Nehemiah 3:21-32
The Last Stretch of the Wall
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21Next to him, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired another section, from the doorway of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house.
22And next to him, the priests from the surrounding area made repairs.
23Beyond them, Benjamin and Hasshub made repairs in front of their house, and next to them, Azariah son of Maaseiah, the son of Ananiah, made repairs beside his house.
24After him, Binnui son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azariah to the angle and the corner,
25and Palal son of Uzai made repairs opposite the angle and the tower that juts out from the upper palace of the king near the courtyard of the guard. Next to him, Pedaiah son of Parosh
26and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.
27And next to them, the Tekoites repaired another section, from a point opposite the great tower that juts out to the wall of Ophel.
28Above the Horse Gate, each of the priests made repairs in front of his own house.
29Next to them, Zadok son of Immer made repairs opposite his house, and next to him, Shemaiah son of Shecaniah, the guard of the East Gate, made repairs.
30Next to him, Hananiah son of Shelemiah, as well as Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, repaired another section. Next to them, Meshullam son of Berechiah made repairs opposite his own quarters.
31Next to him, Malchijah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs as far as the house of the temple servants and the merchants, opposite the Inspection Gate, and as far as the upper room above the corner.
32And between the upper room above the corner and the Sheep Gate, the goldsmiths and merchants made repairs.
Berean Standard Bible
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The list continues past Eliashib's house, the royal palace, the Water Gate, and the Horse Gate. Priests, temple servants, and other residents repair sections of the wall. Benjamin and Hasshub work in front of their house, and Azariah repairs beside his own.
The Tekoites take another section. Meshullam repairs opposite his quarters, and Shemaiah, the guard of the East Gate, also works on the wall. The names show people accepting responsibilities in places they know.
At the end, goldsmiths and merchants repair between the upper room above the corner and the Sheep Gate. The roster has come back to the gate where it began. This completes the list's circuit around Jerusalem; it does not mean the entire wall is already finished. The next chapter describes work still in progress.
The people have different occupations, yet all these repairs serve the city's need. Nehemiah records their work alongside that of the priests and other leaders. Their help belongs in the story of God's care for His people.
Questions
1 Who repaired near the Sheep Gate at the end of the list?
AnswerGoldsmiths and merchants repaired between the upper room above the corner and the Sheep Gate.
2 Who repaired near their own homes?
AnswerBenjamin and Hasshub, Azariah, several priests, Zadok, and Meshullam are described as working near their homes or quarters.
3 Where does the list finish?
AnswerIt returns to the Sheep Gate, where the chapter began. The record covers the circuit of the wall, though construction will continue.
4 What can we learn from goldsmiths and merchants joining the repairs?
AnswerPeople with other occupations still helped meet the city's need. We can contribute practical help even when a task is outside our usual role.
What This Means for Us
The goldsmiths and merchants help repair a wall that serves their neighbors as well as themselves. Their ordinary occupations do not keep them from joining the work the city needs.
Consider a practical skill you can share: repairing something, preparing food, keeping records, or organizing supplies. Offer help where it is needed, and be willing to learn from others. You do not need a prominent role to make a useful contribution.
Prayer
Lord, receive the ordinary work of our hands. Help us use our skills for the good of others and keep going until the work entrusted to us is complete. Amen.