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.

But the gate {H8179} of the fountain {H5869} repaired {H2388} Shallun {H7968} the son {H1121} of Colhozeh {H3626}, the ruler {H8269} of part {H6418} of Mizpah {H4709}; he built {H1129} it, and covered {H2926} it, and set up {H5975} the doors {H1817} thereof, the locks {H4514} thereof, and the bars {H1280} thereof, and the wall {H2346} of the pool {H1295} of Siloah {H7975} by the king's {H4428} garden {H1588}, and unto the stairs {H4609} that go down {H3381} from the city {H5892} of David {H1732}.

Shalun the son of Kol-Hozeh, leader of the district of Mitzpah, repaired the Fountain Gate; he rebuilt it, covered it and set up its doors, along with its bolts and bars; he also rebuilt the wall of the Pool of Shelach, by the royal garden, as far as the stairs that go down from the City of David.

The Fountain Gate was repaired by Shallun son of Col-hozeh, ruler of the district of Mizpah. He rebuilt it, roofed it, and installed its doors, bolts, and bars. He also repaired the wall of the Pool of Shelah near the king’s garden, as far as the stairs that descend from the City of David.

And the fountain gate repaired Shallun the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Shelah by the king’s garden, even unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.

Commentary

Nehemiah 3:15 meticulously records the contribution of Shallun, the son of Colhozeh and ruler of part of Mizpah, to the monumental task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. This specific verse details his work on the strategic Fountain Gate, including its doors, locks, and bars, and also the adjacent wall of the Pool of Siloah, extending to the stairs leading down from the ancient City of David.

Context of Nehemiah 3:15

Chapter 3 of Nehemiah is a unique and powerful testament to communal effort. It lists, almost like a roster, the various families, guilds, and leaders who each took responsibility for a specific section of Jerusalem's dilapidated walls. Following Nehemiah's impassioned call to rebuild, the people responded with a remarkable spirit of cooperation and diligence. The Fountain Gate was a critical entry point, likely named for its proximity to a water source essential for the city's survival. Its reconstruction, along with the protective wall for the Pool of Siloah, was paramount for Jerusalem's security and functionality after the Babylonian exile.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Collaborative Effort and Specificity: This verse exemplifies the chapter's overarching theme: that a vast undertaking is accomplished when many individuals contribute their specific skills and efforts. Shallun, a ruler, actively participated in the physical labor, demonstrating the value of shared responsibility and unified purpose.
  • Thoroughness and Security: Shallun's work wasn't superficial. He "built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof." This detail underscores the importance of diligence and thoroughness, especially when establishing vital infrastructure. The inclusion of locks and bars highlights the critical need for security in the newly fortified city.
  • Restoration of Vital Infrastructure: The repair of the Fountain Gate, the wall around the Pool of Siloah, and the stairs from the City of David speaks to the comprehensive restoration of Jerusalem's essential systems. The Pool of Siloah, fed by the Gihon Spring, was a primary water supply, making its protection indispensable.

Linguistic Insights

The "Fountain Gate" (Hebrew: Sha'ar Ha'Ayin) directly translates to "Gate of the Eye" or "Gate of the Spring," indicating its connection to a water source. The "Pool of Siloah" (Hebrew: Bereikhat HaShiloach) is historically significant and famously mentioned in the New Testament when Jesus sends a blind man to wash there to receive his sight (John 9:7). The terms for "locks" (man'ulim) and "bars" (beriachim) emphasize the robust security measures implemented, reflecting the practical concerns of ancient city defense.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 3:15 offers valuable lessons for believers today:

  1. Value of Every Contribution: Just as Shallun's specific work was vital to the entire wall, every individual's contribution, no matter how seemingly small, is essential for the health and growth of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom.
  2. Diligence in God's Work: Shallun's thoroughness in securing the gate with doors, locks, and bars serves as a reminder to approach our spiritual and practical tasks with diligence and excellence, ensuring that our efforts are complete and effective.
  3. Protecting Spiritual Foundations: The emphasis on securing vital city infrastructure, like the Fountain Gate and Pool of Siloah, parallels the need for believers to diligently protect the foundational elements of their faith and community, such as sound doctrine, prayer, and fellowship. This requires spiritual vigilance and strong defenses against anything that would compromise truth or unity.
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Cross-References

  • John 9:7 (6 votes)

    And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.

  • Isaiah 8:6 (5 votes)

    Forasmuch as this people refuseth the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son;

  • Nehemiah 12:37 (4 votes)

    And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.

  • Luke 13:4 (3 votes)

    Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem?

  • Nehemiah 2:14 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Nehemiah 3:14 (2 votes)

    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.

  • Judges 20:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.