Nehemiah 3:20 kjv
After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
Nehemiah 3:20 nkjv
After him Baruch the son of Zabbai carefully repaired the other section, from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
Nehemiah 3:20 niv
Next to him, Baruch son of Zabbai zealously repaired another section, from the angle to the entrance of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
Nehemiah 3:20 esv
After him Baruch the son of Zabbai repaired another section from the buttress to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
Nehemiah 3:20 nlt
Next to him was Baruch son of Zabbai, who zealously repaired an additional section from the angle to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
Nehemiah 3 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 69:9 | For zeal for your house has consumed me… | Zeal for God's work. |
| Rom 12:11 | Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. | Exhortation to spiritual zeal. |
| 2 Cor 9:2 | For I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, that Achaia has been ready since last year; and your zeal has stirred up most of them. | Zeal influencing others. |
| Tit 2:14 | who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. | Christ's purpose leading to zeal for good works. |
| Num 25:11 | "Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, has turned back my wrath from the people of Israel, in that he was jealous with my jealousy among them…" | Divine commendation for zeal. |
| Ezra 5:1-2 | Now Haggai the prophet and Zechariah…prophesied to the Jews…Then Zerubbabel…and Jeshua…began to rebuild the house of God… | Examples of rebuilding God's house. |
| Hag 1:7-8 | "Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. 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. | Exhortation to diligent building. |
| Neh 2:17-18 | Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in…Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision." And I told them of the hand of my God…And they said, "Let us rise up and build." | Nehemiah's call to communal rebuilding. |
| Neh 3:1 | Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests and built the Sheep Gate… | Beginning of Nehemiah 3, setting the stage for collaborative work. |
| Neh 3:28-29 | Above the Horse Gate the priests repaired, each one opposite his own house. After them Zadok…repaired opposite his own house. | Examples of builders working near their own homes, often seen throughout the chapter. |
| Neh 4:6 | So we built the wall. And all the wall was joined together to half its height, for the people had a mind to work. | Collective spirit of dedication in rebuilding. |
| 1 Cor 3:9 | For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. | Believers as co-laborers in God's building work. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | …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 metaphor for the Church. |
| Php 2:12-13 | …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. | Diligence in personal spiritual work, enabled by God. |
| Ecc 9:10 | Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might… | Exhortation to diligent effort. |
| Col 3:23-24 | Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men… | Serving with diligence and a focus on God. |
| 1 Cor 15:58 | Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. | Exhortation to abundant and diligent service. |
| Jer 36:4 | So Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah, and Baruch wrote on a scroll at the dictation of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD… | Another Baruch, known for faithful service. |
| Prov 12:24 | The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. | Contrast between diligence and idleness. |
| Neh 13:4-9 | Now before this, Eliashib the priest, who was appointed over the storerooms of the house of our God, and who was closely allied to Tobiah, had prepared for Tobiah a large chamber… | Eliashib's later compromise, a potential subtle contrast to Baruch's zeal. |
Nehemiah 3 verses
Nehemiah 3 20 Meaning
Nehemiah 3:20 describes Baruch, the son of Zabbai, as an individual who uniquely zealously repaired a section of the Jerusalem wall. His specific task involved repairing "another section," which stretched from "the Angle" to the entrance of the house belonging to Eliashib, the high priest. The distinguishing characteristic of Baruch's labor, highlighted by the unusual use of the word "zealously," is the fervent and energetic effort he applied to his assigned part of the restoration. This verse commends his exceptional dedication within the larger communal effort of rebuilding.
Nehemiah 3 20 Context
Nehemiah chapter 3 systematically details the collaborative effort of various groups and individuals in rebuilding the ruined walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. The chapter functions as a roll call, listing each section of the wall, the gate associated with it, and the individuals or families responsible for its repair. It showcases a diverse array of participants—priests, rulers, craftsmen, merchants, and even women—all working together, often near their own homes or respective trades. This collective, organized effort was crucial for the city's defense, security, and restoration of its national and spiritual identity. Verse 20 fits into this meticulous account by singling out Baruch's contribution. Its specific location in the description, following Meremoth's work (Neh 3:4, 3:21), emphasizes the continuous nature of the construction process. The mention of Eliashib the high priest’s house here is geographical, but takes on added significance in light of his later spiritual compromises documented in Nehemiah chapter 13, subtly highlighting that not all "building" in God's service is of equal heart or outcome.
Nehemiah 3 20 Word analysis
- After him: This phrase connects Baruch's work directly to the section previously repaired by Meremoth, indicating a continuous chain of builders along the wall. It highlights the organized and sequential nature of the reconstruction.
- Baruch: (Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ, Baruk), meaning "blessed." This name carries a positive connotation, often associated with favor or divine blessing. While not the scribe of Jeremiah, his name could subtly evoke a sense of favor or being one who is favored to carry out important work.
- the son of Zabbai: Identifies Baruch by his lineage, a common practice in biblical narratives to provide specific identity and often imply family or tribal background. "Zabbai" means "my swelling" or "my gift," though the meaning of the name typically is less significant than the individual's action in this context.
- zealously repaired: (Hebrew: הֶחֱרָה, heḥerâ). This is the most notable and unique phrase in the verse. The root ḥārāh (חָרָה) literally means "to be hot," "to burn," or "to glow." When used reflexively or intensively (as it is here), it conveys a sense of strong emotional heat, fervent anger, or, in a positive sense, intense zeal or passion. Unlike the general "repaired" (Hebrew: חָזַק, ḥāzaq) used for almost all other builders in Nehemiah 3, this unique term specifically chosen for Baruch indicates a distinguished level of intensity, dedication, or strenuous effort that went beyond what was merely required. He worked with great energy, enthusiasm, or perhaps faced particularly challenging circumstances that demanded extra fervor. This distinguishes his labor from others, marking him as someone who went above and beyond.
- another section: Indicates a distinct and specific portion of the wall that was assigned to Baruch. The division of labor ensured efficiency and accountability for different stretches of the vast reconstruction project.
- from the Angle: (Hebrew: הַמִּקְצוֹעַ, hammiqṣôaʿ). This refers to a specific architectural corner or prominent angle in the wall structure, serving as a landmark. It marks the starting point of Baruch's assigned section. It might denote a strategic or structurally significant corner of the wall.
- to the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest: This defines the precise end point of Baruch’s repair work. The mention of the high priest's residence suggests the importance and prominence of that location. While geographically specific, it implicitly highlights the intersection of spiritual and communal leadership within the city's physical restoration.
- "zealously repaired another section": This phrase together profoundly highlights Baruch's exceptional dedication. Most builders in Nehemiah 3 "repaired" (ḥāzaq), indicating steady work. Baruch, however, zealously repaired (heḥerâ), implying not just action but an internal fervor. This particular phrase is not applied to any other builder in the chapter, underscoring Baruch's unique, possibly intense, or self-sacrificial commitment to the task at hand. It might suggest he exerted himself more, put in extra hours, or handled a particularly difficult stretch with exceptional determination.
Nehemiah 3 20 Bonus section
- The unusual terminology "zealously repaired" for Baruch might also suggest that the section he worked on was particularly challenging, demanding a higher degree of intense effort and dedication than other parts of the wall. This makes his fervor even more commendable.
- The placement of Eliashib's house as a landmark, juxtaposed with Baruch's zeal, provides an interesting subtext within the book of Nehemiah. While Eliashib, as the High Priest, initially led the rebuilding (Neh 3:1), he later fell into serious spiritual compromise (Neh 13:4-9), defiling the temple. Baruch's unwavering "zeal" in chapter 3, therefore, stands in stark contrast to Eliashib's subsequent moral and spiritual decline. This subtly underscores that positional authority does not guarantee true commitment or lasting faithfulness, while humble, zealous service is highly valued by God.
Nehemiah 3 20 Commentary
Nehemiah 3:20 shines a light on Baruch son of Zabbai, not just as another participant in the wall's rebuilding, but as an exemplary figure of dedication. The distinctive Hebrew word choice for "zealously repaired" elevates his contribution above mere participation, signifying a work characterized by fervent effort and passion. While everyone contributed, Baruch’s "zeal" underscores that it's not merely what one does for God, but how one does it. His enthusiasm was noteworthy, transforming a standard building task into a remarkable act of service. This verse stands as a testament to the power of zealous devotion in corporate work, emphasizing that extraordinary commitment, fueled by inner fervor, distinguishes some from others in collective undertakings for the Lord. It teaches us to serve with wholeheartedness and energy, as though we are not merely performing a duty, but engaging in a divine mission with full personal investment.