---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Nehemiah 3"
description: "CHAPTER 3   :-. THE NAMES
AND ORDER OF THEM
THAT BUILDED
THE WALL OF
JERUSALEM. 1. Then Eliashib the high priest—the
grandson of Jeshua, and the first hig"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/nehemiah/3"
---

CHAPTER 3

. THE NAMES
AND ORDER OF THEM
THAT BUILDED
THE WALL OF
JERUSALEM.

**1. Then Eliashib the high priest**—the
grandson of Jeshua, and the first high priest after the return from
Babylon.
**rose up with his brethren the
priests**—that is, set an example by commencing the work, their
labors being confined to the sacred localities.
**and they builded the sheep
gate**—close to the temple. Its name arose either from the sheep
market, or from the pool of Bethesda, which was there (). There the sheep were washed and then taken to the temple
for sacrifice.
**they sanctified it, and set
up the doors**—Being the common entrance into the temple, and the
first part of the building repaired, it is probable that some
religious ceremonies were observed in gratitude for its completion.
"It was the first-fruits, and therefore, in the sanctification
of it, the whole lump and building was sanctified" [POOLE].
**the tower of Meah**—This
word is improperly considered, in our version, as the name of a
tower; it is the *Hebrew* word for "a hundred," so
that the meaning is: they not only rebuilt the sheep gate, but also a
hundred cubits of the wall, which extended as far as the tower of
Hananeel.

**2. next unto him builded the men of
Jericho,** c.—The wall was divided into portions, one of which
was assigned respectively to each of the great families which had
returned from the captivity. This distribution, by which the building
was carried on in all parts simultaneously with great energy, was
eminently favorable to despatch. "The villages where the
restorers resided being mostly mentioned, it will be seen that this
circumstance affords a general indication of the part of the wall
upon which they labored, such places being on that side of the city
nearest their place of abode the only apparent exception being,
perhaps, where they repaired more than their piece. Having completed
their first undertaking (if they worked any more), there being no
more work to be done on the side next their residence, or having
arrived after the repairs on that part of the city nearest them under
operation were completed, they would go wherever their services would
be required" [BARCLAY,
*City of the Great King*].

**8. they fortified Jerusalem unto the
broad wall**—or, "double wall," extending from the gate
of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits in length,
formerly broken down by Joash, king of Israel [], but afterwards rebuilt by Uzziah [], who made it so strong that the Chaldeans, finding it
difficult to demolish, had left it standing.

**12. Shallum . . . he and his
daughters**—who were either heiresses or rich widows. They
undertook to defray the expenses of a part of the wall next them.

**13. the inhabitants of Zanoah**—There
were two towns so called in the territory of Judah ([Joshua 15:34](../../../kjv/joshua/15/34);
[Joshua 15:56](../../../kjv/joshua/15/56)).

**14. Beth-haccerem**—a city of
Judah, supposed to be now occupied by Bethulia, on a hill of the same
name, which is sometimes called also the mountain of the Franks,
between Jerusalem and Tekoa.

**16. the sepulchres of David, and to
the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty**—that
is, along the precipitous cliffs of Zion [BARCLAY].

**19. at the turning of the wall**—that
is, the wall across the Tyropoeligon, being a continuation of the
first wall, connecting Mount Zion with the temple wall [BARCLAY].

**25. the tower which lieth out from
the king's high house**—that is, watchtower by the royal palace
[BARCLAY].

**26. the Nethinims**—Not only the
priests and the Levites, but the common persons that belonged to the
house of God, contributed to the work. The names of those who
repaired the walls of Jerusalem are commemorated because it was a
work of piety and patriotism to repair the holy city. It was an
instance of religion and courage to defend the true worshippers of
God, that they might serve Him in quietness and safety, and, in the
midst of so many enemies, go on with this work, piously confiding in
the power of God to support them [BISHOP
PATRICK].

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