Nehemiah 3 12

Nehemiah 3:12 kjv

And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.

Nehemiah 3:12 nkjv

And next to him was Shallum the son of Hallohesh, leader of half the district of Jerusalem; he and his daughters made repairs.

Nehemiah 3:12 niv

Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of a half-district of Jerusalem, repaired the next section with the help of his daughters.

Nehemiah 3:12 esv

Next to him Shallum the son of Hallohesh, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired, he and his daughters.

Nehemiah 3:12 nlt

Shallum son of Hallohesh and his daughters repaired the next section. He was the leader of the other half of the district of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 3 verses

Nehemiah 3 12 Meaning

Nehemiah 3:12 records specific contributions to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. It details that Malchijah, son of Harim, and Hasshub, son of Pahath-Moab, repaired a section including the Tower of the Ovens. Crucially, it highlights Shallum, the son of Hallohesh, an official overseeing half of the Jerusalem district, who repaired a section alongside his daughters. This explicit mention of his daughters participating in manual labor for wall construction is a unique and significant detail, emphasizing collective devotion and sacrifice in the work of God.

Nehemiah 3 12 Context

Nehemiah 3 provides a meticulous, systematic account of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall, section by section, identifying the various individuals and groups responsible for each portion. It is a testament to extraordinary communal effort and unified dedication under Nehemiah's leadership. The chapter opens by listing High Priest Eliashib and other priests working, then proceeds geographically around the city. This chapter showcases practical organization, shared responsibility, and widespread commitment, illustrating that the restoration was not just a political or military endeavor but a deeply spiritual and communal one. Each family, guild, or official was responsible for the segment of the wall nearest to them or assigned to them, fostering accountability and efficiency. Verse 12 is part of this comprehensive listing, notable for its unique mention of female participants.

Nehemiah 3 12 Word analysis

• Next to him: Implies continuity in the systematic account of the wall repair, physically moving from one section to the next, emphasizing comprehensive coverage and no gaps in responsibility.
• Malchijah (מַלְכִּיָּה, Malkiyyah): Hebrew, "My King is Yah" (a short form of Yahweh). He is also mentioned in Neh 10:3, Neh 12:42. He was likely a Levite or priest (compare 1 Chr 24:9; Ezra 10:25, 31).
• the son of Harim (חָרִם, Ḥārim): A priestly family, one of the original 24 priestly divisions (1 Chr 24:8), also mentioned as having members marry foreign wives (Ezra 10:31).
• Hasshub (חַשּׁוּב, Ḥaššûb): Hebrew, "considerate" or "thoughtful." Also a distinct individual mentioned later in Neh 3:23 and Neh 10:11. This could be a second Hasshub.
• the son of Pahath-Moab (פַּחַת מוֹאָב, Paḥath Môʼāḇ): Hebrew, literally "governor of Moab," but here it is a clan name, one of the most prominent families who returned with Zerubbabel, numbering over 2,800 individuals (Ezra 2:6, Neh 7:11).
• repaired (חָזַק, ḥāzaq): Hebrew verb, meaning "to strengthen," "make firm," "repair," or "lay hold of." This term is used repeatedly in Nehemiah 3, signifying restoration, vigorous effort, and rebuilding.
• another section: Indicates a new segment of the wall assigned to these individuals. The meticulous detail shows a specific division of labor.
• the Tower of the Ovens: (מִגְדַּל הַתַּנּוּרִים, Migdal ha-Tannurim) This landmark identifies the location of their work, likely a defensive tower near an area known for public ovens or baking facilities. It was possibly located near the Northwestern corner of Jerusalem's city wall.
• Beside him: Connects Shallum's section geographically to the preceding one, emphasizing the continuous chain of builders.
• Shallum (שַׁלּוּם, Šallûm): Hebrew, "recompense" or "peaceful." This name appears numerous times in the Old Testament, denoting different individuals. Here, a specific official.
• the son of Hallohesh (הַלּוֹחֵשׁ, hallaḥšeš): The name means "the enchanter" or "whisperer," which is an unusual and somewhat negative meaning for a personal name. However, it's a family name here.
• official (שַׂר, śar): Hebrew, "prince," "chief," "official," or "ruler." Indicates a person of authority and leadership.
• of the half district of Jerusalem: (פֶלֶג, peleḡ) This means Shallum was a regional governor or magistrate (NIV "ruler of half the district") responsible for a sector of Jerusalem's administration, implying significant leadership and social standing.
• repaired, he and his daughters: This is the most striking and distinctive detail of the verse.
  • he: Refers to Shallum, taking direct leadership and personal involvement in the physical labor.
  • and his daughters: (וּבְנוֹתָיו, ūḇə·nō·ṯāw) The explicit mention of his daughters working alongside him is highly unusual for that period in a context of heavy construction.
    • Significance:
      • Communal Dedication: It underscores the extreme dedication and spiritual zeal of the people, where all members of a family, regardless of conventional gender roles, contributed to a task vital for their community's physical and spiritual well-being.
      • Urgency & Necessity: It suggests the desperate need for labor. The scale of the task necessitated everyone's involvement.
      • Devotion to God's Work: Their participation highlights a deep-seated devotion to God and the restoration of His city, prioritizing the divine command over societal conventions regarding labor division. It can be seen as an act of faith and corporate unity.
      • Challenging Norms: While not a direct theological statement on gender roles, it provides a powerful example of women participating directly in public, physical, "masculine" work, a clear demonstration that ability and willingness, driven by spiritual motivation, could transcend traditional societal boundaries in unique circumstances. It echoes other biblical instances where women stepped into significant, unconventional roles for God's purposes (e.g., Deborah, Huldah).
      • Father's Leadership: It also speaks volumes about Shallum's leadership within his own household, having cultivated such dedication in his daughters.

Nehemiah 3 12 Bonus section

• The explicit mention of "daughters" (בְּנוֹתָיו, bə·nō·ṯāw) here is a unique biblical historical detail regarding heavy construction work. In most ancient Near Eastern cultures, such physical labor in public works was typically relegated to men. This singular mention underscores the exceptional nature of their contribution, suggesting either an extreme communal emergency requiring all able hands, or a unique devotion within Shallum's family, possibly a lack of sons, or perhaps a status allowing for their involvement without disgrace, indicating high zeal.
• The overall context of Nehemiah 3 implicitly demonstrates a "one body, many parts" principle in action long before the New Testament articulation (e.g., 1 Cor 12). Each section repaired by specific individuals or groups (priests, rulers, families, guilds) highlights how diverse components contribute to a unified whole, essential for the well-being and security of the entire community.
• The rebuilding of the wall was not merely an architectural project; it was a profound spiritual act. The restoration of the physical walls represented the re-establishment of the Israelites' identity, security, and distinction as God's covenant people. Shallum and his daughters' contribution was therefore an act of worship and obedience, mirroring the broader spiritual renewal sought by the exiles.

Nehemiah 3 12 Commentary

Nehemiah 3:12 provides a snapshot of communal unity and fervent commitment to the rebuilding of Jerusalem. While the enumeration of builders might seem tedious, each mention underlines the widespread participation—from high priests to gatekeepers, goldsmiths to district officials. The verse distinguishes itself with the singular note that Shallum, a district official, performed his segment of the work "he and his daughters." This detail speaks volumes about the exigency of the situation and the profound spiritual dedication pervading all levels of society. It showcases an environment where societal conventions regarding gender roles for heavy manual labor were set aside for a higher purpose: the restoration of God's holy city and people. This act of his daughters' participation serves as a powerful symbol of inclusive and comprehensive devotion to the cause of God, demonstrating that every hand, irrespective of traditional expectation, was deemed valuable and vital for the monumental task at hand. It exemplifies the principle that when God's people unite with a mind to work for His kingdom, He empowers them to achieve what seems impossible.