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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nehemiah 3:1-32

The best way to know how to divide this chapter is to observe how the work was divided among the undertakers, that every one might know what he had to do, and mind it accordingly with a holy emulation, and desire to excel, yet without any contention, animosity, or separate interest. No strife appears among them but which should do most for the public good. Several things are observable in the account here given of the building of the wall about Jerusalem:? I. That Eliashib the high priest,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 3:6

Moreover, the old gate repaired Jehoiada, the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah ,.... Which some think was so called because it led to the old city Salem. Dr. Lightfoot F1 Ut supra. (Chorograph. Cent. of the Land of Israel, c. 26. p. 27. vol. 2.) thinks it is the same with the second or third gate, Zephaniah 1:10 . According to Vatablus, it was the gate of the old pool, Isaiah 22:11 , or rather, perhaps, it was the gate of the old wall Josephus speaks of F2 De... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 3:7

And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and Mizpah ,.... Which places were both in the tribe of Benjamin, Joshua 18:25 and one of these men was of the one place, and the other of the other: unto the throne of the governor on this side the river ; where the governor of those parts under the king of Persia had his seat, and now Nehemiah; but, according to Aben Ezra, Cisse, rendered "throne", is the name of a man who was the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 3:8

Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths ,.... Or Tzorephim, which, according to Jarchi, was the name of a family so called from their trade and business: next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries ; or confectioners, which also might be the name of a family so called for the same reason: and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall ; which reached from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, which was broken down by Joash,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 3:9

And next unto them repaired Rephaiah, the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem. That city belonging partly to the tribe of Judah, and partly to the tribe of Benjamin; one part of it was under a governor that was of the tribe of Judah, as this man seems to be; and the other part under one of the tribe of Benjamin; see Nehemiah 3:12 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 3:10

And next unto him repaired Jedaiah, the son of Harumaph, over against his house ,.... That part of the wall which stood right against his house; and to take this part he could not well object to it, and it might be reasonably thought he would take care to repair it well, and make it strong for his own safety: and next unto him repaired Hattush, the son of Hashabniah ; but who he was is not known. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 3:11

Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab ,.... The fathers of these were heads of families that came out of captivity with Zerubbabel, Ezra 2:6 repaired the other piece : or second piece, below and next to that which Hattush repaired, the last builder mentioned: and the tower of the furnaces ; near to which were furnaces for the baking of bread, or of bricks. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 3:12

And next unto him repaired Shallum, the son of Hallohesh ,.... So called, as Ben Melech says, from his being an enchanter of serpents, or a wise prudent counsellor: the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem ; of the other half; see Nehemiah 3:9 he and his daughters ; who were rich widows or heiresses, and employed men to build at their own expense; he seems to have had no sons. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 3:7

The throne of the governor - His house, and the place where he dispensed justice and judgment. Previously to the days of Nehemiah, Jerusalem was governed by a deputy from the Persian king; (see Nehemiah 5:15 ;); but after this time they were governed by governors and judges chosen from among themselves. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 3:8

Goldsmiths - From the remotest period of the history of the Jews they had artists in all elegant and ornamental trades; and it is also evident that goldsmiths, apothecaries, and merchants were formed into companies in the time of Nehemiah. Apothecaries - Rather such as dealt in drugs, aromatics, spices, etc., for embalming, or for furnishing the temple with the incense consumed there. read more

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