וַיָּקָם אֶלְיָשִׁיב הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל וְאֶחָיו הַכֹּהֲנִים וַיִּבְנוּ אֶת־שַׁעַר הַצֹּאן הֵמָּה קִדְּשׁוּהוּ וַיַּעֲמִידוּ דַּלְתֹתָיו וְעַד־מִגְדַּל הַמֵּאָה קִדְּשׁוּהוּ עַד מִגְדַּל חֲנַנְאֵל

Elyashiv the High Priest rose with his brethren the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate, which was probably called by this name because sheep were brought to the Temple through this gate. They consecrated it, prepared the gate, and appended it to the holy city, and set up its doors, and consecrated it, the wall, up to the Tower of the Hundred,nd they continued to build and sanctify it up to the Tower of Hananel. The priests accepted upon themselves the construction of that section of the wall.

וְעַל־יָדוֹ בָנוּ אַנְשֵׁי יְרֵחוֹ וְעַל־יָדוֹ בָנָה זַכּוּר בֶּן־אִמְרִי

Next to him, near the section of the wall that was constructed by Elyashiv and his brethren the priests, the men of Jericho built part of the wall. Next to him, Elyashiv and his colleagues, Zakur son of Imri, probably a member of an important family, also built.

וְאֵת שַׁעַר הַדָּגִים בָּנוּ בְּנֵי הַסְּנָאָה הֵמָּה קֵרוּהוּ וַיַּעֲמִידוּ דַלְתֹתָיו מַנְעוּלָיו וּבְרִיחָיו

The sons of Hasenaa, a family from the tribe of Benjamin, built the Fish Gate; they roofed it, and set up its doors, its locks, and its bars. The construction of the gate was more complex than building a simple wall, and it therefore required more effort and craftsmanship.

וְעַל־יָדָם הֶחֱזִיק מְרֵמוֹת בֶּן־אוּרִיָּה בֶּן־הַקּוֹץ וְעַל־יָדָם הֶחֱזִיק מְשֻׁלָּם בֶּן־בֶּרֶכְיָה בֶּן־מְשֵׁיזַבְאֵל וְעַל־יָדָם הֶחֱזִיק צָדוֹק בֶּן־בַּעֲנָא

Next to them, Meremot, son of Uriya, son of Hakotz made repairs on the adjacent section of the wall. Next to them, Meshulam, son of Berekhya, son of Meshezavel made repairs. Next to them, Tzadok son of Baana made repairs.

וְעַל־יָדָם הֶחֱזִיקוּ הַתְּקוֹעִים וְאַדִּירֵיהֶם לֹא־הֵבִיאוּ צַוָּרָם בַּעֲבֹדַת אֲדֹנֵיהֶם

Next to them, the Tekoites made repairs; the ordinary inhabitants of Tekoa, which was an active, patriotic city, joined in the building work, but their nobles and wealthy individuals [addireihem] did not put their necks into the work of their lord. They did not participate in the labor. Some explain that the verse is praising these people: The owners of great flocks [addarim] did not place the necks of their young shepherds in the yoke of their usual labor with the sheep, but rather they allowed them to help in the construction of the walls.

וְאֵת שַׁעַר הַיְשָׁנָה הֶחֱזִיקוּ יוֹיָדָע בֶּן־פָּסֵחַ וּמְשֻׁלָּם בֶּן־בְּסוֹדְיָה הֵמָּה קֵרוּהוּ וַיַּעֲמִידוּ דַּלְתֹתָיו וּמַנְעֻלָיו וּבְרִיחָיו

The Old Gate,Yoyada son of Pase’ah and Meshulam son of Besodeya repaired; they roofed it, and set up its doors, its locks, and its bars.

וְעַל־יָדָם הֶחֱזִיק מְלַטְיָה הַגִּבְעֹנִי וְיָדוֹן הַמֵּרֹנֹתִי אַנְשֵׁי גִבְעוֹן וְהַמִּצְפָּה לְכִסֵּא פַּחַת עֵבֶר הַנָּהָר

Next to them, Melatya the Givonite and Yadon the Meronotite, who were the men of Givon and of the Mitzpa, made repairs. They declared that their share of the construction was for the honor of the seat of the governor of Ever HaNahar, possibly because he provided them with support. Perhaps they set aside a place for the governor’s throne in that location for when he came to Jerusalem. Although the Givonites were presumably members of the group known as Netinim, they apparently did not consider themselves inferior and downtrodden, but as full partners with Israel.

עַל־יָדוֹ הֶחֱזִיק עֻזִּיאֵל בֶּן־חַרְהֲיָה צוֹרְפִים וְעַל־יָדוֹ הֶחֱזִיק חֲנַנְיָה בֶּן־הָרַקָּחִים וַיַּעַזְבוּ יְרוּשָׁלִַם עַד הַחוֹמָה הָרְחָבָה

Next to him, them, Uziel son of Harhaya, both of whom were the smiths, made repairs. Next to him, Hananya, one of the perfumers, made repairs. They restored, or built a sealed layer, in Jerusalem up to the Broad Wall.

וְעַל־יָדָם הֶחֱזִיק רְפָיָה בֶן־חוּר שַׂר חֲצִי פֶּלֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָם

Next to them, Refaya son of Hur, who was ruler of half the district, province, of Jerusalem, made repairs. He had limited responsibilities, as the population of the city was not large.

וְעַל־יָדָם הֶחֱזִיק יְדָיָה בֶן־חֲרוּמַף וְנֶגֶד בֵּיתוֹ וְעַל־יָדוֹ הֶחֱזִיק חַטּוּשׁ בֶּן־חֲשַׁבְנְיָה

Next to them, Yedaya son of Harumaf, a personal name, or a nickname meaning one whose nose [af] is sunken. He made repairs in the area opposite his house. Next to him, Hatush son of Hashavneya made repairs.

מִדָּה שֵׁנִית הֶחֱזִיק מַלְכִּיָּה בֶן־חָרִם וְחַשּׁוּב בֶּן־פַּחַת מוֹאָב וְאֵת מִגְדַּל הַתַּנּוּרִים

Malkiya son of Harim and Hashuv son of Pahat Moav repaired a second section of the wall, or a portion identical in size to the previous one, and they also built the Tower of the Ovens.This is the name of a tower in the city, which was probably at the edge of the section of the wall that they built.

וְעַל־יָדוֹ הֶחֱזִיק שַׁלּוּם בֶּן־הַלּוֹחֵשׁ שַׂר חֲצִי פֶּלֶךְ יְרוּשָׁלִָם הוּא וּבְנוֹתָיו

Next to it, Shalum son of Halohesh, who was ruler of the other half of the district of Jerusalem, made repairs, he and his daughters, perhaps because he had no sons. Presumably these daughters did not build the walls with their own hands. It is more likely that they were noble and wealthy women who helped by donating funds to the cause, as well as sending members of their families to assist in the labor.

אֵת שַׁעַר הַגַּיְא הֶחֱזִיק חָנוּן וְיֹשְׁבֵי זָנוֹחַ הֵמָּה בָנוּהוּ וַיַּעֲמִידוּ דַּלְתֹתָיו מַנְעֻלָיו וּבְרִיחָיו ואֶלֶף אַמָּה בַּחוֹמָה עַד שַׁעַר הָשְׁפוֹת

The Valley Gate, Hanun and the inhabitants of Zano’ah repaired; they built it, and set up its doors, its locks, and its bars, and in addition to the construction of the gate, they agreed to build one thousand cubits of the wall until the Dung Gate (see commentary on 2:13).

וְאֵת שַׁעַר הָאַשְׁפּוֹת הֶחֱזִיק מַלְכִּיָּה בֶן־רֵכָב שַׂר פֶּלֶךְ בֵּית־הַכָּרֶם הוּא יִבְנֶנּוּ וְיַעֲמִיד דַּלְתֹתָיו מַנְעֻלָיו וּבְרִיחָיו

The Dung Gate itself, Malkiya son of Rekhav, ruler of the district of Beit HaKerem repaired; he built it, and set up its doors, its locks, and its bars.

וְאֵת שַׁעַר הָעַיִן הֶחֱזִיק שַׁלּוּן בֶּן־כָּל־חֹזֶה שַׂר פֶּלֶךְ הַמִּצְפָּה הוּא יִבְנֶנּוּ וִיטַלְלֶנּוּ וְיַעֲמִיד דַּלְתֹתָיו מַנְעֻלָיו וּבְרִיחָיו וְאֵת חוֹמַת בְּרֵכַת הַשֶּׁלַח לְגַן־הַמֶּלֶךְ וְעַד־הַמַּעֲלוֹת הַיּוֹרְדוֹת מֵעִיר דָּוִיד

The Gate of the Spring, Shalun son of Kol Hozeh, a personal name, or a nickname meaning one who sees [ḥozeh] all [kol], or perhaps one who has great insight, ruler of the district of the Mitzpa, repaired; he built it, and covered it with a roof, and set up its doors, its locks, and its bars, and he also built the wall of the pool of the Shela, to the king’s garden, until the stairs that descend from the City of David.

אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיק נְחֶמְיָה בֶן־עַזְבּוּק שַׂר חֲצִי פֶּלֶךְ בֵּית־צוּר עַד־נֶגֶד קִבְרֵי דָוִיד ועַד הַבְּרֵכָה הָעֲשׂוּיָה וְעַד בֵּית הַגִּבֹּרִים

After him, Nehemiah son of Azbuk, ruler of half the district of Beit Tzur, made repairs, up to opposite the graves of David and further on from there, or on a different side, up to the artificial pool, and up to the House of the Mighty.

אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיקוּ הַלְוִיִּם רְחוּם בֶּן־בָּנִי עַל־יָדוֹ הֶחֱזִיק חֲשַׁבְיָה שַׂר־חֲצִי־פֶלֶךְ קְעִילָה לְפִלְכּוֹ

After him, of the Levites, Rehum son of Bani, made repairs. Next to him, Hashavya, ruler of half the district of Ke’ila, made repairs for, on behalf of, his district.

אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיקוּ אֲחֵיהֶם בַּוַּי בֶּן־חֵנָדָד שַׂר חֲצִי פֶּלֶךְ קְעִילָה

After him, their brethren, Bavai son of Henadad, ruler of the other half of the district of Ke’ila, made repairs.

וַיְחַזֵּק עַל־יָדוֹ עֵזֶר בֶּן־יֵשׁוּעַ שַׂר הַמִּצְפָּה מִדָּה שֵׁנִית מִנֶּגֶד עֲלֹת הַנֶּשֶׁק הַמִּקְצֹעַ

Next to him, Ezer son of Yeshua, ruler of the Mitzpa, repaired another section. Ezer initially participated in the construction of one length of the wall, and when he finished his section he volunteered to build another part that was opposite the ascent to the armory, perhaps a structure where weapons were placed, which was located at the angle, near the corner of the wall.

אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱרָה הֶחֱזִיק בָּרוּךְ בֶּן־זַכַּי מִדָּה שֵׁנִית מִן־הַמִּקְצוֹעַ עַד־פֶּתַח בֵּית אֶלְיָשִׁיב הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל

After him, Barukh son of Zakai repaired another portion with alacrity, from the angle, the corner, to the door of the house of Elyashiv the High Priest.

אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיק מְרֵמוֹת בֶּן־אוּרִיָּה בֶּן־הַקּוֹץ מִדָּה שֵׁנִית מִפֶּתַח בֵּית אֶלְיָשִׁיב וְעַד־תַּכְלִית בֵּית אֶלְיָשִׁיב

After him, Meremot, son of Uriya, son of Hakotz repaired another section, from the door of the house of Elyashiv until the end of the house of Elyashiv. This house of the High Priest was a large structure that was probably situated adjacent to the wall. Meremot built the section of the wall that ran parallel to this house.

וְאַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיקוּ הַכֹּהֲנִים אַנְשֵׁי הַכִּכָּר

After him, the priests, men of the plain surrounding Jerusalem (see 12:28), made repairs.

אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיק בִּנְיָמִן וְחַשּׁוּב נֶגֶד בֵּיתָם אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיק עֲזַרְיָה בֶן־מַעֲשֵׂיָה בֶּן־עֲנָנְיָה אֵצֶל בֵּיתוֹ

After him, Benjamin and Hashuv made repairs opposite their house. After him, Azarya, son of Maaseya, son of Ananya made repairs near his house. These men owned houses in Jerusalem, and they undertook to build the sections of the wall near their homes.

אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיק בִּנּוּי בֶּן־חֵנָדָד מִדָּה שֵׁנִית מִבֵּית עֲזַרְיָה עַד־הַמִּקְצוֹעַ וְעַד־הַפִּנָּה

After him, Binui son of Henadad repaired another section, from the house of Azarya until the angle, the edge of the wall, until the corner tower.

פָּלָל בֶּן־אוּזַי מִנֶּגֶד הַמִּקְצוֹעַ וְהַמִּגְדָּל הַיּוֹצֵא מִבֵּית הַמֶּלֶךְ הָעֶלְיוֹן אֲשֶׁר לַחֲצַר הַמַּטָּרָה אַחֲרָיו פְּדָיָה בֶן־ פַּרְעֹשׁ

Palal son of Uzai was working from opposite the angle, and the tower that emerges from the upper house of the king, which is near, or part of, the courtyard of internment, which served as a detention center within the king’s house. It seems that they built the wall opposite this tower, which had not been destroyed. After him was Pedaya son of Parosh.

וְהַנְּתִינִים הָיוּ יֹשְׁבִים בָּעֹפֶל עַד נֶגֶד שַׁעַר הַמַּיִם לַמִּזְרָח וְהַמִּגְדָּל הַיּוֹצֵא

The Netinim were living in the Ofel, a raised area or building, and they too helped in constructing the wall in their area; they were building up to opposite the Water Gate to the east, and the tower that extends outward.

אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיקוּ הַתְּקֹעִים מִדָּה שֵׁנִית מִנֶּגֶד הַמִּגְדָּל הַגָּדוֹל הַיּוֹצֵא וְעַד חוֹמַת הָעֹפֶל

After him, the Tekoites, who had already volunteered for and completed one undertaking, as stated above (3:5), accepted upon themselves a further task and repaired another section, from opposite the great tower that extends outward, up to the wall of the Ofel.

מֵעַל שַׁעַר הַסּוּסִים הֶחֱזִיקוּ הַכֹּהֲנִים אִישׁ לְנֶגֶד בֵּיתוֹ

Above the Horses’ Gate the priests made repairs, each opposite his house. The priests agreed to build the section of the wall that was opposite their houses.

אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיק צָדוֹק בֶּן־אִמֵּר נֶגֶד בֵּיתוֹ וְאַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיק שְׁמַעְיָה בֶן־שְׁכַנְיָה שֹׁמֵר שַׁעַר הַמִּזְרָח

After him, Tzadok son of Imer made repairs opposite his house. After him, Shemaya son of Shekhanya, keeper of the East Gate, made repairs.

אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיק חֲנַנְיָה בֶן־שֶׁלֶמְיָה וְחָנוּן בֶּן־צָלָף הַשִּׁשִּׁי מִדָּה שֵׁנִי אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיק מְשֻׁלָּם בֶּן־בֶּרֶכְיָה נֶגֶד נִשְׁכָּתוֹ

After him, Hananya son of Shelemya, and Hanun, who was the sixth [hashishi] son of Tzalaf, repaired another section. Some explain that Hanun was an expert craftsman in linen [shesh]. After him, Meshulam son of Berekhya made repairs opposite his chamber, which was on the inside of the wall.

אַחֲרָיו הֶחֱזִיק מַלְכִּיָּה בֶּן־הַצֹּרְפִי עַד־בֵּית הַנְּתִינִים וְהָרֹכְלִים נֶגֶד שַׁעַר הַמִּפְקָד וְעַד עֲלִיַּת הַפִּנָּה

After him, Malkiya, son of the smith, made repairs until the house of the Netinim and the merchants, opposite the Assembly Gate, and to the corner tower.

וּבֵין עֲלִיַּת הַפִּנָּה לְשַׁעַר הַצֹּאן הֶחֱזִיקוּ הַצֹּרְפִים וְהָרֹכְלִים

Between the corner tower and the Sheep Gate (see commentary on 3:1) the smiths and the merchants made repairs. These were professional guilds of sorts, that undertook to perform the labor together.

וַיְהִי כַּאֲשֶׁר שָׁמַע סַנְבַלַּט כִּי־אֲנַחְנוּ בוֹנִים אֶת־הַחוֹמָה וַיִּחַר לוֹ וַיִּכְעַס הַרְבֵּה וַיַּלְעֵג עַל־הַיְּהוּדִים

It was when Sanbalat heard that we were building the wall that he became incensed and was greatly angered, and he mocked the Judeans.

וַיֹּאמֶר לִפְנֵי אֶחָיו וְחֵיל שֹׁמְרוֹן וַיֹּאמֶר מָה הַיְּהוּדִים הָאֲמֵלָלִים עֹשִׂים הֲיַעַזְבוּ לָהֶם הֲיִזְבָּחוּ הַיְכַלּוּ בַיּוֹם הַיְחַיּוּ אֶת־הָאֲבָנִים מֵעֲרֵמוֹת הֶעָפָר וְהֵמָּה שְׂרוּפוֹת

He stated before his brethren and the forces of Samaria, saying: What are these miserable and broken Judeans doing? Will they restore the wall at will? Could they possibly strengthen it? Will they slaughter offerings? When they finish, will they manage to sacrifice anything, as they plan? Will they finish in a day, be able to complete the work on time, when the day arrives? Will they revive the stones from the dust heaps, and, i.e., although, they are burned? Although stones cannot actually be burned, if they are greatly heated they will crack, and thereby be rendered unsuitable for building.

וְטוֹבִיָּה הָעַמֹּנִי אֶצְלוֹ וַיֹּאמֶר גַּם אֲשֶׁר־הֵם בּוֹנִים אִם־יַעֲלֶה שׁוּעָל וּפָרַץ חוֹמַת אַבְנֵיהֶם

Toviya the Amonite was standing near him, Sanbalat, perhaps serving as one of his deputies, and said: Even that which they are building, what kind of a wall would it be? If a fox were to go up, he would breach the wall of their stones. Even a mere fox could breach it and knock it down.

שְׁמַע אֱלֹהֵינוּ כִּי־הָיִינוּ בוּזָה וְהָשֵׁב חֶרְפָּתָם אֶל־רֹאשָׁם וּתְנֵם לְבִזָּה בְּאֶרֶץ שִׁבְיָה

Upon hearing their statements, Nehemiah turned to God in prayer: Hear, our God, for we have become an object of scorn, and return their disgrace on their head, and give them up as loot in a land of captivity, as those men deserve to be exiled from their homes, as captives.

וְאַל־תְּכַס עַל־עֲוֹנָם וְחַטָּאתָם מִלְּפָנֶיךָ אַל־תִּמָּחֶה כִּי הִכְעִיסוּ לְנֶגֶד הַבּוֹנִים

Do not cover over their iniquity, and let their sin not be expunged from before You. Remember their sins and punish them accordingly when the time comes, for they have angered You against, in the presence of, the builders.

וַנִּבְנֶה אֶת־הַחוֹמָה וַתִּקָּשֵׁר כָּל־הַחוֹמָה עַד־חֶצְיָהּ וַיְהִי לֵב לָעָם לַעֲשׂוֹת

Nehemiah resumes the narrative: We built the wall further, and all the wall, with its various sections constructed by the different groups of builders, was connected up to half its height, for the people had heart, they were happy and enthusiastic, and they had a mind to work.