Nehemiah 3:1
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֡קָם
rose up
H6965
וַיָּ֡קָם
rose up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
1 of 21
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֗ים
priest
H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֗ים
priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
3 of 21
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַגָּד֜וֹל
the high
H1419
הַגָּד֜וֹל
the high
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
4 of 21
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְאֶחָ֣יו
with his brethren
H251
וְאֶחָ֣יו
with his brethren
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
5 of 21
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֗ים
priest
H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֗ים
priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
6 of 21
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַצֹּ֔אן
the sheep
H6629
הַצֹּ֔אן
the sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
10 of 21
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
קִדְּשׁ֔וּהוּ
they sanctified
H6942
קִדְּשׁ֔וּהוּ
they sanctified
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
12 of 21
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
וַֽיַּעֲמִ֖ידוּ
it and set up
H5975
וַֽיַּעֲמִ֖ידוּ
it and set up
Strong's:
H5975
Word #:
13 of 21
to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
דַּלְתֹתָ֑יו
the doors
H1817
דַּלְתֹתָ֑יו
the doors
Strong's:
H1817
Word #:
14 of 21
something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
15 of 21
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מִגְדַּ֥ל
it unto the tower
H4026
מִגְדַּ֥ל
it unto the tower
Strong's:
H4026
Word #:
16 of 21
a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers
קִדְּשׁ֔וּהוּ
they sanctified
H6942
קִדְּשׁ֔וּהוּ
they sanctified
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
18 of 21
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
19 of 21
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Nehemiah 12:39And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.Jeremiah 31:38Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the city shall be built to the LORD from the tower of Hananeel unto the gate of the corner.John 5:2Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.Zechariah 14:10All the land shall be turned as a plain from Geba to Rimmon south of Jerusalem: and it shall be lifted up, and inhabited in her place, from Benjamin's gate unto the place of the first gate, unto the corner gate, and from the tower of Hananeel unto the king's winepresses.Proverbs 3:9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:Nehemiah 13:28And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.Nehemiah 3:32And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.Psalms 30:1I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.Proverbs 3:6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.Nehemiah 6:1Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
Historical Context
Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. The 52-day wall completion represents remarkable achievement given opposition and limited resources. Excavations have confirmed portions of Nehemiah's wall and various gates mentioned in the text. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Nehemiah 3:1 deepen your understanding of God's character and His work in human history?
- What specific contribution can you make to building up Christ's church in your local community?
- How does understanding your work as part of God's larger purposes transform your approach to daily responsibilities?
Analysis & Commentary
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
This verse within Nehemiah 3 addresses themes of community, cooperation, diligence, stewardship. The detailed listing of builders demonstrates organized community effort where each person contributes according to ability and opportunity. The construction work (banah, בָּנָה) symbolizes restoring what sin and judgment destroyed. City gates were strategic both defensively and administratively, controlling access and serving as centers of commerce and justice. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.