Nehemiah 3

Verse 1. Priest, the third since the captivity, son ( Calmet.) or brother of Joachim. Lyran.—Flock-gate, near which was probably the miraculous pool. John 5:2. 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 ( W). with solemnity, as they did all the walls. Calmet. 12:27. The like custom is observed on laying the foundation-stone of our temples. Bible. Sanctified may also mean, cleared away the rubbish. Vatab. 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. D.

Verse 6. Old gate, or of the judges, who there assembled. Lyran.

Verse 7. For the. Hebrew “for ( Calmet. or) unto the throne of the governor on this side of the river.” Prot. Bible.—These people worked near the palace, which had been built for the Persian governor, who came to administer justice, till the time of Esdras. Calmet. 5:15 and 1 Ezra 7:25. Perhaps the governor of Syria had ( Bible.) assisted the Jews, unless Nehemias himself be meant. Menochius.

Verse 8. Goldsmith and perfumer, are plural in Heb.—Left, 400 cubits, ( Tirinus.) as the wall was not demolished, ( Menochius.) having been repaired by Ozias just before the coming of the Chaldees. 2 Chronicles 26:9. Tirinus.—Hebrew “they pushed forward, (repaired, Calmet. or) paved, (Du Dieu) or fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.” Prot.—The Septuagint copies vary: some read, they placed, (restored) εθηκα. Complut. But the Rom. edition has, “they left.” D.

Verse 9. Street. Prot. “of the half part,” ( Bible.) belonging to Benjamin. Sellum was the inspector of that part which fell to the share of Juda, verse 12. Calmet. 4:19. 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 verse 12. 15. 24. and so forth

Verse 12. Alohes, “the enchanter,” ( Calmet.) as he could perhaps enchant serpents. Grot.—Daughters, who forwarded the work, as they had no brothers. Menochius.

A cubit is the length from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow on a man’s arm, or about 18 inches or 46 centimeters.

Verse 14. Bethacharam, in the tribe of Benjamin. Jeremiah 6:1.

Verse 15. King’s garden. This fountain is mentioned, Isaiah 8:6. John 9:7.—Steps. The place was steep. Calmet. 12:36.

Verse 16. Labour, by Ezechias, for a reservoir. 2 Chronicles 32:4.—Mighty men of David, (1 Chronicles 11:10) 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. Vatab. D.—Septuagint “the ascent connecting the corner.” Bible.

Verse 20. Mount Sion. Menochius.—Hebrew and Septuagint “earnestly repaired;” ( Bible.) 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. Calmet. 12:28.—Of the Jordan, is not in Hebrew and so forth Calmet.—They might be natives of that place. Sa. Vat. Menochius.

Verse 26. Ophel. A very strong tower. See 2 Chronicles 27:3 and 33:14.—East of the great court of the temple, from which it was not remote, as Esdras here harangued the people. Calmet. 12:36 and 3 Ezra 8:1. 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 Kennicott. 11:16. Calmet.—Some Rabbins assert that people were obliged to alight here, and to go on foot to the temple. Lyran.

Verse 29–30. After him, Semaia; as the Septuagint and so forth intimate; and not ( Calmet.) “after me,” as if Nehemias spoke of himself, as some Hebrew copies require. Jun. Grotius.—Treasury, or “room.” Pagnin.—Judgment. Septuagint “Maphekad.” Hebrew mopkod. Prot. “miphkad,” ( Bible.) may signify “command, review,” and so forth 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, (Calmet. 12:38) and led not out of the city, but into the street of the Nathinites. Tirinus.

Verse 29–30. After him, Semaia; as the Septuagint and so forth intimate; and not ( Calmet.) “after me,” as if Nehemias spoke of himself, as some Hebrew copies require. Jun. Grotius.—Treasury, or “room.” Pagnin.—Judgment. Septuagint “Maphekad.” Hebrew mopkod. Prot. “miphkad,” ( Bible.) may signify “command, review,” and so forth 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, (Calmet. 12:38) and led not out of the city, but into the street of the Nathinites. Tirinus.