TRV
Translation
King James Version
And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
KJV (with Strong's)
And next unto them H3027 repaired H2388 Meremoth H4822 the son H1121 of Urijah H223, the son H1121 of Koz H6976. And next unto them H3027 repaired H2388 Meshullam H4918 the son H1121 of Berechiah H1296, the son H1121 of Meshezabeel H4898. And next unto them H3027 repaired H2388 Zadok H6659 the son H1121 of Baana H1195.
Complete Jewish Bible
Next to them M'remot the son of Uriyah, the son of Hakotz, made repairs. Next to them Meshulam the son of Berekhyah, the son of Mesheizav'el, made repairs. Next to them Tzadok the son of Ba'ana made repairs.
Berean Standard Bible
Next to them, Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, made repairs. Next to him, Meshullam son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs; and next to him, Zadok son of Baana made repairs as well.
American Standard Version
And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
World English Bible Messianic
Next to them, Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz made repairs. Next to them, Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel made repairs. Next to them, Zadok the son of Baana made repairs.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And next vnto them fortified Merimoth, the sonne of Vrijah, the sonne of Hakkoz: and next vnto them fortified Meshullam, the sonne of Berechiah, the sonne of Meshezabeel: and next vnto them fortified Zadok, the sonne of Baana:
Young's Literal Translation
And by their hand hath Merimoth son of Urijah, son of Koz, strengthened; and by his hand hath Meshullam son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabeel, strengthened; and by his hand hath Zadok son of Baana strengthened;
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In the KJVVerse 12,332 of 31,102
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Commentary on Nehemiah 3 verses 1–32
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.
2 And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
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.
4 And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
5 And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.
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.
7 And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river.
8 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.
9 And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
10 And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.
11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.
12 And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
13 The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.
14 But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
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.
16 After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.
17 After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.
18 After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.
19 And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.
20 After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
21 After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
22 And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.
23 After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.
24 After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner.
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.
26 Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.
27 After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.
28 From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.
29 After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.
30 After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
31 After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.
32 And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
The best way to know how to divide this chapter is to observe how the work was divided among the undertakers, that every one might know what he had to do, and mind it accordingly with a holy emulation, and desire to excel, yet without any contention, animosity, or separate interest. No strife appears among them but which should do most for the public good. Several things are observable in the account here given of the building of the wall about Jerusalem: -
I. That Eliashib the high priest, with his brethren the priests, led the van in this troop of builders, Neh 3:1. Ministers should be foremost in every good work; for their office obliges them to teach and quicken by their example, as well as by their doctrine. If there be labour in it, who so fit as they to work? if danger, who so fit as they to venture? The dignity of the high priest was very great, and obliged him to signalize himself in this service. The priests repaired the sheep-gate, so called because through it were brought the sheep that were to be sacrificed in the temple; and therefore the priests undertook the repair of it because the offerings of the Lord made by fire were their inheritance. And of this gate only it is said that they sanctified it with the word and prayer, and perhaps with sacrifices perhaps, 1. Because it led to the temple; or, 2. Because with this the building of the wall began, and it is probable (though they were at work in all parts of the wall at the same time) that this was first finished, and therefore at this gate they solemnly committed their city and the walls of it to the divine protection; or, 3. Because the priests were the builders of it; and it becomes ministers above others, being themselves in a peculiar manner sanctified to God, to sanctify to him all their performances, and to do even their common actions after a godly sort.
II. That the undertakers were very many, who each took his share, some more and some less, in this work, according as their ability was. Note, What is to be done for the public good every one should assist in, and further, to the utmost of his place and power. United force will conquer that which no individual dares venture on. Many hands will make light work.
III. That many were active in this work who were not themselves inhabitants of Jerusalem, and therefore consulted purely the public welfare and not any private interest or advantage of their own. Here are the men of Jericho with the first (Neh 3:2), the men of Gibeon and Mizpah (Neh 3:7), and Zanoah, Neh 3:13. Every Israelite should lend a hand towards the building up of Jerusalem.
IV. That several rulers, both of Jerusalem and of other cities, were active in this work, thinking themselves bound in honour to do the utmost that their wealth and power enabled them to do for the furtherance of this good work. But it is observable that they are called rulers of part, or the half part, of their respective cities. One was ruler of the half part of Jerusalem (Neh 3:12), another of part of Beth-haccerem (Neh 3:14), another of part of Mizpah (Neh 3:15), another of the half part of Beth-zur (Neh 3:16), one was ruler of one half part, and another of the other half part, of Keilah, Neh 3:17, Neh 3:18. Perhaps the Persian government would not entrust any one with a strong city, but appointed two to be a watch upon each other. Rome had two consuls.
V. Here is a just reproach fastened upon the nobles of Tekoa, that they put not their necks to the work of their Lord (Neh 3:5), that is, they would not come under the yoke of an obligation to this service; as if the dignity and liberty of their peerage were their discharge from serving God and doing good, which are indeed the highest honour and the truest freedom. Let not nobles think any thing below them by which they may advance the interests of their country; for what else is their nobility good for but that it puts them in a higher and larger sphere of usefulness than that in which inferior persons move?
VI. Two persons joined in repairing the old gate (Neh 3:6), and so were co-founders, and shared the honour of it between them. The good work which we cannot compass ourselves we must be thankful to those that will go partners with us in. Some think that this is called the old gate because it belonged to the ancient Salem, which was said to be first built by Melchizedek.
VII. Several good honest tradesmen, as well as priests and rulers, were active in this work - goldsmiths, apothecaries, merchants, Neh 3:8, Neh 3:32. They did not think their callings excused them, nor plead that they could not leave their shops to attend the public business, knowing that what they lost would certainly be made up to them by the blessing of God upon their callings.
VIII. Some ladies are spoken of as helping forward this work - Shallum and his daughters (Neh 3:12), who, though not capable of personal service, yet having their portions in their own hands, or being rich widows, contributed money for buying materials and paying workmen. St. Paul speaks of some good women that laboured with him in the gospel, Phi 4:3.
IX. Of some it is said that they repaired over against their houses (Neh 3:10, Neh 3:23, Neh 3:28, Neh 3:29), and of one (who, it is likely, was only a lodger) that he repaired over against his chamber, Neh 3:30. When a general good work is to be done each should apply himself to that part of it that falls nearest to him and is within his reach. If every one will sweep before his own door, the street will be clean; if every one will mend one, we shall be all mended. If he that has but a chamber will repair before that, he does his part.
X. Of one it is said that he earnestly repaired that which fell to his share (Neh 3:20) - he did it with an inflamed zeal; not that others were cold or indifferent, but he was the most vigorous of any of them and consequently made himself remarkable. It is good to be thus zealously affected in a good thin; and it is probable that this good man's zeal provoked very many to take the more pains and make the more haste.
XI. Of one of these builders it is observed that he was the sixth son of his father, Neh 3:30. His five elder brethren, it seems, laid not their hand to this work, but he did. In doing that which is good we need not stay to see our elders go before us; if they decline it, it does not therefore follow that we must. Thus the younger brother, if he be the better man, and does God and his generation better service, is indeed the better gentleman; those are most honourable that are most useful.
XII. Some of those that had first done helped their fellows, and undertook another share where they saw there was most need. Meremoth repaired, Neh 3:4. and again, Neh 3:21. And the Tekoites, besides the piece they repaired (Neh 3:5), undertook another piece (Neh 3:27), which is the more remarkable because their nobles set them a bad example by withdrawing from the service, which, instead of serving them for an excuse to sit still, perhaps made them the more forward to do double work, that by their zeal they might either shame or atone for the covetousness and carelessness of their nobles.
Lastly, Here is no mention of any particular share that Nehemiah himself had in this work. A name-sake of his is mentioned, Neh 3:16. But did he do nothing? Yes, though he undertook not any particular piece of the wall, yet he did more than any of them, for he had the oversight of them all; half of his servants worked where there was most need, and the other half stood sentinel, as we find afterwards (Neh 4:16), while he himself in his own person walked the rounds, directed and encouraged the builders, set his hand to the work where he saw occasion, and kept a watchful eye upon the motions of the enemy, as we shall find in the next chapter. The pilot needs not haul at a rope: it is enough for him to steer.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–32. Public domain.
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SUMMARY
Nehemiah 3:4 continues the meticulous enumeration of individuals and families who participated in the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls after the Babylonian exile. This verse specifically highlights the contributions of Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz; Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel; and Zadok the son of Baana, each responsible for repairing a specific section of the wall adjacent to the previously mentioned workers, underscoring the communal effort and systematic organization of this vital restoration project.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Nehemiah 3:4, like the entire chapter, predominantly employs Catalog or List as its primary literary device, meticulously enumerating individuals and groups involved in the rebuilding. This detailed listing serves to underscore the comprehensive nature of the project and the broad participation across various segments of society. The most prominent device is Anaphora, the repetition of the phrase "And next unto them repaired." This serves multiple purposes: it creates a rhythmic, almost litany-like effect, emphasizing the continuous and sequential nature of the work; it highlights the systematic organization of the project, showing how each section of the wall was addressed in an orderly fashion; and it subtly reinforces the theme of communal effort, as each group's contribution was directly linked to the one before it. The inclusion of Genealogical Detail ("the son of Urijah, the son of Koz") provides historical specificity and grounds the narrative in concrete reality, while also subtly honoring the families who contributed to this vital national undertaking.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 3:4, though a seemingly dry list of names, is rich in theological implications. It powerfully illustrates God's method of accomplishing His purposes through the collective, diligent efforts of His people. The meticulous record-keeping suggests that God takes notice of every individual contribution, no matter how seemingly small or mundane. The "next unto them" motif highlights the divine principle of unity and interdependence within the community of faith; no one works in isolation, but rather in concert with others, each fulfilling their specific role to achieve a common, God-given objective. This communal labor for the restoration of Jerusalem's physical walls foreshadows the spiritual building of God's kingdom, where diverse gifts and callings converge for the glory of God and the edification of His people. It reminds us that our individual acts of faithfulness, when combined with the efforts of others, contribute to a larger, divine tapestry.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 3:4, despite being a simple list of names and their work assignments, offers profound lessons for believers today. It challenges us to consider our own role in God's ongoing work of restoration and kingdom-building. Just as Meremoth, Meshullam, and Zadok faithfully repaired their assigned sections, we are called to diligent and faithful service in the specific spheres God has placed us, whether in our homes, workplaces, churches, or communities. This verse reminds us that every contribution, no matter how seemingly small or unseen by human eyes, is vital and recognized by God. The success of the wall's rebuilding was not due to one heroic figure alone, but to the coordinated effort of many. This encourages us to embrace unity and collaboration within the body of Christ, working "next unto" one another, supporting and complementing each other's gifts and efforts. Our individual acts of obedience and service, when woven together with those of our brothers and sisters, contribute to a powerful collective witness and the advancement of God's purposes on earth.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are these specific names listed in Nehemiah 3:4 and throughout the chapter?
Answer: The listing of specific names like Meremoth, Meshullam, and Zadok in Nehemiah 3 serves multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it provides a meticulous historical record, authenticating the narrative and demonstrating the widespread participation in the rebuilding effort. It highlights that the restoration of Jerusalem was not merely Nehemiah's work but a collective endeavor involving diverse individuals and families, each taking specific responsibility for a section of the wall. Secondly, it likely served to honor those who contributed significantly, ensuring their faithfulness was remembered. In a culture that valued lineage and communal identity, listing names and their familial connections underscored their heritage and the continuity of commitment across generations. Finally, it emphasizes the divine principle that God uses ordinary people, often identified by their family and community ties, to accomplish extraordinary tasks. This detailed record-keeping underscores that God notices and values every individual's contribution to His work, as seen in the broader narrative of Nehemiah 3.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 3:4 details the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the spiritual building of God's eternal kingdom and the Church. The meticulous, collaborative effort to restore a broken physical structure foreshadows the work of Christ, who came not to build with bricks and mortar, but to build His Church, a spiritual temple composed of living stones. Just as the wall provided protection and identity for God's people in Nehemiah's day, Jesus Christ is the ultimate foundation and cornerstone upon whom the entire spiritual edifice of the Church is built, offering eternal security and identity to all who believe. He declared, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18). Believers, like the varied workers in Nehemiah 3, are called to be "living stones" (1 Peter 2:4-5) built together into a spiritual house, with Christ as the chief cornerstone, making up the dwelling place of God by the Spirit (Ephesians 2:20-22). The unity and diverse contributions seen in Nehemiah 3 prefigure the harmonious functioning of the body of Christ, where each member plays a vital role in building up the whole, ultimately pointing to the glorious, perfected city of God, the New Jerusalem, where God will dwell with His people forever (Revelation 21:2-3).