a convenient place for the ‘Temple Servants’ (Nethinim - see Ezra 2.43-54) to live so as to be near the Temple. The Nethinim were descended from foreigners (often prisoners of war) who had been enslaved and given by kings to serve in the Temple in a humble capacity. But their returning to Jerusalem with the returnees confirms their present pride in their position and the fact that they saw themselves as genuine Yahwists.
27 After them the Tekoites repaired another section, next to the great projecting tower, and as far as the wall of Ophel.
The Tekoites were also involved in verse 5, which see. This is thus the second portion for which they were responsible. It was adjacent to the Projecting Tower. They repaired ‘unto the wall of Ophel’ The wall of Ophel would appear to have been an inner wall running east-west (but see 2 Chronicles 33.14).
28 Beyond the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each in front of his own house.
We have seen the Nethinim (Temple Servants) dwelt at the low point of the Ophel (the ground rising towards the Temple). Now we have reached the point where the priests dwelt in Jerusalem. The portion of the wall by their houses was ‘above the Horse Gate’ (mentioned in Jeremiah 31.40), and each took responsibility for the portion adjacent to his own house.
The Horse Gate is not said to be repaired it may well have been a part of the old devastated wall which was not being rebuilt, with the new wall being built on the higher ridge. This would explain why the new wall was ‘above the Horse Gate’, no gate now being included.
29 After them Zadok the son of Immer made repairs in front of his own house. After him Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the East Gate, made repairs.
The next section was repaired by Zadok the son of Immer and his household, adjacent to his own house.
The next section was repaired by ‘Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate.’ This was probably the east gate in the Temple, indicating that Shemaiah was a prominent Levite and a temple gate-keeper.
30 After him Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. After him Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs in front of his dwelling.
The next section was the responsibility of Hananiah and Hanun. This may well have been the Hananiah, the governor of the fortress, who was placed in charge of the whole of Jerusalem by Nehemiah because he was ‘a faithful man who feared God above many’ (7.2).
Meshullam the son of Berechiah has already been mentioned as active in the rebuilding in verse 4. Here he now also has responsibility for the wall ‘over against his chamber’, probably in the Temple complex. This brings out his religious importance. His daughter in fact married the son of Tobiah the Servant (6.18), and he may well have been influential in Tobiah also later having a chamber in the Temple (13.4-9).
31 After him Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the Nethinim and of the merchants, in front of the Miphkad Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner.
The next section was that which led up to the north east corner. It was repaired by Malchijah who a goldsmith was. It was adjacent to ‘the house of the Nethinim’, probably the large house they lived in when on duty in the Temple, in contrast with their normal dwelling places at the commencement of the Ophel (verse 26). It was seemingly large enough to also be used by merchants, presumably those who were involved in trade connected with the Temple It was probably this connection which resulted in a goldsmith being involved in the oversight of the building. The Gate of Hammiphkad is of unknown meaning (‘muster, inspection, appointed place’). It may have been where animals for sacrifice were gathered and inspected.
32 And between the upper room at the corner, as far as the Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs
3.32 ‘And between the ascent of the corner and the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.’
In 3.1 the description of the building works had commenced with the building of the Sheep Gate in the northern wall by the priests. Now the final section of the building work, that between the north east corner and the Sheep Gate, is described. This involved the activity of the goldsmiths and the merchants, probably because they had a thriving religious market in that area connected with the Temple. Thus the goldsmiths and merchants worked on the wall side by side with the priests (verse 1). It was an indication of the unity of purpose of all God’s people, both spiritual and secular, as they worked together on the wall.
But it is also a vivid reminder of how Temple worship and purity was always in danger of becoming mixed up with, and polluted by, secular greed, something which had clearly been in Zechariah’s mind in Zechariah 14.21, where some decades previously he had declared that in the coming age ‘there shall no more be a trafficker in the house of YHWH of Hosts’. It was a theme which Jesus took up when He ‘cleansed’ the Temple and declared, ‘do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise’ (John 2.16). This was what they were in grave danger doing. It can also become a great danger for us.
