Nehemiah 2:13 kjv
And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.
Nehemiah 2:13 nkjv
And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire.
Nehemiah 2:13 niv
By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire.
Nehemiah 2:13 esv
I went out by night by the Valley Gate to the Dragon Spring and to the Dung Gate, and I inspected the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down and its gates that had been destroyed by fire.
Nehemiah 2:13 nlt
After dark I went out through the Valley Gate, past the Jackal's Well, and over to the Dung Gate to inspect the broken walls and burned gates.
Nehemiah 2 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Neh 1:3 | They said to me, “The remnant... are in great trouble and shame; the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates are destroyed by fire.” | Foreshadows the devastation Nehemiah confirms. |
| Neh 2:12 | I set out during the night... and I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem. | Emphasizes secrecy and divine leading for the task. |
| Neh 2:18 | ...and they said, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. | The assessment leads directly to action and unified purpose. |
| 2 Kgs 25:9 | He burned the house of the Lord, the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. | Records the original destruction by Babylon, including walls and gates. |
| Jer 52:13-14 | ...and burned down all the houses in Jerusalem—every important building. All the walls around Jerusalem were torn down... | Corroborates the comprehensive nature of Jerusalem's destruction. |
| Lam 2:9 | Her gates have sunk into the ground; he has shattered her bars. Her king and her princes are among the nations; there is no law. | Depicts the utter desolation of Jerusalem’s defenses and leadership. |
| Isa 58:12 | Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets. | Prophetic promise of rebuilding, directly connected to Nehemiah’s task. |
| Amos 9:11 | “In that day I will restore David’s fallen shelter—I will repair its broken walls and restore its ruins—and build it as it used to be.” | Divine promise of restoring the 'fallen dwelling', applicable to Jerusalem. |
| Ps 127:1 | Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. | Underscores the need for divine blessing and involvement in building efforts. |
| Lk 14:28-30 | Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost... | Jesus teaches the importance of planning and careful assessment before undertaking a large task. |
| Prov 15:22 | Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. | Implies the wisdom of gathering information before execution. |
| Deut 1:22 | Then all of you came to me and said, ‘Let us send men ahead to explore the land...’ | Demonstrates a historical precedent for surveying a challenging task. |
| Josh 2:1 | Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent out two spies from Shittim... | Shows strategic reconnaissance before significant action. |
| Eph 6:11-13 | Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes... | Analogous to surveying spiritual weaknesses and preparing for battle. |
| 2 Cor 13:5 | Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith... | Encourages spiritual self-inspection, akin to Nehemiah's physical one. |
| Lam 3:40 | Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. | Calls for personal and collective introspection of spiritual state. |
| Jer 31:4 | I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, Virgin Israel. | God's promise of physical and spiritual restoration. |
| Ezek 36:33-36 | ...The ruined cities will be rebuilt and inhabited. | Divine promise of reconstruction and renewal of desolate places. |
| Hag 1:7-8 | This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house..." | God commands His people to give careful thought to their efforts for Him. |
| Ps 51:18 | In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. | A prayer for the rebuilding and restoration of Jerusalem’s walls. |
| Mal 3:1 | “See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.” | The act of preparing the way is reflected in Nehemiah's initial survey. |
| Phil 4:6 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, through prayer and petition... | Nehemiah's secret inspection would have been accompanied by prayer and trust in God's provision. |
Nehemiah 2 verses
Nehemiah 2 13 Meaning
Nehemiah 2:13 details Nehemiah’s nocturnal and secret reconnaissance mission in Jerusalem. He carefully surveyed the city's devastated walls and burnt gates, specifically entering through the Valley Gate, passing the Dragon Well, and reaching the Refuse Gate. This inspection allowed him to personally assess the full extent of the destruction and damage inflicted upon the city's defenses, gathering crucial information for his God-ordained task of rebuilding.
Nehemiah 2 13 Context
Nehemiah 2:13 immediately follows Nehemiah's arrival in Jerusalem after gaining unprecedented permission and provisions from King Artaxerxes to rebuild the city's walls. His initial actions upon reaching Jerusalem, prior to this verse, involve resting for three days (Neh 2:11) and then initiating this covert inspection. The secrecy ("I told no one what my God had put into my heart to do for Jerusalem" - Neh 2:12) is paramount, likely to avoid alerting local adversaries (Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem) to his full intentions or prematurely discouraging the people by the enormity of the task. The verse details the beginning of his precise assessment of the city’s defenses, establishing the factual basis for his subsequent call to action.
Nehemiah 2 13 Word analysis
- And I went out by night: Indicates stealth and prudence. The darkness offered anonymity and prevented public spectacle or premature opposition, allowing for a thorough, unhindered examination. This highlights Nehemiah's careful planning and reliance on God's protection.
- through the Valley Gate: (Hebrew: Sha'ar Ha-Gai). A major gate in the western/southwestern wall of Jerusalem, providing access to the Hinnom Valley (Gehenna) and the Tyropoeon Valley. Its strategic location meant it was a critical point of entry/exit and defense.
- to the Dragon Well: (Hebrew: `En Ha-Tannin). A water source or spring, possibly named for its serpentine appearance or associated with local legends. Its inclusion in Nehemiah's survey shows he assessed external infrastructure beyond just the wall itself, emphasizing a comprehensive view of the city's needs, including its water supply, crucial for sustenance during siege.
- and to the Refuse Gate: (Hebrew: Sha'ar Ha-Ashpot, often translated 'Dung Gate'). Located on the southern side of the city, this gate was used for expelling waste. Its inclusion signifies the comprehensive nature of Nehemiah's survey, encompassing the least glorious but functionally vital parts of the city. Spiritually, "refuse" can symbolize casting off sin or anything that defiles.
- and I inspected: (Hebrew: wa'abqoqr from baqar). This verb means "to inquire," "to examine thoroughly," "to search out," "to visit." It signifies a detailed, systematic, and investigative assessment, not merely a casual glance. Nehemiah was evaluating structural damage, calculating resources, and determining the scope of work needed.
- the walls of Jerusalem: The primary defense of the city. Their ruined state was a constant source of shame and vulnerability for the returned exiles (Neh 1:3).
- that were broken down: (Hebrew: peruẓim from parats). Refers to being "broken through," "breached," or "torn down." It describes widespread, extensive damage, indicating major sections of the walls were fragmented and crumbled, making the city defenseless.
- and its gates: Integral to the wall system, gates controlled access and were fortified points. Their state of disrepair made the walls ineffective.
- that had been destroyed by fire: (Hebrew: sarfu from saraph). Implies complete annihilation through burning, leaving behind ashes and charred remnants. This speaks to the intentional and thorough nature of the destruction by Babylon (e.g., 2 Kgs 25:9; Jer 52:13). It highlights the enormity of the task of restoration, as new materials for gates would be entirely needed.
Nehemiah 2 13 Bonus section
Nehemiah's secret survey circuit in this verse did not cover the entire city wall. Commentators note that he likely assessed the most dilapidated and challenging southern and western sections first, where much of the significant destruction had occurred. The detailed report given to the people in Neh 2:17 indicates he eventually surveyed the full circuit or extrapolated from these key points. The act of "inspecting" (baqar) here lays the theological groundwork that faithful stewardship demands practical knowledge and discernment, not just spiritual fervor. It reflects a principle that effective ministry or action often starts with a quiet, humble, yet exhaustive self-assessment or assessment of the situation at hand.
Nehemiah 2 13 Commentary
Nehemiah 2:13 unveils the exemplary leadership and careful strategy employed by Nehemiah. His secret, nocturnal inspection was a vital first step, demonstrating prudence, diligence, and thoroughness before undertaking a colossal task. He understood that true restoration begins with a full and honest assessment of the brokenness. The choice of gates for his route (Valley, Dragon, Refuse) covered vulnerable and functional aspects of the city, underscoring a comprehensive reconnaissance. This quiet, preparatory phase, initiated by a leader who attributed all good to God's hand (Neh 2:12, 2:18), exemplifies discerning wisdom. It reminds us that significant works for God often require diligent, perhaps unnoticed, preparation and a clear understanding of the full scope of the challenges before public proclamation and action.
- Practical Example: Before addressing a pervasive issue in a community or ministry, a leader might first discreetly investigate the roots and extent of the problem to inform their strategy.
- Practical Example: When discerning a major life change, it is wise to quietly and thoroughly evaluate all circumstances and potential challenges before making a public declaration.