Nehemiah 3:1-10

Ne 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.

Eliashib was the grandson of Joshua the High Priest as found in Zechariah 3.  And Jeshua begat Joiakim, Joiakim also begat Eliashib, and Eliashib begat Joiada, (Nehemiah 12:10)  This shows that even the High Priest had gotten busy with the other priests and helped build the sheep gate.  The sheep gate was where the sheep were led into the temple for sacrifices.  Here we have a great picture of salvation.  Our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ became the sheep gate where through salvation in Christ a person is led into the temple which is the body of believers.  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)  Then the priests sanctified the sheep gate which meant that it was to be used for sacred people and sacred things. Then they built and repaired the doors unto the tower of Meah.  This may have been the tower of Hammeah which may have been 100 cubits high or had 100 steps.  It went west from the sheep gate.  It probably stood on the northwest corner where the fortress of Antonia would stand in the future.  It was connected to the tower of Hananeel which was 100 cubits from the sheep gate.  Hananeel means “mercy of God.”

Ne 3:2

And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.

The men of Jericho who worked next to the High Priest were probably the descendants of those who had previously inhabited the city.  The children of Jericho, three hundred forty and five. (Ezra 2:34)  Zaccur the son of Imri was probably one of the leaders of Jericho.  Nothing else is known of him.

Ne 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.

The fish gate was located near the northwest corner and otherwise known as the Ephraim or Middle Gate.  It was used to bring in fish to the fish markets which were close by.  Nothing is known of Hassenaah except he and his sons built the fish gate.  They completely finished it as the entrance was now ready to be opened for business or closed and locked in case enemies approached.  Let me just comment here that even though nothing historical is known of some of the people who helped build the walls of Jerusalem with Nehemiah, it does not mean anything.  They have been written in God’s word forever and 2400 years later we are reading their names.  It is like many who are in ministries who do the behind the scenes work.  It may seem like they are not recognized but God never forgets those who are his children and who are working to build the kingdom of God daily.  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. (Hebrews 6:10)

Ne 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.

Meremoth was the son of Uriah the High Priest.  Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the house of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites; (Ezra 8:33)  Apparently the wall where Meremoth was working was not completely destroyed but only needed to be repaired.  Meshullam was known as a man of understanding.  Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding. (Ezra 8:16)  Then next to him was Zadok who was the son of Baana as nothing is historically known of him.

Ne 3:5

And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.

Tekoa was located in southeast Bethlehem about 12 miles (19 KM) from Jerusalem and was the city of the prophet Amos.  The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake. (Amos 1:1)  Then the rulers or nobles of Tekoa thought themselves too good for manual labor so they did not physically participate nor did they help in any other way including financially.  The neck is mentioned because it was where the yoke was put symbolizing physical labor.  Notice that the rebuilding of the walls was known as the work of the Lord.  So the work of the Lord is not just preaching but does involve physical labor as well.

Ne 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.

The old gate opens into the second district of Jerusalem on the western side of the city.  It could also be the Damascus gate which opened on the north side.  They did a complete repair job as they fixed the doors and built the security measures into them with the locks and bars just as those who fixed the fish gate.  The old gate was also called the “Mishneh gate.”

Ne 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.

Gibeon and Mizpah were both within the tribe of Benjamin.  While these men had worked for Nehemiah in repairing the walls, yet they were not under the authority of Nehemiah but were under the authority of the Governor which may had been the Governor of Syria.  Gibeon was 4 miles (6.5 KM) north of Jerusalem and Mizpah was about 6 miles (10 KM) north of Jerusalem.  The river mentioned is the Euphrates.

Ne 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.

The family of Harhaiah was a family of goldsmiths which was their family occupation or trade.  Then Hananiah was one of the men who was an apothecary which was an occupation which was like a pharmacist except with herbs, spices and oils.  The broad wall extended from the wall of Ephraim to the corner gate.  This shows you that it did not matter what the task was, even those who had soft jobs were willing to take up the tools to rebuild the city walls.  You may have great talents or a high position in business but that does not mean that certain tasks are below your pay grade.

Ne 3:9

And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.

Here was a ruler who was willing to get his hands dirty in helping out.  Jerusalem was divided into several districts.  The city of Jerusalem was half of Judah and half of Benjamin so there was the Governor of the portion Judah and the Governor of the portion of Benjamin.

Ne 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.