Bible Commentaries
Nehemiah 3

Verse 1

Eliashib = God restores. The son of Joiakim, the son of Jeshua (Compare Nehemiah 12:10 ). He was earnest in material work, but negligent of what was spiritual (See Nehemiah 13:4 , Nehemiah 13:7 ).

the sheep gate. Near the present St. Stephen's gate, at north-east corner of Temple area. So called because the sheep for sacrifice were brought in here. Compare John 5:2 . This was the point of beginning and ending. See App-59 .

doors. Hebrew. dal = a door or gate hanging on hinges; not the same word as Nehemiah 3:20 .

Hananeel. Compare Nehemiah 12:39 . The partial fulfillment of Jeremiah 31:38 , which stretches on to what is still future. Compare Zechariah 14:10 . The two towers were on either side of the sheep gate.

Verse 2

next unto him = at his hand.

the men of Jericho. Compare Ezra 2:34 . The gate opposite to their city. Hebrew. 'enosh. App-14 .

Verse 3

fish gate. See note on Nehemiah 2:13 , and App-59 .

Verse 5

LORD. Hebrew Adonim. App-4 . As in Psalms 8:1 , Psalms 8:9 .

Verse 6

old gate. See note on Nehemiah 2:13 , and App-59 .

Verse 7

Gibeon. Mizpah. Now 'el Jib Suf, about 4 and 5 1/2 miles north-north-west of Jerusalem respectively.

governor. The Persian governor.

the river. The Euphrates.

Verse 8

Next = at his hand. Some codices, with five early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "and at".

goldsmiths = refiners.

apothecaries = perfumers.

fortified. Hebrew. Homonym, 'dzab. See note on Exodus 23:5 .

Verse 9

ruler = prince. Heb, sar. Not the same word as Nehemiah 2:16 .

part = circuit.

Verse 10

even. Some codices, with two early printed editions, omit this word.

over against his house. So Nehemiah 3:23 . A true principle in all reformation work.

house = temporary erection, dwelling, home; not having doors with hinges as in verses: Nehemiah 3:3 , Nehemiah 3:1 , Nehemiah 3:3 , Nehemiah 3:6 , Nehemiah 3:13 , Nehemiah 3:14 , Nehemiah 3:15 , but only an "entrance" as in Nehemiah 3:20 . See notes on Nehemiah 3:20 , and Nehemiah 7:4 .

Verse 11

other = second. Compare verses: Nehemiah 3:20 , Nehemiah 3:21 .

tower of the furnaces. At the north-west corner of the city. Compare Nehemiah 12:38 .

furnaces: or ovens.

Verse 12

his daughters. Showing how women may contribute to the work of reformation.

Verse 13

Zanoah. Now Zanu'a, about 2 1/2 miles south of Beth-Shemesh.

Verse 14

Beth-haccerern = house of the vineyards (Jeremiah 6:1 ): not identified yet. Perhaps 'Ain Karim.

Verse 15

gate. See App-59 .

Siloah = sent. See John 5:1 , John 5:2 . Compare John 9:7 At south-east corner of Ophel.

king's garden. See 2 Kings 25:4 .

stairs. On east side of the city. This fixes the site of Zion. See note on first occurrence (2 Samuel 5:7 ). Compare Nehemiah 12:37 . Discovered by Dr. Bliss, Quarterly Statement, Palestine Exploration Fund, Jan., 1897.

Verse 16

Beth-zur. Now Beit Sur, about four miles north of Hebron.

the sepulchres of David. These therefore were in Zion, and include those of his descendants.

pool. See 2 Kings 20:20 .

mighty = mighty men. Hebrew, plural of gibbor. App-14 .

Verse 17

Keilah. Now Kila, about fifteen miles southeast of Jerusalem, in the Hebron mountains. See 1 Samuel 23:1-13 .

Verse 20

earnestly = zealously. This is said, to the everlasting memory, of Baruch. Proverbs 10:7 .

door. Hebrew. pethach = entrance. Not same word as verses: Nehemiah 3:1 , Nehemiah 3:3 , Nehemiah 3:6 , Neh 1:13 , Neh 1:14 , Neh 1:15 . See longer note on Nehemiah 7:4 .

Verse 24

house. See note on Nehemiah 7:4 .

Verse 25

high house: or upper, i.e. the site or ruin of it. Not yet rebuilt. Compare Nehemiah 7:4 .

court of the prison. Where Jeremiah had been imprisoned more than once (Jeremiah 32:2 ; Jeremiah 33:1 ; Jeremiah 38:7 , Jeremiah 38:13 ).

Verse 26

Moreover. Note the Parenthesis of Nehemiah 3:26 .

Nethinims. Their work was to carry wood and water for the Temple. Hence their dwelling. See note on Ezra 2:43 .

Ophel = the Ophel: the hill south of Moriah. Formerly Jebus, afterward Zion. See App-68 . the water gate. By Gihon. Now ' Ain Umm ed Deraj, "the Virgin's Fount". On east side of Ophel, in Kedron valley. See App-59 and App-68 .

that lieth out. Probably the "tower in Siloam", Luke 13:4 .

Verse 28

the horse gate. See App-59 .

one = man. Hebrew. 'Ish. App-14 .

Verse 31

the goldsmith's son: or, the son of Zorphi.

gate Miphkad: or. gate of review or registry. Probably north-east of Temple.

Verse 32

And. This is reckoned in the Massorah as the middle verse of the 685 verses of the whole book "Ezra-Nehemiah", showing that the two books were one.

sheep gate. See App-59 . The work thus ended where it had been begun. Compare Nehemiah 3:1 .