This chapter is basically a listing of those responsible for building the different sections of the gates and the walls. By making this listing a part of His word, the LORD is making a statement concerning the fact that He knows who the workers are among His people; and He also knows those that shirk responsibility.
Nehemiah 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.
I think it is significant to note that the religious leaders of the people were listed as leading the way in the construction effort. Commentators note that the tower of Hananeel was on the north side of the city, the direction from which most attacks on the city were made.
The IVP OT Background Commentary adds: “The Sheep Gate (other times called the Benjamin Gate) north of the temple mount, exits from the area of the Bethesda Pool (known in this period as the Sheep Pool) into the Kidron Valley. It is toward the northern side of the east wall and would have led to the Jericho road.”
I liked Guzik’s observation on sanctifying the sheep gate: “Because the first of the work was specially set apart to God, it was a way for them to say, ‘All of this work belongs to You, LORD. This is a special work done unto You.’”
Nehemiah 3:2 And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
Nehemiah 3:3 But 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.
The Background Commentary again adds insight: “Two gate doors were generally set into stone sockets buried just under the ground. The beams flanked the gate on either side. They were made of wood and joined to the wall. The bars slid across the gates and the end fit into holes or brackets in the beam. These bars could be locked in place by a series of small wooden dowels that slipped into holes on a block mounted on the gate. One could therefore not exit the city without a key once the gate was locked.”
Wiersbe: “The Fish Gate was located to the west of the Sheep Gate, and between the two stood the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananeel (v. 1). These two towers were a part of the city’s defense system and were close to the citadel, where the soldiers guarded the temple and protected the northern approach to the city, which was especially vulnerable.”
Nehemiah 3:4 And 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.
Nehemiah 3:5 And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.
These nobles of Tekoa evidently thought they were too good to do construction work. Anything and everything we do in obedience to God’s will should be considered a privilege.
Nehemiah 3:6 Moreover 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.
Nehemiah 3:7 And 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.
Nehemiah 3:8 Next 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.
Nehemiah 3:9 And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 3:10 And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.
Nehemiah 3:11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.
Nehemiah 3:12 And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
Notice that these women joined in to serve as part of the work force in a task that was probably considered “men’s” work.
Wiersbe notes that the Old Gate was probably the corner gate in the northwest corner of the city.
Nehemiah 3:13 The 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.
Nehemiah 3:14 But 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.
Nehemiah 3:15 But 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.
It’s interesting to note that the Pool of Siloam has been discovered in recent years. Consider this quote from the Los Angeles Times of August 9, 2005: “Workers repairing a sewage pipe in the Old City of Jerusalem have discovered the biblical Pool of Siloam, a freshwater reservoir that was a major gathering place for ancient Jews making religious pilgrimages to the city and the reputed site where Jesus cured a man blind from birth, according to the Gospel of John.
The pool was fed by the now famous Hezekiah's Tunnel and is 'a much grander affair’ than archeologists previously believed, with three tiers of stone stairs allowing easy access to the water, said Hershel Shanks, editor of the Biblical Archaeology Review, which reported the find Monday.”
Wiersbe: “The Valley Gate is where Nehemiah began his nocturnal investigation of the city (2:13). Located at the southwest corner of the city walls, this gate opened into the valley of Hinnom, the most despised area of the city….The Refuse [Dung] Gate was located at the southernmost tip of the city, new the Pool of Siloam. It was a main exit to the valley of Hinnom, where the city disposed of its garbage….The Fountain Gate was on its east wall, just north of the Refuse Gate, in a very strategic location near the Pool of Siloam, the old City of David, and the water tunnel built by King Hezekiah.”
Nehemiah 3:16 After 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.
Nehemiah 3:17 After 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.
Nehemiah 3:18 After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.
Nehemiah 3:19 And 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.
Nehemiah 3:20 After 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.
Nehemiah 3:21 After 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.
Nehemiah 3:22 And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.
Nehemiah 3:23 After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.
Nehemiah 3:24 After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner.
Nehemiah 3:25 Palal 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.
Nehemiah 3:26 Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.
Wiersbe: “The Water Gate led from the old City of David to the Gihon Sprig, located adjacent to the Kidron Valley.”
Nehemiah 3:27 After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.
Nehemiah 3:28 From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.
Wiersbe: “The Horse Gate stood north of the Water Gate, adjacent to the temple area.”
Nehemiah 3:29 After 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.
Wiersbe: “The East Gate led directly to the temple and is probably what we know today as the Golden Gate. Tradition says that Jesus entered the temple on Palm Sunday through this gate….Jewish and Christian tradition both connect the Golden Gate with the coming of the Messiah to Jerusalem, and Muslims associate it with the future judgment.”
Nehemiah 3:30 After 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.
Nehemiah 3:31 After 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.
Wiersbe: “The Inspection Gate (Miphkad in Hebrew) was located at the northeast corner of the city….This is where the army was reviewed and registered. The north side of Jerusalem was the most vulnerable to attack, so this was a logical place to locate the army.”
Nehemiah 3:32 And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
I liked this summary from the New Bible Commentary: “The overall picture to emerge is instructive. It demonstrates first a unity of intention by the people, some forty sections apparently working simultaneously. This could not have been achieved had there not been good supervision, close cooperation and an eye open for what was being done in neighbouring sections. Secondly, however, the interests and motives of those involved differed considerably. Some worked on the basis of family association, others as individuals, some in district associations, some on the basis of their position in society and yet others because of professional association. Moreover, in many cases the people were employed at that point in the wall where they had a vested interest.”
Guzik made an interesting observation: “The names of the men who are said to have made repairs in front of his house are interesting:
Nehemiah 3:10 mentions Jedaiah, and his name means He who calls unto God. Our homes must be places of prayer, where the family calls unto God.
Nehemiah 3:23 mentions Benjamin, and his name means Son of my right hand, speaking of a protector. Our homes must be places of protection and peace.
Nehemiah 3:29 mentions Zadok, and his name means Justice. Our homes must be places of justice and integrity, especially with integrity regarding our marital vows and promises.
Nehemiah 3:30 mentions Meshullam, and his name means Devoted. Our homes must be places of devotion and separation to God.”
Nehemiah 4:1 ¶ But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
Nehemiah 4:2 And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned?
Nehemiah 4:3 Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall.
When Sanballat heard that the wall was being rebuilt, he was angry and began to mock the Jews. He basically told his people and the army of Samaria that the Jews weren’t up to their task. He accused them of being too weak and placed too much faith in sacrifices to their God. He mocked them for thinking they could use stones from the ruins of the wall that had been burned down. His friend Tobiah joined in by implying that even a fox would be able to knock down any part of “their” stone wall.
Guzik pointed out that the enemy didn’t realize that the wall was not just “their” stone wall; it was God’s wall being built according to His will in the land He had claimed as His own for His people. In mocking His people, they were mocking God.
That is a principle that holds true for any and all of those that have placed their faith in the LORD. When we are mocked or persecuted because we have chosen to follow the LORD in faith and obedience, He takes that personally as against Him. The LORD made that clear to Saul when He appeared to him on the road to Damascus.
Acts 9:1–5 “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest….”
Nehemiah 4:4 Hear, O our God; for we are despised: and turn their reproach upon their own head, and give them for a prey in the land of captivity:
Nehemiah 4:5 And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
Nehemiah 4:6 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
Since this is Nehemiah’s journal, I assume it is his response in prayer to God that is recorded here. Notice that he didn’t bother responding to the taunts of their enemies; he just took the matter straight to the LORD in prayer. After reminding the LORD that they were despised by the surrounding nations, he asked the LORD to turn the insults of their enemies against them and give them over as spoil to their enemies.
I liked JFB’s comment: “The imprecations invoked here may seem harsh, cruel, and vindictive; but it must be remembered that Nehemiah and his friends regarded those Samaritan leaders as enemies to the cause of God and His people, and therefore as deserving to be visited with heavy judgments. The prayer, therefore, is to be considered as emanating from hearts in which neither hatred, revenge, nor any inferior passion, but a pious and patriotic zeal for the glory of God and the success of His cause, held the ascendant sway.”
Nehemiah notes that the wall was halfway completed at this time due to the diligent work of the people.
Wiersbe: “If we spend time pondering the enemy’s words, we will give Satan a foothold from which he can launch another attack closer to home. The best thing to do is to pray and commit the whole matter to the Lord, and then get back to work! Anything that keeps us from doing what God has called us to do will only help the enemy.”
Nehemiah 4:7 ¶ But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth,
Nehemiah 4:8 And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it.
Nehemiah 4:9 Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them.
When Sanballat and the rest of the enemies of the people of Israel heard that such progress was being made in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and repairing its breaches, they plotted to make an attack against the people of Israel to stop any further progress.
I liked Spurgeon’s comment: “If a work has no opposition from Satan, we may be half afraid it is good for nothing. If you cannot make the devil roar, you have not done him much harm; but the more he roars, the more cause is there for the angels singing the praises of God before the throne.”
Nehemiah states that they continued to pray for God’s mercy and protection, while also appointing guards to serve day and night in light of potential attack. It’s important to note that though dependent upon God, they knew it was important to make their own preparations for battle.
I liked Guzik’s comment: “Our prayers do not replace our actions; they make our actions effective for God’s work.”
Nehemiah 4:10 And Judah said, The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall.
Nehemiah 4:11 And our adversaries said, They shall not know, neither see, till we come in the midst among them, and slay them, and cause the work to cease.
Nehemiah 4:12 And it came to pass, that when the Jews which dwelt by them came, they said unto us ten times, From all places whence ye shall return unto us they will be upon you.
Nehemiah 4:13 Therefore set I in the lower places behind the wall, and on the higher places, I even set the people after their families with their swords, their spears, and their bows.
Judah began to voice discouragement, stating that the workers were losing strength and stamina and that there was too much rubbish impeding their work.
Another good comment from Guzik: “In our Christian life, nothing much can be built for God’s glory unless rubbish is swept away as well. Taking out the garbage can be discouraging work—but it must be done.”
Judah also revealed that their enemies didn’t think they would be prepared for an attack. The Jews that lived close by joined him in repeating that they had also heard plans of an attack. The fact that they kept repeating the threat shows that they were either frightened too or they supported Sanballat in trying to instill fear into the people.
Nehemiah’s response was calm and wise, meant to keep the people from getting discouraged. He positioned people around the wall armed with swords, spears and bows to protect their families as they worked. He was determined not to let the threats of the enemy stop their work.
Nehemiah 4:14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
Nehemiah 4:15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
Nehemiah urged the people not to be afraid of their enemies. Instead, they should remember that they were doing the work of the LORD God Almighty. They should prepare to fight for their families and homes, placing their trust in God.
When their enemies heard that the people were aware of their plans and that God had frustrated their intentions, they realized such a plan would no longer work. Everyone returned to work on the wall according to their assignments.
Nehemiah 4:16 ¶ And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers werebehind all the house of Judah.
Nehemiah 4:17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
Nehemiah 4:18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
From that time on, half the people worked while the other half served as armed guards. Some even worked with one hand while holding a weapon in the other. All the builders had a sword strapped to his side. The man assigned to sound the warning trumpet was stationed by Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 4:19 And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
Nehemiah 4:20 In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
Nehemiah 4:21 So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared.
Nehemiah urged the people on, reminding them that the work was great and that they were widely separated on the wall. So, if they heard the sound of the trumpet, they were to rally to the place of sounding. This seems to indicate that there was more than one trumpeter positioned on the wall. He encouraged them and told them that God would fight for them. So the work continued throughout the whole day under the protection of an armed guard.
Nehemiah 4:22 Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let every one with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day.
Nehemiah 4:23 So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that every one put them off for washing.
Nehemiah also instructed the people to spend the nights inside the city of Jerusalem under the protection of those serving as guards at night. He noted that no one even changed clothes except to wash.
The NIV is a bit different: “Neither I nor my brothers nor my men nor the guards with me took off our clothes; each had his weapon, even when he went for water.”
The main point, I think, is that they were so focused on the task at hand that they changed their routine to ensure that they were always dressed and ready for battle.
I liked JFB’s summary: “God, when He has important public work to do, never fails to raise up instruments for accomplishing it, and in the person of Nehemiah, who, to great natural acuteness and energy added fervent piety and heroic devotion, He provided a leader, whose high qualities fitted him for the demands of the crisis. Nehemiah’s vigilance anticipated every difficulty, his prudent measures defeated every obstruction, and with astonishing rapidity this Jerusalem was made again ‘a city fortified.’”
I liked this comment from Matthew Henry: “We must watch always against spiritual enemies, and not expect that our warfare will be over till our work is ended.”