Nehemiah 3:1-6:16 NIV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Nehemiah 3:1

Nehemiah 3:1. Then Eliashib the high-priest rose up The grandchild of Jeshua, the first high-priest after their return from Babylon. He, with his brethren, set a noble example, in being the first that began to rebuild the walls of the holy city, which the Babylonians had demolished. Ministers should be foremost in every good work, animating others by their example as well as doctrine. And they built the sheep-gate Which was on the south side of the city, in that part of the valley which... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Nehemiah 3:1-32

2:11-7:73 REBUILDING THE CITY WALLThe plan of work followed (2:11-3:32)Rebuilding the broken-down wall was going to mean much hard work. In fact, the task was so huge that some may have said it could not be done. Therefore, before announcing his plans, Nehemiah made a secret survey himself so that he would know exactly how much work was to be done and the amount of materials that would be required (11-16). This first-hand knowledge, together with his account of how God had guided all the events... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Nehemiah 3:1

Eliashib = God restores. The son of Joiakim, the son of Jeshua (Compare Nehemiah 12:10 ). He was earnest in material work, but negligent of what was spiritual (See Nehemiah 13:4 , Nehemiah 13:7 ). the sheep gate. Near the present St. Stephen's gate, at north-east corner of Temple area. So called because the sheep for sacrifice were brought in here. Compare John 5:2 . This was the point of beginning and ending. See App-59 . doors. Hebrew. dal = a door or gate hanging on hinges; not the same... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Nehemiah 3:1

DETAILS OF HOW THEY ALL WORKED ON THE WALLThe skill and ability of Nehemiah appear dramatically in this chapter. Even the High Priest, of all people, was enlisted in the work. Nobody was exempt; the entire population of Judah, some twenty five or thirty thousand men, all went to work at one time on the city wall. No wonder it was finished in record time.Eliashib the High Priest, like many of the nobles and a large number of priests, would oppose some of Nehemiah's reforms; but this building of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Nehemiah 3:1

Nehemiah 3:1. Then Eliasbib the high priest— Eliashib was the grandson of Jeshua the high-priest; and he, with his brethren the priests, set a noble example, in being the first to rebuild the walls of the holy city, which the Babylonians had burned when they took it. The sheep-gate was on the south side of the city, in that part of the valley which looked toward mount Zion and the temple. It had its name from the sheep intended for sacrifice being brought through it to the temple. See John 5:2.... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Nehemiah 3:1

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,... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Nehemiah 3:1-4

B. The Rebuilding of the Walls 3:1-7:4Nehemiah described the reconstruction of the walls, starting with the Sheep Gate near the city’s northeast corner, moving counterclockwise. This record honors those who-by building-helped reestablish Israel in the Promised Land, in harmony with God’s will (cf., e.g., Isaiah 52:11-12). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Nehemiah 3:1-32

1. The workers and their work ch. 3Eliashib (Nehemiah 3:1) was evidently the grandson of Jeshua, the high priest (Nehemiah 12:10; Ezra 3:2). Construction was an act of consecration because this was a project that God had ordained.Archaeologists continue to study the exact location of the wall at many places, as well as that of towers and gates. There is debate among them regarding various sites, as well as the total extent of the wall. Those who hold to a smaller city are "minimalists," [Note:... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Nehemiah 3:1-32

Particulars respecting the Rebuilding1. Then, etc.] For the purposes of repair the wall was parcelled out between a number of working parties consisting of various important families, the inhabitants of certain towns, and different professional and trading bodies. The description of the several sections of the wall begins near the Temple at the sheep-gate, through which the flocks used to be driven for sacrifice. The writer’s purpose in enumerating all who undertook to rebuild these sections is... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Nehemiah 3:1

(1) Then Eliashib.—The account begins with due honour to the high priest and the priesthood.The sheep gate was in the neighbourhood of the priests’ quarter. Through it the victims passed for sacrifice, first being washed in the neighbouring pool of Bethesda. This being built, “they sanctified it,” as an earnest of the subsequent consecration of the entire wall. Their work and the sanctification of it extended to two towns near each other at the north-east corner. read more