Nehemiah 3:9
What does Nehemiah 3:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 3:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 3:9 means
Rephaiah, a ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, takes his turn at the wall. His presence shows civic leaders were not simply directing from a distance; they personally shouldered the labor. Administrative authority did not excuse anyone from common responsibility. By naming him, the text affirms honorable leadership—officials who stand with their people in the same dust and strain. Such participation would encourage morale and demonstrate that the project united all classes for the shared aim of securing their city and renewing their life together under God’s favor.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Near them was working Rephaiah, the son of Hur, the ruler of half Jerusalem.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And by their hand hath Rephaiah son of Hur, head of the half of the district of Jerusalem, strengthened.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And next to him built Raphaia the son of Hur, lord of the street of Jerusalem.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And next to them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
Context
Immediately after craftsmen, the narrative names a local ruler, signaling that the rebuilding crosses vocational and social lines. This helps balance earlier notes that some nobles held back (verse 5). The list will continue alternating between households, rulers, and specific gates. The steady march around the wall is maintained, with each entry carefully placed to show adjacency, creating an unbroken chain of effort that binds the city’s fabric together.
v.8Next 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.
v.9This passage
v.10And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabneiah.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nehemiah 3:17
After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of half the district of Keilah, for his district.
- Nehemiah 3:12
And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
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