Nehemiah 3:5
What does Nehemiah 3:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 3:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 3:5 means
The Tekoites step up to repair, yet a sobering note is added: their nobles would not bend their necks to the work of their lord. The people of Tekoa are commended, but their leaders’ reluctance is honestly recorded. Leadership should model humility and service, but here it fails. Still, the work advances because ordinary laborers do not wait for perfect conditions or unanimous enthusiasm. The phrase “their lord” likely points to the governing authority overseeing the project, underscoring that this rebuilding is not a private enterprise but a sanctioned, communal duty that carries accountability before God and man.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their lord.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their lord.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Near them, the Tekoites were at work; but their chiefs did not put their necks to the work of their Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and by his hand have the Tekoites strengthened, and their honourable ones have not brought in their neck to the service of their Lord.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And next to them the Thecuites built: but their great men did not put their necks to the work of their Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And next to them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.
Context
This entry punctuates the otherwise upbeat procession of workers with a realistic admission: some resisted. Placing it here heightens the contrast with the many cooperative teams just mentioned. The narrative will soon show the Tekoites’ zeal again in verse 27, balancing this critique by honoring their continued effort. Meanwhile, the list keeps moving, returning to gate work and additional crews, reinforcing that reluctance from a few did not derail the broader, unified endeavor.
v.4And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
v.5This passage
v.6And the old gate repaired Joiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Judges 5:23
Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of Jehovah. Curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, Because they came not to the help of Jehovah, To the help of Jehovah against the mighty.
- 1 Timothy 6:17
Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
- Matthew 11:29
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
- Jeremiah 27:12
And I spake to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.
- Jeremiah 27:2
Thus saith Jehovah to me: Make thee bonds and bars, and put them upon thy neck;
- Jeremiah 27:8
And it shall come to pass, that the nation and the kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith Jehovah, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.
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