Nehemiah 3:1-10
Every Family at Its Section
Read the passage
1At the Sheep Gate, Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests began rebuilding. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated the wall.
2The men of Jericho built next to Eliashib, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them.
3The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
4Next to them, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, made repairs. Next to him, Meshullam son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs; and next to him, Zadok son of Baana made repairs as well.
5Next to him, the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
6The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
7Next to them, repairs were made by Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, who were under the authority of the governor of the region west of the Euphrates.
8Next to them, Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. And next to him, Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs. They fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
9Next to them, Rephaiah son of Hur, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, made repairs;
10next to him, Jedaiah son of Harumaph made repairs across from his house; and next to him, Hattush son of Hashabneiah made repairs.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Nehemiah 3 sounds like a work roster. Priests rebuild the Sheep Gate. Men of Jericho work next to them. Families repair gates, a goldsmith and a perfumer join the work, and a district ruler also makes repairs. Jedaiah works across from his house.
The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
The list does not make the work anonymous. It remembers who did what and where. That matters because a city is rebuilt through connected responsibilities. No one family can repair every section, but each section matters to the whole wall.
One group of nobles refuses to put its shoulders to the work. Nehemiah includes that uncomfortable detail too. A faithful account can celebrate participation without pretending everyone participated.
Questions
1 Who began rebuilding at the Sheep Gate?
AnswerEliashib the high priest and his fellow priests began rebuilding the Sheep Gate and dedicated it. The list starts the work with worship leaders accepting a physical responsibility.
2 What did the sons of Hassenaah repair?
AnswerThe sons of Hassenaah rebuilt the Fish Gate and installed its beams, doors, bolts, and bars. Their work included the ordinary details required to make a repaired gate usable.
3 What kinds of people joined the work?
AnswerPriests, families, craftsmen, residents, and local rulers all repaired sections of the wall. The project depended on many kinds of people working in connected places.
4 What exception does the list record?
AnswerThe nobles of the Tekoites did not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors. Nehemiah preserves the exception instead of making the whole community look more united than it was.
What This Means for Us
A high priest and a district ruler take part in the repairs, but the Tekoite nobles refuse to work under their supervisors. Their position does not excuse their unwillingness. Other people from Tekoa still do their share.
Do not treat a task as beneath you because you usually lead or have more experience. Help clear up, carry supplies, or finish the job alongside others. If someone refuses to help, address the need honestly without letting resentment stop your own service.
Prayer
God, show us our section of the work. Give us willing shoulders and grateful respect for the work of others. Keep our communities honest and joined together. Amen.