Ruler of the half part of Jerusalem - Probably the city was divided into two parts; one for Judah, and the other for Benjamin, each having its proper governor. Rephaiah mentioned here was one of these governors, and Shallum, mentioned Nehemiah 3:12 , was the other. There were other rulers or governors of particular country or village districts. read more
Repaired the other piece - That which was left by Jedaiah after he had repaired the wall opposite to his own house. Probably some of the principal people were obliged to repair those parts of the wall opposite to their own dwellings. Perhaps this was the case generally. read more
The son of Halohesh - Or, the son of the Enchanter: conjectured to be thus named from having the art to charm serpents. The ruler of the half part - See on Nehemiah 3:9 ; (note). read more
The inhabitants of Zanoah - This was a town in the tribe of Judah. Joshua 15:34 . read more
Beth-haccerem - A village or town in the tribe of Benjamin. See Jeremiah 6:1 . read more
The pool of Siloah - This is probably the same as that mentioned by the evangelists. The stairs that go down from the city of David - Jerusalem being built on very uneven ground, and some hills being taken within the walls; there was a necessity that there should be in different places steps by which they could ascend and descend: probably similar to what we see in the city of Bristol. read more
The pool that was made - Calmet supposes that this was the reservoir made by Hezekiah, when besieged by Sennacherib, 2 Chronicles 32:4 . The house of the mighty - Probably a place where a band of soldiers was kept, or the city guard. read more
An honourable record. In the preceding chapter the good resolutions of the people are recorded; here, what is more satisfactory, their performances. It is a record of those who united to restore the wall of Jerusalem, and the part which each principal person, or group of persons, took in the work. The account may appear of little interest for us; but it would be of much to the Jews, especially the descendants of those whose names are so honourably recorded, as long as they preserved their... read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 3:18
After him repaired their brethren ,.... Either the brethren of the two before named particularly, or the Levites their brethren in general, as Jarchi: Bavai, the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah ; the other half of that place. read more