Nehemiah 3:2-3. The men of Jericho The posterity of the ancient inhabitants of Jericho. The fish-gate This gate, being on the north-west side of Jerusalem, looked toward the sea, from whence fish was wont to be brought and sold in the fish-market near this gate. read more
Nehemiah 3:5. Next unto them the Tekoites repaired The inhabitants of the city of Tekoa, in the tribe of Judah. But their nobles put not their necks to the work Would not submit to it, would not further it, either through pride, or 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... read more
Nehemiah 3:7. Unto the throne of the governor on this side the river Unto the place where the governor of the country on this side Euphrates, under the Persian kings, sometimes had a palace or throne. read more
Nehemiah 3:8. Next unto him repaired Uzziel; also Hananiah These were two eminent persons, one among the workers or casters of gold, the other among the perfumers. They fortified Jerusalem, &c., unto the broad wall 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... read more
Nehemiah 3:9-10. The ruler of the half part of Jerusalem 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. Jedaiah over against his house That part of the wall which was next to him, which his own... read more
Nehemiah 3:12. Shallum, the ruler of the half part, &c. That is, of the other half of Jerusalem: see on Nehemiah 3:9. He and his daughters Who were either heiresses or rich widows, and caused part to be done at their charges. read more
Nehemiah 3:14-16. Beth-haccerem A town or territory, the government whereof was divided between two persons. The wall of the pool of Siloah That part of the wall which was directly against that pool. After him repaired Nehemiah One of the same name, but not of the same family, with the writer of this book. Over against the sepulchres of David The place which David appointed for his own sepulchre, and the sepulchres of his successors, the kings of Israel and Judah. To the pool that... read more
Nehemiah 3:19. The going up to the armory Either to the house, or the forest of Lebanon, which was their armory from Solomon’s days, (Isaiah 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, at the corners. read more
Nehemiah 3:20. Baruch earnestly repaired the other piece 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. read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 3:1
Nehemiah 3:1. Then Eliashib the high-priest rose up The grandchild of Jeshua, the first high-priest after their return from Babylon. He, with his brethren, set a noble example, in being the first that began to rebuild the walls of the holy city, which the Babylonians had demolished. Ministers should be foremost in every good work, animating others by their example as well as doctrine. And they built the sheep-gate Which was on the south side of the city, in that part of the valley which... read more