John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests , etc.] This was the grandson of Jeshua or Joshua the high priest, his father’s name was Joiakim, ( Nehemiah 12:10), being high priest, and rising first, he set a good example both to the priests and to the people, and served no doubt greatly to animate and encourage them: and they built the sheep gate ; so called, because the sheep were led through it to the temple, and near it was the sheep market, where they were sold, and the sheep pool, where the sacrifices were washed; and this being near the temple, and for the service of it, the priests undertook that; not that they laboured with their hands at it, though it is possible some of them might; but they were at the expense of it, employed labourers, and paid them, and directed them, and had the oversight of them: this gate was to the south of the city; and Rauwolff says, it was still standing by Moriah, the mountain of the temple, which the Turks have taken to themselves, and built on it a Turkish mosque or temple. Near the gate you see still, he says, the sheep pond, which is large and deep, wherein the Nethinims used to wash the beasts, and then gave them to the priests; it is said to lead to the mount of Olives, to Bethany, to Jericho, the desert, and all the east country to Jordan: they sanctified it ; this being for sacred use, and they sacred persons; and this the first part of the building, they prayed for a blessing on it, and in it on the whole work undertaken, of which this was the firstfruits: and set up the doors of it ; and so finished it: even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel ; so far they built, and what they built they sanctified. The tower of Meah, or a “hundred”, as the word signifies, might be so called, either because it was one hundred cubits from the sheep gate on one side, and as many from the tower of Hananeel on the other side, standing between both; or because it was one hundred cubits high: these two towers, perhaps, were firm and strong, and needed no repair, since no mention is made of any; though they seem to me to be one and the same tower; (see Jeremiah 31:38 Zechariah 14:10).
Matthew Henry Commentary
- The rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.
--The work was divided, so that every one might know what he had to do and mind it, with a desire to excel; yet without contention, or separate interests. No strife appears among them, but which should d most for the public good. Every Israelite should lend a hand toward the building up of Jerusalem. Let not nobles think any thing below them, by which they may advance the good of their country. Even some female helped forward the work. Some repaired over against their houses, an one repaired over against his chamber. When a general good work is to be done, each should apply himself to that part which is within his reach. If every one will sweep before his own door, the street will be clean; if every one will mend one, we shall all be mended. Some tha had first done helped their fellows. The walls of Jerusalem, in heap of rubbish, represent the desperate state of the world around, whil the number and malice of those who hindered the building, give some faint idea of the enemies we have to contend with, while executing the work of God. Every one must begin at home; for it is by getting the work of God advanced in our own souls that we shall best contribute to the good of the church of Christ. May the Lord thus stir up the heart of his people, to lay aside their petty disputes, and to disregar their worldly interests, compared with building the walls of Jerusalem and defending the cause of truth and godliness against the assaults of avowed enemies _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ויקם6965 אלישׁיב475 הכהן3548 הגדול1419 ואחיו251 הכהנים3548 ויבנו1129 את853 שׁער8179 הצאן6629 המה1992 קדשׁוהו6942 ויעמידו5975 דלתתיו1817 ועד5704 מגדל4026 המאה3968 קדשׁוהו6942 עד5704 מגדל4026 חננאל׃2606
