Nehemiah 3 14

Nehemiah 3:14 kjv

But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

Nehemiah 3:14 nkjv

Malchijah the son of Rechab, leader of the district of Beth Haccerem, repaired the Refuse Gate; he built it and hung its doors with its bolts and bars.

Nehemiah 3:14 niv

The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Rekab, ruler of the district of Beth Hakkerem. He rebuilt it and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place.

Nehemiah 3:14 esv

Malchijah the son of Rechab, ruler of the district of Beth-haccherem, repaired the Dung Gate. He rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars.

Nehemiah 3:14 nlt

The Dung Gate was repaired by Malkijah son of Recab, the leader of the Beth-hakkerem district. He rebuilt it, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars.

Nehemiah 3 verses

Nehemiah 3 14 Meaning

Nehemiah 3:14 describes Malchijah, the son of Rechab and leader of the district of Beth Haccerem, taking responsibility for repairing and fortifying the Dung Gate in Jerusalem. This verse signifies the individual commitment and shared labor involved in the post-exilic restoration of Jerusalem's wall, highlighting meticulous and thorough work that ensured the security and functionality of even the city's humblest, yet essential, entrance.

Nehemiah 3 14 Context

Nehemiah chapter 3 provides a detailed, organized account of the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall and its gates following the return of the exiles under Nehemiah's leadership. This chapter meticulously lists the sections of the wall repaired by various families, groups, and individuals, highlighting their names, roles, and even the specific features they rebuilt (like gates, locks, and bars). Each section of the wall was assigned to a different team, showcasing a remarkable example of communal effort, division of labor, and a spirit of cooperation united under a divine mandate. The "Dung Gate" was strategically important as the exit point for the city's refuse, making its repair crucial for the hygiene, symbolism, and overall security of Jerusalem. Malchijah's role in this chapter signifies the engagement of leaders and ordinary people alike in the monumental task of restoring the physical and spiritual identity of God's people in Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 3 14 Word analysis

• And the Dung Gate (וְשַׁעַר הָאַשְׁפֹּת - vĕshaʿar hāʾašpōṯ):

  • וְ (vĕ): Connective "and," indicating continuity within the overall rebuilding project.
  • שַׁעַר (shaʿar): "Gate, doorway." Signifies access, defense, commerce, justice. Gates were vital for a city's identity and security in the ancient world. They symbolized protection and control.
  • הָאַשְׁפֹּת (hāʾašpōṯ): "Of the ashes, refuse, dung." Derived from a root meaning to "heap up" or "be filthy." The Dung Gate (also called the Gate of the Ash-Heaps or Rubbish Gate) was located on the south side of Jerusalem and served as the exit point for city waste. Its repair signifies not only functional restoration but also a metaphor for cleansing, purification, and the removal of spiritual defilement necessary for the community's holiness. It represents dealing with what is unclean or discarded.

• was repaired by Malchijah (הֶחֱזִיק מַלְכִּיָּה - heḥezîq Malkîyāh):

  • הֶחֱזִיק (heḥezîq): "He strengthened, repaired, made firm, restored." A form of the verb ḥāzaq (חָזַק), which carries the connotation of strengthening, reinforcing, and being resolute. It suggests thorough work, not just a superficial fix. This verb is also used elsewhere in Nehemiah for the other gates and walls, emphasizing the complete nature of the restoration. It also suggests Malchijah’s personal commitment and strong effort.
  • מַלְכִּיָּה (Malkîyāh): "My King is Yahweh." The name points to the individual's foundational belief and allegiance to God's sovereignty. His name connects his identity directly to God's reign, reinforcing that the rebuilding project was God's work.

• the son of Rechab (בֶּן־רֵכָב - ben-Rêḵāḇ):

  • בֶּן (ben): "Son of." Identifies lineage.
  • רֵכָב (Rêḵāḇ): "Rider, charioteer." This refers to the Rechabites, known for their strict adherence to the vows of their ancestor Jonadab (Jeremiah 35), which included not drinking wine, living in tents, and not owning land or building houses. Their ancestral vow of simplicity and nomadic life contrasts with building a city wall, yet Malchijah's participation highlights that spiritual faithfulness does not preclude engagement in practical service for God's kingdom, even when it requires adaptability. His family's long history of obedience provides a strong background for his current faithfulness.

• the leader of the district of Beth Haccerem (שַׂר פֶּלֶךְ בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם - sar pelek Bêṯ HaKkārem):

  • שַׂר (sar): "Prince, chief, leader, official." Indicates Malchijah held a position of authority and responsibility in the Persian administrative system. His leadership role demonstrates that prominent figures contributed alongside others.
  • פֶּלֶךְ (pelek): "District, circuit." A Persian administrative unit, denoting a regional jurisdiction.
  • בֵּית הַכֶּרֶם (Bêṯ HaKkārem): "House of the vineyard." An important location south of Jerusalem, noted for its vineyards and potential for wine production, ironically tied to a "son of Rechab" known for abstaining from wine. Its fertility and administrative importance likely made it a significant source of resources or manpower for the rebuilding efforts. This further underscores the participation of leaders from various geographical and economic backgrounds.

• he rebuilt it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars in place (הוּא יִבְנֶנּוּ וַיַּעֲמִיד דַּלְתֹתָיו מַנְעוּלָיו וּבְרִיחָיו - hûʾ yiḇnennû wayyaʿămîḏ dalttôṯāw manʿûlāyw ûḇĕrîḥāyw):

  • הוּא יִבְנֶנּוּ (hûʾ yiḇnennû): "He built it (emphatic)." Emphasizes his personal and direct involvement in the construction, not just supervision. "Built" (בָּנָה - bānāh) is distinct from "repaired," indicating a more extensive, comprehensive construction where perhaps significant portions were completely new.
  • וַיַּעֲמִיד (wayyaʿămîḏ): "And he stood up, set in place, installed firmly." Conveys meticulous attention to detail and ensuring functionality.
  • דַּלְתֹתָיו (dalttôṯāw): "Its doors/leaves of a double door." Essential for access and security.
  • מַנְעוּלָיו (manʿûlāyw): "Its bolts/locks." Mechanisms for securing the doors.
  • וּבְרִיחָיו (ûḇĕrîḥāyw): "And its bars." Heavy crossbars that reinforce and lock the gate, ensuring maximum security against invaders.
  • The comprehensive list of "doors, bolts, and bars" highlights that Malchijah did a complete, secure job, ensuring the gate was fully functional and able to withstand attack. This attention to detail speaks to the seriousness and thoroughness required for God's work.

Nehemiah 3 14 Bonus section

The consistent use of the verb ḥāzaq ("repaired, strengthened") throughout Nehemiah 3 for almost every section of the wall indicates not just physical restoration, but also the strengthening of the community's resolve and faith. The spiritual resilience mirrored the physical reconstruction. The Rechabite connection for Malchijah, specifically given their historical rejection of settled, vineyard-based living (Jer 35), is a powerful detail. It suggests that even those traditionally separated or holding unique vows can find their place in the collective rebuilding effort, perhaps highlighting a maturing or broader application of faithfulness. His involvement in securing a city entrance demonstrates their capacity to contribute to societal stability when divinely led, moving beyond prior ancestral prohibitions when the cause is righteous and under God's explicit directive. The naming of districts like Beth Haccerem ties the local administrative structures of the Persian Empire directly into the divine project of restoring Jerusalem, demonstrating God's sovereign hand working through contemporary governmental frameworks.

Nehemiah 3 14 Commentary

Nehemiah 3:14 offers a poignant snapshot of dedication and shared purpose in the spiritual and physical restoration of Jerusalem. Malchijah's assignment to the Dung Gate is significant; while it was the lowliest of gates, necessary for removing refuse, its functional importance to the city's sanitation and spiritual purity cannot be overstated. His willingness to work on this specific gate, coupled with his high civic position as leader of Beth Haccerem and his lineage from the devoted Rechabites, demonstrates a spirit of humility and unwavering commitment to God's plan.

The text emphasizes not merely "repair" but also "rebuilding" and "setting in place its doors, its bolts, and its bars." This precise detailing illustrates a thoroughness and resolve that left nothing incomplete. It symbolizes the spiritual truth that effective purification and true security require a complete purging of impurities (like the refuse through the Dung Gate) and a firm, complete sealing against future defilement. The rebuilt gate became a symbol of order, cleanliness, and the secure boundary of a consecrated city.

The collective effort documented in Nehemiah 3 underscores that no task is too menial, and every individual's contribution is vital in God's great work. Leaders like Malchijah setting an example of diligent, hands-on labor encourages communal participation. Spiritually, this verse reminds believers that our lives must also have a "Dung Gate"—a pathway for removing the "waste" of sin and impurities, sealed off by diligent practice of holiness and guarding our hearts. The meticulous restoration of physical gates reflects God's desire for His people to establish and maintain strong, secure boundaries, both physically and spiritually.

Examples of practical usage include:

• Embracing seemingly "unattractive" or difficult tasks in service to God, knowing all work is valuable.
• The importance of thoroughness and diligence in any calling or ministry.
• Understanding that spiritual cleansing involves removing sin ("dung") from one's life.