Nehemiah 3 22

Nehemiah 3:22 kjv

And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.

Nehemiah 3:22 nkjv

And after him the priests, the men of the plain, made repairs.

Nehemiah 3:22 niv

The repairs next to him were made by the priests from the surrounding region.

Nehemiah 3:22 esv

After him the priests, the men of the surrounding area, repaired.

Nehemiah 3:22 nlt

The next repairs were made by the priests from the surrounding region.

Nehemiah 3 verses

Nehemiah 3 22 Meaning

The provided text for Nehemiah 3:22, "After him repaired the priests, the men of the plain, and the plain, of the plain of Jordan, and repaired they for them, a repair for all the work of them around, their work as unto their place, their land of Jordan, near to the men from Jordan," describes a specific group involved in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall. It identifies these repairers as priests originating from the "plain of Jordan," emphasizing their territorial connection and the personal interest they had in their designated repair work. The verse highlights not only who was involved but also the diligent, extensive, and localized nature of their contribution, where their work on the wall directly pertained to their own immediate surroundings, land, and community connections. The repetition of "plain" and "Jordan" serves to pinpoint their geographical origin with emphasis, showing their commitment stemming from their established dwelling places and community ties within that region.

Nehemiah 3 22 Context

Nehemiah chapter 3 is a detailed administrative record, almost a roster, listing the various families, guilds, and groups responsible for repairing specific sections of the wall around Jerusalem. This chapter meticulously describes the "work plan," indicating who repaired what gate or segment, often noting their proximity to their own homes or businesses. This organization ensured accountability and efficiency in the massive undertaking of rebuilding the city's defenses after the Babylonian exile. The overall context is Jerusalem's restoration following decades of desolation, crucial for the spiritual and physical security of the returning Jewish community under Nehemiah's leadership. The city was desolate, its walls broken down, making it vulnerable and a source of shame. Nehemiah, filled with zeal, received permission from Artaxerxes to return and lead the reconstruction. Nehemiah 3:22, as provided, specifically situates the priests originating from the "plain of Jordan" as a significant contributor to this communal effort. Their involvement highlights the widespread commitment from different regions and societal groups towards restoring the Holy City, each taking responsibility for a part of the greater work.

Nehemiah 3 22 Word analysis

• After him repaired: This phrase connects the current group of workers to the previously mentioned ones in the sequential list of repairs. It signifies an orderly, continuous progression of work around the city's perimeter.
• the priests:
  • Original context: Kohenim (Hebrew: כֹּהֲנִים). In the Old Testament, priests were from the tribe of Levi, descendants of Aaron. Their primary role was religious service in the Temple, offering sacrifices and teaching the Law. Their participation in rebuilding the wall demonstrates their commitment to the civic and physical well-being of the Holy City, which was essential for their sacred duties. This goes beyond their direct religious functions, showing a holistic engagement in the community's needs.
  • Significance: Their involvement underscores the spiritual importance of the rebuilding project. It was not just a political or military endeavor but an act of worship and restoration of God's dwelling place and His people.
• the men of the plain:
  • Original context: Refers to inhabitants of the Araba (Hebrew: הָעֲרָבָה, "the desert plain" or "wilderness"). This is a geographical region, specifically the rift valley stretching south from the Sea of Galilee down to the Red Sea, including the Jordan Valley. People residing there would be accustomed to its specific geography and resources.
  • Significance: This emphasizes that the workforce came not only from Jerusalem but also from various outlying regions of Judah, demonstrating a unified national effort. It also means they were familiar with specific environmental conditions of that region.
• and the plain, of the plain of Jordan:
  • Emphasis: This repetition is unique in the provided text, heavily emphasizing the geographical origin of this group of priests. "Plain" (Araba) already defines a region, and "plain of Jordan" further specifies it as the Jordan Valley. The redundancy acts as a strong qualifier, leaving no ambiguity about their place of origin and association with that specific region, possibly suggesting a distinct identity or reputation for those from that particular part of the plain. It highlights their rootedness and the specific place-based connection that motivated their efforts.
• and repaired they for them, a repair for all the work of them around:
  • Personal Investment: This phrase, especially the "for them," indicates that the repair work undertaken by this group directly benefited them or their immediate community. This isn't just about general civic duty but about repairing something that directly impacted their own homes, livelihoods, or safety within their sphere of influence in Jerusalem, or that affected their travel and access when coming from their home region.
  • Scope of Work: "all the work of them around" suggests that their assigned section was substantial and comprehensive, covering everything necessary in their particular area. It implies diligence and thoroughness rather than superficial work.
• their work as unto their place:
  • Direct Relation: This directly links their repair work to their personal property or designated area within the city. The principle was that people were most motivated and careful when repairing near their own homes or areas of personal responsibility, ensuring quality and commitment.
• their land of Jordan:
  • Home Territory: Reaffirms their primary residence and ancestral connection to the Jordan Valley. It suggests that even though they were working on the wall in Jerusalem, their identity and sense of belonging were deeply tied to their land in the Jordan Plain. This strengthens the idea that they had vested interests, possibly commuting or having specific lodgings related to their home base during the project.
• near to the men from Jordan:
  • Proximity/Affiliation: This likely means that the section they repaired was geographically close to where other "men from Jordan" (perhaps from the general Jordan region, or even other priestly families) were working, or close to where they lodged in Jerusalem, fostering communal effort among those from the same origin. It speaks to affinity and coordination based on shared geographical heritage.

Words-group analysis

• Priests, men of the plain, plain of Jordan: This cluster identifies the specific repairers by their occupation (priests) and their detailed geographical origin (Jordan Valley). The redundancy in "plain, of the plain of Jordan" strongly roots them to that specific territory, suggesting deep attachment and local identity contributing to their communal labor.
• Repaired they for them, a repair for all the work of them around, their work as unto their place: This group of phrases highlights the highly localized and personally invested nature of the rebuilding. It speaks to a system where each group worked diligently on sections that were of direct benefit to them or immediately around their designated area or dwelling. This ensured meticulous work driven by self-interest integrated into the greater community effort.
• Their land of Jordan, near to the men from Jordan: This concluding cluster re-emphasizes their geographical origin and the communal aspect among people from the same region. It signifies not only where they came from but potentially also their temporary dwellings or sections of the city frequented by them, where their repairs would be immediately relevant to their own access and use.

Nehemiah 3 22 Bonus section

The "Plain of Jordan" ('Aravah) was often seen as fertile and significant in biblical history (Gen 13:10, Deut 34:3). For priests to come from this specific area and contribute to Jerusalem's wall highlights the national scope of the rebuilding effort beyond just Jerusalem's residents. It underscores the concept of unified action for a common, God-ordained purpose, drawing strength from all parts of the re-established community of Israel. Their personal stake, repairing "for them" and "as unto their place," illustrates a foundational principle of effective project management: vesting participants with direct responsibility and benefit. This deepens the motivation for quality and timeliness. The detailed account in Nehemiah 3, of which verse 22 is a part, reflects a highly organized leadership structure under Nehemiah, demonstrating divine wisdom in planning and executing large-scale community projects.

Nehemiah 3 22 Commentary

Nehemiah 3:22, in the elaborate phrasing provided, vividly portrays the participation of priests hailing from the Jordan Plain in the critical task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. This particular verse not only names the contributors but uniquely emphasizes their territorial ties, illustrating how a profound connection to their homeland in the Jordan Valley propelled their dedicated labor in Jerusalem. The repeated mention of "plain" and "Jordan" reinforces their distinct geographical identity, indicating that their motivation was deeply rooted in their communal ties and ancestral lands, which extended to supporting the capital city.

The descriptive phrase "repaired they for them, a repair for all the work of them around, their work as unto their place" highlights the core principle of Nehemiah's strategy: individual groups taking responsibility for segments that were immediately relevant to them—whether their homes, businesses, or frequent access points. This ensured not merely completion, but thoroughness, as personal stakes heightened the quality of work. This model of collective, localized effort demonstrates a profound unity of purpose where varied groups, including the spiritually prominent priests, coalesced around a vital common objective. Their contribution, rooted in their regional identity, serves as a testament to the comprehensive communal zeal that rebuilt Jerusalem's defenses, not just as a civic duty, but as an act of devotion to God's restored city. This commitment ensures not only the physical security of the city but also reaffirms their spiritual identity as God's people in His dwelling place.