The ruler of the half part of Keilah . Rather, "ruler of one-half of the region of K." The district within which Keilah stood was divided into two parts, one of which was under Hashabiah and the other under Bavai ( Nehemiah 3:18 ). Both took part in the work of restoration, and the two working-parties were assigned adjacent portions of the wall In his part ; Rather, "for his part"— pro tractu suo , as Rambach renders. read more
Keilah is probably the modern Kila , which is situated about twelve miles S.S.W. of Jerusalem, in the Shephelah, or low plain of the Philistines ( 1 Samuel 23:1-3 ). It was assigned to Judah by Joshua ( Joshua 15:44 ), threatened with capture, but "saved" by David ( 1 Samuel 23:5 ), and apparently reoccupied on the return from the captivity. read more
Another piece . Ezer has not been previously mentioned as repairing any portion of the wall; but "the men of Mizpah" have been mentioned as so doing ( Nehemiah 3:7 ). Ezer had apparently succeeded to "Jadon the Meronothita, as the superintendant of the Mizpah working-party. The going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall . Literally, "the ascent to the armoury of the corner." There were probably several armouries in Jerusalem (see Isaiah 22:8 ). This one was called "the... read more
Earnestly repaired . So Gesenius, Pool, and Bertheau. The construction is not free from difficulty, and the reading is somewhat doubtful (the Vulgate "in monte" showing a different one); but on the whole the translation of the A. V. may stand. Baruch has the high honour of being singled out for special praise, as having shown a burning zeal which deserved this recompense. He rapidly accomplished the task first set him, the mention of which must have accidentally fallen out (see the comment... read more
Earnest work. "Baruch the son of Zabbal earnestly repaired another piece." It is singular that this word "earnestly" should be used of Baruch and of none else. Perhaps it is a mis-reading. Or quite as likely it alludes to circumstances unknown to us. The word signifies "burning," and is commonly used of anger; here, however, of zeal, or perhaps emulation. Baruch is set before us as "an earnest worker." Such should all Christians be. It is one of the marks of the "peculiar people" of Christ... read more
Meremoth's first piece is mentioned in Nehemiah 3:4 . The second piece cannot have been very long, since it only extended along a portion of the high priest's house. read more
The priests who had lands in the Jordan valley seem to be intended by the men of the plain, hak-kikkar, "the plain," without further addition, having always that meaning in Scripture. We have already heard that the men of Jericho were engaged in the work ( Nehemiah 3:2 ). read more
After him repaired Binnui the men of Henadad another piece. The name, Binnui, has not occurred previously, but probably ought to be substituted for Bavai ( בנוי for בוי ) in Nehemiah 3:18 . He was a Levite ( Nehemiah 10:9 ), of the important Levitical family of Henadad, mentioned in Ezra 3:9 . Unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner . As far as the northeast angle of the special wall of the city of David, which here adjoined the main wall of Jerusalem. A tower here... read more
The tower which lieth out from the king's high house . In the original it is uncertain whether the word translated "high" belongs to "tower" or "house." Most commentators attach it to "tower." The "king's house" of this place can be nothing but the old palace of David, which was in this quarter, while Solomon's was on the opposite, or western, hill This palace, like Solomon s ( Jeremiah 32:2 ), would naturally have its prison , which would stand in its own court . From this prison, the... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Nehemiah 3:16
Nehemiah the son of Azbuk . Not the writer, who was "the son of Hachaliah" ( Nehemiah 1:1 ), but another person of the same name. It was the frequent bearing of the same name by two or more contemporaries which made it necessary to designate men generally by their own names and the names of their fathers. Bethzur ("House of the Rock") is now Beit-Sur, and lies on the ordinary route from Jerusalem to Hebron, about fifteen miles south of Jerusalem. It is mentioned in Joshua 15:58 among... read more