Annotations upon the Holy Bible. Vol. I wherein the sacred text is inserted, and various readings annex'd, together with parallel scriptures, the more difficult terms in each verse are explained, seeming contradictions reconciled, questions and doubts resolved, and the whole text opened / by the late reverend and learned divine Mr. Matthew Poole.

CHAP. III.

1 THen * 1.1 Eliashib the high priest a 1.2 rose up b 1.3 with his brethren the priests, and they built the sheep▪gate c 1.4, they sanctified it d 1.5, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah e 1.6 they sanctified it, unto the tower of * 1.7 Hananeel.

2 And † 1.8 next unto him built the men of Jericho f 1.9: and next to them built Zaccur the son of Imri.

3 But the * 1.10 fish-gate g 1.11 did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars there∣of h 1.12.

4 And next unto them repaired i 1.13 Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz: and next unto them re∣paired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Me∣shezabeel: and next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.

5 And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their neck k 1.14 to * 1.15 the work of their Lord l 1.16.

6 Moreover the old gate repaired Jehojada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodejah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

7 And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibe∣onite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibe∣an, and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governour on this side the river l 1.17.

8 Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Har∣hajah, of the goldsmiths; next unto him also repaired Hananiah, the son of one of the apothecaries, and they ‖ 1.18 fortified m 1.19 Jerusalem unto the broad wall.

9 And next unto them repaired Rephajah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem n 1.20.

10 And next unto them repaired Jedajah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house o 1.21: and next un∣to him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.

11 Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahath-moab, repaired the † 1.22 other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.

12 And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Hallohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem p 1.23, he and his daughters q 1.24.

13 * 1.25 The valley-gate repaired Hanun, and the in∣habitants of Zanoah, they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto * 1.26 the dung-gate.

14 But the dung-gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Beth-haccerem r 1.27: he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

15 But * 1.28 the gate of the fountain repaired Shallum the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah, he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of * 1.29 † 1.30 Siloah s 1.31 by the kings garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.

16 After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Beth-zur unto the place over against the sepulchres of David t 1.32, and to the * 1.33 pool that was made u 1.34, and unto the house of the mighty x 1.35.

17 After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani: next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.

18 After him repaired Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.

19 And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Je∣shus, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armory y 1.36 at the turning of the wall z 1.37.

20 After him Baruch the son of ‖ 1.38 Zabbai, earnestly repaired a 1.39 the other piece, from the turning of the wall b 1.40, unto the door of the house c 1.41 of Eliashib the high priest.

21 After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz, another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib, even to the end of the house of Elia∣shib d 1.42.

22 After him repaired the priests, the men of the plain e 1.43.

23 After him repaired Benjamin, and Hashub, over against their house: after him repaired Azariah the son of Maasejah, the son of Ananiah by his house.

24 After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad, another piece, from the house of Azariah, unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner.

25 Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall f 1.44, and the tower g 1.45 which lieth out from the kings high house h 1.46, that was by the * 1.47 court of the prison i 1.48: after him, Pedajah the son of Parosh.

26 Moreover the Nethinims dwell in * 1.49 ‖ 1.50 Ophel k 1.51, unto the place over against * 1.52 the water-gate l 1.53 toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.

27 After them the Tekoites m 1.54 repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.

28 From above * 1.55 the horse-gate n 1.56 repaired the priests, every one over against his house.

29 After them repaired Zadock the son of Immer, over against his house: after him repaired also Shema∣jah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east∣gate o 1.57.

30 After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shele∣miah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece: after him repaired Meshullam the son of Bere∣chiah, over against his chamber p 1.58.

31 After him repaired Malchiah, the gold-smiths son, unto the place of the Nethinims▪ and of the mer∣chants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the ‖ 1.59 go∣ing up of the corner.

32 And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep-gate, repaired the goldsmiths and the mer∣chants.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ch. 12. 10.
• a 1.2

  Grand-child of Ioshua the first High-Priest after their return from Babylon.
• b 1.3

  Began the work.
• c 1.4

  which was next to the Tem∣ple, so called, either from the Sheep-Market, or the Sheep-pool of Bethesda, Ioh. 5. 2. where the Sheep were washed, and then brought to the Temple to be sacrificed.
• d 1.5

  Or, they prepared or re∣paired it: for so the word somtimes signifies. But our translation seems best, both because that use of the word is most common, and because this is spoken only of this gate, which being built by the Priests, and nighest to the Temple, and with a special Eye to the service of the Temple, for which both Men and Things were most commonly brought in this way, and being also the first part of the building, might be in a peculiar manner sanctified by solemn Prayer and Sacrifice, whereby it was dedicated to Gods Service, and this either 1 As it was considered in itself, or with respect to the rest of the building, of which this was the beginning, and in a manner the first-fruits, and therefore in the sanctification of it the whole lump and building was sanctified. And seeing the whole City is oft called the holy City, it is not strange if the Walls and Gates of it be also holy, and said to be sanctified, and especially this Gate. Compare Deut. 20. 5.
• e 1.6

  Or, of an hundred, so called, ei∣ther because it was an hundred Cubits high, or so far distant from the Sheep-Gate.
• * 1.7

  Jer. 31. 38.
• † 1.8

  Heb. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 band.
• f 1.9

  The Posterity of the ancient Inhabitants of Iericho. See Ezra 2 34.
• * 1.10

  2 Chr. 33. 1•…•…▪ Zeph. 1. 1•…•…▪
• g 1.11

  Of which mention is made 2 Chr. 33. 14. Neh. 12. 39. Zeph. 1. 10. so called, either from the Fish-market which was near it: or because the Fish was brought in by it from the Sea, Neh. 13. 16. this Gate being North-Westward from Ierusalem.
• h 1.12

  This is either here related by anticipation, the whole work▪being here menti∣oned together, though this part was not done till afterwards, ch. 6. 1. & 7. 1. Or this was done to some of the Gates, but not to all; and therefore this is said to be done more compleatly and univer∣sally afterwards.
• i 1.13

  To wit, the demolished or decayed Wall, there being no gate in this part. And so in the rest which follow.
• k 1.14

  i. e. Did not submit to it, would not further it, either through Pride, or sloth, and carelesness, or covetousness, or secret com∣pliance with the Enemies of the Jews.
• * 1.15

  Judg. •…•…. •…•…3▪
• l 1.16

  Either 1. Of Nehemiah, who was their Lord and Governour, and had given a general com∣mand for the carrying on of this work. Or 2. Of God, whom they owned for their Lord, whose work this was, partly because it had proceeded thus far by Gods singular Providence and Blessing: and partly because it was done for the defence of the City, and People, and Temple of God. And therefore they are branded to all posterity for the neglect of so great and pious a work.
• l 1.17

  i. e. Unto the place where the Governour of the Country on this side Euphrates, for and under the Persian Kings, somtimes had a Palace or Throne to which all Persons living in the adjacent parts, were to resort for judgment.
• ‖ 1.18

  〈…〉〈…〉
• m 1.19

  It is not said, they repaired, as was said of the rest, but they fortified it, either because this part of the Wall was less demolished than the other, and therefore they needed not to repair it, but one ly to make it stronger by some additions: or to note their extra∣ordinary care and diligence, that they would not onely repair it, and restore it to its former state, but make it stronger than ever it was; which also might be fit to be done in that part of the City. Others render it, they left, as this word commonly signifies: and so the meaning is, They omitted the building of that part of the Wall, because it remained standing; this being that space of 400 cubits which was pulled down by Ioash King of Israel, and rebuilt by Uzziah, who made it so strong, that the Chaldeans could not pull it down without more trouble than they thought fit to imploy about it. But this Chapter gives us an account of what they did in the Building, not of what they did not, but left as they found it.
• n 1.20

  As Rome was anciently divided into several quarters or Regi∣ons, so was Ierusalem, and especially this was divided into two parts, whereof one was in the Tribe of Benjamin, and nearest to the Temple, the other in the Tribe of Judah, and more remote from it: which accordingly had two several Rulers, this man and the other, v. 12. but both under the chief Governour of the City.
• o 1.21

  That part of the Wall which was next to him, which his own Interest obliged him to do with care.
• † 1.22

  〈…〉〈…〉
• p 1.23

  i. e. Of the other half, &c. see on v. 9.
• q 1.24

  Who were either Heiresses, or rich Widows, and caused part to be done at their charges.
• * 1.25

  Ch. 2. 13.
• * 1.26

  Ch. 2. 13.
• r 1.27

  A Town or Territory, the Government whereof was divided between two persons.
• * 1.28

  〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ 2. 14.
• * 1.29

  〈…〉〈…〉
• † 1.30

  〈…〉〈…〉
• s 1.31

  That part of the Wall which was directly against that Pool.
• t 1.32

  i. e. The place which David appointed for his own Sepulchre, and the Sepulchres of his Successors the Kings of Israel and Iudah.
• * 1.33

  〈◊〉〈◊〉▪ •…•…0. 20.
• u 1.34

  To wit, by Hezekiah, 2 King. 20. 20. Whereby it is distinguish∣ed from that Pool which was natural.
• x 1.35

  Or, of the valiant: which possibly was formerly appointed for the receipt of those chief Cap∣tains that should attend upon the King in their courses, or of some other valiant Commanders who should upon occasion resort to Ie∣rusalem.
• y 1.36

  Either to the house of the forrest of Lebanon, which was their Armory from Solomons days, Isa. 22. 8. or to some other place, which either before or since that time had been used as another and less Armory for common occasions.
• z 1.37

  Or, as the corner: or, which is in the corner.
• ‖ 1.38

  Or, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• a 1.39

  Did his work with eminent diligence and fervency: which is here noted to his commendation.
• b 1.40

  Or, from the corner, as v. 19.
• c 1.41

  Unto that part of the Wall which was over against or next to this door.
• d 1.42

  Therefore the door was not in the middle of the House, as now they commonly are, but at one end of it.
• e 1.43

  Either of the plairs of Iordan; or of the plain country round about Ierusalem, as it is called, ch. 12. 28. And they are thus called, be∣cause they, or their Parents either were born, or now did, or formerly had dwelt in those parts; whence they came to Ierusalem, when the service of the Temple required it.
• f 1.44

  In a part of the Wall, which jutted out as the tower here fol∣lowing did, and therefore was opposite to, or over against that turning.
• g 1.45

  Or, even the tower.
• h 1.46

  Either from the Royal Palace: or from some other smaller House which the King formerly built there either for prospect or for defence.
• * 1.47

  Jer. 32. 2. & 33. 1. & 37. 21.
• i 1.48

  A place oft mention∣ed: of which see Ier. 32. 2. & 38. 7, 13.
• * 1.49

  2 Chr. 27. 3.
• ‖ 1.50

  Or, the tower.
• k 1.51

  Or, who dwelt in Ophel: for this seems to be onely a description of the persons, whose work follows.
• * 1.52

  Ch. 8. 3. & 12. 37.
• l 1.53

  So called, because by that Gate Water was brought in, either by the People for the use of that part of the City, or rather by these Nethinims, who were Gibeonites, for the uses of the Temple, for which they were drawers of Water, Jos. 9. 21.
• m 1.54

  The same spoken of before, v. 5. who having dispatched their first share sooner than their Brethren had done theirs, freely of∣fered their help to supply the defects of others, who, as it seems, neglected that part of the work which had been committed to them. And this their double diligence is noted both for the greater shame of their Nobles, who would not do any part of it, v. 5. and for their own greater honour who were so far from being corrupted by the bad Example of their Nobles, that they were rather quickened and enflamed to greater Zeal and Industry in this publick and pi∣ous work.
• * 1.55

  2 Kin. 11. 16. Jer. 31. 40.
• n 1.56

  Not that belonging to the Kings Palace, 2 Chr. 23. 15. but one of the Gates of the City so called, either because nigh unto that were many Stables for Horses: or because the Horses com∣monly went out that way to their watering place.
• o 1.57

  To wit, of the City, or of the Temple: which being the chief Gate, was committed to his particular Care and Custody.
• p 1.58

  Or, chambers, the singular number for the plural.
• ‖ 1.59

  Or, corner chamber.