Nehemiah 3:1
What does Nehemiah 3:1 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 3:1 means
Eliashib the high priest leads by example, rising with his fellow priests to rebuild the sheep gate. Beginning at a gate associated with sacrificial animals, the work starts where worship centers, reminding us that restoration is first unto God. They not only build but sanctify it—setting it apart for holy use—showing that even practical labor is offered to the Lord. They complete the span to the tower of Hammeah and the tower of Hananel, marking significant northern fortifications. The priests’ initiative sets the tone: leadership, consecration, careful attention to strategic points, and a clear start to a coordinated project that will secure Jerusalem’s worshiping community and everyday life.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Hammeah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananel.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Hammeah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananel.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Then Eliashib, the chief priest, got up with his brothers the priests, and took in hand the building of the sheep doorway; they made it holy and put its doors in position; as far as the tower of Hammeah they made it holy, even to the tower of Hananel.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And Eliashib the high priest riseth, and his brethren the priests, and they build the sheep-gate; they have sanctified it, and set up its doors, even unto the tower of Meah they have sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then Eliasib the high priest arose, and his brethren the priests, and they built the flock gate: they sanctified it, and set up the doors thereof, even unto the tower of a hundred cubits they sanctified it unto the tower of Hananeel.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they built the sheep-gate. They hallowed it, and set up its doors; and they hallowed it even to the tower of Meah, to the tower of Hananeel.
Context
This verse opens the chapter’s careful register of workers and sections. The list begins near the temple area at the sheep gate and will trace the circuit of Jerusalem’s walls gate by gate, section by section. The spiritual leadership of the priests at the outset frames everything that follows, as varied groups—civic leaders, craftsmen, families—take their assigned portions. What comes next is a cascade of “next to them” statements that knit the whole city’s effort into one unified repair around the perimeter.
v.1This passage
v.2And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 3:9
Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thine increase:
- Deuteronomy 20:5
And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.
- Nehemiah 12:39
and above the gate of Ephraim, and by the old gate, and by the fish gate, and the tower of Hananel, and the tower of Hammeah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the gate of the guard.
- Nehemiah 3:20
After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired another portion, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
- Jeremiah 31:38
Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that the city shall be built to Jehovah from the tower of Hananel unto the gate of the corner.
- Psalms 30:1
I will extol thee, O Jehovah; for thou hast raised me up, And hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
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