Nehemiah 3

King James Version

Full text for Nehemiah Chapter 3

1¶ Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.

2And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.

3But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who [also] laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

4And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.

5And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.

6Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

7And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river.

8Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of [one of] the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.

9And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.

10And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.

11Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.

12And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.

13The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.

14But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

15But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.

16After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto [the place] over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.

17After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.

18After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.

19And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning [of the wall].

20After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning [of the wall] unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.

21After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.

22And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.

23After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.

24After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning [of the wall], even unto the corner.

25Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning [of the wall], and the tower which lieth out from the king's high house, that [was] by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh.

26Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto [the place] over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.

27After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.

28From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.

29After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.

30After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.

31After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.

32And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Nehemiah chapter 3 meticulously records the organized effort to rebuild Jerusalem's walls and gates. Various groups, including priests, Levites, rulers, and common citizens, each took responsibility for specific sections. This detailed account highlights the widespread participation and collaborative spirit in restoring the city's defenses.

Medium Summary

Nehemiah 3 provides a comprehensive roster of the individuals and groups involved in the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls and gates. The work commenced with Eliashib the high priest and his brethren at the Sheep Gate, and continued systematically around the city. Different sections were assigned to various families, guilds like goldsmiths and apothecaries, and inhabitants from different towns, often working on portions adjacent to their own homes or districts. Noteworthy participants included rulers of half-districts, Levites, and even Shallum's daughters. While most contributed diligently, the nobles of the Tekoites are specifically mentioned as not participating in the labor. The chapter details the repair of numerous gates, such as the Fish Gate, Old Gate, Valley Gate, and Dung Gate, illustrating the collective effort to fortify Jerusalem.

Long Summary

Nehemiah chapter 3 presents a detailed and systematic record of the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls and gates, outlining the specific contributions of numerous individuals and groups. The rebuilding effort began with Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests, who repaired and sanctified the Sheep Gate, extending their work towards the towers of Meah and Hananeel. Following a clockwise or counter-clockwise progression, the text meticulously lists who repaired each subsequent section of the wall and its associated gates, often specifying the installation of doors, locks, and bars. Diverse segments of society participated, including the men of Jericho, the sons of Hassenaah, various family heads, and civic leaders from different towns. Guilds such as the goldsmiths and apothecaries also took part, often working on sections near their residences or workshops. Rulers of different half-districts of Jerusalem and surrounding towns, like Bethzur and Keilah, were responsible for significant portions of the wall. The chapter notes the repair of key entry points, including the Fish Gate, the Old Gate, the Valley Gate, the Dung Gate, the Fountain Gate, and the Horse Gate. A unique detail highlights Shallum, a ruler, who repaired a section with his daughters, demonstrating broad participation. Conversely, the nobles of the Tekoites are singled out for not contributing to the work of their Lord, indicating varying levels of commitment. The Levites and priests are mentioned repairing sections near their homes, further illustrating the localized nature of the effort. The Nethinims and merchants also had their designated areas, demonstrating the comprehensive involvement of the community in this monumental task. The chapter concludes by circling back to the Sheep Gate, emphasizing the completion of the entire circuit of repairs around the city.

Core Concepts

  • Community CollaborationThe chapter demonstrates a widespread, organized effort where various groups—priests, Levites, rulers, guilds, and common citizens—worked together to rebuild Jerusalem's walls and gates. This collective participation was essential for the project's success.
  • Segmented LaborThe rebuilding project was meticulously divided into specific sections, with individuals and families often responsible for repairing the portion of the wall "over against his house" or within their district. This division of labor ensured comprehensive coverage and accountability.
  • Leadership and ParticipationHigh-ranking figures like Eliashib the high priest and various rulers initiated and oversaw sections of the work, setting an example for broad community involvement. However, the text also notes instances of non-participation, such as the nobles of the Tekoites.
  • Strategic GatesThe chapter repeatedly emphasizes the repair and fortification of numerous gates—including the Sheep Gate, Fish Gate, Old Gate, Valley Gate, and Dung Gate—underscoring their critical importance for the city's defense and access. Each gate required specific attention to its doors, locks, and bars.
  • Diverse ContributorsThe list of builders includes a wide array of professions and social standings, from priests and Levites to goldsmiths, apothecaries, merchants, and even women (Shallum's daughters), illustrating that the rebuilding was a task for all segments of society.
  • Sanctification of WorkThe priests, beginning with Eliashib, not only built the Sheep Gate but also "sanctified it," indicating a spiritual dimension to the physical labor of restoring Jerusalem's defenses. This suggests the work was viewed as a sacred undertaking.
  • Geographic DetailThe chapter provides precise geographical markers, naming specific gates, towers (Meah, Hananeel, Furnaces), pools (Siloah), and other landmarks (King's Garden, City of David stairs, Ophel), allowing for a clear understanding of the wall's circuit and the locations of repairs.