Nehemiah — Chapter 3

Loading ESV text...

1Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.

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.

13The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.

14But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Beth-haccerem; he build it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

15But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king’s garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.

16After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Beth-zur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.

17After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.

18After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.

19And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.

20After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.

21After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.

22And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.

23After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.

24After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner.

25Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king’s high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh.

26Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.

27After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.

28From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.

29After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.

30After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.

31After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith’s son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.

32And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.

1Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Hammeah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananel.

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.

13The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits of the wall unto the dung gate.

14And the dung gate repaired Malchijah the son of Rechab, the ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof.

15And the fountain gate repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Shelah by the king`s garden, even unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.

16After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and unto the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty men.

17After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, for his district.

18After him repaired their brethren, Bavvai the son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah.

19And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another portion, over against the ascent to the armory at the turning [of the wall].

20After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired another portion, from the turning [of the wall] unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.

21After him repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz another portion, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.

22And after him repaired the priests, the men of the Plain.

23After them repaired Benjamin and Hasshub over against their house. After them repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah beside his own house.

24After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another portion, from the house of Azariah unto the turning [of the wall], and unto the corner.

25Palal the son of Uzai [repaired] over against the turning [of the wall], and the tower that standeth out from the upper house of the king, which is by the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh [repaired].

26(Now the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that standeth out.)

27After him the Tekoites repaired another portion, over against the great tower that standeth out, and unto the wall of Ophel.

28Above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his own house.

29After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his own house. And after him repaired Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate.

30After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another portion. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.

31After him repaired Malchijah one of the goldsmiths unto the house of the Nethinim, and of the merchants, over against the gate of Hammiphkad, and to the ascent of the corner.

32And between the ascent of the corner and the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.

1Then Eliashib the high priest and his priestly colleagues arose and built the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and erected its doors, working as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.

2The men of Jericho built adjacent to it, and Zaccur son of Imri built adjacent to them.

3The sons of Hassenaah rebuilt the Fish Gate. They laid its beams and positioned its doors, its bolts, and its bars.

4Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakoz, worked on the section adjacent to them. Meshullam son of Berechiah the son of Meshezabel worked on the section next to them. And Zadok son of Baana worked on the section adjacent to them.

5The men of Tekoa worked on the section adjacent to them, but their town leaders would not assist with the work of their master.

6Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah worked on the Jeshanah Gate. They laid its beams and positioned its doors, its bolts, and its bars.

7Adjacent to them worked Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, who were men of Gibeon and Mizpah. These towns were under the jurisdiction of the governor of Trans-Euphrates.

8Uzziel son of Harhaiah, a member of the goldsmiths’ guild, worked on the section adjacent to him. Hananiah, a member of the perfumers’ guild, worked on the section adjacent to him. They plastered the city wall of Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.

9Rephaiah son of Hur, head of a half district of Jerusalem, worked on the section adjacent to them.

10Jedaiah son of Harumaph worked on the section adjacent to them opposite his house, and Hattush son of Hashabneiah worked on the section adjacent to him.

11Malkijah son of Harim and Hasshub son of Pahath Moab worked on another section and the Tower of the Ovens.

12Shallum son of Hallohesh, head of a half district of Jerusalem, worked on the section adjacent to him, assisted by his daughters.

13Hanun and the residents of Zanoah worked on the Valley Gate. They rebuilt it and positioned its doors, its bolts, and its bars, in addition to working on 1,500 feet of the wall as far as the Dung Gate.

14Malkijah son of Recab, head of the district of Beth Hakkerem, worked on the Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and positioned its doors, its bolts, and its bars.

15Shallun son of Col-Hozeh, head of the district of Mizpah, worked on the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it, put on its roof, and positioned its doors, its bolts, and its bars. In addition, he rebuilt the wall of the Pool of Siloam, by the royal garden, as far as the steps that go down from the City of David.

16Nehemiah son of Azbuk, head of a half district of Beth Zur, worked after him as far as the tombs of David and the artificial pool and the House of the Warriors.

17After him the Levites worked—Rehum son of Bani and after him Hashabiah, head of half the district of Keilah, for his district.

18After him their relatives worked—Binnui son of Henadad, head of a half district of Keilah.

19Adjacent to him Ezer son of Jeshua, head of Mizpah, worked on another section, opposite the ascent to the armory at the buttress.

20After him Baruch son of Zabbai worked on another section, from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.

21After him Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, worked on another section from the door of Eliashib’s house to the end of it.

22After him the priests worked, men of the nearby district.

23After them Benjamin and Hasshub worked opposite their house. After them Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, worked near his house.

24After him Binnui son of Henadad worked on another section, from the house of Azariah to the buttress and the corner.

25After him Palal son of Uzai worked opposite the buttress and the tower that protrudes from the upper palace of the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah son of Parosh

26and the temple servants who were living on Ophel worked up to the area opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the protruding tower.

27After them the men of Tekoa worked on another section, from opposite the great protruding tower to the wall of Ophel.

28Above the Horse Gate the priests worked, each in front of his house.

29After them Zadok son of Immer worked opposite his house, and after him Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, guard at the East Gate, worked.

30After him Hananiah son of Shelemiah, and Hanun, the sixth son of Zalaph, worked on another section. After them Meshullam son of Berechiah worked opposite his quarters.

31After him Malkijah, one of the goldsmiths, worked as far as the house of the temple servants and the traders, opposite the Inspection Gate, and up to the room above the corner.

32And between the room above the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and traders worked.

1Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate. They sanctified it, and set up its doors. They sanctified it even to the tower of Hammeah, to the tower of Hananel.

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, and 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.

13Hanun and the inhabitants of Zanoah repaired the valley gate. They built it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and one thousand cubits of the wall to the dung gate.

14Malchijah the son of Rechab, the ruler of the district of Beth Haccherem repaired the dung gate. He built it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars.

15Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah repaired the spring gate. He built it, and covered it, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, and the wall of the pool of Shelah by the king’s garden, even to the stairs that go down from David’s city.

16After him, Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of half the district of Beth Zur, made repairs to the place opposite the tombs of David, and to the pool that was made, and to the house of the mighty men.

17After him, the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani made repairs. Next to him, Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district.

18After him, their brothers, Bavvai the son of Henadad, the ruler of half the district of Keilah made repairs.

19Next to him, Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, repaired another portion, across from the ascent to the armory at the turning of the wall.

20After him, Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired another portion, from the turning of the wall to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.

21After him, Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz repaired another portion, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.

22After him, the priests, the men of the Plain made repairs.

23After them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs across from their house. After them, Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah made repairs beside his own house.

24After him, Binnui the son of Henadad repaired another portion, from the house of Azariah to the turning of the wall, and to the corner.

25Palal the son of Uzai made repairs opposite the turning of the wall, and the tower that stands out from the upper house of the king, which is by the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh made repairs.

26(Now the temple servants lived in Ophel, to the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that stands out.)

27After him the Tekoites repaired another portion, over against the great tower that stands out, and to the wall of Ophel.

28Above the horse gate, the priests made repairs, everyone across from his own house.

29After them, Zadok the son of Immer made repairs across from his own house. After him, Shemaiah the son of Shecaniah, the keeper of the east gate made repairs.

30After him, Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another portion. After him, Meshullam the son of Berechiah made repairs across from his room.

31After him, Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths to the house of the temple servants, and of the merchants, made repairs opposite the gate of Hammiphkad, and to the ascent of the corner.

32Between the ascent of the corner and the sheep gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants made repairs.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls is organized by families and groups, each responsible for a specific section, from the Sheep Gate around the entire circuit. The detailed list shows cooperation across all social classes—priests, rulers, merchants, and common people working side by side.

Authorship & Background

Author: Nehemiah, with possible editorial additions by Ezra. Written approximately 445-400 BC. Nehemiah covers the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls (445 BC) and the spiritual renewal of the community. Key themes: prayer and action together, opposition overcome by faith, the importance of God's Word (chapter 8), covenant renewal, and the principle that spiritual rebuilding must accompany physical rebuilding.
Historical Context: Chapter 3 is the construction record — a detailed registry of who built what section of Jerusalem's wall. Beginning at the Sheep Gate (northeast corner, near the Temple) and moving counterclockwise around the city, the chapter lists approximately 40 building teams covering the entire perimeter. The list includes the high priest and priests (v.1), district rulers (vv.9, 12, 14-18), merchants and goldsmiths (vv.8, 31-32), Temple servants (v.26), women (v.12 — Shallum's daughters), and people from surrounding towns (Jericho, Tekoa, Gibeon, Zanoah). The diversity of workers communicates a powerful message: the wall was not built by professionals but by the entire community working together, each responsible for a specific section. Many built "opposite their house" (vv.10, 23, 28-30) — they were literally defending their own homes. One shameful note stands out: "their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord" (v.5) — the Tekoite leaders refused to participate while their commoners worked doubly hard (also v.27). The chapter demonstrates organizational genius: Nehemiah divided an overwhelming project into manageable sections, assigned each to a specific group, and tracked accountability publicly. The wall rose because everyone did their part.

Map & Geography

  • Susa (Shushan) — the Persian winter capital in modern Iran, where Nehemiah serves as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes.
  • Jerusalem — the city whose walls Nehemiah rebuilds. Chapter 3 names specific gates (Sheep Gate, Fish Gate, Valley Gate, Dung Gate, etc.) tracing the wall circuit.
  • The surrounding enemies occupy identifiable regions: Sanballat (Samaria/north), Tobiah (Ammon/east), Geshem (Arabia/south).

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik emphasizes the organizational principle: Nehemiah broke an impossible task into manageable sections. He notes that the list honors ordinary people by name — God records faithful workers. The Tekoite nobles' refusal (v.5) is contrasted with the Tekoite commoners' double effort (v.27) — showing that rank does not determine faithfulness.
  • Charles Spurgeon: "Here is God's honor roll for the wall-builders — every name recorded, every section assigned, every faithful worker noted for eternity. And alongside the roll of honor, a roll of shame: 'their nobles put not their necks to the work.' They thought themselves too important for manual labor in God's cause. But see: the goldsmiths built, the perfumers built, the daughters of Shallum built, the priests themselves hefted stones — while the 'nobles' stood idle in their dignity. Pride that will not serve is recorded in Scripture as shame, not honor. Meanwhile, look at verse 20: Baruch 'earnestly' repaired — with holy passion and diligence. God knows the difference between the half-hearted and the wholehearted. Which description will stand beside your name?"

Reflection

  • 1. Everyone has a section of wall to build (vv.1-32). God's work requires everyone — not just leaders, pastors, or professionals. Goldsmiths built, perfumers built, women built. Your profession, gender, or social status does not exempt you from service. What section of "wall" has God assigned to you? Are you building it?
  • 2. Build opposite your own house (vv.10, 23, 28). Many worked on the wall section nearest their home — personal stake increased both diligence and accountability. God often calls you to serve where you live — your neighborhood, your workplace, your sphere of daily life. Start where your personal investment is highest.
  • 3. Pride disqualifies from service (v.5). The Tekoite nobles refused because the work was beneath them. Pride says "I'm too important for this task." But the humble goldsmiths, perfumers, and daughters did what nobles would not. God records willing service, not social standing. Never consider yourself above any work God assigns.
  • 4. Faithfulness is documented eternally (vv.1-32). Every worker is named. God keeps records. Your faithful service — however small or unnoticed by others — is written in God's register. The obscure person who faithfully builds their section is honored alongside the high priest.
  • 5. One person's failure means another person's double duty (v.27). When the Tekoite nobles refused, the Tekoite commoners built TWO sections. When you shirk your assignment, someone else must carry your load. Your faithlessness increases others' burden. Build your section so others don't have to compensate for your absence.