Nehemiah 3

Nehemiah 3:1

2. The Workers and Their Work (Chap. 3)The priests were the first to begin the task by repairing the Sheep Gate. This gate, located in the northeastern corner of the city, was so named because the sheep destined for the temple altar were brought through it. The gates are mentioned counterclockwise: the Sheep Gate (vv. 1, 2); the Fish Gate (vv. 3-5); the Old Gate (or Corner Gate) (vv. 6-12); the Valley Gate (v. 13); the Refuse (or Dung) Gate (v. 14); the Fountain Gate (vv. 15-25); the Water Gate (v. 26); the Horse Gate (v. 28); the East Gate (v. 29); and the Miphkad Gate (Inspection Gate, NASB) (v. 31). Verse 32 brings us back full circle to the Sheep Gate. Two other gates are mentioned in the bookthe Gate of Ephraim (Neh_8:16) and the Prison Gate (Gate of the Guard, NASB) (Neh_12:39).

There were twelve gates in all, even as there will be twelve gates in the New Jerusalem (Rev_21:12). It is significant that God keeps a careful record of all those who serve Him; this is seen in the listing of those who repaired the walls and gates. The House of the Mighty (v. 16) may originally have been the headquarters for David’s mighty men. Men and women, artisans and laborers, princes and commoners, all labored side by side. There was only one case of disunitythe nobles of Tekoa shirked their responsibility (v. 5). Some who finished their assigned task took on an additional portion of the wall (cf. vv. 4 and 21; 5 and 27). God has given different work assignments to believers today. He has equipped us with various gifts and abilities appropriate to our calling, and He knows who is not really involved and who is doing double duty. “Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is” (1Co_3:13).