Nehemiah 2:14

KJV

Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the king's pool: but [there was] no place for the beast [that was] under me to pass.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then I went on {H5674} to the gate {H8179} of the fountain {H5869}, and to the king's {H4428} pool {H1295}: but there was no place {H4725} for the beast {H929} that was under me to pass {H5674}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and the King's Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to pass.

Berean Standard Bible

Then I went on to the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was no room for the animal under me to get through;

American Standard Version

Then I went on to the fountain gate and to the king’s pool: but there was no place for the beast that was under me to pass.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 2:14 recounts a pivotal moment in Nehemiah's clandestine nocturnal survey of Jerusalem's dilapidated walls. As he rode near the significant landmarks of the Gate of the Fountain and the King's Pool, he encountered a section so utterly ruined and choked with debris that his mount could not pass. This verse vividly underscores the overwhelming extent of the city's devastation, revealing the immense scale of the rebuilding task ahead and highlighting Nehemiah's meticulous, firsthand assessment of the challenge.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 2:14 is situated within the initial phase of Nehemiah's mission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, specifically during his secret, unannounced inspection (Nehemiah 2:11-16). Having secured permission and provisions from King Artaxerxes (Nehemiah 2:1-10), Nehemiah wisely chose to personally assess the full scope of the destruction before disclosing his intentions to the local Jewish leaders or the populace. This verse, along with others in the sequence, details his route and the dire state of the city's defenses, setting the stage for his subsequent call to action and the formidable challenges that lay ahead in the narrative. His methodical approach underscores the importance of thorough preparation before embarking on a monumental task.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Nehemiah occur in the mid-5th century BC, during the Persian Empire's dominion. Jerusalem's walls had lain in ruins for over 140 years since their destruction by the Babylonians in 586 BC. For any ancient city, walls were not merely defensive structures but symbols of security, identity, and sovereignty. Their prolonged state of disrepair signified the city's vulnerability, shame, and lack of full restoration. The "gate of the fountain" and "king's pool" were identifiable topographical features vital to Jerusalem's water supply, likely near the Gihon Spring and the Pool of Siloam. The fact that these critical areas were impassable underscores the comprehensive nature of the devastation and the city's dire strategic weakness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Nehemiah. Firstly, it highlights **Diligent Assessment and Preparation**, showcasing Nehemiah's commitment to understanding the reality of the situation before formulating a plan or mobilizing resources, a principle echoed in [Proverbs 24:27](/proverbs/24-27 "Proverbs 24:27 - Prepare Your Work"). Secondly, it vividly portrays the **Severity of Desolation**, emphasizing the overwhelming physical ruin of Jerusalem, which had profound spiritual and psychological implications for the returning exiles. The impassability for his "beast" is a concrete illustration of this devastation. Thirdly, Nehemiah's secret inspection underscores **Strategic Leadership and Prudence**, as he avoids premature disclosure that could incite opposition, a wisdom that proves crucial as he later faces adversaries like Sanballat and Tobiah (cf. [Nehemiah 4:1-3](/nehemiah/4-1 "Nehemiah 4:1-3 - Opposition to Rebuilding")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **beast (Hebrew, _bəhēmāh_):** This term refers generally to a domestic animal, most likely a donkey or mule in this context, commonly used for riding and transport. The mention of Nehemiah's "beast" emphasizes the practical, ground-level nature of his inspection, highlighting that even a sure-footed animal could not navigate the extensive rubble, thus underscoring the severity of the obstruction.
* **pass (Hebrew, _'āvar_):** Meaning "to cross over," "go through," or "traverse." The negation "no place... to pass" signifies an absolute and complete blockage. It's not merely a difficult path but an utterly impassable barrier, indicating that the wall was not just breached but had collapsed into an insurmountable heap of debris.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then I went on to the gate of the fountain":** Nehemiah continues his systematic circuit around the city, moving to a specific, identifiable landmark. The "Gate of the Fountain" was located on the southeastern side of Jerusalem, near the Gihon Spring and the Pool of Siloam, vital water sources for the city. This indicates Nehemiah's thoroughness in inspecting critical infrastructure points.
* **"and to the king's pool":** This refers to another significant water reservoir, likely in the same general vicinity as the Gate of the Fountain, possibly the Pool of Siloam itself or another royal water feature. Its inclusion further specifies Nehemiah's detailed route and his focus on areas crucial for the city's survival and defense.
* **"but [there was] no place for the beast [that was] under me to pass":** This is the stark climax of the verse. The physical impossibility for his mount to navigate the path dramatically illustrates the overwhelming extent of the destruction. It signifies that the wall in this section was not merely broken but had collapsed into such a massive, impassable pile of rubble that even a small riding animal could not traverse it. This detail powerfully conveys the comprehensive nature of Jerusalem's desolation.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 2:14 effectively employs **Imagery** to paint a vivid picture of the city's ruin. The description of Nehemiah's "beast" being unable to "pass" creates a concrete, sensory image of insurmountable obstruction, allowing the reader to grasp the physical reality of the devastation. This detail also functions as a form of **Understatement** or **Litotes**, where the simple statement "no place... to pass" subtly emphasizes the *extreme* degree of the destruction. It's not just difficult, it's impossible. Furthermore, the impassable wall can be seen as **Symbolism**, representing not only the physical brokenness of Jerusalem but also the spiritual and communal disarray of the people, their vulnerability, and the immense task of restoration required to rebuild not just stone and mortar, but hope and identity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah's meticulous and personal assessment of Jerusalem's ruins in Nehemiah 2:14 serves as a profound theological lesson on the necessity of confronting reality before embarking on restoration. Just as Nehemiah had to fully grasp the extent of the physical brokenness, so too must individuals and communities honestly acknowledge their spiritual or relational brokenness before true healing and rebuilding can commence. This principle aligns with God's method of working through diligent human agents who are willing to see the problem clearly, even when it is overwhelming. It underscores that divine empowerment often follows human preparation and a sober understanding of the challenge.

* [Proverbs 24:27](/proverbs/24-27 "Proverbs 24:27 - Prepare Your Work")
* [Luke 14:28-30](/luke/14-28-30 "Luke 14:28-30 - Counting the Cost")
* [Isaiah 58:12](/isaiah/58-12 "Isaiah 58:12 - Restorers of Streets")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah's secret inspection and the stark reality of the impassable ruins offer invaluable lessons for contemporary leadership, problem-solving, and personal spiritual growth. In a world often prone to superficial assessments or quick fixes, Nehemiah models the profound wisdom of thorough, firsthand investigation. Before we can effectively address any challenge—whether it's a broken relationship, a struggling organization, or a personal spiritual deficit—we must first be willing to confront the unvarnished truth of its current state, no matter how daunting. This verse calls us to move beyond assumptions and second-hand reports, to personally "ride around" our own "walls" and honestly acknowledge the "no place to pass" moments. Recognizing the full scope of a problem, even its overwhelming nature, is not a sign of weakness but the essential first step towards finding God-ordained solutions and initiating genuine, lasting restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in your life or community do you need to conduct a "secret inspection" to truly understand the extent of a problem before acting?**
* **What "impassable places" or overwhelming obstacles are you facing, and how might acknowledging their full scope be the first step toward finding a solution?**
* **How does Nehemiah's diligent preparation challenge you to be more thorough and less reactive in your own endeavors?**

### FAQ
**Why did Nehemiah conduct this inspection in secret?**

Answer: Nehemiah conducted his inspection in secret for several strategic reasons. Firstly, it allowed him to gather an accurate, unvarnished assessment of the devastation without drawing premature attention or opposition. Had his intentions been known, adversaries like Sanballat and Tobiah (who later appear in [Nehemiah 2:10](/nehemiah/2-10 "Nehemiah 2:10 - Opposition to Nehemiah's Arrival")) might have immediately tried to thwart his efforts. Secondly, it enabled him to process the overwhelming reality of the task privately, allowing him to formulate a plan and present it to the Jewish leaders with conviction and clarity, rather than being swayed by initial reactions or discouragement. This strategic secrecy was a hallmark of his wise and prudent leadership.

**What was the significance of the "gate of the fountain" and "king's pool" in Nehemiah's survey?**

Answer: The "gate of the fountain" and "king's pool" were crucial topographical features related to Jerusalem's vital water supply, likely near the Gihon Spring and possibly the Pool of Siloam. Their inclusion in Nehemiah's survey route demonstrates his focus on critical infrastructure and defensive points. These were not just random sections of the wall but areas essential for the city's survival and security. The fact that even these vital areas were so utterly destroyed that his "beast" could not pass through them underscored the comprehensive and catastrophic disrepair of Jerusalem's most important assets, highlighting the immense challenge of restoration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah's meticulous survey of Jerusalem's broken walls, culminating in the discovery of impassable ruins, deeply foreshadows the comprehensive "inspection" undertaken by Jesus Christ. Just as Nehemiah came to assess the physical brokenness of a city, so Christ came to a world utterly broken by sin, a spiritual landscape where there was "no place" for humanity to pass back to God on its own terms. He didn't rely on reports but personally entered into our fallen condition, identifying with our weakness and sin (cf. [Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humility")). His life, death, and resurrection represent the ultimate act of assessing and then rebuilding what was utterly ruined. Through His sacrifice, Christ became the new "gate" and "fountain," providing living water and access to God where sin had created an impassable barrier (cf. [John 7:37-38](/john/7-37-38 "John 7:37-38 - Rivers of Living Water") and [John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus the Gate")). He rebuilds the "walls" of our lives, reconciling us to God and to one another, transforming us into a new creation where the old, impassable ruins of sin are made new (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ") and [Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Ultimately, Christ is the One who restores us, making us part of the New Jerusalem, where God dwells with His people and there are no more ruins (cf. [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Nehemiah 3:15

But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.

2 Kings 20:20

And the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and all his might, and how he made a pool, and a conduit, and brought water into the city, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 Chronicles 32:30

This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper watercourse of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.

2 Kings 18:17

¶ And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which [is] in the highway of the fuller's field.