Nehemiah Chapters 3-4 Commentary

Nehemiah Chapters 3-4

Chapter 3 Here is a chapter which someone reading the Bible might be tempted to skip or skim. Instead of saying, “What could I possibly learn here?” Let us slow down a bit and see if we can find some vital lessons. “This chapter shows Nehemiah was an outstanding organizer. Some forty-five sections of construction are mentioned, including ten gates. Planning all this building activity, organizing the groups, plus arranging the infrastructure to supply materials was no small accomplishment” (Breneman p. 184). In addition, this chapter contains one of the most detailed biblical descriptions of Jerusalem. God decided to devote an entire chapter to the people who worked on rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. Here we see God’s people at their best, people from all social levels and occupations working together (Ephesians 4:16).

3:1 Eliashib was the grandson of Joshua (Jeshua), the high priest during the time of Zerubbabel (Ezra 3:2; Nehemiah 12:10). The priests, even the high priest himself, did not just direct others, but they themselves set the example and were the first to start working (1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 5:23). The “Sheep Gate” (see John 5:2) was near the NE corner of the wall and near the temple area. “It probably was so named because sheep destined for sacrifice usually were brought in there to the market” (Breneman p. 186).

There were two towers on the north wall since this was the only side not naturally defended by a steep hill. The “Tower of the Hundred” occurs only here and in 12:39. What the “hundred” refers to is unclear: either its height, one hundred cubits, or one hundred steps, or a military unit. The “Tower of Hananel” is also mentioned in Jeremiah 31:38 and Zechariah 14:10.

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3:2 Notice the expression, “next to him”. These people are working side by side.

3:3 The sons of “Hassenaah” (hah suh NAY uh) (Ezra 2:35), built the Fish Gate. This may have been a gate so named because merchants from Tyre or the Sea of Galilee brought fish through this gate to sell. The consensus locates this gate close to the site of the present-day Damascus Gate.

3:4 A priest named “Meremoth” had difficulty establishing his lineage (Ezra 2:59,61) but was entrusted with the treasures by Ezra (Ezra 8:33).

3:5 The men of Tekoa, which was located about 12 miles south of Jerusalem repaired the next section, although the nobility of this region did not assist them. “These aristocrats disdained manual labor” (Gaebelein p. 694).

1. In every endeavor there will be those who will not cooperate. We must simply learn that 100 % participation probably will never happen, yet great things can still be accomplished with less than 100% involvement.

2. “They would gladly enjoy the protection of the refurbished wall, but they would not lift a finger to get the job done…They have gone down in infamy as men who would not dirty their hands on one of the truly great triumphs of divine history” (Winters p. 92).

3. Despite such a discouraging example, the common men of Tekoa will rebuild this section and take on another section (3:27). We simply mustn’t allow the non-involvement of others to discourage us. “This is a vivid touch, a glimpse of petty pride rather than half-heartedness. The unbending neck is a standard picture of this unbidding attitude…

However, if the nobles cut a sorry figure….the rest of their community had nothing to be ashamed of” (Kidner p. 87).

3:6 The “Old Gate” was situated in the NW corner and is identified with the Corner Gate of 2 Kings 14:13 and Jeremiah 31:38.

3:7 The cities of Gibeon and Mizpah were located a few miles NW of Jerusalem. Apparently these cities were under the jurisdiction of the Persian governor of Trans-Euphrates.

3:8 A goldsmith and perfume-maker took on a different line of work when they went into construction labor. “The Broad Wall may only refer to a special reinforced wall for better defense at that particular place”

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(Fensham p. 175). Be impressed that these men were taking time off from the work that put food on the table and gave of their time for God. They were willing to sacrifice economic profit for God and His cause.

3:9 Despite the bad example set by the nobles of Tekoa, other officials refused to follow that bad example. One of the best ways to limit the influence of a bad example is to refuse to follow that example ourselves.

3:10-11 Naturally those with homes near the wall would have been most enthusiastic about making repairs in that area (23, 28-30). The ovens (furnaces) referred to in verse 11 would have been either for baking bread or for firing pottery.

3:12 “If Shallum had no sons, his daughters would have inherited his property (Numbers 27:1-11). This mention of women involved in the work again demonstrates the extent of Nehemiah’s support and his mobilization of the people” (Breneman p. 189). Like pioneer women, these women willingly did what they could. Here is another way to handle the discouragement in verse 5. People who don’t participate will be put to shame by those who will. Note the expression, “another section” (11). These men finished one section and then immediately started on another.

3:13 The city of Zanoah was located about 13 miles SW of Jerusalem.

“The ‘five hundred yards’ was a long sector, which may indicate much of the old wall at that point was still in good condition” (Breneman p. 189).

The “Valley Gate” was where Nehemiah’s nighttime inspection tour began and ended (2:13,15).

3:14 The “Refuse Gate” or Dung Gate was so named because it led to the Hinnom Valley south of the city were refuse was dumped.

3:15 The “Fountain Gate” was on the east wall, north of the Refuse Gate.

The “city of David” refers to the eastern hill, the original city David had captured, which was a small area south of the temple.

3:16 Beth Zur was a town some 13 miles south of Jerusalem and marked the southern limits of the province of Judah. The “tombs of David” refer to those of David and his descendants, the kings of Judah. The “house of heroes” may have been the barracks of David’s select soldier or mighty men (2 Samuel 23:8). The artificial pool is perhaps another name for the ‘King’s Pool’ mentioned in 2:14.

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3:17-19 On either side of the high priest’s house (20) the work was done

by Levites (17-19) and the priests (20-22). The angle was apparently some turn in the wall. Another ‘angle’ is mentioned in 24-25. ‘Keilah’ was a city SW of Jerusalem and eight miles NW of Hebron, situated near the border with the Philistines.

3:20 God takes special note of Baruch who “zealously” repaired another section. God appreciates people who love to do His will and do it with all their heart.

3:21-22 The residences of the high priest and his colleagues were located along the eastern wall of the city, corresponding with the retaining wall of the temple area above the Kidron Valley.

3:23-25 The upper house of the king might refer to the old palace of David.

3:26-27 The term “Ophel” means “swelling” or “bulge”, hence “a hill”. It referred specifically the northern part of the SE hill of Jerusalem that formed the original city of David, just south of the temple area. The “Water Gate” was a gate, not of the city, but of the palace-temple complex. It was called this because it led to the main source of water, the Gihon Spring.

3:28-29 The “Horse Gate”, was a gate through which one could reach the Kidron Valley. The “East Gate” may have been the predecessor of the present “Golden Gate”.

3:30-32 “We know from chapter five that there were deep economic differences in Judean society. With the exception of the nobles of Tekoa (5), everyone pitched in, from the high priest (1) to goldsmiths and perfume makers (8,31) and even women (12) to accomplish a common task. Some, like the commoners of Tekoa, even did more than their share (27). What an inspiring example of what can be done when God’s people work together under dynamic leadership!” (Gaebelein p. 701).

The “Sheep Gate” brings the reader back to the starting point (1).

Chapter 4 “Chapter 3 might give the impression that once Nehemiah had carefully assigned everyone to a particular section of the wall, from that time on everything progressed smoothly. Not so! God’s work seldom goes forward without opposition” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 680).

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4:1 Sanballat’s displeasure about Jerusalem being fortified (2:10) turns to intense anger.

4:2-3 Sanballat and his associates first tried mockery and ridicule to undermine the morale of God’s people. By a series of questions, he suggested that the Jews were completely incapable of finishing this project. The question about finishing in a day suggests that the Jews did not know what they were undertaking. He called the Jews “feeble”, that is, frail, powerless, or pathetic. “Fire had damaged the stones, which were probably limestone, and had caused much of the stone to crack and disintegrate” (Gaebelein p. 702).

Tobiah’s mockery was that the wall the Jews were rebuilding would be so flimsy that even the light footsteps of a solitary fox would collapse it. In like manner, Christians are often mocked for being such a small voice or small number in society. Yet God has proven that He does not need large numbers to accomplish His purposes (Matthew 7:13-14; Judges 7).

4:4-5 The answer to such mockery is fervent and honest prayer to God. Nehemiah did not personally take action against his opponents but called down the vengeance of God” (Gaebelein p. 702). “The prayer was thus not vindictive because the Jews were insulted, but because God’s work was ridiculed” (Smith p. 729). Note how a godly man prays when people try to hinder God’s work. Hindering God’s work, trying to stop the truth from being preached, deserves Divine judgment (Romans 1:18). Jesus had the same attitude (Matthew 18:1ff; 23:15,33). Do we take God’s work this seriously? The statement Do not forgive their iniquity, means that God would hold these men accountable for their sins.

Clearly, Nehemiah would have wanted God to forgive these men—if they repented and turned to the true God. 4:6 “The people had a mind to work”: Literally this expression means, “the heart of the people was to do the work”; their heart was set on it. Do we have a mind to work? What is our attitude toward spreading the gospel and seeing souls brought to Christ? Are we eager about doing God’s will —just as eager as we are about our favorite hobby, recreational activity, or career? “Rather than completing a number of separate sections in succession, priority was given to closing the ring at however modest a level” (Smith p. 729). When you have a “mind to work”, ridicule only inspires you to try harder. “The sturdy simplicity of that statement, and of the behavior it records, makes Sanballat and his friends suddenly appear

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rather small and shrill, dwarfed by the faith, unity, and energy of the weak” (Kidner p. 91).

4:7 Our success will only infuriate God’s enemies.

4:8 Here is the threat of open attack. The ranks of the enemies began to swell. Arabs from the south, Ammonites from the east, and Ashdodites from the west joined the Samaritans who lived north of Jerusalem. God’s people were encircled by enemies! These men felt that a swift raid would stop the work (4:11).

4:9 Note the combination of prayer and personal action. Prayer was never intended by God as a substitute for what we can do. Nehemiah prayed but he also posted armed men around the city. “Follow fervent prayer with decisive action” (Winters p. 95). “The partnership of heaven and earth, of trust and good management, is taken for granted as something normal and harmonious” (Kidner pp. 91-92).

4:10 The Jewish work force was vulnerable at this period of time. Because of all the debris which had to be removed, and the diminished work force now that some posted on guard duty, the people working on the wall were wearing out. “They were physically and psychologically exhausted and the work seemed endless. Furthermore they faced the threat of a secret attack” (Bible Knowledge Comm. p. 682).

4:11 The rumors of an impending surprise attack added to the discouragement caused by the natural hardships. Ten times Jews from outside the city had reported to Nehemiah the imminent threat of war.

Evidently they thought tired workers would make poor soldiers, and that their wisest course of action would be either compromise or surrender.

4:12-13 Nehemiah’s answer is action. Instead of having the people sitting at home and worrying, he places them all along the wall. Note the wisdom of keeping entire families together. One of the best ways to motivate people to fight against evil is to show them what the devil is trying to do to their loved ones. “This gave the weary workers a double incentive to defend the cause. They were indeed fighting for their great and awesome God, but also in defense of their wives, sons, daughters, and homes---everything that was a real value to them” (Winters pp. 9697).

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We need to take personally what the devil is trying to do. The devil is not only trying to bring us to hell, but also our loved ones, including wives, husbands, and children!

4:14 Nehemiah was perceptive, he knew the people were afraid and they needed encouragement. Nehemiah called the people together which showed their strength and gave Nehemiah an opportunity to encourage them by emphasizing God’s great delivering power and by appealing to the defense of their families”. “Do not be afraid”, is a common theme in Scripture (Exodus 14:13; Numbers 14:9; Deut. 20:3; 31:6; Joshua 10:25). Is fear keeping us from being the Christian God knows we can be? What is fear keeping you from accomplishing?

4:15 It was necessary to sacrifice some time and effort to confront the crisis, but Nehemiah never took his eyes off the goal. I am impressed that when God’s people refuse to compromise, the world often retreats. In like manner, false teachers can only exist and succeed among the people of God when we are afraid to oppose them.

4:16-23 The fact they worked from dawn until the stars came out demonstrates how earnest the people were in this endeavor. Does God get our best? Even those from outside Jerusalem stayed in the city at night so that some of them could serve as sentries (22). Nehemiah and his personal helpers set an example for the whole community (23). They did not even take off their clothes to clean up after work; they kept a diligent watch at all times. “The working day for the captives was fourteen hours or more. Considering the type labor—moving massive piles of rubble, mixing and carrying mortar, maneuvering heavy stones into place—one wonders at their tenacity. Often we are prone to dwell on the weakness and often repeated apostasy of the Holy People, and tend to forget their trials and toughness, their pit-bull dedication in the face of overwhelming odds” (Winters pp. 97-98).

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