ScriptureDepth's study of Nehemiah 3
“Next to them, the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles didn’t put their necks to the Lord’s work.”
Nehemiah 3:5
Nehemiah notes the Tekoites' work, but their nobles, unlike the rest, do not participate in the repairs, revealing a lack of commitment to rebuilding Jerusalem.
What Nehemiah 3 is about
Eliashib the high priest and his brothers built the sheep gate, sanctifying it and setting up its doors (vv. 1-2). Next, the men of Jericho and others made repairs on nearby sections. The fish gate was built by the sons of Hassenaah, who laid its beams and set up its doors (vv. 3-5). Joiada and Meshullam repaired the old gate, while the Tekoites contributed but their nobles did not participate. Melatiah and Jadon repaired the governor's residence (vv. 6-14). Nehemiah, as a ruler, made repairs near the tombs of David and the pool (vv. 15-21). The priests, Levites, and other leaders continued the work, repairing sections across from their houses (vv. 22-32). Various community members collaborated in the rebuilding efforts, highlighting the collective effort in restoring Jerusalem's walls and gates.
The chapter leaves the reader with a sense of community effort and dedication to the restoration of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 3 at a glance
- Nehemiah 3:1–2The Sheep Gate is Built
- Nehemiah 3:3–5The Fish Gate and Repairs
- Nehemiah 3:6–14Repairs on Multiple Gates
- Nehemiah 3:15–21Continued Work by Leaders
- Nehemiah 3:22–32Community Contributions
Key verse: Nehemiah 3:5
One thing to notice
Eliashib builds the sheep gate in verse 1, with the men of Jericho building next to him in verse 2. The text lists various builders and their specific contributions throughout the chapter, noting each person's work in the wall repairs.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Nehemiah 3 (WEB)
The Sheep Gate is Built Nehemiah 3:1–2
1Verse 1. Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate. They sanctified it, and set up its doors. They sanctified it even to the tower of Hammeah, to the tower of Hananel. 2Verse 2. Next to him the men of Jericho built. Next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.
The Fish Gate and Repairs Nehemiah 3:3–5
3Verse 3. The sons of Hassenaah built the fish gate. They laid its beams, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars. 4Verse 4. Next to them, Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz made repairs. Next to them, Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel made repairs. Next to them, Zadok the son of Baana made repairs. 5Verse 5. Next to them, the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles didn’t put their necks to the Lord’s work.
Repairs on Multiple Gates Nehemiah 3:6–14
6Verse 6. Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the old gate. They laid its beams, and set up its doors, and its bolts, and its bars. 7Verse 7. Next to them, Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, repaired the residence of the governor beyond the River. 8Verse 8. Next to him, Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, made repairs. Next to him, Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs, and they fortified Jerusalem even to the wide wall. 9Verse 9. Next to them, Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs.
10Verse 10. Next to them, Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs across from his house. Next to him, Hattush the son of Hashabneiah made repairs. 11Verse 11. Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hasshub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired another portion, and the tower of the furnaces. 12Verse 12. Next to him, Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters, made repairs. 13Verse 13. Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the valley gate. They built it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and one thousand cubits of the wall to the dung gate.
14Verse 14. Malchijah the son of Rechab, the ruler of the district of Beth Haccherem repaired the dung gate. He built it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
Continued Work by Leaders Nehemiah 3:15–21
15Verse 15. Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah repaired the spring gate. He built it, and covered it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and the wall of the pool of Shelah by the king’s garden, even to the stairs that go down from David’s city. 16Verse 16. After him, Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth Zur, made repairs to the place opposite the tombs of David, and to the pool that was made, and to the house of the mighty men. 17Verse 17. After him, the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani made repairs. Next to him, Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district.
18Verse 18. After him, their brothers, Bavvai the son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah made repairs. 19Verse 19. Next to him, Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, repaired another portion, across from the ascent to the armory at the turning of the wall. 20Verse 20. After him, Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired another portion, from the turning of the wall to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest. 21Verse 21. After him, Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz repaired another portion, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
Community Contributions Nehemiah 3:22–32
22Verse 22. After him, the priests, the men of the Plain made repairs. 23Verse 23. After them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs across from their house. After them, Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah made repairs beside his own house. 24Verse 24. After him, Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another portion, from the house of Azariah to the turning of the wall, and to the corner. 25Verse 25. Palal the son of Uzai made repairs opposite the turning of the wall, and the tower that stands out from the upper house of the king, which is by the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh made repairs.
26Verse 26. (Now the temple servants lived in Ophel, to the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that stands out.) 27Verse 27. After him the Tekoites repaired another portion, over against the great tower that stands out, and to the wall of Ophel. 28Verse 28. Above the horse gate, the priests made repairs, everyone across from his own house. 29Verse 29. After them, Zadok the son of Immer made repairs across from his own house. After him, Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate made repairs. 30Verse 30. After him, Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another portion. After him, Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs across from his room.
31Verse 31. After him, Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths to the house of the temple servants, and of the merchants, made repairs opposite the gate of Hammiphkad, and to the ascent of the corner. 32Verse 32. Between the ascent of the corner and the sheep gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Nehemiah 3
Community Involvement
Various groups and individuals engage in the rebuilding efforts throughout the chapter. For instance, in vv. 1-2, 'Eliashib the high priest' and 'the men of Jericho' are noted for their contributions to building the Sheep Gate and its sanctification. The communal effort continues with names listed alongside their respective contributions, showing how everyone, from priests to local inhabitants, participates in the restoration of Jerusalem's walls and gates.
Leadership and Service
Leadership is evident in Nehemiah 3 through figures like 'Eliashib the high priest' in v. 1 and 'Shallum the son of Hallohesh' in v. 12, who lead repair efforts at different gates. Notably, the rulers of various districts, such as 'the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem' in v. 9, exemplify how leadership roles contribute directly to community service, as they guide and organize the rebuilding work.
Restoration and Renewal
The chapter details the physical restoration of Jerusalem's walls and gates, emphasizing the renewal of the city and its security. In vv. 3-4, 'the fish gate' and 'the old gate' are constructed and repaired, which signifies a revival of community structure. Each repaired section, including notable sites like 'the tower of the furnaces' in v. 11, contributes to the larger narrative of the city's restoration journey.
Unity in Diversity
Nehemiah 3 depicts a variety of individuals contributing to the rebuilding of the wall, including priests, leaders, and craftsmen, each participating in the work. In verses 8-9, craftsmen such as 'goldsmiths' come together with local leaders like 'Rephaiah the son of Hur,' showing collaboration across different social standings. This cooperation towards a shared objective highlights the ability of diverse people to unite for the common good.
Chapter outline
How Nehemiah 3 unfolds
Nehemiah 3:1–2 The Sheep Gate is Built
Eliashib the high priest, along with his fellow priests, builds the sheep gate, sanctifying it and setting up its doors up to the towers of Hammeah and Hananel (vv. 1-2).
Nehemiah 3:3–5 The Fish Gate and Repairs
The sons of Hassenaah construct the fish gate, installing its beams and doors, while Meremoth, Meshullam, and Zadok make repairs to adjacent sections, though the nobles from Tekoa do not engage in the work (vv. 3-5).
Nehemiah 3:6–14 Repairs on Multiple Gates
Joiada and Meshullam repair the old gate, followed by Melatiah and Jadon who work on the governor's residence, with Uzziel and Hananiah fortifying the wall to the wide wall (vv. 6-14).
Nehemiah 3:15–21 Continued Work by Leaders
Nehemiah and the Levites, including Rehum and Hashabiah, contribute repairs to various portions of the wall, while Shallum and his daughters also participate actively in the rebuilding efforts (vv. 15-21).
Nehemiah 3:22–32 Community Contributions
The priests and community members, including Benjamin and Hasshub, continue with repairs across from their homes, culminating in the contributions of goldsmiths and merchants near the sheep gate (vv. 22-32).
Key verses
Nehemiah 3:5Nehemiah notes the Tekoites' work, but their nobles, unlike the rest, do not participate in the repairs, revealing a lack of commitment to rebuilding Jerusalem.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Nehemiah 3
- observeIn v1, what specific gate do Eliashib and the priests build?
- observeWhat did the Tekoites fail to do in v5?
- interpretIn v5, why do the nobles of the Tekoites not participate in the work?
- interpretIn v12, what might be the implications of Shallum’s daughters participating in the repairs?
- applyWhen have you felt your contribution to a group effort was undervalued, similar to the Tekoite nobles in v5?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Nehemiah 3
- Nehemiah 12Nehemiah 3:1 and Nehemiah 12:39Both built the sheep gate: Nehemiah 3:1 says Eliashib built it, while Nehemiah 12:39 mentions it in the context of the wall.
- Nehemiah 10Nehemiah 3:23 and Nehemiah 10:2Both mention Azariah: Nehemiah 3:23 highlights his repairs, while Nehemiah 10:2 lists him as a signatory.
- Jeremiah 30Nehemiah 3:1 and Jeremiah 30:18Both mention building: Nehemiah 3:1 states they built the sheep gate, while Jeremiah 30:18 speaks of rebuilding the city.
- Nehemiah 8Nehemiah 3:26 and Nehemiah 8:1Both mention the water gate: Nehemiah 3:26 locates temple servants there, while Nehemiah 8:1 speaks of gathering there.
- Nehemiah 2Nehemiah 3:15 and Nehemiah 2:14Both mention the spring gate: Nehemiah 3:15 details its repairs, while Nehemiah 2:14 describes its location.
- Nehemiah 7Nehemiah 3:2 and Nehemiah 7:36Both mention the men of Jericho: Nehemiah 3:2 notes their building, while Nehemiah 7:36 lists their number.
Related chapters
Chapters that connect with Nehemiah 3
Elsewhere on ScriptureDepth
Where to go from here
- Nehemiah: the whole bookNehemiah is a memoir of leadership under pressure.
- Full Year Chronological Bible, day 281Day 281 of 365: Nehemiah 1–3.
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