Bible Commentaries
Nehemiah 3

Verse 1

Priest, the third since the captivity, son (Calmet) or brother of Joachim. (Lyranus) --- Flock-gate, near which was probably the miraculous pool, John v. 2. But the situation of these gates is not ascertained. --- Sanctified it, beginning the work (Calmet) with some religious ceremonies. (Junius) --- It was designed to protect God’s temple; and therefore, when finished, they dedicated it (Worthington) with solemnity, as they did all the walls, chap. xii. 27. The like custom is observed on laying the foundation-stone of our temples. (Haydock) Sanctified may also mean, cleared away the rubbish. (Vatable) (Tirinus) --- Hundred. Hebrew Mea. --- Cubits is not in the original, Septuagint or Syriac, (Calmet) though it seems to be understood. The ancient Jerusalem had twelve principal gates, four east, north, and west. There were none on the south, where Mount Sion lay. (Tirinus) --- The priests and others undertook this work, considering their eternal as well as their temporal inheritance. (Du Hamel)

Verse 6

Old gate, or of the judges, who there assembled. (Lyranus)

Verse 7

For the. Hebrew, "for (Calmet; or) unto the throne of the governor on this side of the river." (Protestants) (Haydock) --- These people worked near the palace, which had been built for the Persian governor, who came to administer justice, till the time of Esdras, chap. v. 15., and 1 Esdras vii. 25. Perhaps the governor of Syria had (Haydock) assisted the Jews, unless Nehemias himself be meant. (Menochius)

Verse 8

Goldsmith and perfumer, are plural in Hebrew. --- Left, 400 cubits, (Tirinus) as the wall was not demolished, (Menochius) having been repaired by Ozias just before the coming of the Chaldeans, 2 Paralipomenon xxvi. 9. (Tirinus) --- Hebrew, "they pushed forward, (repaired, Calmet; or) paved, (Du Dieu) or fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall." (Protestants) --- The Septuagint copies vary: some read, they placed, (restored) Greek: etheka. (Complutensian) But the Roman edition has, "they left." (Du Hamel)

Verse 9

Street. Protestants, "of the half part," (Haydock) belonging to Benjamin. Sellum was the inspector of that part which fell to the share of Juda, ver. 12., and chap. iv. 19. (Grotius) --- Jerusalem, like all great cities, was divided into parts. (Calmet)

Verse 10

House. Thus he would be induced to do the work more perfectly. (Menochius)

Verse 11

Built. Hebrew, "repaired the other piece," or the part of the wall which corresponded with half a division, as in the following ver. 12, 15, 24, &c.

Verse 12

Alohes, "the enchanter," (Calmet) as he could perhaps enchant serpents. (Grotius) --- Daughters, who forwarded the work, as they had no brothers. (Menochius)

Verse 14

Bethacharam, in the tribe of Benjamin, Jeremias vi. 1.

Verse 15

King’s garden. This fountain is mentioned, Isaias viii. 6., and John ix. 7. --- Steps. The place was steep, chap. xii. 36.

Verse 16

Labour, by Ezechias, for a reservoir, 2 Paralipomenon xxxii. 4. --- Mighty men of David, (1 Paralipomenon xi. 10.) or the king’s guards, (Calmet) or the garrison. (Menochius)

Verse 17

Ceila, in the tribe of Juda. He inspected the workmen from this place.

Verse 19

Strong corner, noted for some fortress, tower, (Calmet) or arsenal. (Vatable) (Du Hamel) --- Septuagint, "the ascent connecting the corner." (Haydock)

Verse 20

CHAPTER III.

Mount Sion. (Menochius) --- Hebrew and Septuagint, "earnestly repaired;" (Haydock) being indignant at the negligence of his neighbour, or undertaking his work with zeal. (Calmet)

Verse 22

Plains. Septuagint, "from Chechar," retaining the original term cucar, which means "a plain." It lay in the environs of Jerusalem, chap. xii. 28. --- Of the Jordan, is not in Hebrew, &c. (Calmet) --- They might be natives of that place. (Sa) (Vatable) (Menochius)

Verse 26

Ophel. A very strong tower. See 2 Paralipomenon xxvii. 3., and xxxiii. 14. --- East of the great court of the temple, from which it was not remote, as Esdras here harangued the people, chap. xii. 36., and 3 Esdras viii. 1. Out of the gate was a pond of water, (Calmet) for the service of the temple. (Menochius)

Verse 28

Horse-gate, by which the king’s horses were led to water, at the torrent Cedron. It was near the temple and palace, 4 Kings xi. 16. (Calmet) --- Some Rabbins assert that people were obliged to alight here, and to go on foot to the temple. (Lyranus)

Verses 29-30

After him, Semaia; as the Septuagint, &c., intimate; and not (Calmet) "after me," as if Nehemias spoke of himself, as some Hebrew copies require. (Junius) (Grotius) --- Treasury, or "room." (Pagnin) --- Judgment. Septuagint, "Maphekad." Hebrew mopkod. Protestants, "miphkad," (Haydock) may signify "command, review," &c. We can only guess at the reason of this appellation. (Calmet) --- Perhaps the cause of the Nathinites were here decided, (Menochius) as well as those of others. It seems to be the same with the watch-gate, (chap. xii. 38.) and led not out of the city, but into the street of the Nathinites. (Tirinus)