King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.
Complete Jewish Bible:
above the Efrayim Gate, by the gate to the Old City, to the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hanan'el and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate, and halted at the Prison Gate.
Berean Standard Bible:
over the Gate of Ephraim, the Jeshanah Gate, the Fish Gate, the Tower of Hananel, and the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Sheep Gate. And they stopped at the Gate of the Guard.
American Standard Version:
and above the gate of Ephraim, and by the old gate, and by the fish gate, and the tower of Hananel, and the tower of Hammeah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the gate of the guard.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And from above the gate{H8179} of Ephraim{H669}, and above the old{H3465} gate{H8179}, and above the fish{H1709} gate{H8179}, and the tower{H4026} of Hananeel{H2606}, and the tower{H4026} of Meah{H3968}, even unto the sheep{H6629} gate{H8179}: and they stood still{H5975} in the prison{H4307} gate{H8179}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Nehemiah 3:1
- ¶ Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
Nehemiah 8:16
- So the people went forth, and brought [them], and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
Nehemiah 3:3
- But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who [also] laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
Nehemiah 3:6
- Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
Nehemiah 3:25
- 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.
2 Kings 14:13
- And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
Jeremiah 32:2
- For then the king of Babylon's army besieged Jerusalem: and Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which [was] in the king of Judah's house.
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Commentary for Nehemiah 12:39
Nehemiah 12:39 is part of a larger narrative found in the book of Nehemiah, which recounts the efforts to rebuild Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile. This verse specifically describes a procession of priests and Levites who are praising God as they walk around the newly rebuilt walls of Jerusalem. The historical context is set after the Jews have returned from exile and, under the leadership of Nehemiah, have successfully reconstructed the city's fortifications despite significant opposition and hardship.
The verse mentions several key locations around the walls of Jerusalem: the gate of Ephraim, the old gate, the fish gate, the tower of Hananeel, the tower of Meah, and the sheep gate. These landmarks were integral parts of the city's topography and held significance in the daily lives of the inhabitants. The procession, led by Ezra the scribe, is a joyful and solemn occasion, marking the completion of the walls and the restoration of Jerusalem as a sacred space for the Jewish people.
The themes present in this verse include the importance of worship and thanksgiving, the fulfillment of God's promises to His people, and the communal celebration of a significant achievement. The standing still at the prison gate may symbolize a pause in the celebration to reflect on the past afflictions and captivity, contrasting with the newfound freedom and restoration. It also serves as a reminder of the spiritual and physical redemption that the people of Jerusalem experienced through their return from exile and the rebuilding of their city. This moment of reflection amidst a larger celebration underscores the themes of redemption, communal identity, and the enduring presence of God in the life of His people.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H8179
There are 302 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שַׁעַר
Transliteration: shaʻar
Pronunciation: shah'-ar
Description: from שָׁעַר in its original sense; an opening, i.e. door or gate; city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). - Strong's Number: H669
There are 313 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֶפְרַיִם
Transliteration: ʼEphrayim
Pronunciation: ef-rah'-yim
Description: dual of masculine form of אֶפְרָת; double fruit; Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Ephraim, Ephraimites. - Strong's Number: H3465
There are 6 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשָׁן
Transliteration: yâshân
Pronunciation: yaw-shawn'
Description: from יָשֵׁן; old; old. - Strong's Number: H1709
There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּג
Transliteration: dâg
Pronunciation: dawg
Description: or (fully) דָּאג; (Nehemiah 13:16), from דָּגָה; a fish (as prolific); or perhaps rather from דָּאַג (as timid); but still better from דָּאַג (in the sense of squirming, i.e. moving by the vibratory action of the tail); a fish (often used collectively); fish. - Strong's Number: H4026
There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִגְדָּל
Transliteration: migdâl
Pronunciation: mig-dawl'
Description: also (in plural) feminine מִגְדָּלָה; from גָּדַל; a tower (from its size or height); by analogy, a rostrum; figuratively, a (pyramidal) bed of flowers; castle, flower, tower. Compare the names following. - Strong's Number: H2606
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֲנַנְאֵל
Transliteration: Chănanʼêl
Pronunciation: khan-an-ale'
Description: from חָנַן and אֵל; God has favored; Chananel, probably an Israelite, from whom a tower of Jerusalem was named; Hananeel. - Strong's Number: H3968
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֵאָה
Transliteration: Mêʼâh
Pronunciation: may-aw'
Description: the same as מֵאָה; Meah, a tower in Jerusalem; Meah. - Strong's Number: H6629
There are 247 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צֹאן
Transliteration: tsôʼn
Pronunciation: tsone
Description: or צאוֹן; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds). - Strong's Number: H5975
There are 495 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָמַד
Transliteration: ʻâmad
Pronunciation: aw-mad'
Description: a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. - Strong's Number: H4307
There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַטָּרָא
Transliteration: maṭṭârâʼ
Pronunciation: mat-taw-raw'
Description: or מַטָּרָה; from נָטַר; a jail (as a guard-house); also an aim (as being closely watched); mark, prison.