Nehemiah 7 3

Nehemiah 7:3 kjv

And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every one in his watch, and every one to be over against his house.

Nehemiah 7:3 nkjv

And I said to them, "Do not let the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot; and while they stand guard, let them shut and bar the doors; and appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, one at his watch station and another in front of his own house."

Nehemiah 7:3 niv

I said to them, "The gates of Jerusalem are not to be opened until the sun is hot. While the gatekeepers are still on duty, have them shut the doors and bar them. Also appoint residents of Jerusalem as guards, some at their posts and some near their own houses."

Nehemiah 7:3 esv

And I said to them, "Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot. And while they are still standing guard, let them shut and bar the doors. Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their guard posts and some in front of their own homes."

Nehemiah 7:3 nlt

I said to them, "Do not leave the gates open during the hottest part of the day. And even while the gatekeepers are on duty, have them shut and bar the doors. Appoint the residents of Jerusalem to act as guards, everyone on a regular watch. Some will serve at sentry posts and some in front of their own homes."

Nehemiah 7 verses

Nehemiah 7 3 Meaning

Nehemiah 7:3 establishes critical security protocols for the newly rebuilt city of Jerusalem. Nehemiah commands that the city gates not be opened too early in the morning, only after full daylight ensures clear visibility. He also insists that guards on duty must supervise the closing and barring of the gates, ensuring absolute security. Furthermore, he dictates a system of comprehensive security: appointing official guards to specific posts and mandating that all other inhabitants contribute to the defense by guarding their own homes, thereby ensuring protection throughout the entire city.

Nehemiah 7 3 Context

Nehemiah chapter 7 begins immediately after the completion of the wall of Jerusalem, an immense undertaking accomplished in a mere fifty-two days despite significant opposition. The city, though physically fortified, remained sparsely populated and vulnerable to its adversaries. Chapters 6 and 7 highlight the continuing threat from Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem, who sought to harm Nehemiah and sabotage the restoration effort. Nehemiah, recognizing that walls alone are not sufficient, quickly shifts his focus to the administration and defense of the city itself. Verse 3 outlines the stringent security measures Nehemiah institutes to protect the inhabitants and the Holy City from both internal infiltrations and external attacks, preparing for the repopulation efforts described later in the chapter. The immediate historical context is post-exilic Judah, where the people were few, the land insecure, and vigilance paramount for survival and the preservation of their restored heritage.

Nehemiah 7 3 Word analysis

• And I said to them: Nehemiah, as governor and leader, issues a direct and authoritative command, demonstrating his active role in establishing order and security for the city. This signifies clear leadership.
• Let not the gates of Jerusalem: The gates (Hebrew: sha'ar שַׁעַר) were not merely entrances but critical strategic points, serving as places of commerce, judicial proceedings, and public assembly. Their security was paramount for the city's overall well-being. "Jerusalem" signifies the spiritual and political heart of the restored Jewish community.
• be opened until the sun is hot: The phrase "until the sun is hot" (Hebrew: `ad chom ha’shemesh עַד חֹם הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ) implies not just dawn, but well after sunrise when light fully illuminates the surroundings, reducing the cover of shadows for potential infiltrators. It signifies a thorough and deliberate measure to ensure complete visibility and security, avoiding premature openings in low light where danger could hide.
• and while they are still standing guard: (Hebrew: vehemah ‘omdim shomrim וְהֵם עֹמְדִים שֹׁמְרִים) This emphasizes continuous vigilance. The instruction is for the watchmen to remain at their posts even during the process of shutting and barring, ensuring no lapse in oversight during critical transition times. It indicates an active and constant state of readiness.
• let them shut the doors and bar them: (Hebrew: yisgeru haDlaToT vYibreeXu יִסְגְּרוּ הַדְּלָתוֹת וְיִבְרִיחוּ) This refers to the actual doors within the larger gate structure and the strong wooden or iron bars used to reinforce them. "Barring" denotes a strong, physical securing measure. This double action emphasizes thoroughness and impregnability.
• Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem: (Hebrew: utfaqed shomrim miYyoshevey Yerushalayim וּתְפַקֵּד שֹׁמְרִים מִיּוֹשְׁבֵי יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם) Nehemiah's administrative wisdom is evident here. He commands the delegation of responsibility for security (appointing shomrim שֹׁמְרִים – guards, watchmen) not to external forces, but to the residents themselves. This fosters a sense of shared ownership and direct investment in the city's safety.
• some at their posts: (Hebrew: ish b'mishmerto אִישׁ בְּמִשְׁמַרְתּוֹ) Indicates specific, pre-assigned guard stations or sectors. This denotes an organized and strategic defense plan, with clear roles and locations for the designated guards, much like a military strategy.
• and others in front of their own houses: (Hebrew: v'ish neged beito וְאִישׁ נֶגֶד בֵּיתוֹ) This crucial instruction extends the security network to every dwelling. It's a localized, self-defense measure that empowers and tasks every resident with safeguarding their immediate vicinity. This ensured complete coverage of the city, not just the walls and gates, but every street and neighborhood, emphasizing community responsibility and a layered defense.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun is hot": This phrase details a specific, precise timing for opening the main access points, underscoring a meticulous approach to security driven by caution and strategic visibility. It counters any casual opening, prioritizing safety over convenience.
• "while they are still standing guard, let them shut the doors and bar them": This group of commands emphasizes ongoing vigilance during transition phases. It mandates that active watchfulness continues concurrently with the mechanical actions of closing and securing the gates, preventing any momentary vulnerability. This illustrates diligent oversight.
• "Appoint guards from among the inhabitants of Jerusalem, some at their posts and others in front of their own houses": This passage describes Nehemiah's comprehensive security strategy. It integrates formally designated watchmen in strategic locations with a broader civic militia responsible for localized defense, thereby creating a pervasive system of protection across the entire city through communal participation and personal accountability.

Nehemiah 7 3 Bonus section

Nehemiah's leadership is characterized by this verse's blend of spiritual devotion, strategic foresight, and administrative detail. He understood that divine protection (as noted in Psa 127:1) did not negate human responsibility. The measures taken here, instituting strict schedules and widespread involvement, show a deliberate shift from the urgency of rebuilding (chapter 4) to establishing enduring order and discipline within the restored city. This commitment to security extended beyond physical defense to moral and administrative integrity, creating the stable environment necessary for the city's repopulation and the subsequent reforms. The assignment of individuals to guard their own homes underscored the deeply personal stake each resident had in Jerusalem's well-being, fostering a sense of solidarity and communal pride that would become foundational for the renewed Jewish identity.

Nehemiah 7 3 Commentary

Nehemiah 7:3 encapsulates Nehemiah's practical wisdom and proactive leadership in securing Jerusalem after the walls were rebuilt. This verse outlines stringent, multi-layered security measures crucial for the nascent community's survival. The delayed gate opening, supervised closure, and methodical barring were not mere routines but strategic defenses against adversaries still intent on undermining the city. Furthermore, Nehemiah’s directive to enlist inhabitants as guards—both at fixed posts and in front of their homes—illustrates a brilliant delegation of responsibility, transforming civic duty into a shared defense network. This unified approach fostered communal ownership and ensured that vigilance extended beyond the city's perimeter, embodying the principle that collective effort is vital for the protection and flourishing of any community, especially one under threat. Spiritually, it mirrors the necessity for believers to maintain constant vigilance and shared responsibility in safeguarding their spiritual lives and communities.