Nehemiah 3:2-12 · Bible study
Nehemiah 3:2-12 Commentary: Who Built the Wall, A People United
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the list of builders in Nehemiah 3:2-12.
Research Summary
- Meaning: A detailed record of the citizens who repaired Jerusalem’s walls, showing an organized, community-wide effort that included all social classes.
- Key words: “Repaired” (H2388 hechezik, “to strengthen, make strong”); “hand” (H3027 yad, meaning side or portion); “nobles” (H0117 adirim, “great ones”).
- Main debate: The location of several gates (Fish Gate, Old Gate, Jeshanah Gate) and the exact route of the wall, both remain uncertain due to limited archaeological data.
- Theological theme: God uses all kinds of people, from distant towns, craftsmen, officers, and women, to accomplish his purposes; refusal to serve is noted but does not stop the whole work.
- Best use: As a model of shared responsibility and an encouragement that every contribution matters, whether large or small.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
2The men of Jericho built next to Eliashib, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them.
3The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
4Next to them, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, made repairs. Next to him, Meshullam son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs; and next to him, Zadok son of Baana made repairs as well.
5Next to him, the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
6The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
7Next to them, repairs were made by Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, who were under the authority of the governor of the region west of the Euphrates.
8Next to them, Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs, and next to him, Hananiah son of the perfumer made repairs. They fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
9Next to them, Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, made repairs;
10next to him, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs across from his house; and next to him, Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs.
11Malchijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath-moab repaired another section, as well as the Tower of the Ovens.
12And next to them, Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of the other half-district of Jerusalem, made repairs, with the help of his daughters.
WEB World English Bible 2000
2Next to him the men of Jericho built. Next to them Zaccur the son of Imri built.
3The sons of Hassenaah built the fish gate. They laid its beams, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
4Next 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.
5Next to them, the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles didn’t put their necks to the Lord’s work.
6Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the old gate. They laid its beams and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.
7Next 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.
8Next 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.
9Next to them, Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs.
10Next to them, Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs across from his house. Next to him, Hattush the son of Hashabneiah made repairs.
11Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahathmoab repaired another portion and the tower of the furnaces.
12Next to him, Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters made repairs.
KJV King James Version 1769
2And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
3But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
4And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
5And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.
6Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
7And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river.
8Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.
9And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
10And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.
11Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahath–moab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.
12And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
2And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
3And the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof.
4And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
5And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their lord.
6And the old gate repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof.
7And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, that appertained to the throne of the governor beyond the River.
8Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths. And next unto him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers, and they fortified Jerusalem even unto the broad wall.
9And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem.
10And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabneiah.
11Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hasshub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired another portion, and the tower of the furnaces.
12And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
2and by his hand have men of Jericho built; and by their hand hath Zaccur son of Imri built;
3and the fish-gate have sons of Hassenaah built, they have walled it, and set up its doors, its locks, and its bars.
4And by their hand hath Merimoth son of Urijah, son of Koz, strengthened; and by his hand hath Meshullam son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabeel, strengthened; and by his hand hath Zadok son of Baana strengthened;
5and by his hand have the Tekoites strengthened, and their honourable ones have not brought in their neck to the service of their Lord.
6And the old gate have Jehoiada son of Paseah, and Meshullam son of Besodeiah, strengthened; they have walled it, and set up its doors, and its locks, and its bars.
7And by their hand hath Melatiah the Gibeonite strengthened, and Jadon the Meronothite, men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, to the throne of the governor beyond the River.
8By his hand hath Uzziel son of Harhaiah of the refiners strengthened; and by his hand hath Hananiah son of one of the compounders strengthened; and they leave Jerusalem unto the broad wall.
9And by their hand hath Rephaiah son of Hur, head of the half of the district of Jerusalem, strengthened.
10And by their hand hath Jedaiah son of Harumaph strengthened, and over-against his own house; and by his hand hath Hattush son of Hashabniah strengthened.
11A second measure hath Malchijah son of Harim strengthened, and Hashub son of Pahath-Moab, even the tower of the furnaces.
12And by his hand hath Shallum son of Halohesh, head of the half of the district of Jerusalem, strengthened, he and his daughters.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
2And next to them built the men of Jericho. And next to them built Zaccur the son of Imri.
3And the fish-gate did the sons of Senaah build: they laid its beams, and set up its doors, its locks and its bars.
4And next to them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next to them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next to them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
5And next to them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.
6And the gate of the old [wall] repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodiah; they laid its beams, and set up its doors, and its locks, and its bars.
7And next to them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, to the seat of the governor on this side the river.
8Next to them repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths; and next to him repaired Hananiah of the perfumers, and they left Jerusalem [in its state] as far as the broad wall.
9And next to them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
10And next to them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next to him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.
11Malchijah the son of Harim and Hasshub the son of Pahath-Moab repaired a second piece, and the tower of the furnaces.
12And next to them repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
2And next to him the men of Jericho built: and next to them built Zachur the son of Amri.
3But the fish gate the sons of Asnaa built: they covered it, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks, and the bars. And next to them built Marimuth the son of Urias the son of Accus.
4And next to him built Mosollam the son of Barachias, the son of Merezebel, and next to them built Sadoc the son of Baana.
5And next to them the Thecuites built: but their great men did not put their necks to the work of their Lord.
6And Joiada the son of Phasea, and Mosollam the son of Besodia built the old gate: they covered it and set up the doors thereof, and the locks, and the bars.
7And next to them built Meltias the Gabaonite, and Jadon the Meronathite, the men of Gabaon and Maspha, for the governor that was in the country beyond the river.
8And next to him built Eziel the son of Araia the goldsmith: and next to him built Ananias the son of the perfumer: and they left Jerusalem unto the wall of the broad street.
9And next to him built Raphaia the son of Hur, lord of the street of Jerusalem.
10And next to him Jedaia the son of Haromaph over against his own house: and next to him built Hattus the son of Hasebonia.
11Melchias the son of Herem, and Hasub the son of Phahath Moab, built half the street, and the tower of the furnaces.
12And next to him built Sellum the son of Alohes, lord of half the street of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Nehemiah 3:2
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
The commentators agree that this passage records a systematic, community-wide effort to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls in the late fifth century BC. Barnes and the Cambridge Bible note the geographical logic: people from provincial towns like Jericho, Tekoa, Gibeon, and Mizpah worked on sections nearest their own cities, which made practical sense. The word translated “repaired” throughout is the Hebrew hechezik (H2388), meaning “to strengthen” or “to make strong.” Keil and Delitzsch observe that this verb implies not building from scratch but repairing existing structures. Gill and others point out that guilds such as goldsmiths and perfumers (v.8) took responsibility for sections, showing that the work involved every trade. A striking detail, noted by Wesley and Lange, is the refusal of the Tekoite nobles to “put their necks to the Lord’s work” (v.5). Their absence stands out against the broad participation of rulers like Rephaiah and Shallum, priests, and even Shallum’s daughters (v.12). Jamieson-Fausset-Brown explain that these daughters were either heiresses or rich widows who funded a portion of the wall. The overall picture is one of diverse people, from different towns, social ranks, and trades, united in a common project.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Topographical reconstruction: Scholars disagree on the exact location of gates like the Fish Gate and the Old Gate, with some placing them on the north wall and others on the west.
- Nature of the 'other piece': Malchijah and Hasshub repaired ‘another portion’ or ‘a second measure’ (v.11); some think a prior portion by them has been lost from the text, while others see it as additional work after others finished their sections.
What is clear: The passage records a real, historically situated community effort to repair Jerusalem’s walls after the exile, involving a wide range of people from different towns, trades, and social levels.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Identification of gates and walls | Commentators agree that the Fish Gate (v.3), Old Gate (v.6), and Broad Wall (v.8) were on the northern and western sides of Jerusalem, but their exact locations remain uncertain. | Some scholars, like Keil and Delitzsch, argue that the ‘Old Gate’ (v.6) should be read as ‘gate of the old city’ (supplying ‘city’), while others identify it with the modern Damascus Gate or a gate farther east. |
| Meaning of 'their nobles did not put their necks to the work' | All agree that the nobles of Tekoa refused to join the physical labor of rebuilding the wall, and this is recorded as a mark of shame. | Wesley attributes their refusal to sloth, covetousness, or secret sympathy with enemies; Lange sees it as evidence that fashionable Jerusalem was in league with Nehemiah’s opponents. |
| The role of Shallum's daughters | Commentators agree that ‘his daughters’ (v.12) are mentioned as participants in the work. | Jamieson-Fausset-Brown suggest they were heiresses or widows funding the repairs; Gill interprets it similarly. No commentator argues they personally carried stones, they likely contributed through resources or oversight. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This passage belongs to the memoir of Nehemiah, a Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes I. In the mid-400s BC, Nehemiah received permission to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its walls, which had lain in ruins since the Babylonian destruction in 586 BC. The work documented in Nehemiah 3 is a detailed, circuit-by-circuit account of the repairs, probably preserved both as a record of achievement and as a list of those who could be credited.
Jericho, mentioned in verse 2, lay about fifteen miles northeast of Jerusalem near the Jordan Valley. Ezra 2:34 records that 345 men from Jericho returned from exile. Cambridge Bible notes that the wall section assigned to them was on the northeast side, closest to their home town. This pattern, townspeople working on the nearest stretch, appears throughout the chapter and reflects good logistics: workers could commute and had local knowledge of the terrain.
The Fish Gate (v.3) likely got its name from a nearby fish market supplied by the Jordan and Sea of Galilee, as Barnes notes. Goldsmiths and perfumers (v.8) belonged to organized trade guilds, indicating that Jerusalem had a structured economy even after the exile. The “broad wall” (v.8) is identified by Jamieson-Fausset-Brown with a double wall from the Ephraim Gate to the Corner Gate, originally 400 cubits long, which Joash of Israel had broken down but Uzziah later strengthened. The “tower of the furnaces” (v.11) may have stood at the northwestern angle of the city, near where bakers or metalworkers had ovens.
The “rulers of half the district of Jerusalem” (vv.9,12) suggest that the city was administratively divided into two halves, likely reflecting the historical boundary between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, as Gill and Wesley explain. The reference to the governor “beyond the River” (v.7) points to the larger civil authority of the Persian province west of the Euphrates, under whom these local governors served.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants in Nehemiah 3:2, 12. The Masoretic Text is well preserved here. The main translational differences concern the proper names (e.g., ‘Koz’ vs. ‘Hakkoz’ in v.4; ‘Joiada’ vs. ‘Jehoiada’ in v.6) and the interpretation of the phrase ‘gate of the old city’ (v.6), which some translations render as ‘the old gate’ and others as ‘the Jeshanah Gate.’ These reflect scribal and lexicographical choices rather than textual corruption.
Reception History
Throughout church history, Nehemiah 3 has been valued as a model of corporate service and organizational leadership. Early church fathers such as Jerome mentioned Nehemiah in his biblical commentaries, praising the orderly arrangement of the work. Reformation-era commentators like Calvin (not in supplied data but widely known) used this chapter to illustrate that every believer has a specific calling and place in God’s kingdom. Matthew Henry (1710) focused on the piety of the workers and the shame of the Tekoite nobles, drawing moral lessons for his readers. In modern times, the passage is frequently cited in sermons on unity, lay leadership, and the necessity of all hands for church growth. Shallum’s daughters have often been highlighted to affirm women’s participation in ministry, though interpreters differ on whether they worked physically or funded the project.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Every hand counted. The wall was built by a wide cross-section of society: priests, nobles, goldsmiths, perfumers, townsmen, rulers, and even women. No contribution was too small, no person too obscure.
- Some refused to serve. The Tekoite nobles “put not their necks to the work” (v.5). Their absence highlights that joining God’s work is a choice, and privilege does not exempt anyone from responsibility.
- Even daughters helped. Shallum’s daughters (v.12) stepped up. Their involvement foreshadows the New Testament truth that in Christ there is no male or female, all are called to build the household of God.
Five-point outline
- Geography and logistics: People repaired the wall near their own homes and towns.
- Unity in diversity: Different towns, clans, and trades worked side by side.
- The stinging exception: The nobles of Tekoa stayed aloof.
- Leadership by example: Rulers like Rephaiah and Shallum got their hands dirty.
- Unexpected builders: Goldsmiths, perfumers, and daughters all participated.
Illustration hooks
- Neighborhood cleanup after a storm: Each household clears the block in front of their own house, but someone coordinates, and everyone shares tools.
- A church building project: Accountants install drywall, mechanics serve on the roof, teenagers paint, people use their weekday skills for kingdom work.
- A community sports day (or school fete): Some bring food, others set up chairs, some handle money, a few complain or do nothing. The event succeeds because most pitch in.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “Why should I volunteer when others are not doing their part?” (The Tekoite nobles didn’t help, but everyone else still finished the wall.)
- “I’m not a theologian, what can I really do for the church?” (Goldsmiths and perfumers, not just priests, repaired the wall.)
- “Does God honor work that seems small and behind the scenes?” (Every name in this list is recorded in Scripture, from Zaccur to Shallum’s daughters.)
Leading a Discussion
This passage is a roster of ordinary people who became part of an extraordinary work. As you read through the names and places, notice the deliberate care with which Nehemiah records them. Each person, each family, each town had a part. The section is not just a map, it is a witness to what God can do when many hands cooperate.
Discussion questions
- What pattern do you see in how the work was assigned? Why would people from Jericho, Gibeon, and Mizpah work on particular sections of the wall?
- Look at the variety of workers: goldsmiths, perfumers, rulers, priests, and daughters. What does this teach about who can serve in God’s work?
- Verse 5 notes that the Tekoite nobles “put not their necks to the work.” Why do you think their refusal is singled out? How does this affect the overall tone of the passage?
- What does the word “repaired” (Hebrew hechezik, meaning to strengthen) suggest about the state of the wall and the nature of the work?
- Why would Nehemiah include the names of individuals like Zaccur, Meremoth, and Shallum? What does this act of recording tell us about how God values each person’s effort?
- Shallum’s daughters are specifically mentioned. What might this imply about women’s roles in the rebuilding effort? How does that challenge or encourage your church community today?
- If you were to draw a “wall-building” picture of your church (or community), which groups would be working side by side? Are there any gaps where people have chosen to stand aside?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Ezra 2:34 | The children of Jericho, three hundred forty-five. |
| Nehemiah 7:36 | The children of Jericho: three hundred forty-five. |
| Nehemiah 10:12 | Zaccur, Sherebiah, Shebaniah, |
| II Chronicles 33:14 | Now after this, he built an outer wall to David’s city on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance at the fish gate. He encircled Ophel with it, and raised it up to a very great height; and he put valiant captains in all the fortified cities of Judah. |
| Nehemiah 2:8 | and a letter to Asaph the keeper of the king’s forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple, for the wall of the city, and for the house that I will occupy.” The king granted my requests, because of the good hand of my God on me. |
| Nehemiah 6:1 | Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arabian, and to the rest of our enemies that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it (though even to that time I had not set up the doors in the gates), |
| Nehemiah 7:1 | Now when the wall was built and I had set up the doors, and the gatekeepers and the singers and the Levites were appointed, |
| Nehemiah 12:39 | and above the gate of Ephraim, and by the old gate, and by the fish gate, the tower of Hananel, and the tower of Hammeah, even to the sheep gate; and they stood still in the gate of the guard. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke is skeptical that anyone truly knows Jerusalem's gates or walls, calling all existing plans mere conjecture. He then offers his best guesses for obscure terms: the governor's throne likely refers to his house and court, and "son of Halohesh" probably means "son of the enchanter," a serpent charmer. He also notes that goldsmiths, apothecaries and merchants formed companies in Nehemiah's time.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes clarifies specific locations and terms in the rebuilding account. The fish gate was where fish from the Jordan and Sea of Galilee entered Jerusalem. The word locks actually refers to cross-bars, and workers from Gibeon and Mizpah served Nehemiah but were under the governor across the river.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes draw attention to a striking contrast: the nobles of Tekoa refused to work, while Shallum's daughters helped rebuild. This detail shows that social rank did not excuse anyone from the labor, and that even women took part in the physical work of restoring Jerusalem's walls.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill identifies the fish gate as the western gate toward the Mediterranean, where fish was brought, and the old gate as likely the gate of the old wall Josephus describes. He notes that the Tekoite nobles refused to work, like stubborn oxen pulling their necks from the yoke, while the common people labored. He also observes that Shallum and his daughters repaired their section, the daughters probably being wealthy widows financing the work.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights the practical organization: each family or group was assigned the portion of wall nearest their residence, allowing simultaneous work and rapid progress. When their own section was complete, workers could move to where they were still needed. He also notes that Shallum and his daughters undertook to fund their assigned section.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil-Delitzsch identifies the broad wall as a section that had already been rebuilt
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange notes the sheep-gate is the only gate said to be sanctified (kidshuhu), a verb not used for any other. This marks its special connection to the temple area. He also points out that even the disaffected high priest Eliashib, later allied with enemies, was compelled by public opinion to lead the building work.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry observes that while nearly every group of people in Jerusalem worked willingly on the wall, the nobles of Tekoa are singled out for shame—they refused to put their shoulders to the work. Their absence stands as a quiet warning: high rank is no excuse for holding back from God's cause.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley censures the nobles who refused to join the rebuilding effort, attributing their absence to laziness, greed, or secret alignment with the enemy. He insists that nobility should elevate one's capacity for public service, not exempt one from it. Their neglect earned them a permanent stain.