After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani ,.... Who was one of them, as he that follows was another: next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah : a city of the tribe of Judah, Joshua 15:4 in his part ; either with the men of that part of Keilah under his jurisdiction, or at the expense of that part of it. 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
The Church engaged in a work of moral repair. I. THAT THE CHURCH IS ENGAGED IN REPAIRING MORAL RUIN . "And next unto them repaired Meremoth" ( Nehemiah 3:4 ). Jerusalem was once a strong and beautiful city; now it is in ruins. Society has not always been a ruin. Man has not always been a wreck. 1. The desolation was extensive. The entire city was waste; not a wall or gate remained intact. And man's entire intellectual and moral nature is laid waste by sin; he has no... read more
Doing God's work. Under Nehemiah's direction, and inspired with his own earnestness, the children of Israel gave themselves to the good work of encircling the city of God with walls. The account of their building in this chapter reminds us— I. THAT ALL WORK WE DO FOR GOD IS CONSIDERED IMPORTANT AND IS RECORDED BY HIM . We should hardly have expected, judging antecedently, that all these names would have appeared in the sacred Scriptures with the posts... read more
Church work. Notice several points in this record of the labours and the distribution of their work. I. Devotion and effort in the cause of God are worthy of DISTINCTION AND REMEMBRANCE . Names have great power, both among contemporaries and successors. We are stimulated by individual examples. 1. The priests are mentioned first ; and God's ministers should be first and foremost in every good work, especially that which is most closely connected with his house. 2. Not... read more
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
The constant mention of “priests,” “Levites,” and Nethinims,” sufficiently indicates that the writer is here concerned with the sacerdotal quarter, that immediately about the temple.Nehemiah 3:18Bavai - Or, “Binnui” Nehemiah 3:24; Nehemiah 10:9.The armoury at the turning of the wall - literally, “the armoury of the corner.” The northwestern corner of the special wall of the “city of David” seems to be intended. See Nehemiah 3:1 note.Nehemiah 3:20The other piece - Rather, “another piece.” The... 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
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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