Nehemiah 3:18 kjv
After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.
Nehemiah 3:18 nkjv
After him their brethren, under Bavai the son of Henadad, leader of the other half of the district of Keilah, made repairs.
Nehemiah 3:18 niv
Next to him, the repairs were made by their fellow Levites under Binnui son of Henadad, ruler of the other half-district of Keilah.
Nehemiah 3:18 esv
After him their brothers repaired: Bavvai the son of Henadad, ruler of half the district of Keilah.
Nehemiah 3:18 nlt
Next down the line were his countrymen led by Binnui son of Henadad, the leader of the other half of the district of Keilah.
Nehemiah 3 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Neh 4:6 | So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. | Unified effort for God's work |
| Ezr 3:9 | ...then Jeshua with his sons and his brothers, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Hodaviah, and the sons of Henadad with their sons and their brothers, the Levites, unitedly supervised the workmen in the house of God. | Communal family units in God's service |
| Exo 31:1-6 | ...See, I have called by name Bezalel... And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship... And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab... | God calls and gifts for specific tasks |
| Num 4:4-15 | This is the service of the sons of Kohath... when the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons shall go in and take down the veil of the screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it... | Precise division of labor for sacred tasks |
| Deut 1:15 | So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and appointed them as heads over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officers, throughout your tribes. | Moses' delegation of leadership responsibilities |
| Isa 58:12 | And your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in. | Prophetic promise of restoration and repair |
| Amos 9:11 | In that day I will raise up the booth of David that is fallen and repair its breaches, and raise up its ruins and rebuild it as in the days of old... | Spiritual and physical rebuilding by God's hand |
| Jer 31:4 | Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel!... | God's promise to rebuild His people |
| Zech 4:6 | Then he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD of hosts." | God's Spirit enables monumental tasks |
| Hag 1:8 | Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the LORD. | Divine call to build God's house |
| Prov 22:29 | Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. | Skill and diligence honored by God |
| Col 3:23-24 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. | Work with excellence as unto the Lord |
| Eccl 9:10 | Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. | Diligence in current tasks |
| 1 Pet 4:10-11 | As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace... whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies... | Using spiritual gifts to serve |
| 1 Cor 3:9 | For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. | Believers as God's fellow workers and building |
| Eph 2:19-22 | ...you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. | Spiritual building and unity of the church |
| Rom 15:5-6 | May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. | Harmony in shared work for God |
| Heb 3:3-4 | For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) | God is the ultimate builder |
| Neh 3:9 | Next to them Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths, repaired. Next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, repaired. And they restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. | Diverse skills involved in building |
| Acts 6:1-4 | And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, "It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables... Choose out from among you seven men... whom we will appoint to this duty. | Delegation for effective service |
| Phil 4:13 | I can do all things through him who strengthens me. | Divine enablement for tasks |
Nehemiah 3 verses
Nehemiah 3 18 Meaning
Nehemiah 3:18 describes a specific segment of the monumental task of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. It records the contribution of Bavvai, son of Henadad, who was a ruler over half the district of Keilah, along with his brethren. This verse signifies the detailed, organized, and communal effort involved in the restoration project, where individuals, families, and regional leaders collaborated faithfully under divine guidance to repair specific sections of the devastated city walls, demonstrating the united purpose of the post-exilic community.
Nehemiah 3 18 Context
Nehemiah 3 is a remarkable register of individuals, families, and communities involved in the rebuilding of the Jerusalem wall. The entire chapter lists section by section, starting from the Sheep Gate and moving counter-clockwise around the city. This precise accounting highlights the meticulous organization under Nehemiah's leadership, the widespread participation across different social classes and professions (from priests and goldsmiths to rulers of districts and everyday citizens), and the profound unity of purpose that empowered such an immense undertaking. The work took place amidst severe opposition from surrounding adversaries, making the communal effort an act of great faith and perseverance. Nehemiah 3:18 is one small, yet vital, piece of this comprehensive inventory, specifically noting the repair efforts by Bavvai and his brethren in a particular segment. Historically, this effort came approximately 90 years after the first return from Babylonian exile, underscoring the enduring challenge and divine impetus for Judah to restore its capital and defensive integrity. The precise documentation serves not just as a historical record, but also as a testament to the accountability and shared responsibility within the covenant community.
Nehemiah 3 18 Word analysis
- After him (אַחֲרָיו - 'acharayw): This phrase establishes the sequential progression of work detailed in Nehemiah 3. It emphasizes the organized, collaborative nature of the project, where each group or individual took responsibility for a specific segment adjacent to another's, ensuring no gaps in the collective effort. This highlights systematic division of labor.
- their brothers (אֲחֵיהֶם - 'acheyhem): This term signifies communal identity and solidarity. It points to not just individuals but family units, extended kinship, or fellow residents from a shared locality who participated as a collective. This demonstrates shared responsibility rooted in community bonds.
- Bavvai (בַּוַּי - Bavvay): A proper noun, likely a rare or unique name not mentioned elsewhere in significant detail. His inclusion underscores the value of individual contributions and God's detailed knowledge of each person involved in His work. His identity, tied to "son of Henadad," connects him to a specific lineage, a common way of identifying individuals in ancient Near Eastern records.
- son of Henadad (בֶּן־חֵנָדָד - ben-Chenadad): Identifies Bavvai's paternal lineage. The family of Henadad is also mentioned in Ezra 3:9 and Nehemiah 10:9 as Levites who helped supervise the work on the temple and who signed the covenant. This may suggest that Bavvai came from a family already active in community and spiritual service, lending authority and credibility to his role. This genealogical reference rooted in covenant lineage strengthens the authenticity of their dedication.
- ruler (שַׂר - sar): This word indicates a position of authority or administrative leadership, translated as chief, prince, or official. Bavvai was not merely a laborer but a prominent figure from his region, showcasing that leaders from various administrative districts contributed personally to the national rebuilding effort. This signifies involvement from regional authorities, bringing resources and organized labor from their respective areas.
- half the district (פֶלֶג הַפֶּלֶךְ - peleğ hap-pelek) of Keilah (קְעִילָה - Qe'ilah): "Pelek" refers to a district or region, literally a "spindle" or "territory under authority." This phrase specifies Bavvai's geographical jurisdiction. Keilah was a significant city in the Shephelah (foothills) of Judah (1 Sam 23:1-13). Assigning him "half" a district highlights administrative precision and a precise allocation of work, indicative of a detailed master plan for reconstruction. It ensured that leadership and resources from all areas were integrated into the overall effort.
- repaired (הֶחֱזִיק - heḥĕzîq): The verb used throughout Nehemiah 3, from the root ḥāzaq, meaning to strengthen, make firm, reinforce, repair. It conveys the vigorous and determined nature of the work, emphasizing not just building from scratch but reinforcing and restoring what was damaged or broken. This speaks to restoration and rebuilding with divine strength.
- "After him, their brothers, Bavvai the son of Henadad": This grouping emphasizes both sequence and kinship. It is a meticulous record-keeping approach common in ancient administrative texts. It demonstrates how familial or communal groups (brothers) worked sequentially after others, yet the specific leader of that group is also singled out by name and lineage. This blending of collective and individual identification reveals the deeply intertwined social fabric of the community.
- "ruler of half the district of Keilah, repaired": This phrase details the specific responsibility and action taken by a notable individual. It illustrates the delegation of authority and the direct involvement of regional leaders in a national project. The term "ruler" (sar) underscores his administrative capacity, while the precise geographic allocation ("half the district of Keilah") points to a carefully planned and executed division of labor, ensuring accountability and efficient deployment of resources from diverse geographical origins.
Nehemiah 3 18 Bonus section
- The repetitive structure of Nehemiah chapter 3, including verses like 3:18, serves to emphasize the painstaking, meticulous, and collaborative nature of the work. Each repetition of "repaired after him" (or similar phrasing) underlines the chain of responsibility and the fact that every part of the wall, no matter how small, was cared for and completed.
- The inclusion of specific individuals like Bavvai, who may not be otherwise prominent in Scripture, signifies God's recognition of individual faithful service. It shows that in God's eyes, no labor for His kingdom is insignificant or overlooked. This encourages believers today that their often-unseen acts of service are recorded and valued by the Almighty.
- The fact that a "ruler of half the district of Keilah" participated illustrates the high level of buy-in and unity across Judah. It was not merely the common people, but leaders from specific administrative divisions who personally oversaw and engaged in the labor, signaling a national commitment rather than a conscripted or disengaged workforce.
- The name "Henadad" (Bavvai's father) is mentioned with "sons of Henadad" in other lists of Levites who were part of supervising temple work and sealing the covenant (Ezr 3:9; Neh 10:9). While it is not definitively stated to be the same Henadad, this connection hints at a possible lineage of dedicated service to God's people and His work within the post-exilic community.
Nehemiah 3 18 Commentary
Nehemiah 3:18 is a concise snapshot within a comprehensive roster of selfless communal work. It highlights that the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem's wall was not accomplished by a single figure or centralized bureaucracy alone, but by the concerted effort of many, down to individuals and their kin from various towns and districts. Bavvai, as a regional ruler, symbolizes how leadership at all levels embraced responsibility, dedicating personal and communal resources to God's purpose. The repeated verb "repaired" signifies more than mere construction; it represents a tenacious act of restoring, fortifying, and reclaiming what was broken. This verse quietly but powerfully attests to the spirit of unity, diligence, and obedience that characterized God's people as they physically rebuilt their spiritual home, demonstrating that God blesses organized, faithful action. The specific details reveal divine precision and the importance of every participant's role, however seemingly small, in the grand redemptive narrative.