Nehemiah 3 25

Nehemiah 3:25 kjv

Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king's high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh.

Nehemiah 3:25 nkjv

Palal the son of Uzai made repairs opposite the buttress, and on the tower which projects from the king's upper house that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh made repairs.

Nehemiah 3:25 niv

and Palal son of Uzai worked opposite the angle and the tower projecting from the upper palace near the court of the guard. Next to him, Pedaiah son of Parosh

Nehemiah 3:25 esv

Palal the son of Uzai repaired opposite the buttress and the tower projecting from the upper house of the king at the court of the guard. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh

Nehemiah 3:25 nlt

Palal son of Uzai carried on the work from a point opposite the angle and the tower that projects up from the king's upper house beside the court of the guard. Next to him were Pedaiah son of Parosh,

Nehemiah 3 verses

Nehemiah 3 25 Meaning

Nehemiah 3:25 precisely details the section of Jerusalem's wall repaired by Palal son of Uzai. This segment was crucial, located "opposite the Angle" and including a projecting "tower" connected to the "upper palace of the king," situated by the historic "court of the guard." Immediately adjacent to this section, Pedaiah son of Parosh undertook his repair work. This verse exemplifies the methodical and collaborative reconstruction effort, where specific individuals were accountable for identifiable portions of the critical defensive wall.

Nehemiah 3 25 Context

Nehemiah chapter 3 provides a meticulous "roll call" of individuals, families, and groups who participated in the reconstruction of Jerusalem's city wall, detailing which specific section each was responsible for. This chapter emphasizes the organized and unified effort under Nehemiah's leadership, where every hand, from high priests to skilled craftsmen and common citizens, contributed to the sacred task. The list systematically traces the entire perimeter of the wall, moving from gate to gate, highlighting a continuous and cooperative enterprise.

Nehemiah 3:25 specifically falls within a segment describing repairs along the eastern wall, likely near the palace area and leading towards the Water Gate or Horse Gate. The "Court of the Guard" is a crucial historical reference, mentioned numerous times in the book of Jeremiah as the place of Jeremiah's imprisonment. Its inclusion in Nehemiah highlights a stark historical contrast: once a symbol of Judah's downfall and judgment, now a focal point of divine restoration and protective fortification. The overall historical context is Jerusalem in ruins after the Babylonian exile (586 BCE), and the determination of the repatriated exiles, led by Nehemiah, to rebuild the city's defenses for its protection and to re-establish a secure habitation for God's people in fulfillment of divine promises.

Nehemiah 3 25 Word analysis

• Palal (פָּלָל Palal): This Hebrew name is derived from a root meaning "to judge" or "to intervene/intercede," suggesting a person of standing or one who takes decisive action. His individual listing in the record highlights personal commitment and accountability for a specific, vital part of the communal reconstruction.
• repaired (חָזַק chazaq): Used repeatedly in Nehemiah 3, this verb signifies not just "to fix" but "to strengthen," "to reinforce," or "to make firm." This term emphasizes the enduring and defensive nature of the rebuilding work. The same root carries connotations of being strong, courageous, or encouraged, suggesting the spirit with which the work was undertaken.
• opposite (נֶגֶד neged): This preposition means "in front of," "opposite," or "facing." Its precision helps to accurately locate the section of the wall repaired, demonstrating a detailed geographical knowledge shared by the chronicler and the original audience.
• Angle (הַמִּקְצוֹעַ ham-miqtzoa): Literally "the corner" or "the angle." This is a significant topographical feature, likely a sharp turn or prominent projection in the wall's path. Its explicit mention indicates a recognized and possibly strategically important landmark in the city's defensive perimeter.
• tower (מִגְדָּל migdal): A defensive structure that rises high, providing vantage points and fortified positions. Towers were critical elements in ancient city walls for observation and repelling attacks.
• projecting (הַיּוֹצֵא hayyoṣe): An active participle, meaning "the one going out" or "extending." This describes a part of the tower that protruded from the main wall, likely for improved fields of fire or strategic defense.
• upper palace of the king (הַבַּיִת הָעֶלְיוֹן לַמֶּלֶךְ hab-bayit ha’elyon lammeleḵ): This phrase indicates the royal residence or its prominent upper section. Connecting the repaired wall section directly to the king's palace underscores the strategic importance of this particular segment for the security and governance of the restored city.
• by the court of the guard (עַל חֲצַר הַמַּטָּרָה ʿal ḥăṣar ham-maṭṭārāh): Ḥatsar (חֲצַר) means "court" or "enclosure." Maṭṭārāh (מַטָּרָה) refers to "guard," "custody," or "prison." This highly specific geographical marker held great historical significance. It was famously the place where Jeremiah the prophet was imprisoned, signifying a site associated with past national humiliation and judgment. Its repair signifies restoration over past desolation.
• Pedaiah (פְּדָיָה Pedaiah): Meaning "Yahweh has redeemed." This name, like many in Nehemiah's roster, serves as a theological statement, echoing God's redemptive work in returning the exiles and enabling them to rebuild.
• Parosh (פַּרְעֹשׁ Parosh): A clan name, signifying the participation of specific families who returned from exile and contributed significantly to the rebuilding.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Palal son of Uzai repaired opposite the Angle": This precise detailing demonstrates the granular level of accountability and dedication in the rebuilding project. Each segment was specifically assigned, fostering shared responsibility while ensuring every part of the extensive work was addressed. The emphasis on "opposite the Angle" indicates a recognized landmark within the city's layout.
• "the tower projecting from the upper palace of the king which was by the court of the guard": This phrase delineates a strategically paramount section of the wall. The integration of a "tower" (a defensive feature) with the "king's upper palace" (a governmental/royal residence) and the historical "court of the guard" (a site of Judah's recent painful past) highlights that the repair work focused not only on general defense but specifically on safeguarding the seat of civil authority and symbolically transforming places of past disgrace into sites of security. This confluence of strategic defense, royal power, and historical memory imbues this section with deep symbolic importance for the restoration of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 3 25 Bonus section

• Archaeological and Topographical Clues: The detailed geographical markers in this verse ("the Angle," "the tower projecting," "the upper palace of the king," "the court of the guard") are invaluable for modern archaeologists trying to reconstruct the ancient layout of Jerusalem. They suggest specific points along the Eastern Wall, likely in the Ophel area, south of the Temple Mount.
• Leadership through Delegation: This verse exemplifies Nehemiah's leadership strategy: he did not merely inspire but meticulously organized the workforce, delegating specific, measurable tasks to distinct groups and individuals. This level of organization was vital for completing such a monumental task against significant opposition.
• Symbolism of Redemption: The repairing of the wall by the "Court of the Guard" is more than just a logistical act; it carries profound symbolic weight. A place associated with captivity, suffering, and the collapse of the kingdom (as vividly documented in Jeremiah) is now rebuilt, strengthened, and protected by the very descendants of those who experienced that shame. This symbolizes God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of restoration and renewal, transforming sorrow into strength.

Nehemiah 3 25 Commentary

Nehemiah 3:25 paints a vivid picture of commitment and organized labor. Palal and Pedaiah, two individuals listed among many, undertook the demanding task of rebuilding a strategically critical section of Jerusalem's wall. Their section was unique due to its inclusion of "the Angle" – a likely bend or corner, architecturally challenging to repair – and a substantial "projecting tower" that defended the "upper palace of the king." Crucially, this part of the wall also encompassed the infamous "Court of the Guard," a potent symbol of Judah's recent captivity and humiliation under the Babylonians. By contributing to its repair, Palal and Pedaiah, along with their countrymen, participated in a tangible act of turning a place of national shame into a fortified zone of security. The meticulous record keeping throughout Nehemiah 3 underscores divine providence guiding human collaboration and personal sacrifice. It conveys that every individual contribution, no matter how small or specific, was vital for the larger restoration project, enabling Jerusalem to regain its defensive integrity and spiritual purpose.