Nehemiah 3 15

Nehemiah 3:15 kjv

But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.

Nehemiah 3:15 nkjv

Shallun the son of Col-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he built it, covered it, hung its doors with its bolts and bars, and repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah by the King's Garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David.

Nehemiah 3:15 niv

The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Kol-Hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofing it over and putting its doors and bolts and bars in place. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Siloam, by the King's Garden, as far as the steps going down from the City of David.

Nehemiah 3:15 esv

And Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the Fountain Gate. He rebuilt it and covered it and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars. And he built the wall of the Pool of Shelah of the king's garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the city of David.

Nehemiah 3:15 nlt

The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallum son of Col-hozeh, the leader of the Mizpah district. He rebuilt it, roofed it, set up its doors, and installed its bolts and bars. Then he repaired the wall of the pool of Siloam near the king's garden, and he rebuilt the wall as far as the stairs that descend from the City of David.

Nehemiah 3 verses

Nehemiah 3 15 Meaning

Nehemiah 3:15 describes the rebuilding efforts of Shallun, son of Colhozeh, leader of the Mizpah district. His specific assignment involved repairing the Fountain Gate, a critical entry point for water access and city defense. He executed the task meticulously, not just repairing but also building the gate, covering its structure, and setting its crucial components like doors, bolts, and bars for security. Additionally, his work extended to mending the wall section along the Pool of Shelom (Siloam), a vital water source, and reaching to the royal King’s Garden area, connecting with the significant stairs descending from the ancient City of David, encompassing a strategic and historically rich part of Jerusalem's fortifications.

Nehemiah 3 15 Context

Nehemiah chapter 3 systematically details the organized efforts of diverse groups in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls under Nehemiah's leadership. Each verse outlines a specific section of the wall or a gate, identifying the individuals, families, or groups responsible for that portion. This chapter highlights a unified communal response to a daunting task. Verse 15 fits into this structured account by specifying Shallun's critical role in reconstructing a vital part of the city's infrastructure around its essential water sources and ancient foundations. The historical backdrop is the post-exilic period, around 444 BC, when Judah returned from Babylonian captivity to find Jerusalem in ruins. The rebuilding was crucial not just for physical defense but for re-establishing the nation's identity and its commitment to the Lord.

Nehemiah 3 15 Word analysis

• Shallun (שַׁלּוּן - Shallun): Meaning "requital" or "recompense," he represents the local leadership of Mizpah contributing to the collective work. His name, though not widely prominent in scripture, is etched into the history of Jerusalem’s rebuilding, symbolizing God’s careful notice of individual contributors to His work.
• Colhozeh (כָּל־חֹזֶה - Kol-Chozeh): Translates to "every seer" or "all-seeing." This lineage name might suggest a family associated with discernment, wisdom, or even prophetic insight, implying a background of spiritual understanding from which Shallun hailed.
• Leader of the district of Mizpah (מִצְפָּה - Mitzpah): Mizpah, meaning "watchtower," was a historically significant location in Benjamin, a gathering place (e.g., Judg 20:1; 1 Sam 7:5-6; Jer 40:6-10). Shallun's leadership here signifies a wider regional involvement in Jerusalem's restoration, reflecting a unified national effort beyond just those living within the city walls.
• repaired (הֶחֱזִיק - hecheziq): This Hebrew verb is central to Nehemiah 3. It means "strengthened," "held fast," "repaired," or "restored." It emphasizes making strong what was weak or broken, suggesting both structural restoration and the reinforcement of foundations, rather than simply constructing entirely new elements. It implies bringing stability and functional integrity back.
• Fountain Gate (שַׁעַר הָעַיִן - Sha'ar Ha'ayin): "Gate of the Eye" or "Gate of the Spring/Fountain." This gate was located near the southeastern corner of the City of David, serving as access to the Gihon Spring and its overflow via the Kidron Valley. Its repair was vital for the city's water supply and efficient waste disposal, highlighting its critical strategic and logistical importance. It was severely damaged by the Babylonians.
• built it (בְּנָהּ - banah): While hecheziq focuses on repair, banah means "to build" or "to establish." Applied to the gate, it indicates significant structural construction was required, rebuilding from its foundation or establishing its framework.
• covered it (וַיְקָרֶהָ - vay'kareha): Means "to put a roof on it," or "to cover over." This detail shows the work's thoroughness, ensuring the gate was complete, functional, and provided shelter or structural integrity against the elements. It completed the gate's operability.
• set its doors, its bolts, and its bars: These components were crucial for security, indicating that the gate was made fully operational and defensible. Without these, the gate, however structurally sound, would remain vulnerable. This attention to detail speaks of the urgency for defense and secure entry points.
• Pool of Shelom (בְּרֵכַת הַשֶּׁלַח - Bereikhat HaShelah): Often identified with the Pool of Siloam. Shelah means "sending" or "flowing," referring to the waters "sent" or flowing from the Gihon Spring through Hezekiah’s Tunnel. This pool was Jerusalem's main external water reservoir, essential for the city’s survival during sieges, linking directly to its life source.
• King’s Garden: Located in the Kidron Valley, just below the Pool of Siloam and the City of David. This fertile area supplied produce for the monarchy. Repairing its adjacent wall emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Shallun's assignment, encompassing not only defense but also protection of essential royal property and resources.
• stairs that go down from the City of David: These were steps cut into the rock, providing vital access from the ancient elevated City of David down to the Pool of Siloam and the King's Garden. Repairing this section of the wall protected these crucial access points and confirmed the city’s ability to defend its historic core and essential lower infrastructure.
• City of David (עִיר דָּוִד - Ir David): The original Jebusite stronghold captured by King David (2 Sam 5:6-9), which became the earliest and most ancient part of Jerusalem. Its walls provided critical defense, particularly near the Gihon Spring which fed the Pool of Siloam. This historical reference anchors the work to Jerusalem's deep past and heritage.

• "Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the leader of the district of Mizpah": This phrase emphasizes the participation of prominent regional leaders, indicating that the rebuilding effort was not confined to Jerusalem's immediate inhabitants but drew strength from various surrounding districts. It highlights communal ownership and shared responsibility for the nation's spiritual and physical well-being.
• "repaired the Fountain Gate. He built it and covered it, and set its doors, its bolts, and its bars": This sequence describes a complete, meticulous restoration process. It's more than patching; it's bringing the gate to full, secure functionality. The verb hecheziq (repaired) is followed by active building steps, indicating comprehensive reconstruction. This reflects a commitment to thoroughness in service to the Lord.
• "repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelom, by the King’s Garden, and as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David": This entire section highlights the strategic importance of Shallun's assignment. He worked on a critical perimeter that protected Jerusalem's primary water source (Pool of Shelom/Siloam), its vital royal land (King's Garden), and historical access points (stairs from City of David). His efforts secured life-sustaining elements and integral parts of Jerusalem's heritage.

Nehemiah 3 15 Bonus section

The careful listing of each rebuilder and their specific section of the wall in Nehemiah 3 emphasizes a key principle of divine administration: God sees and records individual contributions, no matter how seemingly small or technical. There is no anonymity in God's service; every hand involved is known and valued. This aligns with God’s meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle and Temple construction (e.g., Exod 25-31; 1 Kgs 6-7), where specific artisans and materials are noted. The placement of the Fountain Gate in this chapter's sequence suggests a systematic and organized repair from a significant strategic point, likely chosen by Nehemiah for both logistical efficiency and defense. The act of "covering" the gate points to a completed, habitable, and protective structure, more than just a barrier, making it truly functional.

Nehemiah 3 15 Commentary

Nehemiah 3:15 stands as a testament to diligent, detailed, and communal effort in restoring Jerusalem. Shallun's contribution to rebuilding the Fountain Gate and associated walls was strategically vital, safeguarding Jerusalem’s water supply and ancient heartland. His comprehensive work—repairing, building, covering, and securing with doors, bolts, and bars—demonstrates meticulous commitment. The inclusion of a leader from Mizpah underscores the widespread unity and collaborative spirit that characterized the rebuilding. This chapter, and Shallun's specific role within it, emphasizes that every part of God’s work matters, from the grand vision to the painstaking detail. Just as these physical walls were rebuilt for protection and identity, so believers are called to participate actively in building up the spiritual walls of faith and community, contributing their specific gifts and efforts, knowing that every detail done heartily for the Lord contributes to His larger redemptive plan.