Nehemiah 3 17

Nehemiah 3:17 kjv

After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.

Nehemiah 3:17 nkjv

After him the Levites, under Rehum the son of Bani, made repairs. Next to him Hashabiah, leader of half the district of Keilah, made repairs for his district.

Nehemiah 3:17 niv

Next to him, the repairs were made by the Levites under Rehum son of Bani. Beside him, Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, carried out repairs for his district.

Nehemiah 3:17 esv

After him the Levites repaired: Rehum the son of Bani. Next to him Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired for his district.

Nehemiah 3:17 nlt

Next to him, repairs were made by a group of Levites working under the supervision of Rehum son of Bani. Then came Hashabiah, the leader of half the district of Keilah, who supervised the building of the wall on behalf of his own district.

Nehemiah 3 verses

Nehemiah 3 17 Meaning

Nehemiah 3:17 describes a segment of the wall rebuilding effort, specifically mentioning the Levites working under Rehum the son of Bani. Adjacent to this section, Hashabiah, the ruler responsible for half the district of Keilah, undertook the repair work for his designated area. This verse highlights the diverse participation and structured, localized assignments characteristic of the entire rebuilding project, demonstrating how different social groups and regional leaders contributed their part.

Nehemiah 3 17 Context

Nehemiah chapter 3 systematically details the organized and extensive rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall. It acts as a comprehensive record of the communal effort, meticulously listing the individuals, families, guilds, and district leaders responsible for each specific section of the wall and its gates. This systematic approach, with sections assigned "next to" each other, showcases the thorough planning and the unity of purpose under Nehemiah's leadership. The historical context is post-exilic Judah, where the returned exiles sought to restore the physical defenses and spiritual identity of Jerusalem, critical for the security and flourishing of God's covenant people. The wall's reconstruction was a monumental task, signaling a renewal of hope, obedience, and communal strength in the face of internal challenges and external opposition.

Nehemiah 3 17 Word analysis

• Next to them: This phrase, 'al yādām (עַל־יָדָם), is recurrent throughout Nehemiah 3, indicating a contiguous sequence of work sections. It emphasizes order, precision, and the collective nature of the undertaking, where each group's efforts dovetailed with the adjacent ones.
• the Levites: Hallewiyyim (הַלְוִיִּם). Descendants of Levi, typically set apart for service in the tabernacle and temple (Num 3:6-9; 1 Chron 23:27-32). Their primary roles included ministering to the priests, teaching, music, and various duties related to the sanctuary. Their involvement here in manual labor for the physical wall underscores the sacred nature of the rebuilding project and that all segments of the community, even those dedicated to spiritual duties, were unified in the practical, physically demanding task for God's purposes.
• repaired: Hĕḥĕzīqū (הֶחֱזִיקוּ), from the root ḥāzaq, meaning "to strengthen, to repair, to make firm, to hold strong." This verb is used over 30 times in Nehemiah 3. It denotes not just simple mending but vigorous, diligent, and strengthening work, implying commitment and resolve in restoration.
• under Rehum the son of Bani: Rehum (Rĕḥūm, meaning "compassion") and Bani are individuals mentioned. While Bani is a common name, here it specifies a particular Levite. This detail highlights the administrative structure, where specific individuals provided oversight and leadership for sections, even over those (the Levites) who typically held positions of honor in other contexts.
• Next to him: 'al yādō (עַל־יָדֹו). Another instance of the precise geographical designation for the continuous sections of the wall.
• Hashabiah: Ḥashaḇyā (חֲשַׁבְיָהּ), meaning "Yah has considered" or "the Lord has esteemed." This name appears multiple times in other Biblical books, often associated with Levites (e.g., 1 Chron 26:30, 2 Chron 35:9, Neh 10:11, Neh 11:22, Neh 12:24). Given his role here, he likely was a prominent Levite ruler or leader from Keilah.
• the ruler: śar (שַׂר). A chief, prince, or official in charge. Hashabiah was not merely an inhabitant but an administrative leader. His participation shows the commitment from higher echelons of society.
• of half the district of Keilah: pelēg kĕ'īlāh (פֶּלֶג כְּעִילָה). Keilah was a significant city in Judah, known from biblical history (Josh 15:44, 1 Sam 23:1-13). The mention of "half the district" suggests a detailed administrative division for efficient task allocation, possibly due to the district's size or specific topographical considerations requiring two overseers for the overall area, each managing a portion of the wall repair. It indicates a broad national effort beyond Jerusalem's immediate residents, incorporating contributions from regional administrative units.
• repaired for his district: ḥĕzîqî (חֱזִיקִ֑י). This final phrase reiterates the work ḥāzaq (repaired) but adds "for his portion/share," reinforcing the principle of accountability and local responsibility. Hashabiah worked specifically on the segment allocated to his administrative region, implying that the burden and ownership of the rebuilding were distributed systematically among responsible parties from various areas.

Nehemiah 3 17 Bonus section

The detailed enumeration in Nehemiah 3 serves several purposes: it provides a testament to Nehemiah's effective leadership and organizational skills, which mobilized disparate groups into a single, formidable workforce. It also acts as an enduring lesson on community, where individual and collective identity were interwoven with the physical and spiritual reconstruction of God's city. The concept of "repairing for his district" implies both local ownership and shared vision, demonstrating a practical theology where secular tasks become sacred when undertaken for God's glory and the welfare of His people. This blueprint of united action for a common divine purpose echoes into Christian theology, where the "living stones" (1 Pet 2:5) of the church collectively build up the spiritual house, each member contributing their specific gifts and efforts in their appointed spheres (Rom 12:4-5).

Nehemiah 3 17 Commentary

Nehemiah 3:17 is a snapshot of the broad-based participation and meticulous organization underpinning the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall. The inclusion of Levites, typically dedicated to spiritual and temple service, engaging in arduous physical labor, highlights that all segments of God's people contributed to His work, irrespective of their traditional roles. This unified effort under specific leaders like Rehum and Hashabiah, a regional ruler from Keilah, underscores a distributed yet cohesive model of responsibility. It signifies that the national undertaking wasn't confined to Jerusalem's residents but garnered support from surrounding districts, with each unit faithfully repairing their assigned segment. The consistent use of "repaired" (חָזַק) conveys the strength, diligence, and restorative nature of their work, emphasizing the robust commitment to making the city's defenses firm and strong.