Nehemiah 3:1
New International Version
Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel.

New Living Translation
Then Eliashib the high priest and the other priests started to rebuild at the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set up its doors, building the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and the Tower of Hananel.

English Standard Version
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel.

Berean Standard Bible
At 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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They built as far as the Tower of the Hundred, and consecrated it, then as far as the Tower of Hananel.

New American Standard Bible
Then Eliashib the high priest arose with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and installed its doors. They consecrated the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.

NASB 1995
Then Eliashib the high priest arose with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They consecrated the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.

NASB 1977
Then Eliashib the high priest arose with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they consecrated it and hung its doors. They consecrated the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Eliashib the high priest arose with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate; they set it apart as holy and made its doors stand. And they set apart as holy the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.

Amplified Bible
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set up its doors; and they consecrated the wall [westward] to the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel.

Christian Standard Bible
The high priest Eliashib and his fellow priests began rebuilding the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated it.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Eliashib the high priest and his fellow priests began rebuilding the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and installed its doors. After building the wall to the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel, they dedicated it.

American Standard Version
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 Hammeah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananel.

Contemporary English Version
These are the people who helped rebuild the wall and gates of Jerusalem: The high priest Eliashib and the other priests rebuilt Sheep Gate and hung its doors. Then they dedicated Sheep Gate and the section of the wall as far as Hundred Tower and Hananel Tower.

English Revised Version
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 Hammeah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The chief priest Eliashib and his relatives, the priests, started by rebuilding Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place. They rebuilt as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and then as far as the Tower of Hananel.

Good News Translation
This is how the city wall was rebuilt. The High Priest Eliashib and his fellow priests rebuilt the Sheep Gate, dedicated it, and put the gates in place. They dedicated the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.

International Standard Version
So Eliashib the high priest came forward, along with his fellow priests, and reconstructed the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and installed its doors. They also consecrated the wall as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.

Majority Standard Bible
At 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.

NET Bible
Then Eliashib the high priest and his priestly colleagues arose and built the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and erected its doors, working as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel.

New Heart English Bible
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They sanctified it and set up its doors; they sanctified it as far as the Tower of the Hundred and as far as the Tower of Hananel.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Eliashib the high priest arose with his brethren the priests, and they built the sheep-gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even to the tower of Meah they sanctified it, to the tower of Hananeel.

World English Bible
Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate. They sanctified it, and set up its doors. They sanctified it even to the tower of Hammeah, to the tower of Hananel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Eliashib the high priest rises, and his brothers the priests, and they build the Sheep Gate; they have sanctified it, and set up its doors, even to the Tower of Meah they have sanctified it, to the Tower of Hananeel;

Young's Literal Translation
And Eliashib the high priest riseth, and his brethren the priests, and they build the sheep-gate; they have sanctified it, and set up its doors, even unto the tower of Meah they have sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Eliashib the great priest will rise up and his brethren the priests, and they will build the sheep gate; they consecrated it, and they will set up its doors, and even to the tower of Meah they consecrated, and even to the tower of Hananeel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then Eliasib the high priest arose, and his brethren the priests, and they built the flock gate: they sanctified it, and set up the doors thereof, even unto the tower of a hundred cubits they sanctified it unto the tower of Hananeel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Eliashib, the great priest, rose up, with his brothers, the priests, and they built the gate of the flock. They sanctified it, and they set up its double doors, and as far as the tower of one hundred cubits, they sanctified it, even to the tower of Hananel.

New American Bible
Eliashib the high priest and his priestly kinsmen took up the task of rebuilding the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars, then continued the rebuilding to the Tower of the Hundred, the Tower of Hananel.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the high priest Eliashib set to work with his fellow priests and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set up its doors; they consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred and as far as the Tower of Hananel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THEN Eliasahab the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they built the sheep gate; they set up its doors and its holy places, as far as the tower of the Hundred; and they sanctified it as far as the tower of Hananael.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Elishab the Great Priest stood, and his brothers the Priests, and his sons, at the Sheep Gate, and they set up its doors and its holy things, and unto the Tower of the Hundred, they hallowed it unto the Tower of Khananeil
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 Hammeah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Then Eliasub the high priest, and his brethren the priests, rose up, and built the sheep-gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even to the tower of the hundred they sanctified it, to the tower of Anameel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Builders of the Walls
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.…

Cross References
Ezra 3:2
Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.

Exodus 29:1-9
“Now this is what you are to do to consecrate Aaron and his sons to serve Me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without blemish, / along with unleavened bread, unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil. Make them out of fine wheat flour, / put them in a basket, and present them in the basket, along with the bull and the two rams. ...

Leviticus 8:6-13
Then Moses presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. / He put the tunic on Aaron, tied the sash around him, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him. He tied the woven band of the ephod around him and fastened it to him. / Then he put the breastpiece on him and placed the Urim and Thummim in the breastpiece. ...

1 Chronicles 6:3-15
The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. / Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, Phinehas was the father of Abishua, / Abishua was the father of Bukki, Bukki was the father of Uzzi, ...

1 Kings 6:1-38
In the four hundred and eightieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month of Ziv, the second month, he began to build the house of the LORD. / The house that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. / The portico at the front of the main hall of the temple was twenty cubits long, extending across the width of the temple and projecting out ten cubits in front of the temple. ...

2 Chronicles 3:1-17
Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David. This was the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. / Solomon began construction on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign. / The foundation that Solomon laid for the house of God was sixty cubits long and twenty cubits wide, according to the old standard. ...

Ezra 2:36-39
The priests: The descendants of Jedaiah (through the house of Jeshua), 973; / the descendants of Immer, 1,052; / the descendants of Pashhur, 1,247; ...

Zechariah 3:1-10
Then the angel showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, with Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him. / And the LORD said to Satan: “The LORD rebukes you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebukes you! Is not this man a firebrand snatched from the fire?” / Now Joshua was dressed in filthy garments as he stood before the angel. ...

Haggai 1:1-15
In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating / that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “These people say, ‘The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.’” / Then the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet, saying: ...

Malachi 2:4-9
Then you will know that I have sent you this commandment so that My covenant with Levi may continue,” says the LORD of Hosts. / “My covenant with him was one of life and peace, which I gave to him; it called for reverence, and he revered Me and stood in awe of My name. / True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. ...

Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

John 10:7-9
So He said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. / All who came before Me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. / I am the gate. If anyone enters through Me, he will be saved. He will come in and go out and find pasture.

Acts 4:11-12
This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ / Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”

Ephesians 2:19-22
Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, / built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. / In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. ...

1 Peter 2:4-8
As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, / you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. / For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even to the tower of Meah they sanctified it, to the tower of Hananeel.

Nehemiah 12:39
And 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.

John 5:2
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

sanctified it

Nehemiah 12:30
And the priests and the Levites purified themselves, and purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

Deuteronomy 20:5
And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.

Psalm 30:1-12
A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David. I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me…

title

Proverbs 3:6,9
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths…

the tower

Nehemiah 12:39
And 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 31:38
Behold, 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.

Zechariah 14:10
All 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.

Jump to Previous
Builded Building Built Consecrated Dedicated Doors Eliashib Eli'ashib Far Fellow Gate Hammeah Hananeel Hananel Hanan'el High Hundred Hung Meah Priest Priests Rose Sanctified Sheep Sheep-Gate Tower Wall Work
Jump to Next
Builded Building Built Consecrated Dedicated Doors Eliashib Eli'ashib Far Fellow Gate Hammeah Hananeel Hananel Hanan'el High Hundred Hung Meah Priest Priests Rose Sanctified Sheep Sheep-Gate Tower Wall Work
Nehemiah 3
1. The names and order of those who built the wall














At the Sheep Gate
The Sheep Gate was one of the gates in the walls of Jerusalem, located in the northeastern part of the city. Historically, this gate was significant because it was the entry point for sheep being brought into the city for sacrifice at the temple. The Hebrew word for "gate" is "שַׁעַר" (sha'ar), which signifies an entryway or portal. The Sheep Gate's mention here underscores the spiritual renewal and dedication to worship, as it was the starting point for the rebuilding efforts, symbolizing a return to proper worship and sacrifice.

Eliashib the high priest
Eliashib, whose name means "God restores," was the high priest at the time of Nehemiah. His leadership in the rebuilding project is significant, as it shows the spiritual and religious commitment to the restoration of Jerusalem. The high priest's involvement highlights the unity between religious and civic duties, emphasizing that spiritual leaders are also called to engage in practical, community-building efforts.

and his fellow priests
The involvement of the priests in the rebuilding process indicates a collective effort among the religious leaders. This collaboration reflects the communal nature of the task and the shared responsibility in restoring the city. The Hebrew term for "priest" is "כֹּהֵן" (kohen), which denotes someone who serves in a sacred capacity. Their participation underscores the sanctity of the work being undertaken.

began rebuilding
The phrase "began rebuilding" marks the commencement of a significant project. The Hebrew root "בָּנָה" (banah) means to build or construct, and it conveys the idea of restoration and renewal. This action signifies a new beginning for Jerusalem, a physical and spiritual renewal that aligns with God's promises of restoration for His people.

They dedicated it
The act of dedication, from the Hebrew "חָנַךְ" (chanak), means to consecrate or set apart for a holy purpose. By dedicating the gate, the priests were acknowledging God's sovereignty and seeking His blessing on their work. This dedication is a reminder of the importance of committing our endeavors to God, recognizing His role in our successes and efforts.

and installed its doors
Installing the doors was a crucial step in fortifying the city. Doors, or "דֶּלֶת" (delet) in Hebrew, symbolize protection and security. By securing the gates, the people of Jerusalem were not only protecting their city physically but also spiritually, as they were safeguarding the place where God's presence dwelt.

building as far as the Tower of the Hundred
The Tower of the Hundred, possibly named for a military unit or a measurement, was a significant landmark in the city's defenses. The Hebrew word for "tower" is "מִגְדָּל" (migdal), which signifies strength and watchfulness. This part of the verse highlights the strategic importance of the rebuilding efforts, ensuring that the city was well-defended against potential threats.

and the Tower of Hananel
The Tower of Hananel, another key defensive structure, is mentioned in other biblical texts as part of Jerusalem's fortifications (Jeremiah 31:38, Zechariah 14:10). The name "Hananel" means "God is gracious," reflecting the divine favor and protection over the city. This tower's inclusion in the rebuilding project underscores the theme of divine grace and protection throughout the restoration process.

(1) Then Eliashib.--The account begins with due honour to the high priest and the priesthood.

The sheep gate was in the neighbourhood of the priests' quarter. Through it the victims passed for sacrifice, first being washed in the neighbouring pool of Bethesda. This being built, "they sanctified it," as an earnest of the subsequent consecration of the entire wall. Their work and the sanctification of it extended to two towns near each other at the north-east corner.

Verse 1. - Then Eliashib the high priest rose up. It is satisfactory to find Eliashib the high priest taking the part which befitted him on this occasion. Subsequently we find him "allied by marriage to Tobiah (Nehemiah 13:4), and guilty of a profanation of the temple (ibid. ver. 5). By the line of high priests given in Nehemiah 12:10, 11, it appears that Eliashib was the son of Joiakim, and the grandson of the Jeshua who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel (Ezra 2:2; Ezra 3:2). With his brethren. The priests generally. Compare ver. 28, which shows that the priests undertook a portion of the eastern wall, besides the work here mentioned. Builded the sheep gate. The "sheep gate" appears to have been a gate in the eastern wall, the προβατική of St. John (John %;2), which was close to the pool of Bethesda. By this gate were brought in the sheep needed for sacrifice, which were then washed in the adjoining pool, and conveyed from it into the temple area, whereon the pool abuts. The priests dwelt principally in this portion of the city. They sanctified it. This appears to have been a dedication quite distinct from that which is described in Nehemiah 12:27-43. The priests, having completed the rebuilding of the sheep gate, and of the wall extending from it northwards as far as the tower of Hananeel, anticipated the general dedication by a special one, which "sanctified," or consecrated, their own portion of the wall Thus a sacred character was impressed on the work at the earliest possible moment, and it was placed under the protection of the Almighty. The tower of Meah (or rather Hammeah, i.e. "the Hundred") and the tower of Hananeel appear to have been situated almost at the same point of the wall. Perhaps they were opposite each other, like the towers in the walls of Babylon (Herod., 1:179).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
At the Sheep
הַצֹּ֔אן (haṣ·ṣōn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

Gate,
שַׁ֣עַר (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

Eliashib
אֶלְיָשִׁיב֩ (’el·yā·šîḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 475: Eliashib -- 'God restores', the name of several Israelites

the high
הַגָּד֜וֹל (hag·gā·ḏō·wl)
Article | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

priest
הַכֹּהֵ֨ן (hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548: Priest

and his fellow
וְאֶחָ֣יו (wə·’e·ḥāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 251: A brother, )

priests
הַכֹּהֲנִ֗ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

began
וַיָּ֡קָם (way·yā·qām)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

rebuilding.
וַיִּבְנוּ֙ (way·yiḇ·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1129: To build

They
הֵ֣מָּה (hêm·māh)
Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

dedicated it
קִדְּשׁ֔וּהוּ (qid·də·šū·hū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

and installed
וַֽיַּעֲמִ֖ידוּ (way·ya·‘ă·mî·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

its doors.
דַּלְתֹתָ֑יו (dal·ṯō·ṯāw)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1817: Something swinging, the valve of a, door

After building as far as
וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the Tower
מִגְדַּ֤ל (miḡ·dal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4026: A tower, a rostrum, a, bed of flowers

of the Hundred
הַמֵּאָה֙ (ham·mê·’āh)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3968: A tower on the northern wall of Jerusalem

and the Tower
מִגְדַּ֥ל (miḡ·dal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4026: A tower, a rostrum, a, bed of flowers

of Hananel,
חֲנַנְאֵֽל׃ (ḥă·nan·’êl)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 2606: God is gracious', a tower in Jerusalem

they dedicated [the wall].
קִדְּשׁ֔וּהוּ (qid·də·šū·hū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated


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OT History: Nehemiah 3:1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 2:20
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