Nehemiah 3:16 kjv
After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.
Nehemiah 3:16 nkjv
After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, leader of half the district of Beth Zur, made repairs as far as the place in front of the tombs of David, to the man-made pool, and as far as the House of the Mighty.
Nehemiah 3:16 niv
Beyond him, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of a half-district of Beth Zur, made repairs up to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool and the House of the Heroes.
Nehemiah 3:16 esv
After him Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Beth-zur, repaired to a point opposite the tombs of David, as far as the artificial pool, and as far as the house of the mighty men.
Nehemiah 3:16 nlt
Next to him was Nehemiah son of Azbuk, the leader of half the district of Beth-zur. He rebuilt the wall from a place across from the tombs of David's family as far as the water reservoir and the House of the Warriors.
Nehemiah 3 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Neh 2:17 | "Then I said to them, 'You see the distress...Come, let us rebuild the wall...'" | Call to rebuild Jerusalem's wall. |
| Neh 4:6 | "So we built the wall...for the people had a mind to work." | United effort in building the wall. |
| Neh 6:15-16 | "So the wall was finished...when all our enemies heard..." | Completion of the wall. |
| Zec 8:3 | "Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem." | God's promised return and dwelling in Zion. |
| Ps 122:3 | "Jerusalem—built as a city that is bound firmly together!" | Jerusalem's unified and fortified nature. |
| Isa 62:6-7 | "Upon your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen..." | God's watchmen for Jerusalem's protection. |
| Jer 31:38 | "Behold, the days are coming...when the city shall be rebuilt for the Lord." | Prophecy of Jerusalem's future rebuilding. |
| Isa 58:12 | "Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations..." | Rebuilding of desolated cities. |
| Amos 9:11 | "In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen..." | Restoration of Davidic dynasty/fortunes. |
| 1 Cor 12:27 | "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." | The body of Christ working together. |
| Eph 4:16 | "from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint..." | Unified body working for growth. |
| Rom 12:4-5 | "For as in one body we have many members...so we, though many, are one body." | Diverse members with specific roles in unity. |
| Ex 18:21-22 | "You shall select out of all the people able men...and let them judge..." | Principle of delegated leadership/ruling. |
| Acts 2:29 | "Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day." | David's tomb, an ancient landmark in Jerusalem. |
| 1 Chr 11:15 | "Three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David..." | Refers to "the rock," related to strength/defense. |
| 2 Sam 5:9 | "And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David." | The City of David and David's dwellings. |
| 2 Ki 20:20 | "The rest of the deeds of Hezekiah and all his might...how he made the pool and the conduit..." | Reference to other man-made pools in Jerusalem. |
| Jn 9:7 | "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam (which means Sent)." | The Pool of Siloam, a significant water source. |
| Neh 9:18 | "they made for themselves a molded calf and said, 'This is your God...'" | David's burial and Judah's faith. |
| Matt 16:18 | "on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail." | Christ building His church/spiritual wall. |
| Heb 12:28 | "let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe." | Receiving an unshakeable kingdom, often related to secure foundations. |
| Mic 4:8 | "And you, O stronghold of the flock...the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem." | The fortified nature of Jerusalem and its royal significance. |
Nehemiah 3 verses
Nehemiah 3 16 Meaning
Nehemiah 3:16 details the section of Jerusalem's wall repaired by a man named Nehemiah, son of Azbuk. He was a ruler responsible for half of the district of Bethzur, indicating his authority and contribution from his specific region. The verse outlines the precise portion of the wall his group restored, extending from a point opposite the significant tombs of David, continuing to a vital man-made pool, and reaching as far as the area known as the house of the mighty ones or heroes. This specific description highlights the organized and collaborative effort in rebuilding Jerusalem's defenses, with leaders and their communities taking responsibility for designated segments.
Nehemiah 3 16 Context
Nehemiah chapter 3 provides a meticulous, gate-by-gate, section-by-section record of the individuals and groups responsible for rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. It showcases a highly organized effort involving diverse segments of post-exilic Jewish society, including priests, goldsmiths, merchants, local rulers, and common citizens. The chapter progresses systematically around the city's perimeter, starting from the Sheep Gate, identifying who repaired each segment. Verse 16 fits into this comprehensive roster, specifying another section of the wall and identifying the responsible party, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, and the geographical landmarks his repair crew covered. The historical context is post-Babylonian exile, during the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Under the leadership of Nehemiah, cupbearer to Artaxerxes I, the Jewish people were granted permission and resources to return to Judah and restore Jerusalem's defenses. This rebuilding project was not merely a physical construction; it was a powerful act of restoring the community's identity, security, and trust in God's promises amidst external opposition and internal challenges.
Nehemiah 3 16 Word analysis
- After him repaired: This phrase (אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיק - ’acharaw hechezik) signifies the continuation of the repair work described previously in the chapter, indicating a sequence of labor along the wall. The verb "repaired" (h-ch-z-k) implies holding firm, strengthening, or making strong, underscoring the solid nature of the restoration.
- Nehemiah the son of Azbuk: This is a distinct individual, not to be confused with Nehemiah, the author of the book. His name, נְחֶמְיָה (Nechemyah), means "comfort of Yahweh." This name, shared by the book's author, was common at the time, indicating that God's comfort and support were deeply valued in their culture.
- the ruler of the half part of Bethzur: Bethzur (בֵּית־צוּר - Beit-Tzur), meaning "house of rock," was an ancient fortified city southwest of Jerusalem. Its strategic importance stemmed from its position on the main road to Hebron. Being "ruler of the half part" suggests an administrative division within the district, possibly due to its size or resources, highlighting provincial cooperation in the wall-building effort. It also signifies his significant socio-political standing and ability to mobilize resources from his region.
- unto the place over against the sepulchres of David: This pinpoints a highly significant and sacred landmark. "Sepulchres of David" (קִבְרֵי דָוִיד - qivre Dawid) refers to the royal burial tombs of King David, located in the City of David, south of the Temple Mount. Protecting this historically and religiously revered site would have been paramount for the Jews, underscoring the spiritual as well as strategic importance of this section of the wall. Its mention connects the physical rebuilding to the foundational promises given to David concerning his enduring lineage (2 Sam 7:12-16).
- and to the pool that was made: This phrase (הַבְּרֵכָה הָעֲשׂוּיָה - ha-berekhah ha-’asuya), referring to a specific "made pool," likely points to an artificial reservoir critical for Jerusalem's water supply, especially during a siege. Given its importance for survival, guarding and reinforcing access to it would have been a priority. Scholars suggest this could be the Pool of Siloam or a similar man-made structure designed to channel water into the city. Water sources were essential for sustaining life and defense.
- and unto the house of the mighty: This section (בֵּית הַגִּבּוֹרִים - beit ha-gibborim), meaning "house of the heroes" or "house of the mighty ones," might refer to barracks for elite soldiers, a strategic fortress, or possibly a significant residence for prominent individuals known for their strength or valor. It indicates another militarily significant location, emphasizing the strategic defense priorities addressed in the wall reconstruction. Its exact location is debated, but its defensive nature is clear.
Nehemiah 3 16 Bonus section
The meticulous detail in Nehemiah 3, including verses like 3:16, functions as a witness to the comprehensive scope of the divine task at hand. It served not just as a record for the original audience but as an inspiring account of how every member contributed their skills and resources to achieve God's purpose. The very specific nature of the descriptions like "over against the sepulchres of David" would have resonated deeply with the original Jewish readers, not just as a geographical marker but as a spiritual touchstone of their national identity and the enduring Davidic covenant. This level of precise documentation underlines the divine providential guidance in enabling such an undertaking through faithful human hands, transforming chaos into order and vulnerability into security, setting a pattern for communal work in service of God's Kingdom.
Nehemiah 3 16 Commentary
Nehemiah 3:16 reveals the detailed and inclusive nature of Jerusalem's wall rebuilding. It highlights the principle of collective action under clear leadership, where even distant provincial rulers like Nehemiah from Bethzur brought their people and resources to contribute. This level of granular description not only affirms the historical reality of the massive undertaking but also symbolically represents the unified spirit and determination of the post-exilic community. The specific landmarks — David's tombs, the man-made pool, and the house of the mighty — demonstrate that the builders were focused on reinforcing key historical, vital, and strategic points of the city. David's tombs were a spiritual anchor, connecting the present struggle with God's past covenant faithfulness. The pool secured essential water resources for survival, while the "house of the mighty" symbolized the strength and protection of the city's defenses. The verse underscores that God's work is accomplished through diligent, organized effort by diverse people working together on specific assignments, each part critical for the whole to function effectively, culminating in the spiritual and physical restoration of God's people and His holy city.