They All Worked on the Wall. Nehemiah 3:1-32

Transcription

1 1 Commentary by Ron Thomas Questions by John C. Sewell They All Worked on the Wall Nehemiah 3:1-32

2 2 Text: Nehemiah 3:1-32, They All Worked on the Wall 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. 2. And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. 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. 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. 5. And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord. 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. 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. 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. 9. And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem. 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 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces. 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 Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof. 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. 16. After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto the place over against the sepulchers of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty. 17. After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Kellah, 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 armoury at the turning of the wall. 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. 21. After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son 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 men of the plain.

4 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. 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. 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. 26. Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out. 27. After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel. 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 repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate. 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 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. 32. And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants. Introduction: I. This chapter is exclusively a chapter delineating the various men leading the construction on certain parts of the wall around Jerusalem. A. It is easy to become bored by reading this chapter because all we read is men building the wall and gates.

5 5 II. However, according to Yamauchi, This chapter is one of the most important in the OT for determining the topography of Jerusalem (p. 692). A. Williamson thinks this chapter is great because of its unity of intention and because it attests to remarkable organization and leadership (p. 211). B. As Nehemiah 4:6 is read, this is clearly seen. The people had a mind to work and work they did! Commentary: I. The Gates as Markers. A. The Sheep Gate (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.; John 5:2, Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.). the sheep were led through it to the temple, and near it was the sheep market, where they were sold, and the sheep pool, where the sacrifices were washed; and this being near the temple, (John Gill, E-Sword). B. The Fish Gate (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.). This was the gate through which fish from the Jordan and the Sea of Galilee entered Jerusalem (Barnes, E-Sword). C. The Old Gate (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

6 6 locks thereof, and the bars thereof.). Also named the Jeshanah Gate and the Corner Gate (2 Kings 14:13, And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash, the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.; Jeremiah 31:38, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the city shall be built to the Lord from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner. Either the modern Damascus gate, the main entrance to the city on the north side; or a gate a little further eastward (Barnes, E-Sword). D. The Valley Gate (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.). A gate opening on the valley of Hinnom, which skirted Jerusalem to the west and south (Barnes, E-Sword). E. The Refuse Gate (Nehemiah 3:14, Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king s pool: but there was no place for the best that was under me to pass. This was the gate on the eastern side of the city through which the filth of the city was carried into the valley of Hinnom (Clarke, E-Sword). F. The Fountain Gate (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.). Also known as the Spring Gate. Somewhere near the pool of Siloam. G. The Water Gate (Nehemiah 3:26, Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward

7 7 the east, and the tower that lieth out.). A gate of the palace-temple complex (Yamauchi, p. 699). It led to the main source of water. H. The Horse Gate (Nehemiah 3:28, From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.). The place through which the horses passed in order to be watered; It was near the temple. Some rabbins suppose that in order to go to the temple, a person might go on horseback to the place here referred to, but then was obliged to alight, as a horse could pass no farther. Horses were never very plentiful in Jerusalem (Clarke, E-Sword). I. The East Gate (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.) The east gate is undoubtedly the east gate of the temple (Keil & Delitzsch, E-Sword). J. The Miphkad Gate (Nehemiah 3:31, Also known as the Inspection Gate. Some uncertainty about its significance. Yamauchi says (p. 700) it was an appointed place for the sin offering to be burnt. Gill says it might be the entrance to the house of visitation or correction, perhaps where the Sanhedrin tried cases (E-Sword). II. Other Land Marks. A. Tower of (Meah) the Hundred (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.; The significance of the word hundred is unclear. It could refer to height, distance from another object, number of steps, etc.

8 8 B. Tower of Hananel (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.; Northern most part of city (cf. Jeremiah 31:38, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the city shall be built to the Lord from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.; Zechariah 14:10, All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin s gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king s winepresses.). C. The residence of the governor (beyond the River). Uncertain location. Yamauchi said it could be understood in any one of three ways: 1) The satrap s (governor s) residence at Jerusalem. 2) The residence at Damascus. 3) The word residence can be understood to mean chair or throne, a symbol of jurisdiction from which the workers came (p. 696). D. The Broad Wall (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.). Could be understood to refer to the wall s thickness (at a certain location) or to the length and extensiveness of the wall. In 1971, an excavation discovered a portion of the old wall of Jerusalem to be 7 ½ yards thick! E. Tower of the Ovens (Nehemiah 3:11, Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.). Also called tower of the furnaces (KJV). The name indicates their use; baking bricks or bread.

9 9 F. Pool of Shelah (Siloah, Siloam) by the King s Garden (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.; cf. John 9:7, And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.). It apparently refers to the Pool of Siloam whose water supply came from the Gihon Spring via Hezekiah's Tunnel built in 701 B.C. (cf. Isaiah. 8:6, Forasmuch s this people refuseth the wates of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah s son;) (NET, E-Sword). G. Tombs of David (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 sepulchers of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.). Could be understood as the tomb of David. If so, then more than likely it was the burial place of king David. H. The House of the Mighty (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 sepulchers of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.). Also known as the house of heroes. The barracks, probably, of David s warriors. (cf. 1 Samuel 17:51,Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.; Isaiah 21:17, And the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar, shall be diminished: for the Lord God of Israel hath spoken it.).

10 10 I. Ascent to the Armory (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.). This was either a tower that defended the angle where the two walls met; or the city arsenal, where shields, spears, etc., were kept to arm the people in time of danger (Clarke, E-Sword). J. The house of Eliashib, the High Priest (Nehemiah 3:21, After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.). It is easy to see why this place would be a landmark in the city. K. The Wall of Ophel (Nehemiah 3:27, After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.). The northern part of the southeast hill of Jerusalem that formed the original city of David (Yamauchi, p. 699).

11 11 Questions Nehemiah 3:1-32 (Questions based on the NIV text.) 1. Did priests, levites, women and political rulers do manual work? Give reasons for your answer. 2. What was the problem with the nobles of Tekoa? 3. Locate and specify the purposes of the Sheep Gate. 4. Locate and specify the uses, purposes of the Tower of the Hundred. How did it get its name?

12 Locate and specify the uses, purposes of the Tower of Hananel? Who was Hananel? 6. Locate and specify the uses, purposes of the Fish Gate. 7. Locate and specify the uses, purposes of the Jeshanah Gate. 8. What places were under the authority of the governor of Trans- Euphrates? Who was this governor? 9. Locate and specify the uses, purposes of the Broad Wall.

13 How big was half a district of Jerusalem? 11. Locate and specify the uses, purposes of the Tower of the Ovens. 12. Locate and specify the uses, purposes of the Valley Gate. 13. Locate and specify the uses, purposes of the Dung Gate. 14. Locate the Mizpah, Beth Zur, Keilah and Beth Hakkerem districts of Jerusalem. Who were their rulers?

14 Locate and specify the uses, purposes of the Fountain Gate. 16. Locate and specify the uses, purposes of the Pool of Siloam. where is this pool mentioned in the New Testament? How did it get it s name? 17. Locate the King s Garden and the tombs of David. 18. What was the purpose of the artificial pool? Why was an artificial pool built? Wouldn t a real one have been better?

15 Locate and specify the uses, purposes of the House of the Heroes. Who were the heroes in whose honor this house was built? 20. Who was then high priest? Where was his house? 21. If you had lived in Jerusalem in those days, would you have preferred to make repairs next to your house? Why or why not? Who made repairs adjoining their residences? 22. Locate the tower, the upper palace and the court of the guard and specify the uses, purposes of each. 23. Locate and specify the uses, purpose of the hill of Ophel.

16 Locate and specify the uses, purposes of the Water Gate. 25. Where was the wall of Ophel, for whom was it named and what purposes did it serve? 26. Locate the Horse Gate and specify its uses, purposes. 27. Locate the East Gate and specify its uses, purposes.

17 Locate the Inspection Gate and specify its uses, purposes. 29. Locate the house of the temple servants and the merchants. 30. Why were there so many goldsmiths in Jerusalem? Didn t Nebuchadnezzar take all the temple gold to Babylon? 31. List in alphabetical order all the individuals and groups of workers mentioned in Nehemiah 3, and specify what each repaired. Workers Areas Repaired _

18 18 _

19 19 _