FocusShared work and persistent opposition
Connection to the wholeThe work progresses amid threats and internal injustice until the wall is completed.
interpretation Nehemiah 3:1
KJVThen 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.
Read it in context
The Builders of the Walls
Start reading at Nehemiah 3:1 (Nehemiah 3:1 to Nehemiah 3:32).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The work progresses amid threats and internal injustice until the wall is completed.
- 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.
- 3:2 And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
- 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.
- 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.
- 3:5 And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their LORD.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 3:9 And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
- 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.
- 3:11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.
- 3:12 And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 3:18 After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 3:22 And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 3:27 After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.
- 3:28 From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 3:32 And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Nehemiah son of Hachaliah is the named memoir writer. His account was preserved within the larger Ezra–Nehemiah historical collection, which includes additional material. Biblical references: Nehemiah 1:1; Nehemiah 2:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Nehemiah 3:1–4:23): The named families and work groups rebuild Jerusalem's wall while Sanballat, Tobiah, and other opponents threaten them; Nehemiah organizes the response. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The restored Jewish community centered on Jerusalem and later readers concerned with its rebuilding, covenant obligations, and worship. Biblical references: Nehemiah 2:17; Nehemiah 8:1; Nehemiah 10:29. book background
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Builders of the Walls. Read Nehemiah 3:1 through Nehemiah 3:32 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The work progresses amid threats and internal injustice until the wall is completed. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The narrative dates Nehemiah's commission by Artaxerxes' reign and later describes his return to the king and subsequent visit to Jerusalem. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? It opens in Shushan and moves to Jerusalem and the surrounding communities, focusing on the wall and the life of the restored people. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Builders of the Walls (Nehemiah 3:1 to Nehemiah 3:32). Start reading at Nehemiah 3:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament also joins hearing God's word with doing it and building up a community. This is a canonical comparison, not a claim that Nehemiah's wall directly symbolizes a particular Christian institution. See Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 11:28, Ephesians 4:16. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Combine prayer with responsible action, truthful leadership, and care for people harmed by injustice. Building a project does not remove the continuing need for reform and faithfulness. interpretation
Cited: Nehemiah 3:1, Nehemiah 3:32, Nehemiah 8:8, Luke 11:28, Ephesians 4:16
Who wrote it, and how we know
Nehemiah, compiled by Ezra (traditional)
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens as the words of Nehemiah and continues in the first person.
Nehemiah 1:1Nehemiah 2:1
Early traditionTradition joins this book with Ezra as one work.
What is debatedSome sections read as later compilation.
Related passages
- Eliashib Neh 12:10 Neh 13:28
- the sheep gate Neh 12:39 John 5:2
- sanctified it Neh 12:30 Deut 20:5 Ps 30:1 Prov 3:6,9
- the tower Neh 12:39 Jer 31:38 Zech 14:10
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Nehemiah 3
Nehemiah combines first-person accounts, lists, and public covenant events concerning Jerusalem after exile. Distinguish Nehemiah's reported actions from commands addressed to every later community. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Nehemiah 1:1 Nehemiah 2:1 Nehemiah 8:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Nehemiah
Nehemiah combines first-person accounts, lists, and public covenant events concerning Jerusalem after exile. Distinguish Nehemiah's reported actions from commands addressed to every later community.
Nehemiah 1:1 Nehemiah 2:1 Nehemiah 8:1
The burden and commission
Nehemiah 1:1–2:20FocusPrayer and permission to rebuild
Connection to the wholeNews about Jerusalem leads to prayer and a royal commission, followed by examination of the city's condition.
interpretation FocusShared work and persistent opposition
Connection to the wholeThe work progresses amid threats and internal injustice until the wall is completed.
interpretation The people hear and renew the covenant
Nehemiah 7:1–10:39FocusIdentity, Scripture, and confession
Connection to the wholeThe community is counted, the law is read and explained, and public confession leads to covenant commitments.
interpretation The restored community and continued reform
Nehemiah 11:1–13:31FocusSettlement, dedication, and correction
Connection to the wholeLists, dedication, and later reforms show that rebuilding the wall did not remove the need for continuing faithfulness.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.