Nehemiah 3 8

Nehemiah 3:8 kjv

Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.

Nehemiah 3:8 nkjv

Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. Also next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs; and they fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.

Nehemiah 3:8 niv

Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, repaired the next section; and Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, made repairs next to that. They restored Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.

Nehemiah 3:8 esv

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.

Nehemiah 3:8 nlt

Next was Uzziel son of Harhaiah, a goldsmith by trade, who also worked on the wall. Beyond him was Hananiah, a manufacturer of perfumes. They left out a section of Jerusalem as they built the Broad Wall.

Nehemiah 3 verses

Nehemiah 3 8 Meaning

Nehemiah 3:8 details the continued rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall, specifically identifying Uzziel the goldsmith and Hananiah the perfumer among those contributing. This verse highlights the communal effort and diverse participation in the reconstruction, emphasizing that craftsmen dedicated their specific skills, typically associated with religious or luxury items, to the essential task of civic and defensive repair. Their collective work extended and fortified a significant section of the wall, reaching the well-known "Broad Wall" area, thereby solidifying the city's defenses.

Nehemiah 3 8 Context

Nehemiah Chapter 3 meticulously lists the various groups and individuals who participated in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem following the return from Babylonian exile. This chapter serves as a vital record, demonstrating a divinely orchestrated and widely collaborative effort. It details the repair of different sections of the wall, often specifying the gates and other landmarks. Each individual or group was assigned a particular segment "next to" or "opposite" a notable location, fostering accountability and a systematic approach to the daunting task. Nehemiah 3:8 specifically highlights the contributions of Uzziel and Hananiah, whose trades as a goldsmith and a perfumer were not typically associated with masonry or large-scale construction. Their involvement underscores the unity and diversity of those committed to the project, demonstrating that every skill and person had a place in restoring God's holy city and its physical security after decades of desolation. The mention of the "Broad Wall" provides a geographical reference, marking a significant portion of the western or northern wall that was fortified as part of this grand endeavor.

Nehemiah 3 8 Word analysis

• Next to him (עַל יָדוֹ, al yadō): Literally "on his hand" or "by his side." This phrase consistently appears in Nehemiah 3, signifying geographical proximity and continuous collaboration among the workers. It illustrates a seamless, sequential effort along the wall, emphasizing unity and collective responsibility.
• Uzziel (עֻזִּיאֵל, ʻUzziel): A common Hebrew name meaning "My strength is God" or "God is my strength." The name itself could serve as a reminder of divine empowerment for the rebuilding task, even for those with specialized trades.
• the son of Harhaiah (בֶן־חַרְחֲיָה, ben-Ḥarḥayāh): Identifies Uzziel specifically. The lineage, though less clear in its etymology, provides a concrete identification within the community, rooting the work in known families.
• goldsmiths (צֹרְפִים, tsorəfîm): This term refers to skilled refiners and artisans of gold and silver. Historically, goldsmiths held a high status and their skills were often utilized in creating temple vessels, ornaments, and idols (in other cultures). Their contribution to building a wall highlights a remarkable dedication; they adapted their precise, valuable craft for basic structural repair, indicating that all vocations, regardless of perceived status or specialization, could be consecrated to God's greater purpose. It suggests a willingness to use any skill for the community's restoration.
• repaired (הֶחֱזִיקוּ, ḥĕḥězîqū): This verb means "to strengthen," "to hold fast," or "to reinforce." It implies more than just patching up; it signifies making a section strong and secure. This is the recurring verb for "repaired" throughout Nehemiah 3, underscoring the diligent, robust effort invested in making the wall structurally sound.
• Next to him also Hananiah (עַל־יָדוֹ הֶחֱזִיק חֲנַנְיָה, ʻal-yadō heḥězîq Ḥananyāh): Continues the sequence, demonstrating multiple individuals and groups working in tandem. The repeated structure reinforces the pervasive cooperation. Hananiah's repair is directly parallel to Uzziel's, further highlighting collaboration.
• one of the perfumers (אֶחָד הָרַקָּחִים, ʼeḥād hāraqqāḥîm): "Perfumers" (singular raqqāḥ) were experts in compounding fragrances, incense, and ointments, often for religious rituals or anointing. Like the goldsmiths, their expertise was distinct from masonry. Their participation illustrates that the entire community, irrespective of trade or background, was mobilized for the essential task. This breaks down social and professional barriers in a unified spiritual and practical endeavor.
• So they restored Jerusalem (וַיַּעַזְבוּ יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, wayya‘azəvû Yerūshālayim): The verb ʻāzaḇ (עזב) typically means "to leave," "to forsake," or "to abandon." In this context of wall repair, scholars interpret it as "to leave behind a completed section" or "to build and complete" up to a certain point. It doesn't imply abandonment of the work, but rather finishing their assigned part, signifying completeness and effectiveness of their segment of the restoration. The collective "they" signifies the combined effort of Uzziel, Hananiah, and their respective guilds.
• as far as the Broad Wall (עַד הַחוֹמָה הָרְחָבָה, ‘ad haḥômāh hāreḥāvāh): This designates the extent of their particular section of work. The "Broad Wall" was a distinct and architecturally significant defensive structure in ancient Jerusalem, identified in archaeological findings. Its substantial width provided strategic importance and resilience, symbolizing the depth of their restorative effort. This indicates that their work filled in or fortified a particularly crucial section of the city's defenses.

Nehemiah 3 8 Bonus section

The specific trades mentioned, goldsmiths and perfumers, were often associated with temple service or high-status crafts. For these skilled individuals to participate in physical labor on the city walls speaks volumes about the priorities of the returning exiles. It reflects a national consecration of all resources and talents, not just spiritual leadership or manual labor, to the urgent and collective task. This transcends the typical division between "sacred" and "secular" labor, showing that all legitimate work done for God's glory and the benefit of His people is consecrated and valuable. The involvement of craftsmen also implies they might have provided finer masonry or integrated special structural elements, aligning with their precision-oriented skills, though the text states "repaired" or "strengthened" rather than decorative work. The "Broad Wall" is an archaeologically confirmed structure, believed to be part of King Hezekiah's expansion and fortification of Jerusalem in the 8th century BC (2 Chr 32:5), later rebuilt. Its mention grounds the spiritual work of Nehemiah in historical and geographical reality, affirming the physical scale and success of the rebuilding effort.

Nehemiah 3 8 Commentary

Nehemiah 3:8 offers a glimpse into the grassroots, community-wide mobilization essential for Jerusalem's post-exilic restoration. It's a testament to the fact that God uses every person, irrespective of their trade or status, for His redemptive purposes. The goldsmiths, known for crafting precious and precise items, and the perfumers, accustomed to delicate and aromatic preparations for anointing or worship, diverted their specialized skills to the rugged work of building a stone wall. This highlights a principle of biblical living: true devotion expresses itself not just in religious ritual but in dedicating all one's abilities to the well-being of the community and the advancement of God's Kingdom, even in seemingly mundane tasks.

The verse is a practical demonstration of the spiritual truth that the body of believers has diverse gifts, but all are called to contribute to the common good (Rom 12, 1 Cor 12). The detail "next to him" throughout Nehemiah 3 illustrates an orderly, collaborative, and accountable work environment, preventing gaps and fostering a sense of shared accomplishment. Their labor extending to "the Broad Wall" emphasizes that their contributions were not isolated but integral to the complete fortification of Jerusalem. It was a complete commitment, filling gaps, strengthening weak points, and pushing the defensive boundary to a recognizable and vital landmark. The meticulous recording of individuals and their contributions further signifies the importance of each person's role in God's great work of restoration.