Nehemiah 3:7
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.
Adjacent to them
This phrase indicates the collaborative effort in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. The Hebrew root here suggests proximity and cooperation, emphasizing the unity among the Israelites. Historically, this reflects the communal spirit necessary for the monumental task of reconstruction, symbolizing the body of Christ working together in harmony.

repairs were made
The Hebrew word for "repairs" implies strengthening and fortifying. This is not merely a physical restoration but a spiritual renewal. The act of repairing the walls is symbolic of restoring the covenant relationship with God, highlighting the importance of both physical and spiritual fortification in the life of believers.

Melatiah the Gibeonite
Melatiah's identification as a Gibeonite is significant. The Gibeonites were originally Canaanites who tricked Joshua into making a peace treaty (Joshua 9). Their inclusion here signifies God's grace and the breaking down of ethnic barriers, foreshadowing the inclusion of Gentiles into the faith community.

Jadon the Meronothite
Little is known about Jadon, but his mention signifies the importance of every individual's contribution to God's work. The Meronothite designation suggests a specific lineage or location, emphasizing that God uses people from all backgrounds and places for His purposes.

the men of Gibeon and Mizpah
Gibeon and Mizpah were significant locations in Israel's history. Gibeon was known for its strategic importance and Mizpah for its role as a gathering place for Israel. Their mention here underscores the strategic and communal aspects of God's work, reminding believers of the importance of both strategy and community in fulfilling God's mission.

under the authority of the governor of Trans-Euphrates
This phrase highlights the political context of the time. The governor of Trans-Euphrates was a Persian official, indicating that the rebuilding efforts were sanctioned by the Persian Empire. This reflects God's sovereignty in using secular authorities to accomplish His divine purposes, reminding believers that God can work through any circumstance or authority to fulfill His plans.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Melatiah the Gibeonite
A leader from Gibeon, a city with a history of making a covenant with Israel during Joshua's time. His involvement signifies the unity of Israel in rebuilding efforts.

2. Jadon the Meronothite
Likely a leader from Meronoth, a place not widely known, indicating that people from various backgrounds contributed to the work.

3. Gibeon
A significant city in the history of Israel, known for its strategic alliance with Israel in the book of Joshua.

4. Mizpah
A city often mentioned in the Old Testament as a place of gathering and covenant renewal.

5. Governor of Trans-Euphrates
The Persian-appointed official overseeing the region, indicating the political context and the cooperation between the Jewish people and Persian authorities.
Teaching Points
Unity in Diversity
The involvement of various groups and individuals in the rebuilding project demonstrates the power of unity in achieving God's purposes. We are called to work together, despite our differences, for the common good of God's kingdom.

Historical Continuity
The participation of the Gibeonites and others shows the continuity of God's plan through history. We are part of a larger account that God is writing, and our contributions matter.

Cooperation with Authorities
The mention of the governor of Trans-Euphrates highlights the importance of working within the structures of authority. Christians are called to respect and cooperate with governing authorities while fulfilling God's mission.

Commitment to God's Work
The dedication of these individuals to the rebuilding project serves as a model for our commitment to God's work today. We should be willing to invest our time and resources in building up the church and community.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the involvement of Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite illustrate the theme of unity in diversity within the body of Christ?

2. In what ways can the historical significance of places like Gibeon and Mizpah inspire us to appreciate our spiritual heritage and its impact on our faith journey?

3. How can we apply the principle of cooperation with authorities, as seen in Nehemiah 3:7, in our current context as Christians?

4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate commitment to God's work in our local church or community, similar to the dedication shown by the builders in Nehemiah's time?

5. Reflecting on the broader account of Nehemiah, how can we overcome opposition and challenges in our spiritual and communal endeavors today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joshua 9
The Gibeonites' covenant with Israel, showing their long-standing relationship and involvement with the Israelites.

1 Samuel 7
Mizpah as a place of gathering and renewal, highlighting its historical significance.

Ezra 4
The opposition faced by the Jews during the rebuilding, providing context to the challenges Nehemiah and his team faced.
A Godly AncestryT. C. Finlayson.Nehemiah 3:1-32
A Suggestive Church RecordHomiletic CommentaryNehemiah 3:1-32
Associated LabourScientific IllustrationsNehemiah 3:1-32
At WorkT. Rowson.Nehemiah 3:1-32
Church WorkR.A. Redford Nehemiah 3:1-32
Honourable MentionT. C. Finlayson.Nehemiah 3:1-32
Individual LaboursA. G. Griffith.Nehemiah 3:1-32
Life's MasonryHomiletic CommentaryNehemiah 3:1-32
Merchant WorkersJ. M. Randall.Nehemiah 3:1-32
Ministers Should be LeadersJ. M. Randall.Nehemiah 3:1-32
System and Detail in WorkHomiletic CommentaryNehemiah 3:1-32
The Builders At WorkW. P. Lockhart.Nehemiah 3:1-32
The Building of the WallW. P. Lockhart.Nehemiah 3:1-32
The Repairer of the BreachW. Ritchie.Nehemiah 3:1-32
People
Ananiah, Azariah, Azbuk, Baana, Bani, Baruch, Bavai, Benjamin, Berechiah, Besodeiah, Binnui, Colhozeh, David, Eliashib, Ezer, Gibeon, Hakkoz, Hallohesh, Halohesh, Hananiah, Hanun, Harhaiah, Harim, Harumaph, Hashabiah, Hashabniah, Hashub, Hassenaah, Hasshub, Hattush, Henadad, Hur, Immer, Imri, Jadon, Jedaiah, Jehoiada, Jeshua, Joiada, Koz, Levites, Maaseiah, Malchiah, Malchijah, Melatiah, Meremoth, Meshezabeel, Meshullam, Nehemiah, Pahathmoab, Palal, Parosh, Paseah, Pedaiah, Rechab, Rehum, Rephaiah, Shallum, Shallun, Shecaniah, Shechaniah, Shelah, Shelemiah, Shemaiah, Tekoites, Uriah, Urijah, Uzai, Uzziel, Zabbai, Zaccai, Zaccur, Zadok, Zalaph, Zur
Places
Beth-haccherem, Beth-zur, Beyond the River, Broad Wall, Dung Gate, East Gate, Fish Gate, Fountain Gate, Gate of Yeshanah, Gibeon, Horse Gate, Jericho, Jerusalem, Keilah, Mizpah, Muster Gate, Ophel, Pool of Shelah, Sheep Gate, Tower of Hananel, Tower of the Hundred, Tower of the Ovens, Valley Gate, Water Gate, Zanoah
Topics
Across, Appertained, Authority, Beyond, Gibeon, Gibeonite, Gib'eonite, Governor, Jadon, Jurisdiction, Melatiah, Melati'ah, Meronoth, Meronothite, Mero'nothite, Mizpah, Official, Places, Province, Repaired, Repairs, River, Ruler, Seat, Strengthened, Throne, Trans-euphrates, Working
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Nehemiah 3:7

     5216   authority, nature of
     5327   governors

Library
'Over against his House'
'The priests repaired every one over against his house.'--NEH. iii. 28. The condition of our great cities has lately been forced upon public attention, and all kinds of men have been offering their panaceas. I am not about to enter upon that discussion, but I am glad to seize the opportunity of saying one or two things which I think very much need to be said to individual Christian people about their duty in the matter. 'Every man over against his house' is the principle I desire to commend to you
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Broad Wall
"The broad wall."--Nehemiah 3:8. IT SEEMS that around Jerusalem of old, in the time of her splendor, there was a broad wall, which was her defence and her glory. Jerusalem is a type of the Church of God. It is always well when we can see clearly, distinctly, and plainly, that around the Church to which we belong there runs a broad wall. This idea of a broad wall around the Church suggests three things: separation, security, and enjoyment. Let us examine each of these in its turn. I. First, the SEPARATION
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 57: 1911

Divers Matters.
I. Beth-cerem, Nehemiah 3:14. "The stones, as well of the altar, as of the ascent to the altar, were from the valley of Beth-cerem, which they digged out beneath the barren land. And thence they are wont to bring whole stones, upon which the working iron came not." The fathers of the traditions, treating concerning the blood of women's terms, reckon up five colours of it; among which that, "which is like the water of the earth, out of the valley of Beth-cerem."--Where the Gloss writes thus, "Beth-cerem
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Some Buildings in Acra. Bezeiha. Millo.
Mount Sion did not thrust itself so far eastward as mount Acra: and hence it is, that mount Moriah is said, by Josephus, to be "situate over-against Acra," rather than over-against the Upper City: for, describing Acra thus, which we produced before, "There is another hill, called Acra, which bears the Lower City upon it, steep on both sides": in the next words he subjoins this, "Over-against this was a third hill," speaking of Moriah. The same author thus describes the burning of the Lower City:
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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