Nehemiah 3:3
The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah.
The Fish Gate was one of the gates in the northern wall of Jerusalem, likely named for its proximity to the fish market or because fish from the Mediterranean Sea were brought through it. This gate's reconstruction signifies the restoration of commerce and daily life in Jerusalem. The sons of Hassenaah, though not much is known about them, were likely a family or clan dedicated to this task, demonstrating the communal effort in rebuilding the city. This reflects the broader theme of Nehemiah, where diverse groups unite for a common purpose, symbolizing the unity and cooperation among God's people.

They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
The detailed description of the construction process—laying beams, installing doors, bolts, and bars—emphasizes the thoroughness and security of the work. This meticulous attention to detail ensured the gate's strength and functionality, crucial for the city's defense. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as a metaphor for the need to fortify one's life with spiritual disciplines and safeguards. The physical rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and gates parallels the spiritual renewal and protection of the community. This act of restoration can also be seen as a type of Christ, who rebuilds and restores the brokenness in our lives, providing security and salvation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Fish Gate
A significant gate in the wall of Jerusalem, likely named for its proximity to the fish market or its use by fishermen. It was an essential part of the city's defenses and commerce.

2. Sons of Hassenaah
A group of builders responsible for the reconstruction of the Fish Gate. Their identity highlights the communal effort in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls.

3. Rebuilding Effort
This event is part of the larger account of Nehemiah's leadership in the restoration of Jerusalem's walls, symbolizing the renewal of the community and its covenant with God.
Teaching Points
Community Involvement
The rebuilding of the Fish Gate by the sons of Hassenaah illustrates the importance of community involvement in achieving common goals. Each member has a role to play in the body of Christ.

Faithful Stewardship
The detailed work of laying beams and installing doors, bolts, and bars reflects the need for diligence and faithfulness in our tasks, no matter how mundane they may seem.

Spiritual Renewal
Just as the physical gates were essential for the security and function of Jerusalem, spiritual "gates" in our lives need attention and renewal to protect our hearts and minds.

Overcoming Opposition
The rebuilding efforts faced challenges, reminding us that perseverance and reliance on God are crucial when facing spiritual or physical opposition.

Symbol of Restoration
The reconstruction of the gates symbolizes God's restorative work in our lives, bringing us back to a place of strength and purpose.
Bible Study Questions
1. What role did the Fish Gate play in the life of Jerusalem, and how does this reflect the importance of certain "gates" or areas in our own spiritual lives?

2. How can we, like the sons of Hassenaah, contribute to the "rebuilding" efforts in our communities or churches today?

3. In what ways does the detailed work of installing doors, bolts, and bars teach us about the importance of diligence in our spiritual and daily lives?

4. How can we draw strength from Nehemiah's leadership and the community's unity when facing opposition in our own faith journeys?

5. Reflect on a time when God restored something in your life. How does the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls encourage you in your personal walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Nehemiah 2:17-18
Nehemiah's call to rebuild the walls and the people's response, showing the unity and determination of the Israelites.

Ezra 4:1-5
Opposition faced during the rebuilding efforts, highlighting the perseverance required in the face of adversity.

Psalm 122:7
A prayer for peace within Jerusalem's walls, connecting the physical rebuilding to spiritual and communal well-being.

Ephesians 2:19-22
The spiritual building of the church, drawing a parallel between the physical reconstruction of Jerusalem and the spiritual edification of believers.
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
Bars, Beams, Boards, Bolts, Build, Builders, Built, Doors, Doorway, Fish, Fish-gate, Gate, Hassenaah, Hassena'ah, Hung, Laid, Locks, Rebuilt, Rods, Senaah, Sons, Thereof, Walled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Nehemiah 3:3

     5323   gate

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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