MPV Commentary
Read the modernized Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary, aligned with each Bible book and chapter, in clear, updated English.
Currently viewing commentary for Nehemiah 3
Read the modernized Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary, aligned with each Bible book and chapter, in clear, updated English.
Currently viewing commentary for Nehemiah 3
Jerusalem.
1 Then Eliashib, the high priest and grandson of Jeshua, took the lead with his fellow priests to begin rebuilding the wall. They focused on repairing the sacred areas within Jerusalem.
They started by building the sheep gate, which was close to the temple. This gate likely got its name from the nearby sheep market or the pool of Bethesda, where animals were washed before being taken to the temple for sacrifice. The priests sanctified this gate and installed doors, recognizing it as a significant milestone in their work.
The tower of Meah refers to a section of the wall that was rebuilt, extending 100 cubits from the sheep gate to the tower of Hananeel.
2 Next, the men from Jericho took charge of rebuilding another part of the wall. The project was divided among various families who had returned from exile, allowing them to work simultaneously and efficiently on different sections of the wall.
8 They successfully fortified Jerusalem up to the broad wall, a double wall that stretched from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate. This section was 400 cubits long and had been previously damaged by King Joash but later rebuilt by Uzziah, making it strong enough for the Chaldeans to leave standing.
12 Shallum and his daughters took on the responsibility of funding a portion of the wall adjacent to their homes.
13 The residents of Zanoah contributed to the project. There were two towns with this name in Judah (Joshua 15:34, 56).
14 Beth-haccerem, a city in Judah, is believed to be now occupied by Bethulia, located on a hill between Jerusalem and Tekoa.
16 The workers also repaired sections along the precipitous cliffs of Zion, including the sepulchers of David, the pool that was made, and the house of the mighty.
19 They worked at the turning point of the wall, which connected Mount Zion with the temple wall across the Tyropoeon valley.
25 Another section they rebuilt was the watchtower adjacent to the royal palace.
26 The Nethinims, including priests, Levites, and other common people associated with the house of God, contributed to the project. The names of those who repaired Jerusalem's walls are recorded because this work demonstrated piety and patriotism in restoring the holy city.