Nehemiah 3:8
What does Nehemiah 3:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 3:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 3:8 means
Uzziel, a goldsmith, and Hananiah, a perfumer, join the labor, strengthening Jerusalem up to the broad wall. These were artisans of refined trades, yet they put their hands to heavy repair work. Their participation says the task was not beneath anyone’s station; the city’s welfare required everyone’s effort. The mention of the “broad wall” may indicate a notably thick or extensive stretch—an urban landmark calling for robust reinforcement. By noting professions, the verse honors vocational diversity in service to a common good. Sacred and secular, skilled and manual, all converge to fortify the place where God’s people live and worship.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths. And next unto him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers, and they fortified Jerusalem even unto the broad wall.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, goldsmiths. And next unto him repaired Hananiah one of the perfumers, and they fortified Jerusalem even unto the broad wall.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Near them was working Uzziel, the son of Harhaiah, the gold-worker. And by him was Hananiah, one of the perfume-makers, building up Jerusalem as far as the wide wall.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862By his hand hath Uzziel son of Harhaiah of the refiners strengthened; and by his hand hath Hananiah son of <FI>one of<Fi> the compounders strengthened; and they leave Jerusalem unto the broad wall.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And next to him built Eziel the son of Araia the goldsmith: and next to him built Ananias the son of the perfumer: and they left Jerusalem unto the wall of the broad street.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Next to them repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths; and next to him repaired Hananiah of the perfumers, and they left Jerusalem [in its state] as far as the broad wall.
Context
The account continues to sweep across the wall, now spotlighting tradesmen from luxury and craft industries. Positioning them “next unto him” maintains the theme of continuity, while “even unto the broad wall” offers a geographic marker along the route. Soon, civic rulers within Jerusalem will be named, showing both professional guilds and administrative leaders at work. The narrative rhythm persists: diverse contributors, adjacent sections, and carefully described progress.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 46:6
Such as lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, they hire a goldsmith, and he maketh it a god; they fall down, yea, they worship.
- Genesis 50:2
And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father: and the physicians embalmed Israel.
- Ecclesiastes 10:1
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to send forth an evil odor; so doth a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
- Nehemiah 12:38
And the other company of them that gave thanks went to meet them, and I after them, with the half of the people, upon the wall, above the tower of the furnaces, even unto the broad wall,
- Nehemiah 3:31
After him repaired Malchijah one of the goldsmiths unto the house of the Nethinim, and of the merchants, over against the gate of Hammiphkad, and to the ascent of the corner.
- Exodus 30:25
and thou shalt make it a holy anointing oil, a perfume compounded after the art of the perfumer: it shall be a holy anointing oil.
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