Nehemiah 3:22. The priests, the men of the plain Either of the plains of Jordan, or of the plain country round about Jerusalem, as it is called Nehemiah 12:28. Probably they were thus called, because they or their parents now or formerly dwelt in those parts, whence they came to Jerusalem when the service of the temple required it. read more
Nehemiah 3:25. Over against the turning of the wall In a part of the wall which jutted out. And the tower Or, even the tower. Which lieth out from the king’s high house Either from the royal palace, or from some other house which the king formerly built there, either for prospect or for defence. By the court of the prison A place often mentioned: see Jeremiah 32:2; Jeremiah 38:7; Jeremiah 38:13. read more
Nehemiah 3:26. The Nethinims dwelt in Ophel Or, who dwelt in Ophel. For this seems to be only a description of the persons whose work follows. Not only the priests and Levites, but the meanest persons that belonged to the house of God, inferior officers, contributed to this work. 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... read more
Nehemiah 3:27. After them the Tekoites repaired The same spoken of before, who, having despatched 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... read more
Nehemiah 3:28-29. From above the horse-gate Not that belonging to the king’s palace, (2 Chronicles 23:15,) but one of the gates of the city, so called, probably, because the horses commonly went out that way to their watering-place. Shechaniah the keeper of the east gate To wit, of the city or of the temple, which, being the chief gate, was committed to his particular care and custody. read more
Nehemiah 3:30. And Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece 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. read more
Nehemiah 3:32. The going up unto the sheep-gate There they began, and there they ended, which shows that they left not off till they had compassed the whole city with a wall. No man can think, (as Pellicanus observes,) that the names of them who repaired the walls of Jerusalem were set down so diligently as here they are, without some rational cause for it. And the reason was, because it was a work of great virtue, to love and to do honour to their country; a work of piety, to restore... read more
2:11-7:73 REBUILDING THE CITY WALLThe plan of work followed (2:11-3:32)Rebuilding the broken-down wall was going to mean much hard work. In fact, the task was so huge that some may have said it could not be done. Therefore, before announcing his plans, Nehemiah made a secret survey himself so that he would know exactly how much work was to be done and the amount of materials that would be required (11-16). This first-hand knowledge, together with his account of how God had guided all the events... read more
Eliashib = God restores. The son of Joiakim, the son of Jeshua (Compare Nehemiah 12:10 ). He was earnest in material work, but negligent of what was spiritual (See Nehemiah 13:4 , Nehemiah 13:7 ). the sheep gate. Near the present St. Stephen's gate, at north-east corner of Temple area. So called because the sheep for sacrifice were brought in here. Compare John 5:2 . This was the point of beginning and ending. See App-59 . doors. Hebrew. dal = a door or gate hanging on hinges; not the same... read more
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Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 3:21
Nehemiah 3:21. From the door of the house of Eliashib, &c. He carried on the work from the place where the other left off, from the door of the house to the end of it, which, being the house of a great man, we may suppose was very large. read more