Matthew Henry's Complete Bible Commentary

Verses 1—32

The best way to know how to divide this chapter is to observe how the work was divided among the undertakers, that every one might know what he had to do, and mind it accordingly with a holy emulation, and desire to excel, yet without any contention, animosity, or separate interest. No strife appears among them but which should do most for the public good. Several things are observable in the account here given of the building of the wall about Jerusalem:— MHBCC 417.2

I. That Eliashib the high priest, with his brethren the priests, led the van in this troop of builders, Nehemiah 3:1. Ministers should be foremost in every good work; for their office obliges them to teach and quicken by their example, as well as by their doctrine. If there be labour in it, who so fit as they to work? if danger, who so fit as they to venture? The dignity of the high priest was very great, and obliged him to signalize himself in this service. The priests repaired the sheep-gate, so called because through it were brought the sheep that were to be sacrificed in the temple; and therefore the priests undertook the repair of it because the offerings of the Lord made by fire were their inheritance. And of this gate only it is said that they sanctified it with the word and prayer, and perhaps with sacrifices perhaps, 1. Because it led to the temple; or, 2. Because with this the building of the wall began, and it is probable (though they were at work in all parts of the wall at the same time) that this was first finished, and therefore at this gate they solemnly committed their city and the walls of it to the divine protection; or, 3. Because the priests were the builders of it; and it becomes ministers above others, being themselves in a peculiar manner sanctified to God, to sanctify to him all their performances, and to do even their common actions after a godly sort. MHBCC 417.3

II. That the undertakers were very many, who each took his share, some more and some less, in this work, according as their ability was. Note, What is to be done for the public good every one should assist in, and further, to the utmost of his place and power. United force will conquer that which no individual dares venture on. Many hands will make light work. MHBCC 417.4

III. That many were active in this work who were not themselves inhabitants of Jerusalem, and therefore consulted purely the public welfare and not any private interest or advantage of their own. Here are the men of Jericho with the first (Nehemiah 3:2), the men of Gibeon and Mizpah (Nehemiah 3:7), and Zanoah, Nehemiah 3:13. Every Israelite should lend a hand towards the building up of Jerusalem. MHBCC 417.5

IV. That several rulers, both of Jerusalem and of other cities, were active in this work, thinking themselves bound in honour to do the utmost that their wealth and power enabled them to do for the furtherance of this good work. But it is observable that they are called rulers of part, or the half part, of their respective cities. One was ruler of the half part of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:12), another of part of Beth-haccerem (Nehemiah 3:14), another of part of Mizpah (Nehemiah 3:15), another of the half part of Beth-zur (Nehemiah 3:16), one was ruler of one half part, and another of the other half part, of Keilah, Nehemiah 3:17, 3:18. Perhaps the Persian government would not entrust any one with a strong city, but appointed two to be a watch upon each other. Rome had two consuls. MHBCC 417.6

V. Here is a just reproach fastened upon the nobles of Tekoa, that they put not their necks to the work of their Lord (Nehemiah 3:5), that is, they would not come under the yoke of an obligation to this service; as if the dignity and liberty of their peerage were their discharge from serving God and doing good, which are indeed the highest honour and the truest freedom. Let not nobles think any thing below them by which they may advance the interests of their country; for what else is their nobility good for but that it puts them in a higher and larger sphere of usefulness than that in which inferior persons move? MHBCC 417.7

VI. Two persons joined in repairing the old gate (Nehemiah 3:6), and so were co-founders, and shared the honour of it between them. The good work which we cannot compass ourselves we must be thankful to those that will go partners with us in. Some think that this is called the old gate because it belonged to the ancient Salem, which was said to be first built by Melchizedek. MHBCC 417.8

VII. Several good honest tradesmen, as well as priests and rulers, were active in this work—goldsmiths, apothecaries, merchants, Nehemiah 3:8, 3:32. They did not think their callings excused them, nor plead that they could not leave their shops to attend the public business, knowing that what they lost would certainly be made up to them by the blessing of God upon their callings. MHBCC 417.9

VIII. Some ladies are spoken of as helping forward this work—Shallum and his daughters (Nehemiah 3:12), who, though not capable of personal service, yet having their portions in their own hands, or being rich widows, contributed money for buying materials and paying workmen. St. Paul speaks of some good women that laboured with him in the gospel, Philippians 4:3. MHBCC 417.10

IX. Of some it is said that they repaired over against their houses (Nehemiah 3:10, 3:23, 3:28, 3:29), and of one (who, it is likely, was only a lodger) that he repaired over against his chamber, Nehemiah 3:30. When a general good work is to be done each should apply himself to that part of it that falls nearest to him and is within his reach. If every one will sweep before his own door, the street will be clean; if every one will mend one, we shall be all mended. If he that has but a chamber will repair before that, he does his part. MHBCC 417.11

X. Of one it is said that he earnestly repaired that which fell to his share (Nehemiah 3:20)-- he did it with an inflamed zeal; not that others were cold or indifferent, but he was the most vigorous of any of them and consequently made himself remarkable. It is good to be thus zealously affected in a good thin; and it is probable that this good man’s zeal provoked very many to take the more pains and make the more haste. MHBCC 417.12

XI. Of one of these builders it is observed that he was the sixth son of his father, Nehemiah 3:30. His five elder brethren, it seems, laid not their hand to this work, but he did. In doing that which is good we need not stay to see our elders go before us; if they decline it, it does not therefore follow that we must. Thus the younger brother, if he be the better man, and does God and his generation better service, is indeed the better gentleman; those are most honourable that are most useful. MHBCC 417.13

XII. Some of those that had first done helped their fellows, and undertook another share where they saw there was most need. Meremoth repaired, Nehemiah 3:4 and again, Nehemiah 3:21. And the Tekoites, besides the piece they repaired (Nehemiah 3:5), undertook another piece (Nehemiah 3:27), which is the more remarkable because their nobles set them a bad example by withdrawing from the service, which, instead of serving them for an excuse to sit still, perhaps made them the more forward to do double work, that by their zeal they might either shame or atone for the covetousness and carelessness of their nobles. MHBCC 417.14

Lastly, Here is no mention of any particular share that Nehemiah himself had in this work. A name-sake of his is mentioned, Nehemiah 3:16. But did he do nothing? Yes, though he undertook not any particular piece of the wall, yet he did more than any of them, for he had the oversight of them all; half of his servants worked where there was most need, and the other half stood sentinel, as we find afterwards (Nehemiah 4:16), while he himself in his own person walked the rounds, directed and encouraged the builders, set his hand to the work where he saw occasion, and kept a watchful eye upon the motions of the enemy, as we shall find in the next chapter. The pilot needs not haul at a rope: it is enough for him to steer. MHBCC 417.15