How and by whom B. C. 445. CHAPTER III. r the wall was repaired. B. C. 445. A. M. 3559. 18 Then I told them of the hand || shem the Arabian, heard it, they A. M. 3559. of my God which was good upon me; laughed us to scorn, and despised us, and said, What is this thing that ye do? will ye rebel against the king? as also the king's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. 20 Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem. 19 But when Sanballat the Horonite, and &c. That is, he informed them how favourable Verses 19, 20. When Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, &c.-These three seem to have been chief men among the Samaritans, and perhaps were invested with some offices or authority by the king of Persia. You have no portion nor right-Do not trouble yourselves about this matter, who have no possession among us, no authority over us, nor interest in our church or state; nor memorial in Jerusalem-No testimony or monument either of your relation to us by birth or religion, or of your kindness to us or to this place, but you are aliens from the commonwealth of Israel: therefore mind your own business, and do not meddle with ours. A. M. 3559. B. C. 445. CHAPTER III. B. C. 445. The names of those who presided over the builders, and the parts which each company built, 1–32. THEN Eliashib the high priest || 3 But the fish-gate did the sons of A. M. 3559. rose up with his brethren the Hassenaah build, who also laid the priests, and they builded the sheep-gate; they beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel. с 2 And 'next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. Chap. xii. 10. John v. 2. Chap. xii. 39. Jer. xxxi. 38; Zech. xiv. 10. NOTES ON CHAPTER III. 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. 1 Heb. at his hand. e Ezra ii. 34.-12 Chron. xxxiii. 14; Chap. xii. 39; Zeph. i. 10.- −3 Chap. vi. 1 ; vii. 1. common, and because this is spoken only of this gate, which, being built by the priests, and nearest to the temple, and with a special eye to the service of the temple, for which both men and things were most commonly brought in this way, and being also the first part of the building, might be in a peculiar manner sanctified by solemn prayer and sacrifice, whereby it was dedicated to God's service. Even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it—That is, they sanctified the rest of the wall which they built as far as the tower of Meah on one side, and the tower of Hananeel on the other. Verse 1. Then Eliashib the high-priest rose up -The grandchild of Jeshua, the first high-priest after their return from Babylon. He, with his brethren, set a noble example, in being the first that began to rebuild the walls of the holy city, which the Babylonians had demolished. Ministers should be foremost in every good work, animating others by their example as well as doctrine. And they built the sheep-gate-Which was on the south side of the city, in that part of the valley which looked toward mount Zion and the temple; called the sheep-gate, because the sheep were brought through Verses 2, 3. The men of Jericho-The posterity it to be sacrificed. Thus he not only shows by of the ancient inhabitants of Jericho. The fish-gate whom, but in what order, the wall was built. They-This gate, being on the north-west side of Jerusasanctified it-Or they prepared, or repaired it; for lem, looked toward the sea, from whence fish was so the word sometimes signifies. But our translation wont to be brought, and sold in the fish-market near seems best, both because that use of the word is most this gate. How and by whom A. M. 3559. B. C. 445. 5 And next unto them the Tekoites || the son of Pahath-moab, repaired the A. M. 3559. repaired; but their nobles put not their 3 other piece, and the tower of the necks to the work of their LORD. furnaces. b 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 2 fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall. 12 And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters. 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. 14 But the dung-gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Beth-haccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. 15 But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of part 9 And next unto them repaired Rephaiah of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Je-up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the rusalem. 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. 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. 16 After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Beth-zur, 11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub unto the place over against the sepulchres of h Judg. v. 23.- iChap. xii. 39. Jerusalem unto the broad wall. 3 m Chap. ii. 8.- Or, left|| Hebrew, second measure.- Chap. xii. 38. Chap. ii. 13. Verse 5. Next unto them the Tekoites repairedThe inhabitants of the city of Tekoa, in the tribe of Judah. But their nobles put not their necks to the work-Would not submit to it, would not further it, either through pride, or sloth, or covetousness, or secret compliance with the enemies of the Jews. Of their Lord-Of God, whom they owned for their Lord, whose work this was, because it had proceeded thus far by his singular providence; and because it was done for the defence of the city, and people, and temple of God. And therefore they are branded to all posterity. Let not nobles think any thing beneath them, by which they may benefit their country. What is their nobility good for, but that it places them in a higher and larger sphere of usefulness? Verse 7. Unto the throne of the governor on this side the river-Unto the place where the governor of the country on this side Euphrates, under the Persian kings, sometimes had a palace or throne. diligence, that they would not only repair it, but make it stronger than ever. Verses 9, 10. The ruler of the half part of Jeru salem-As Rome was anciently divided into several quarters or regions, so was Jerusalem; and especially into two parts, whereof one was in the tribe of Benjamin, and nearest the temple, the other in the tribe of Judah; these accordingly had two seve ral rulers, this man and the other, (verse 12,) but both under the chief governor of the city. Jedaiahover against his house-That part of the wall which was next to him, which his own interest obliged him to repair. Verse 12. Shallum, the ruler of the half part, &c.-That is, of the other half of Jerusalem: see on verse 9. He and his daughters-Who were either heiresses or rich widows, and caused part to be done at their charges. Verses 14-16. Beth-haccerem-A town or territory, the government whereof was divided between Verse 8. Next unto him repaired Uzziel; also two persons. The wall of the pool of SiloahHananiah-These were two eminent persons, one That part of the wall which was directly against that among the workers or casters of gold, the other pool. After him repaired Nehemiah-One of the among the perfumers. They fortified Jerusalem, same name, but not of the same family, with the fc., unto the broad wall-It is not said, they repair-writer of this book. Over against the sepulchres of ed, but, they fortified it, either because this part of the wall was less demolished than the other, and therefore they needed not to repair it, but only to make it stronger; or, to note their extraordinary care and David-The place which David appointed for his own sepulchre, and the sepulchres of his successors, the kings of Israel and Judah. To the pool that was made-To wit, by Hezekiah, (2 Kings xx. 20,) How and by whom CHAPTER III. the wall was repaired. A. M. 3559. David, and to the pool that was B. C. 445. mighty. B. C. 445. 23 After him repaired Benjamin and A. M. 3559. made, and unto the house of the || Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah, by his house. 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. 18 After him repaired their brethren, Bavai,|| the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah. 19 And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armory, at the 'turning of the wall. 4 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. 6 5 z 26 Moreover, the Nethinims dwelt in 20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai ear- y Ophel, unto the place over against the nestly repaired the other piece, from the turn-water-gate toward the east, and the tower that ing of the wall unto the door of the house of lieth out. Eliashib the high-priest. 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. 22 And after him repaired the priests, the ment of the plain. Or, 27 After them the Tekoites repaired another piece over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel. a 28 From above the horse-gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house. 29 After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer, over against his house. After him repair 1 Kings xx. 20; Isa. xxiii. 11.—$2 Chron. xxvi. 9.Zaccai. Verse 19.3. Jer. xxxii. 2; xxxiii. 1; xxxvii. 21. Ezra ii. 43; Chap. xi. 21. whereby it was distinguished from that pool, which In a part of the wall which jutted out. And the was natural. And unto the house of the mighty-tower-Or, even the tower. Which lieth out from Or, valiant. The place where the king's guards were lodged, who were all mighty men, and from this circumstance probably it had its name. Verse 19. The going up to the armory-Either to the house, or the forest of Lebanon, which was their armory from Solomon's days, (Isa. xxii. 8,) or to some other place, which, either before or since that time, had been used as another and less armory for common occasions. At the turning of the wall -Or, at the corners. the king's high house-Either from the royal palace, or from some other house which the king formerly built there, either for prospect or for defence. By the court of the prison-A place often mentioned: see Jer. xxxii. 2, and xxxviii. 7, 13. Verse 26. The Nethinims dwelt in Ophel-Or, who dwelt in Ophel. For this seems to be only a description of the persons whose work follows. Not only the priests and Levites, but the meanest persons that belonged to the house of God, inferior officers, contributed to this work. Over against the water-gate-So called, because by that gate water was brought in, either by the people, for the use of that part of the city, or rather, by these Nethinims, who were Gibeonites, for the uses of the temple, for which they were drawers of water, Josh. ix. 21. Verse 20. Baruch earnestly repaired the other piece-Did his work with eminent diligence and fervency; which is here noted to his commendation. And, it is probable, this good man's zeal provoked many to take the more pains, and make the more haste. Verse 21. From the door of the house of Eliashib, &c.-He carried on the work from the place Verse 27. After them the Tekoites repairedwhere the other left off, from the door of the house The same spoken of before, who, having despatched to the end of it, which, being the house of a great their first share sooner than their brethren, freely man, we may suppose was very large. offered to supply the defects of others, who, as it Verse 22. The priests, the men of the plain-seems, neglected that part of the work which had Either of the plains of Jordan, or of the plain been committed to them. And this their double country round about Jerusalem, as it is called chap. diligence is noted, both for the greater shame of xii. 28. Probably they were thus called, because their nobles, who would not do any part of it, and they or their parents now or formerly dwelt in for their own honour, who were so far from being those parts, whence they came to Jerusalem when corrupted by that bad example, that they were quickthe service of the temple required it. ened to greater zeal and industry in this pious work. Verses 28, 29. From above the horse-gate-Not Verse 25. Over against the turning of the wall The enemies of the B. C. 445. B. C. 445. A. M. 3559. ed also Shemaiah the son of Shecha- || smith's son, unto the place of the A. M. 3559. niah, the keeper of the east gate. Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the 'going up of the corner. 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. 31 After him repaired Malchiah the gold 7 Or, corner that belonging to the king's palace, (2 Chron. xxiii. 15,) but one of the gates of the city, so called, probably, because the horses commonly went out that way to their watering-place. Shechaniah the keeper of the east gate-To wit, of the city or of the temple, which, being the chief gate, was committed to his particular care and custody. 32 And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep-gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants. chamber. the whole city with a wall. No man can think, (as Pellicanus observes,) that the names of them who repaired the walls of Jerusalem were set down so diligently as here they are, without some rational cause for it. And the reason was, because it was a work of great virtue, to love and to do honour to their country; a work of piety, to restore the holy city; a religious conduct, to defend the true worshippers of God, that they might serve him in quietness and safety; and a courageous behaviour, in the midst of so many enemies, to go on with this work in a pious confidence of the power of God to support them. Verse 32. The going up unto the sheep-gate- The names, therefore, of such persons deserved to There they began, and there they ended, which be preserved and transmitted to future generations, shows that they left not off till they had compassed || as a most noble example to them. Verse 30. And Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece-It seems his five elder brethren laid not their hands to the work. But in doing that which is good, we need not stay to see our betters go before us. CHAPTER IV. The enemies scoff, but Nehemiah prays, and continues the work, 1-6. To frustrate their design, he prays and sets a guard, 7-13. He encourages the workmen, and directs them how to proceed, 14-18. His further directions, 19–23. 2 And he spake before his brethren, and the and he said, Even that which they build, if a army of Samaria, and said, What do these fee-fox go up, he shall even break down their stone ble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? 1 Chap. ii. 10, 19.- Heb. leave to themselves. NOTES ON CHAPTER IV. wall. 4 Hear, O our God; for we are despised: ruins, and patch them together? Which are burned -Which stones were burned, and broken by the Chaldeans, when they took the city. b Chap. ii. 10, 19.- c Psa. cxxiii. 3, 4. Heb. despite. too late. So did God infatuate him to his own grief Verses 1, 2. And mocked the Jews-Pretending and shame, and to the advantage of the Jews. Will contempt in his words, when he had grief, anger, they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish? and vexation in his heart. And he spake before-Will they pick up their broken stones out of the his brethren-Before Tobiah, Geshem, and others, whom Nehemiah calls his brethren, because of their conjunction with him in office and interest. And the army in Samaria-Whom he hereby designed to incense against them, or, at least, whose minds he thought thus to learn. What do these feeble Jews? Will they fortify, &c.-Do they intend to begin and finish the work, and keep the feast of dedication by sacrifice, all in one day? For if they spend any long time about it, they cannot think that we and the rest of their neighbours will suffer them to do it. Thus he persuaded himself and his companions that their attempt was ridiculous; and this mistake kept him from giving them any disturbance till it was Verse 3. If a for go up-He mentions foxes because they were very numerous in those parts, and because in the late desolation of Jerusalem, the foxes did frequent the mount and city of Zion, (Lam. v. 18,) wherewith he seems to upbraid them. He shall even break down their stone wall-It is so low that a fox can easily ascend to the top of it, and so weak, and built so hastily and carelessly, that the least weight or thrust will tumble it down. Verses 4, 5. Hear, O our God-Nehemiah here interrupts the relation, to mention the prayer he Nehemiah prays, and B. C. 445. d B. C. 445. A. M. 3559. and turn their reproach upon their || walls of Jerusalem 3 were made A. M. 3559 up, own head, and give them for a prey and that the breaches began to be in the land of captivity: stopped, then they were very wroth, made on the occasion. Turn their reproach upon their own head-Let them really be as contemptible as they represent us to be. This and the following requests must seem harsh to us, who are taught by the Lord Jesus to love our enemies, to bless those that curse us, and pray for those that despitefully use and persecute us. Probably they were uttered rather by a spirit of prophecy than a spirit of prayer, and are to be considered as declaratory of the judgments of God against persecutors. They certainly had their accomplishment in the subsequent doom of these nations. And give them for a prey in the land of their captivity-Let them be removed from our neighbourhood, and carried into captivity; and there let them find no favour, but further severity. Or, give them for a prey to their enemies, and let these carry them into the land of captivity. And cover not their iniquity-Let their wickedness be in thy sight, so as to bring down judgments upon them, that either they may be reformed, or others may be warned by their example. God is said to cover or hide sin, when he forbears to punish it. For they have provoked thee-They have not only provoked us builders, but thee also. Or, they have. Verse 9. We made our prayer unto God-They provoked, or derided, the builders to their face; committed themselves to the protection of God, that is, openly and impudently, in contempt of God, whose servants they were, and whom they considerand of this work, which is done by his direction and ed as being engaged for them. This was the way encouragement. Nehemiah, in these petitions, if of good Nehemiah and his associates: all their cares, they be petitions, and not rather predictions, as has all their griefs, all their fears, they spread before just been intimated, is not to be imitated by us, but God, and thereby made themselves easy. And set rather he, whose disciples we profess to be, and who, a watch against them day and night-They secondwhen upon the cross, and under the bitterest ago-ed their prayers by their endeavours, and kept a nies, prayed most fervently for the forgiveness of constant watch, that they might not be surprised by those that crucified him. their enemies, for they knew them to be very vigilant to do mischief. Then they were very wroth-They had flattered themselves with a notion that the work would soon stand still of itself; but when they heard that it went on and prospered, they were angry at the Jews for pushing it forward so hastily, and at themselves for being so slow in opposing it. And conspired all of them together-Though of different interests among themselves, yet they were unanimous in their opposition to the work of God. Το come and fight against Jerusalem-Why? what quarrel had they with the Jews? Had the Jews done them any wrong, or did they design them any ? No: they lived peaceably by them; but it was merely out of envy and malice that this Sanballat and his brethren opposed and persecuted them. They hated the piety of the Jews, and were therefore vexed at their prosperity, and sought their ruin. And to hinder it--Or, to cause the work to cease, as it is expressed verse 11, which they doubted not but they should be able to effect. The hindering of a good work is that which bad men aim at, and promise themselves; but as a good work is God's work, it shall prosper. Verse 6. All the wall was joined unto the half thereof-That is, the wall was built round the whole city, there being no space unbuilt, and it was carried up to half the height that it was intended to be. For the people had a mind to work-Were very much set upon it, and went about it cheerfully, notwithstanding the jeers and scoffs of their enemies. Verses 7, 8. That the breaches began to be stopped -That is, the breaches which the Chaldeans had made and left in the walls were well nigh repaired. Verse 10. And Judah said-That is, the Jews now dwelling in Judah; to wit, some of them, being partly terrified by their enemies, and partly wearied with continual labour: the strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed-The labourers have wrought so long and so hard that they are quite spent; and there is much rubbish-More than we are able soon to remove: so that we are not able to build the wall-Being forced to spend our time in removing |