(11) The other piece.—This expression occurs a few times when the repairers have been mentioned as having repaired a first piece. But it occurs several times when there is no such mention; and in these cases, as here, must mean only what the margin indicates, a second measure, in relation to what had just been referred to. read more
(12) He and his daughters.—Shallum was governor of the second half-district around Jerusalem; and it has been thought that the “daughters” here are the villages of the district. But needlessly: the women of Jerusalem might do voluntarily what as females they were not pressed to do. read more
(13) A thousand cubits.—Not so much “built” as “strengthened.” This comparatively large space—mentioned in round numbers—had probably suffered less damage, and therefore needed less repairing. read more
(14) The son of Rechab.—Not “a son,” as if it meant that he was a Rechabite.Part of Beth-haccerem.—The district around that place. read more
(15) He covered it.—Similar to laid the beams in Nehemiah 3:3; Nehemiah 3:6.The pool of Siloah.—Called before “the king’s pool,” which received its water as “sent” through a long subterranean conduit, and supplied the king’s gardens.The stairs.—Down the steep sides of Ophel, of which traces are thought still to remain. From this point it is very hard to trace the exact course. read more
(16) The sepulchres of David.—Excavated on the western side of the Temple, and never yet traced.The pool that was made.—This may have been the reservoir of Hezekiah (Isaiah 22:11); and “the house of the mighty” may have been the barracks of David’s elect troops (1 Chronicles 11:10). read more
(17) The Levites.—The circuit is coming round to the Temple.Rehum the son of Bani.—The Levites were under him as a body.In his part.—The other part of the Keilah district (now Kila) is in the next verse. read more
(19) At the turning of the wall.—Literally, the armoury of the corner: the north-west corner of the “city of David,” with its special wall. read more
(20) Earnestly repaired the other piece.—The reason of this man’s emulation in building near the high priest’s house does not appear. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 3:1-32
Particulars respecting the Rebuilding1. Then, etc.] For the purposes of repair the wall was parcelled out between a number of working parties consisting of various important families, the inhabitants of certain towns, and different professional and trading bodies. The description of the several sections of the wall begins near the Temple at the sheep-gate, through which the flocks used to be driven for sacrifice. The writer’s purpose in enumerating all who undertook to rebuild these sections is... read more