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Nehemiah 3:3

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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.

But the fish {H1709} gate {H8179} did the sons {H1121} of Hassenaah {H5570} build {H1129}, who also laid the beams {H7136} thereof, and set up {H5975} the doors {H1817} thereof, the locks {H4514} thereof, and the bars {H1280} thereof.

The sons of Hasna'ah rebuilt the Fish Gate; they installed its timber framework and set up its doors, along with its bolts and bars.

The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.

And the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof.

Commentary

Nehemiah 3:3 focuses on a specific segment of the monumental task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, highlighting the detailed assignments and the communal effort involved. This verse identifies the group responsible for constructing the Fish Gate.

Context

Chapter 3 of Nehemiah provides a meticulous record, almost a roster, of the various families, guilds, and individuals who participated in the arduous work of repairing Jerusalem's broken walls. It's a testament to Nehemiah's incredible organizational skills and the people's unified commitment to God's work. The Fish Gate, located on the northern side of the city, was a significant entrance, likely named because of its proximity to a market where fish from the Mediterranean Sea or the Jordan River were sold. Its reconstruction, along with its critical components like beams, doors, locks, and bars, was essential for the city's security and commerce. This particular verse vividly illustrates the detailed and communal effort involved in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, a project initiated and overseen by Nehemiah after his prayer and petition to King Artaxerxes.

Key Themes

  • Shared Responsibility: The chapter emphasizes that no single person or group bore the entire burden. Each section of the wall, and each vital component like a gate, was assigned to specific individuals or families, fostering a sense of ownership and collective purpose.
  • Diligence and Thoroughness: The verse specifies not just building the gate, but also laying its beams, setting its doors, and installing its locks and bars. This detail underscores the importance of completing tasks with diligence and ensuring the work is secure and functional, not just superficially done.
  • Security and Restoration: The gates were crucial for the city's defense and controlling access. Their full restoration, including robust locking mechanisms, signified the renewed security and stability of Jerusalem after decades of vulnerability.
  • Faith in Action: The physical rebuilding of the wall was a tangible expression of the people's faith and obedience to God, who had called them to restore their holy city.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Hassenaah" (Hebrew: הַסְּנָאָה, ha-s'na'ah) literally means "the thorny one" or "the hated one." It likely refers to a family or clan, indicating that even specific family lines were involved in the rebuilding effort. The detail about "beams," "doors," "locks," and "bars" provides a concrete picture of the meticulous craftsmanship and engineering required for such a vital defensive structure.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 3:3, along with the rest of the chapter, offers powerful lessons for us today. It reminds us that every individual contribution, no matter how seemingly small, is vital for the success of a larger collective endeavor, whether in a church, community, or family. Just as the sons of Hassenaah diligently worked on their assigned section of the Fish Gate, so too are believers called to contribute their unique gifts and efforts to the building up of God's spiritual house. Furthermore, the emphasis on installing locks and bars teaches us the importance of not just starting a task, but completing it thoroughly and with excellence, ensuring its lasting impact and security.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 33:14 (5 votes)

    Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.

  • Nehemiah 12:39 (5 votes)

    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.

  • Nehemiah 2:8 (3 votes)

    And a letter unto Asaph the keeper of the king's forest, that he may give me timber to make beams for the gates of the palace which [appertained] to the house, and for the wall of the city, and for the house that I shall enter into. And the king granted me, according to the good hand of my God upon me.

  • Zephaniah 1:10 (3 votes)

    And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, [that there shall be] the noise of a cry from the fish gate, and an howling from the second, and a great crashing from the hills.

  • Nehemiah 3:6 (2 votes)

    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 7:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed,

  • Nehemiah 6:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and [that] there was no breach left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)