Nehemiah 7:3

Verse Nehemiah 7:3. Until the sun be hot] The meaning of this is, the gates were not to be opened before sunrise, and always shut at sunset. This is the custom to the present day in many of the cities of the East if a traveller arrives after sunset, he finds the gates shut; and on no consideration will they open them till the next morning, so that those who come late are obliged to lodge in the plain, or under the walls.

Every one - over against his house.] Each was obliged to guard that part of the wall that was opposite to his own dwelling.