1
Then Eliashib the high priest and his brothers the priests arose and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set up its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel.
2
Next to them the men of Jericho built, and next to them Zaccur son of Imri.
3
The Fish Gate was built by the sons of Senaah. They laid its beams and set up its doors with its bolts and bars.
4
Next to them Meremoth son of Uriah son of Hakkoz made repairs, and next to him Meshullam son of Berechiah son of Meshezabel. Next to him Zadok son of Baana made repairs,
5
and next to him the men of Tekoa. But their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work of their lord.
6
The Old Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and set up its doors with its bolts and bars.
7
Next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite made repairs, together with the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, who were under the authority of the governor of the region west of the Euphrates.
8
Next to them Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs, and next to him Hananiah, a perfumer. They strengthened Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
9
Next to them Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs.
10
Next to him Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs opposite his own house, and next to him Hattush son of Hashabneiah.
11
Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-Moab repaired another section, and the Tower of the Furnaces.
12
Next to them Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs, together with his daughters.
13
The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah. They rebuilt it and set up its doors with its bolts and bars. They also repaired the wall for a thousand cubits, as far as the Dung Gate.
14
The Dung Gate was repaired by Malchijah son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-Haccherem. He rebuilt it and set up its doors with its bolts and bars.
15
The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Col-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, covered it, and set up its doors with its bolts and bars. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of the Canal, near the king’s garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David.
16
Beside him Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, made repairs as far as opposite the tombs of David and as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Mighty Men.
17
Beside him the Levites made repairs: Rehum son of Bani, and beside him Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah for his district.
18
Beside them their brothers, namely Binnui son of Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah, made repairs.
19
Next to him Ezer son of Jeshua, ruler of Mizpah, repaired another section, opposite the ascent to the armory, at the Angle.
20
Beside him Baruch son of Zabbai repaired another section, from the Angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
21
Beside him Meremoth son of Uriah son of Hakkoz repaired another section, from the entrance of Eliashib’s house to the end of Eliashib’s house.
22
Beside him the priests, the men of the Jordan Valley, made repairs.
23
After them Benjamin and Hashub made repairs opposite their house. Beside them Azariah son of Maaseiah son of Ananiah made repairs beside his house.
24
Beside him Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the Angle and to the Corner.
25
Palal son of Uzai made repairs opposite the Angle and opposite the high tower projecting from the king’s palace, near the court of the guard. Beside him Pedaiah son of Parosh made repairs
26
as far as opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower. Now the temple servants lived on Ophel.
27
After Pedaiah the men of Tekoa repaired another section, from opposite the great projecting tower as far as the wall of Ophel.
28
From the Horse Gate the priests made repairs, each opposite his own house.
29
Beside them Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house. Beside him Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, keeper of the East Gate.
30
Beside him Hananiah son of Shelemiah and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. Beside them Meshullam son of Berechiah made repairs opposite his chamber.
31
Beside him Malchijah, a goldsmith, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the upper room at the corner.
32
Between the upper room at the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.
🧱🛠️🫱 Summary of Nehemiah 3 – Rising Up to Build the Wall of Jerusalem Together
Nehemiah 3 records in careful and orderly detail how the building of Jerusalem’s wall was carried out cooperatively by the people of Israel, led by various groups — from priests, nobles, goldsmiths, to ordinary people. This chapter shows that everyone has a part in God’s work, no matter their background or social standing. Though it may seem to be only a list, it is a portrait of unity and faithful labor.
📌 1. The Priests and Levites Begin the Work (verse 1)
➡️ The high priest Eliashib and the priests began the work from the Sheep Gate
➡️ They consecrated it — giving spiritual meaning to physical labor
🎯 All spiritual and practical work should begin in holiness and prayer.
📌 2. Each Group Built Its Own Section (verses 2–32)
➡️ Various groups built sections of the wall around the city:
- The merchants
- The goldsmiths
- The women, even the daughters of the nobles (Shallum)
- People from the surrounding regions: Jericho, Tekoa, Gibeon, Mizpah, etc.
➡️ Some groups stand out: - The men of Tekoa built twice, though their nobles were unwilling to join (verse 5)
- Baruch son of Zabbai worked “with special zeal” (verse 20)
- Malchijah repaired the Dung Gate — the least attractive place
🎯 No work is too small or too dirty when it is done for the Lord.
📌 3. Good and Strategic Coordination
➡️ The work was divided by sections of wall and gate — such as the Fish Gate, the Old Gate, the Valley Gate, etc.
➡️ It was carried out side by side and in order — this reflects strategy, synergy, and spiritual collaboration
➡️ Although many came from different backgrounds, all were united in one vision: restoring the city of God
🎯 When the hearts of the people are stirred, diversity becomes strength in the work of the Lord.
📖 Main Teaching
- Everyone has an important part in the work of God, regardless of social status
- The work of God is collaboration, not the labor of one person
- Unity and strategy are very important for completing a great vision
- Even “dirty” or “small” work is valuable in God’s eyes
- Zeal, earnestness, and faithfulness are more important than title or position
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“The body is one, yet it consists of many members…”
➡️ Nehemiah 3 is a picture of the body of Christ — each member has a function and honor
“Whatever you do, do it with all your heart as for the Lord…”
➡️ Workers such as Baruch son of Zabbai become an example of diligent work that glorifies God
“…from Him the whole body… grows and builds itself up in love.”
➡️ Cooperation in Nehemiah 3 portrays unity and growth in the spiritual body
“…we have many members… yet we are all one body in Christ.”
➡️ All parts of the wall were built together — unity in diversity
🕊️ “So the high priest Eliashib and his brothers, the priests, arose…” – Nehemiah 3:1
🕊️ “But their nobles would not submit…” – Nehemiah 3:5
🕊️ “Baruch son of Zabbai repaired with special zeal…” – Nehemiah 3:20
🕊️ “They repaired beside him…” – Nehemiah 3:12, and so on.
