Nehemiah 2:13

Nehemiah 2:13 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

So I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Well of the Serpent and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire.

King James Version KJV

And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.

American Standard Version ASV

And I went out by night by the valley gate, even toward the jackal’s well, and to the dung gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.

Bible in Basic English BBE

And I went out by night, through the doorway of the valley, and past the dragon's water-spring as far as the place where waste material was put, viewing the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down, and the doorways which had been burned with fire.

Free Bible Version FBV

So I rode in the dark through the Valley Gate toward the Spring of the Serpent and the Refuse Gate, and I inspected Jerusalem's walls that had been knocked over and the gates that had been burned down.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, and came before the dragon well, and to the dung porte, and vewed the walles of Ierusalem, howe they were broken downe, and the portes thereof deuoured with the fire.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And I go out through the gate of the valley by night, and unto the front of the fountain of the dragon, and unto the gate of the dunghill, and I am measuring about the walls of Jerusalem, that are broken down, and its gates consumed with fire.

World English Bible WEB

I went out by night by the valley gate toward the jackal’s well, then to the dung gate; and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and its gates were consumed with fire.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon-well, and to the dung-port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and their gates were consumed with fire.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, and before the dragon fountain, and to the dung gate, and I viewed the wall of Jerusalem which was broken down, and the gates thereof which were consumed with fire.

Translation for Translators T4T

We left the city, going out through the Valley Gate, then past the well called the Jackal (OR, Dragon’s) Well, and then past the gate called the Rubbish/Garbage Gate. We inspected all the walls that had been broken down and all the gates that had been burned down.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Nehemiah 2:13

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Nehemiah 2:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וָ/אֵצְאָ֨/ה בְ/שַֽׁעַר הַ/גַּ֜יא לַ֗יְלָה וְ/אֶל פְּנֵי֙ עֵ֣ין הַתַּנִּ֔ין וְ/אֶל שַׁ֖עַר הָ/אַשְׁפֹּ֑ת וָ/אֱהִ֨י שֹׂבֵ֜ר בְּ/חוֹמֹ֤ת יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ אֲשֶׁר ה/מפרוצים הֵ֣ם פְּרוּצִ֔ים וּ/שְׁעָרֶ֖י/הָ אֻכְּל֥וּ בָ/אֵֽשׁ

וָ/אֵצְאָ֨/ה yâtsâʼ H3318 to come out Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff

בְ/שַֽׁעַר shaʻar H8179 gate Prep | N-ms

הַ/גַּ֜יא gayʼ H1516 Valley Art | N-cs

לַ֗יְלָה layil H3915 night N-ms

וְ/אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Conj | Prep

פְּנֵי֙ pânîym H6440 face N-cp

עֵ֣ין ʻayin H5869 eye N-proper

הַתַּנִּ֔ין tannîyn H8577 jackal N-proper

וְ/אֶל ʼêl H413 to(wards) Conj | Prep

שַׁ֖עַר shaʻar H8179 gate N-ms

הָ/אַשְׁפֹּ֑ת ʼashpôth H830 refuse Art | N-ms

וָ/אֱהִ֨י hâyâh H1961 to be Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs

שֹׂבֵ֜ר sâbar H7663 to inspect V-Qal

בְּ/חוֹמֹ֤ת chôwmâh H2346 wall Prep | N-fp

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ Yᵉrûwshâlaim H3389 Jerusalem N-proper

אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

ה/מפרוצים pârats H6555 to break through Art | V-Pual-Inf-c

הֵ֣ם hêm H1992 they(masc.) Pron

פְּרוּצִ֔ים pârats H6555 to break through V-Qal-Inf-c

וּ/שְׁעָרֶ֖י/הָ shaʻar H8179 gate Conj | N-mp | Suff

אֻכְּל֥וּ ʼâkal H398 to eat V-Q-Perf-3cp

בָ/אֵֽשׁ ʼêsh H784 fire Prep | N-cs

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Nehemiah 2:13

וָ/אֵצְאָ֨/ה yâtsâʼ H3318 "to come out" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs | Suff

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.

Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth

Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.

בְ/שַֽׁעַר shaʻar H8179 "gate" Prep | N-ms

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gate or door, often referring to city entrances or temple doors, like in Genesis and Exodus. It can also symbolize a meeting place or marketplace. The word is used to describe important locations in the Bible.

Definition: : gate 1) gate 1a) gate (of entrance) 1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place) 1b1) city, town 1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle) 1d) heaven

Usage: Occurs in 302 OT verses. KJV: city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). See also: Genesis 19:1; 1 Chronicles 9:18; Psalms 9:14.

הַ/גַּ֜יא gayʼ H1516 "Valley" Art | N-cs

In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a deep, narrow valley or gorge. It is also another name for Topheth, a place of child sacrifice in the Valley of Hinnom. The word describes a steep and dramatic landscape.

Definition: valley, a steep valley, narrow gorge Another name of to.phet (תֹּ֫פֶת "Topheth" H8612)

Usage: Occurs in 54 OT verses. KJV: valley. See also: Numbers 21:20; Nehemiah 11:30; Psalms 23:4.

לַ֗יְלָה layil H3915 "night" N-ms

Night refers to the time of darkness, opposed to day, and can also symbolize adversity or hardship. It is a period of rest, but also of potential danger or uncertainty.

Definition: 1) night 1a) night (as opposed to day) 1b) of gloom, protective shadow (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 223 OT verses. KJV: (mid-)night (season). See also: Genesis 1:5; 2 Samuel 17:16; Psalms 1:2.

וְ/אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Conj | Prep

This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.

Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)

Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.

פְּנֵי֙ pânîym H6440 "face" N-cp

This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.

Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of

Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.

עֵ֣ין ʻayin H5869 "eye" N-proper

This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)

Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.

הַתַּנִּ֔ין tannîyn H8577 "jackal" N-proper

This word refers to a monster or serpent, like a sea-serpent or dragon, as described in Psalm 74:13 and Isaiah 27:1. It can also mean a venomous snake or a whale, symbolizing powerful creatures.

Definition: jackal Also means: tan.nah (תַּנָּה "dragon" H8568)

Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: dragon, sea-monster, serpent, whale. See also: Genesis 1:21; Isaiah 27:1; Psalms 44:20.

וְ/אֶל ʼêl H413 "to(wards)" Conj | Prep

שַׁ֖עַר shaʻar H8179 "gate" N-ms

Usage: Occurs in 302 OT verses. KJV: city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). See also: Genesis 19:1; 1 Chronicles 9:18; Psalms 9:14.

הָ/אַשְׁפֹּ֑ת ʼashpôth H830 "refuse" Art | N-ms

This Hebrew word refers to a pile of trash or garbage, often translated as a dung hill. It appears in the Bible as a place where worthless things are thrown away. In some cases, it symbolizes a location of shame or disgust.

Definition: ash heap, refuse heap, dung-hill

Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: dung (hill). See also: 1 Samuel 2:8; Nehemiah 3:14; Psalms 113:7.

וָ/אֱהִ֨י hâyâh H1961 "to be" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs

The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.

Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone

Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.

שֹׂבֵ֜ר sâbar H7663 "to inspect" V-Qal

This word means to wait or hope for something, often with patience and expectation. It involves watching and waiting with a sense of anticipation. In the Bible, it's translated as hope, tarry, or wait.

Definition: (Qal) to inspect, examine

Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: hope, tarry, view, wait. See also: Ruth 1:13; Psalms 104:27; Psalms 119:166.

בְּ/חוֹמֹ֤ת chôwmâh H2346 "wall" Prep | N-fp

A wall of protection, like the walls of Jerusalem, provided safety and security for the people. It appears in the Bible as a physical barrier. The Israelites built walls around their cities for defense.

Definition: wall

Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: wall, walled. See also: Exodus 14:22; Nehemiah 6:15; Psalms 51:20.

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֨ם֙ Yᵉrûwshâlaim H3389 "Jerusalem" N-proper

Jerusalem is the capital city of Palestine, also known as the city of peace. It was the chief city of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split.

Definition: § Jerusalem = "teaching of peace" the chief city of Palestine and capital of the united kingdom and the nation of Judah after the split

Usage: Occurs in 600 OT verses. KJV: Jerusalem. See also: Joshua 10:1; 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 24:6.

אֲשֶׁר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

ה/מפרוצים pârats H6555 "to break through" Art | V-Pual-Inf-c

To break through means to burst out or force one's way, like when a baby is born or a wall is broken down. This word is used in many situations, like when God breaks through to help someone or when a crowd breaks out in violence.

Definition: 1) to break through or down or over, burst, breach 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to break or burst out (from womb or enclosure) 1a2) to break through or down, make a breach in 1a3) to break into 1a4) to break open 1a5) to break up, break in pieces 1a6) to break out (violently) upon 1a7) to break over (limits), increase 1a8) to use violence 1a9) to burst open 1a10) to spread, distribute 1b) (Niphal) to be broken through 1c) (Pual) to be broken down 1d) (Hithpael) to break away

Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abroad, (make a) breach, break (away, down, -er, forth, in, up), burst out, come (spread) abroad, compel, disperse, grow, increase, open, press, scatter, urge. See also: Genesis 28:14; 2 Chronicles 25:23; Psalms 60:3.

הֵ֣ם hêm H1992 "they(masc.)" Pron

This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.

Definition: they, these, the same, who

Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.

פְּרוּצִ֔ים pârats H6555 "to break through" V-Qal-Inf-c

וּ/שְׁעָרֶ֖י/הָ shaʻar H8179 "gate" Conj | N-mp | Suff

Usage: Occurs in 302 OT verses. KJV: city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). See also: Genesis 19:1; 1 Chronicles 9:18; Psalms 9:14.

אֻכְּל֥וּ ʼâkal H398 "to eat" V-Q-Perf-3cp

This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.

Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)

Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.

בָ/אֵֽשׁ ʼêsh H784 "fire" Prep | N-cs

Fire is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both God's anger and his refining presence, as seen in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Malachi 3:2-3. It is also used for cooking and warmth. This concept is central to many biblical stories.

Definition: 1) fire 1a) fire, flames 1b) supernatural fire (accompanying theophany) 1c) fire (for cooking, roasting, parching) 1d) altar-fire 1e) God's anger (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: esh (אֶשָּׁא "fire" H0785)

Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. See also: Genesis 15:17; Joshua 7:15; Psalms 11:6.

Study Notes — Nehemiah 2:13

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Nehemiah 2:13 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 2:13
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 2:13
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:13
Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:13
Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:13
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:13
Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 2:13
Barnes' Notes on Nehemiah 2:13
Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:13
Sermons on Nehemiah 2:13

Context — Nehemiah Inspects the Walls

11After I had arrived in Jerusalem and had been there three days, 12I set out at night with a few men. I did not tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. The only animal with me was the one on which I was riding.

13So I went out at night through the Valley Gate toward the Well of the Serpent and the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire.

14Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to get through; 15so I went up the valley by night and inspected the wall. Then I headed back and reentered through the Valley Gate.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Nehemiah 1:3	And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”
2	Nehemiah 2:3	and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?”
3	Nehemiah 3:13–14	The Valley Gate was repaired by Hanun and the residents of Zanoah. They rebuilt it, installed its doors, bolts, and bars, and repaired a thousand cubits of the wall as far as the Dung Gate. The Dung Gate was repaired by Malchijah son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem. He rebuilt it and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
4	2 Chronicles 26:9	Uzziah built towers in Jerusalem at the Corner Gate, the Valley Gate, and the angle in the wall, and he fortified them.
5	Nehemiah 2:17	Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned down. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.”
6	Nehemiah 2:15	so I went up the valley by night and inspected the wall. Then I headed back and reentered through the Valley Gate.
7	Nehemiah 12:31	Then I brought the leaders of Judah up on the wall, and I appointed two great thanksgiving choirs. One was to proceed along the top of the wall to the right, toward the Dung Gate.
8	Jeremiah 5:10	Go up through her vineyards and ravage them, but do not finish them off. Strip off her branches, for they do not belong to the LORD.

Nehemiah 2:13 Summary

Nehemiah 2:13 tells us that Nehemiah went out at night to look at the walls of Jerusalem that had been broken down and the gates that had been destroyed by fire. This was a sad and difficult time for the city, but Nehemiah was on a mission from God to rebuild and restore it, as in Isaiah 61:4. He wanted to see the damage for himself, so he could make a plan to fix it, which is similar to how Jesus went out to see the needs of the people, as in Matthew 9:36. By inspecting the walls, Nehemiah was taking the first step towards rebuilding and restoring the city, with God's help, as in Psalm 127:1.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Nehemiah go out at night to inspect the walls of Jerusalem?

Nehemiah went out at night to avoid detection and to have a clear view of the destruction, as seen in Nehemiah 2:13, and this secrecy is similar to the way Jesus often moved at night, as in John 3:2.

What was the condition of the walls and gates of Jerusalem?

The walls of Jerusalem had been broken down and the gates had been destroyed by fire, as stated in Nehemiah 2:13, which is a result of the judgment of God, as prophesied in Deuteronomy 28:52.

What was the significance of the Valley Gate, the Well of the Serpent, and the Dung Gate?

These locations were likely significant landmarks in Jerusalem, with the Valley Gate possibly being a main entrance, and the Well of the Serpent and the Dung Gate being notable features, as mentioned in Nehemiah 2:13, and similar to the way the Bible describes other city gates, such as in 2 Kings 11:6.

How does Nehemiah's inspection of the walls relate to his overall mission?

Nehemiah's inspection of the walls was a crucial step in his mission to rebuild Jerusalem, as seen in Nehemiah 1:3, and it allowed him to assess the damage and plan for the reconstruction, with God's guidance, as in Proverbs 24:3-4.

Reflection Questions

What are the 'broken down walls' in my life that need to be rebuilt, and how can I seek God's guidance to repair them?
How can I, like Nehemiah, take bold action to address the needs of my community, even if it means facing challenges and uncertainties?
What are the 'gates' in my life that have been 'destroyed by fire', and how can I trust God to restore them, as in Psalm 51:12?
In what ways can I apply Nehemiah's example of careful planning and inspection to my own life and endeavors, as in Luke 14:28-30?

Gill's Exposition on Nehemiah 2:13

And I went out by night, by the gate of the valley,.... Where that formerly stood, for the gates had been burnt, and were not as yet rebuilt; this was the gate that led to the valley of Jehoshaphat,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Nehemiah 2:13

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:13

I went out by night; the footmen which accompanied him directing and leading him in the way. his design was to go round about the city, to observe the compass and condition of the walls and gates, that he might make sufficient provisions for the work. By the gate of the valley; of which see . Before the dragon well; a fountain of water so called, either from some figure of a dragon or serpent which was by it; or from some living dragon which abode there when the city was desolate; for dragons delight to be in desolate places, and nigh to springs of water, as divers have observed. To the dung-port; through which they used to carry the dung out of the city.

Trapp's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:13

Nehemiah 2:13 And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.Ver. 13. By the gate of the valley] By which men went into the valley of Jehoshaphat, Joe 3:2; Joe 3:12. The Septuagint call it Portam Galilae, the gate of dead men’ s skulls; because that way they went out to Golgotha. Even before the dragon well] So called, either because some venomous serpent had been found there; or because the waters ran out of the mouth of a brazen serpent; or because they ran creepingly, softly, as the waters of Shiloah, Isaiah 8:6. And to the dung port] Where was their common dunghill, a sewer to the city; near whereunto ran the brook Kidron, or the town sewer. And viewed the wall of Jerusalem] Junius rendereth it, Ubi effringebam de muris, Where I broke off a piece of the wall; sc. that I might try the soundness or unsoundness of that which remaineth of it, that I might know whether it needed to be all pulled down, or whether it might be built upon. Our translators read it, sober, not shober; and thence the different interpretation. Which were broken down] Asher hem perutsim: Hem, with an open Mem, which is not usual ( äñ pro äî); to set forth, as some think, the rupture and openness of the walls, so much bewailed by this good man in this chapter. The final form for the î was not used.

Ellicott's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:13

(13) The gate of the valley, opening on Hinnom, to the south of the city. Nehemiah passed by “the dragon well,” nowhere else mentioned, and not now to be traced, and surveyed the ruins from the “dung port,” whence offal was taken to the valley of Hinnom.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:13

Verse 13. The dragon well] Perhaps so called because of the representation of a dragon, out of whose mouth the stream issued that proceeded from the well. Dung port] This was the gate on the eastern side of the city, through which the filth of the city was carried into the valley of Hinnom.

Cambridge Bible on Nehemiah 2:13

5b–73a. The Register of those who returned with Zerubbabel = Ezra 2:1-70a register of the genealogy] R.V. the book.of them which came up at the first] The only natural explanation of these words is that Nehemiah found in the archives of Jerusalem the list of those that accompanied Zerubbabel from Babylon. This seems to be conclusively proved (a) by the words in Nehemiah 2:5, ‘I found,’ ‘who came up at the first,’ ‘found written therein,’ and Nehemiah 2:7, ‘who came with Zerubbabel,’ (b) by the position of the parallel extract in Ezra 2:1-70. Nehemiah recognises the national importance of the register and transcribes it into his ‘Memoirs;’ he had not known of its existence before. The view that the list in this chapter contains the results of Nehemiah’s census which were mistakenly inserted by the Compiler into Ezra 2, rests on the quite insufficient grounds of (1) the mention of the name Nehemiah in Ezra 2:7, (2) the title Tirshatha in Ezra 2:65, (3) the relation of Ezra 2:73 to the events of chap. 8, (4) the apparent omission of Nehemiah’s census. But (1) the name Nehemiah (Ezra 2:7) is not necessarily that of the governor of Jerusalem; (2) there is no evidence that the title ‘Tirshatha’ was appropriated to Nehemiah alone; (3) only the first part of Ezra 2:73 belongs to this extract; the latter part is freely adapted by the chronicler for the purpose of resuming the narrative; (4) traces of Nehemiah’s own census may well be recognised in chap. 11. This long extract illustrates in an interesting manner the method of compilation adopted by Jewish chroniclers. The double insertion of the list is probably due to its great importance in the eyes of the stricter Jews. It stands first of all in its right place, chronologically, in the narrative (Ezra 2); it is repeated here in the place which it occupied in the Memoirs of Nehemiah transcribed by the Compiler. at the first] A general expression, sometimes used in the sense of ‘before’ ‘formerly,’ cf. Genesis 13:4; 1 Chronicles 17:9, sometimes in the sense of ‘first of all,’ Numbers 10:13-14. 6–73. See notes on the parallel passage Ezra 2:1, &c. The variations are very slight, and are for the most part such as would arise from errors of transcription.

Barnes' Notes on Nehemiah 2:13

The gate of the valley - A gate opening on the valley of Hinnom, which skirted Jerusalem to the west and south.

Whedon's Commentary on Nehemiah 2:13

13. The gate of the valley — The gate that opened into the valley of Gihon, on the west side of the city, and just at the point where that valley takes a bend off towards the northwest.

Sermons on Nehemiah 2:13

	Sermon	Description
	From Babylon to Jerusalem - (Nehemiah) ch.3 & 4 by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being vigilant against the enemy while remaining committed to God's work. The people in the story were wholeheartedly servi
	The High Cost of Caring by Warren Wiersbe	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of caring and having a compassionate heart. He mentions that in today's world, it is easy to become immune to the problems and
	The Wise Man's Eyes by Carter Conlon	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding God's purpose and following His path. He references Solomon, who briefly understood God's work in the earth b
	In the Word #14 by Milton Green	This sermon focuses on the importance of repentance, highlighting the sins of the church and the need for a godly repentance. It emphasizes the urgency of turning back to God, ackn
	Broken Down and Burned Out by Greg Locke	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Nehemiah and the challenges faced by the people of Jerusalem. The walls of Jerusalem were broken down and the gates were burned
	Hosanna (Compilation) by Compilations	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of spiritual desperation and the need for believers to be vigilant in protecting the church from false teachings. He warns tha
	Nehemiah #1: Chapter 1, Rebuilding the Wall by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the burden that Nehemiah carried as the cup-bearer to the king. Despite his inner turmoil, Nehemiah had to maintain a joyful appearance before