CHAPTER III _The names of those who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem; and the_ _part assigned to each person_, 1-32. NOTES ON CHAP. III Verse Nehemiah 3:1. _ELIASHIB THE HIGH PRIEST_] It was right that the priests should be _first_ in this holy work; and perhaps the _sheep_ _gate_ which is mention... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 3:3. _THE FISH GATE_] We really know scarcely any thing about these gates - what they were, why called by these names, or in what part of the wall situated. All plans of Jerusalem, its temple, walls, and gates, are mere works of conjecture; and yet how _learnedly_ have some men writte... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 3:7. _THE THRONE OF THE GOVERNOR_] His house, and the place where he dispensed justice and judgment. Previously to the days of Nehemiah, Jerusalem was governed by a deputy from the Persian king; (see Nehemiah 5:15;) but after this time they were governed by governors and judges chosen... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 3:8. _GOLDSMITHS._] From the remotest period of the history of the Jews they had artists in all elegant and ornamental trades; and it is also evident that goldsmiths, apothecaries, and merchants were formed into _companies_ in the time of Nehemiah. _APOTHECARIES_] Rather such as deal... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 3:9. _RULER OF THE HALF PART OF JERUSALEM._] Probably the city was divided into _two parts_; one for Judah, and the other for Benjamin, each having its proper governor. Rephaiah mentioned here was _one_ of these governors, and _Shallum_, mentioned Nehemiah 3:12, was the _other_. There... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 3:11. _REPAIRED THE OTHER PIECE_] That which was left by _Jedaiah_ after he had repaired the wall opposite to his own house. Probably some of the principal people were obliged to repair those parts of the wall opposite to their own dwellings. Perhaps this was the case generally.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 3:12. _THE SON OF HALOHESH_] Or, the son of the _Enchanter_: conjectured to be thus named from having the art to _charm_ serpents. _THE RULER OF THE HALF PART_] See on Nehemiah 3:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 3:13. _THE INHABITANTS OF ZANOAH_] This was a town in the tribe of Judah. Joshua 15:34.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 14. _BETH-HACCEREM_] A village or town in the tribe of Benjamin. See Jeremiah 6:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 15. _THE POOL OF SILOAH_] This is probably the same as that mentioned by the evangelists. _THE STAIRS THAT GO DOWN FROM THE CITY OF DAVID._] Jerusalem being built on very _uneven ground_, and some _hills_ being taken within the walls; there was a necessity that there should be in different pl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 16. _THE POOL THAT WAS MADE_] Calmet supposes that this was the reservoir made by Hezekiah, when besieged by Sennacherib, 2 Chronicles 32:4. _THE HOUSE OF THE MIGHTY._] Probably a place where a _band of_ _soldiers_ was kept, or the _city guard_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 19. _THE GOING UP TO THE ARMOURY_] This was either a _tower_ that defended the angle where the two walls met; or the _city_ _arsenal_, where shields, spears, c., were kept to arm the people in time of danger.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 20. _EARNESTLY REPAIRED_] He distinguished himself by his _zeal_ and _activity_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 22. _THE PRIESTS, THE MEN OF THE PLAIN._] Some of the officers of the temple, particularly the _singers_, dwelt in the _plain_ country round about Jerusalem, Nehemiah 12:28; and it is likely that several of the _priests_ dwelt in the same place.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 28. _THE HORSE GATE_] The place through which the _horses_ passed in order to be watered; It was near the temple. Some rabbins suppose that in order to go to the temple, a person might go on horseback to the place here referred to, but then was obliged to alight, as a horse could pass no farth... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nehemiah 3:32. _THE GOLDSMITHS AND THE MERCHANTS._] The word הצרפים _hatstsorephim_ may signify _smiths_, or persons who worked in _metals_ of any kind; but it is generally understood to mean those who worked in _gold_. I have already observed, that the mention of _merchants_ and _goldsmiths_... [ Continue Reading ]