Nehemiah 3

Nehemiah 3:1

THey built] the one bestowing the cost, and the others their labour, and all together setting forward, and looking to the work: [the sheep-gate] which was on the East side of the Temple, and next to it; through which the cattell appointed for sacrifices were brought in great number; whereupon it was so called, Iohn. 5. 1. or at the least the old name revived, see Genesis 3:21. Micah 4:8. [sanctified it] that is to say, repaired it, and set it up in its former state and splendor; and did also new dedicate it to its first use, by prayers and devotions, which use was more holy than that of the other gates; whereupon the Priests did undertake the repairing of it, and by their working upon it, did gaine it the more respect, as being a thing belonging to the Temple: [the tower of Meah] the Italian, the tower of one hundred, that is to say, of one hundred cubits igh: [unto the] drawing towards the North; for this tower was on the North East side, see Ier. 37. 38.

Nehemiah 3:2

Next unto him] going on from the side of the said Tower towards the West: [the men] the commonalty of the inhabitants of Iericho, see Ezra 2:34.

Nehemiah 3:3

The fish gate] which was on the North side of Ierusalem; and it is likely that it was so called by reason of the fish which was brought in that way, for the provision of the city, from the Se〈…〉sts of Tyre and Sidon, see Nehemiah 13:16. [the sonne]see Ez 2. 35. and it is doubtfull whether this Hass〈…〉aah be the name of a city, so that by children, be mant the inhabitants; or the name of a man, and so his posterity be meant.

Nehemiah 3:4

Repaired] the walls and towers, because that in this portion there was never a gate: [next unto them] namely next unto Merimoth and his people.

Nehemiah 3:5

The Tekoites] the inhabitants of Tekoah a city of Iudah, 2 Samuel 14:2. 2 Chronicles 11:6. [put not their necks] they were not partakers of this labour for the Lords service. Others referre this word Lord, unto Nehemiah the governour of the naon, or to this head of the commonalty of Tekoah.

Nehemiah 3:6

The old gate] which was on the North side of the city.

Nehemiah 3:7

The throne] the Pallace or Court.

Nehemiah 3:8

Fortified Ierusalem] the Italian, Ierusalem was left, they did nothing to the wall from the above said place, unto the corner gate, because that there the wallhad not been ruined as in other places, and according to some it was that soure hundred cubits of wall, which Ieboash had pulled down, and was bult up againe by Vzziah,and made stronger, and broader, 2 Chronicles 25:23. see Nehemiah 12:38.

Nehemiah 3:9

And next] next after them, on the West side; the foresaid space of wall being between: [of Ierusalem] the Italian hath it, the halfe part of Ierusalem, Ierusalemwas divided into severall parts, or wards, whereof each one had it Captaine. The oldSalem which was Melchisedechs seat, which is here especially meant by Ierusalemhad two parts, whereof the other is mentioned, v. 12.

Nehemiah 3:11

The other peice] the Italian, a double space, namely of foure hundred cubits, whereas every one was to repair but two hundred, namely from one tower to another:[the tower] which was on the West side.

Nehemiah 3:12

His daughters] it should seem this man had none but dughters, who also employed their meanes and servants about this work.

Nehemiah 3:13

Zanoah] a city of Iudab, Ios. 15. 34. 56. 1 Chronicles 4:18.

Nehemiah 3:14

The sonne of] of the famous Family of the Rechabites, Ier. 35. 2. [Beth haccerem] another part of Ierusalem.

Nehemiah 3:15

Siloah] the Italian, Sela, this is the channell or small stream; which came from the fountain of Gibon, called elsewhere Siloah: [the staires] which were at the turning from the West southward.

Nehemiah 3:16

Bethzur] this name, and the following names, are names of severall parts of the city, given for either unknown, or unceain causes: [that was made] so named to make a difference between it, and other pooles which were naturall; which poole within a great enclosure of strong walls, held in the waters which came by that water-course: and it seems to be that which is called the upper poole, 2 Kings 18:17. Isaiah 7:3. [unto the house] this was some place which is not mentioned any where else, where those Captaines had their lodgings, whom the King kept ordinarily neere to him, 1 Chronicles 27:1. which also it should seeme was a place where youths were taught to handle their Armes, Son 4:4.

Nehemiah 3:19

Mizpah] the other halfe of that part of the city which was so called, v. 15 [at the turning] the Italian, at the corner, this was some great corner of the wall, on the South side of the city: where the Arsenall, or Armory had anciently been; which afterwards was removed to the house of the forrest of Lebanon, Isaiah 22:8.

Nehemiah 3:20

Zabbai] the Italian, Zaccai, or Zabbai.

Nehemiah 3:22

The men of the plaine] the Italian, which dwelt in the plaine, who had their countrey houses and housholds in the plaine of Iericho neere Iordan: though they had houses in Ierusalem also: whether it were to people the city; or to supply the wants of Gods service; there being at that time but a small number of Priests.

Nehemiah 3:24

The turning] namely from the South side to the East, which turning came with the corner inwards into the city, according to the naturall scituation of the rock and the valley.

Nehemiah 3:25

High house] this was the Royall Pallace built by Solomon, 1 Kings 7:1.

Nehemiah 3:26

Water-gate] see Neh. 8. 1. and 12. 37. and it seemes to bee that which is mentioned, Ier. 17. 19. called the water-gate, because that neere unto it, all the waters which were come into the city by water-courses, or pipes under ground, came into one channell, and did runne into a deepe valley.

Nehemiah 3:27

The Tekoites] namely the Priests which dwelt in Tekoah, for the common sort of the Tekoites had been spoken of before, v. 5.

Nehemiah 3:29

The keeper] see upon, 1 Chron. 26. 14. and 31. 14 [East-gate] namely of the Temple.

Nehemiah 3:30

His chamber] the Italian, his chambers, that part of chambers in the Porticoes of the Temple, which was assigned to him and his, for their habitations, for it is to be supposed that hee was a Levite.

Nehemiah 3:31

Gold-smiths sonne] or a gold-smith, but consecrated, and one of the Priests, to make or mend the holy vessells: [merchants] the Italian addeth, merchants of spices,or perfumes, for there being such frequent use for such things in the Temple for unctions, and perfumes, these people had gotten them habitations neere unto it: [Miphkad] the Italian, of the prison see Nehemiah 12:39. and it is likely that it was no close and darke prison, but large, and be onging to the Church, for errours committed in Gods service, in the Temple, Ier. 9. 6. Acts 4. 6. and 5. 18 [the going up] the Italian, the high hall, it was some high roome, for assemblies, banquets, or other uses; when there was much company.

Nehemiah 3:32

The sheep-gate] by which gate having begun, 〈◊〉. hee there also ended the circuit of the whole city.