Nehemiah 3:7

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.

And next unto them {H3027} repaired {H2388} Melatiah {H4424} the Gibeonite {H1393}, and Jadon {H3036} the Meronothite {H4824}, the men {H582} of Gibeon {H1391}, and of Mizpah {H4709}, unto the throne {H3678} of the governor {H6346} on this side {H5676} the river {H5104}.

Next to them M'latyah the Giv'oni, Yadon the Meronoti and the men from Giv'on and Mitzpah made repairs; they worked for the people associated with the governor of the territory beyond the [Euphrates] River.

Next to them, repairs were made by Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, who were under the authority of the governor of the region west of the Euphrates.

And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, that appertained to the throne of the governor beyond the River.

Commentary

Nehemiah 3:7 details a specific section of the monumental effort to rebuild Jerusalem's walls after the Babylonian exile. This verse highlights the contributions of Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men from the towns of Gibeon and Mizpah, who together repaired the stretch of wall leading up to the seat of the Persian governor.

Context

Chapter 3 of Nehemiah provides a meticulous and inspiring account of the systematic rebuilding of Jerusalem's defensive walls. Under Nehemiah's visionary leadership, the immense task was divided among various families, guilds, and communities, each responsible for a specific section. This verse is part of that detailed register, illustrating the communal and organized nature of the project. The work began with the priests and moved methodically around the city, as seen from the opening verses of the chapter (Nehemiah 3:1).

Key Themes

  • Shared Responsibility: The rebuilding of the wall was not a singular effort but a collective endeavor, demonstrating that significant undertakings are often achieved through diverse contributions.
  • Inclusion and Unity: The participation of individuals and groups from various towns, like Gibeon and Mizpah, underscores a sense of unity and shared purpose among the returned exiles, transcending local affiliations.
  • Meticulous Record-Keeping: The detailed naming of individuals and their assigned sections emphasizes the historical accuracy and divine oversight of this restoration project.
  • Divine Providence: Despite immense opposition, the progress of the wall's reconstruction signifies God's enabling hand in fulfilling His promises to His people.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite": These specific names indicate real individuals who took on active roles in the rebuilding. The inclusion of their town or tribal affiliation highlights their identity and origin.
  • "the Gibeonite": Gibeon was a significant city in Israel's history, known for its inhabitants' cunning pact with Joshua (Joshua 9:3). Their participation here suggests their continued presence and integration within the post-exilic community.
  • "Mizpah": Another historically important city, Mizpah often served as a gathering place for Israel and a site for significant national events (e.g., Judges 20:1). Its citizens' involvement shows their commitment to Jerusalem's restoration.
  • "unto the throne of the governor on this side the river": This phrase refers to the administrative seat of the Persian provincial governor. "On this side the river" (Hebrew: 'Eber Nahara) was the Persian satrapy that included Judah, west of the Euphrates. This detail grounds the narrative firmly within the political context of the Persian Empire, confirming the authority structure under which the rebuilding took place.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 3:7 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of every individual's contribution to a greater cause. Just as each builder had a specific section of the wall, every member of a community or church has a vital role to play in God's work. This verse encourages us to embrace our unique contributions, no matter how small they may seem, and to work together in unity. It illustrates that spiritual and communal "walls" are built not by one heroic figure, but by the committed, cooperative effort of many, reflecting the principle of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27).

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 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 Samuel 21:2 (3 votes)

    And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites [were] not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)

  • Nehemiah 3:19 (2 votes)

    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].

  • Nehemiah 2:7 (2 votes)

    Moreover I said unto the king, If it please the king, let letters be given me to the governors beyond the river, that they may convey me over till I come into Judah;

  • Nehemiah 2:8 (2 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.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:6 (2 votes)

    Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.

  • Joshua 9:3 (2 votes)

    ¶ And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,

  • Joshua 9:27 (2 votes)

    And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.