Nehemiah 3:1 - Meaning and Application

The best way to understand how this chapter is arranged is to notice how the work was shared out among the builders. Each person knew his task and could do it with holy eagerness and a desire to do well, but without quarrels, hatred, or private interest. The only rivalry shown here is a good one, a wish to do the most for the public good.

Several things stand out in this account of the wall around Jerusalem. First, Eliashib the high priest, along with his fellow priests, led the way in this group of builders (Nehemiah 3:1). Ministers should be first in every good work, because their calling requires them to teach and stir others up by their example as well as by their words. If the work is hard, who should be more ready to do it? If there is danger, who should be more ready to face it? The high priest held a very honorable office, and that honor made it fitting for him to take a leading part in this service.

The priests repaired the Sheep Gate, so called because the sheep for temple sacrifices were brought through it. They took this gate because the offerings made to the Lord were their share. This is the only gate said to have been set apart to God with prayer, and perhaps with sacrifices as well. That may be because it led toward the temple, or because this was the first part of the wall to be finished, so they used it to commit the city and its walls to God’s care. It may also be because the priests built it, and those who are specially set apart to God should dedicate even their ordinary work to him and do everything in a godly way.

Second, many people took part, and each one took a share according to his ability. Whatever is for the public good should be helped by everyone, as far as his place and strength allow. Joined strength can do what no single person would dare attempt. Many hands make the work lighter.

Third, many who worked were not even residents of Jerusalem, so they were thinking only of the common good, not their own advantage. Among them were the men of Jericho with the first group (Nehemiah 3:2), the men of Gibeon and Mizpah (Nehemiah 3:7), and the people of Zanoah (Nehemiah 3:13). Every Israelite should lend a hand in building up Jerusalem.

Fourth, several rulers, both in Jerusalem and in other towns, joined in the work. They thought it part of their honor to use their wealth and power for this good cause. Yet they are described as rulers of only a part, or half, of their cities. One was ruler of half of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:12), another of part of Beth-haccherem (Nehemiah 3:14), another of part of Mizpah (Nehemiah 3:15), another of half of Beth-zur (Nehemiah 3:16), and two ruled the two halves of Keilah (Nehemiah 3:17-18). Perhaps the Persian government would not trust one person with a strong city, but placed two over each one to keep watch on one another. Rome later had two consuls for a similar reason.

Fifth, the nobles of Tekoa are rightly reproved, because they would not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord (Nehemiah 3:5). That is, they refused to take on the burden of serving in this task. It was as if their rank and freedom excused them from serving God and doing good, when in truth these are the highest honor and the truest freedom. Nobles should never think anything beneath them if it helps their country. What is nobility for, except to give a person a wider field for usefulness than people of lower rank have?

Sixth, two men shared the repair of the Old Gate (Nehemiah 3:6). In that way, they were fellow builders and shared the honor together. When we cannot complete a good work by ourselves, we should be thankful for those who join us as partners. Some think this gate was called the Old Gate because it belonged to the ancient city of Salem, which Melchizedek first built.

Seventh, several honest working men helped as well, not only priests and rulers, but goldsmiths, perfumers, and merchants (Nehemiah 3:8, Nehemiah 3:32). They did not think their work excuses them from public duty. They did not say they could not leave their shops for this cause, because they knew God would make up whatever they lost by blessing their labor.

Eighth, women are also mentioned as helping in this work, such as Shallum and his daughters (Nehemiah 3:12). Though they could not do the building themselves, they may have given money for materials and wages, either because they had their own property or because they were wealthy widows. Paul mentions some good women who worked with him in the gospel (Philippians 4:3).

Ninth, some repaired the part of the wall that was across from their own houses (Nehemiah 3:10, Nehemiah 3:23, Nehemiah 3:28, Nehemiah 3:29), and one, likely only a lodger, repaired across from his room (Nehemiah 3:30). When a common good work must be done, each person should take the part that lies nearest to him and is within his reach. If everyone sweeps in front of his own door, the whole street will be clean. If everyone mends one section, then all will be repaired. Even a man with only a room can do his part by working in front of it.

Tenth, one man is said to have worked very eagerly on his part (Nehemiah 3:20). He did his work with strong zeal. That does not mean the others were lazy, but he was more vigorous than the rest and stood out for it. It is good to be warmly devoted to a good thing. His zeal likely encouraged many others to work harder and faster.

Eleventh, one of the builders was the sixth son of his father (Nehemiah 3:30). His five older brothers, it seems, did not join the work, but he did. In doing what is good, we do not need to wait for our elders to lead the way. If they refuse, that does not mean we must refuse too. If the younger brother is the better man and serves God and his generation better, then he is truly the more honorable man. Those who are most useful are the most honorable.

Twelfth, some who had already worked once came back and took on another share where more help was needed. Meremoth repaired one section (Nehemiah 3:4) and later another (Nehemiah 3:21). The Tekoites, besides the part they first repaired (Nehemiah 3:5), took on another section as well (Nehemiah 3:27). That is especially striking because their nobles gave them a bad example by refusing to help. Instead of letting that excuse them from work, it may have made them all the more willing to do double duty, so that their zeal could shame, or make up for, the greed and carelessness of their nobles.

Lastly, there is no mention here of any special part that Nehemiah himself took in the building. A man with the same name is mentioned in Nehemiah 3:16. But did Nehemiah do nothing? Yes, he did much, even if he did not take one specific section of the wall. He oversaw the whole work. Half of his servants worked where help was most needed, and the other half stood guard, as we see later (Nehemiah 4:16).

Nehemiah himself went about the work, checked on the builders, encouraged them, and gave directions. He also put his own hand to the task when needed, and kept a careful watch on the enemy’s movements, as we will see in the next chapter. A pilot does not need to pull on the ropes, because steering the ship is his job.