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Wednesday, July 16th, 2025
the Week of Proper 10 / Ordinary 15
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Easy-to-Read Version

Nehemiah 3:26

The Temple servants lived on Ophel Hill. They repaired the next section all the way to the east side of the Water Gate and the tower near it.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Jerusalem;   Nethinims;   Ophel;   Thompson Chain Reference - Gates;   Jerusalem;   Nethinim;   Ophel;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Gates;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Ophel;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Siloam, Tower of;   Tombs;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Nehemiah;   Nethinim;   Ophel;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Isaiah, Book of;   Nehemiah;   Nehemiah, Book of;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Ophel ;   The Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary - Nethinims;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Jerusalem;   Ophel;   Smith Bible Dictionary - O'phel;   Pu'rosh;   Siloam, Tower, in;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Ate;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Nethinims;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Nethinim;   Ophel;   Zion;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Aqueducts in Palestine;   Nethinim;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
and the temple servants living on Ophel made repairs opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.
Hebrew Names Version
(Now the temple servants lived in `Ofel, to the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that stands out.)
King James Version
Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.
English Standard Version
and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower.
New Century Version
The Temple servants who lived on the hill of Ophel made repairs as far as a point opposite the Water Gate. They worked toward the east and the tower that extends from the palace.
New English Translation
and the temple servants who were living on Ophel worked up to the area opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the protruding tower.
Amplified Bible
The temple servants were living in Ophel [the hill south of the temple], and they made repairs as far as the front of the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower.
New American Standard Bible
Now the temple servants living in Ophel made repairs as far as the front of the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower.
World English Bible
(Now the Nethinim lived in Ophel, to the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that stands out.)
Geneva Bible (1587)
And the Nethinims they dwelt in ye fortresse vnto the place ouer against the water gate, Eastwarde, and to the tower that lyeth out.
Legacy Standard Bible
The temple servants living in Ophel made repairs as far as the front of the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower.
Berean Standard Bible
and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.
Contemporary English Version
He stopped at a place near the Water Gate on the east and the tower guarding the temple. This was close to a section in the city called Ophel, where the temple workers lived.
Complete Jewish Bible
(since the temple servants were living in the ‘Ofel) as far as opposite the Water Gate to the east and the tower that projects out.
Darby Translation
(Now the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel, even over against the water-gate toward the east, and the tower which lies out.)
George Lamsa Translation
Moreover the Nethanites who dwelt in Phaal repaired as far as the water gate toward the east and the tower that lies at the end.
Lexham English Bible
and the temple servants who were living on Ophel repaired up to opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower.
Literal Translation
And the temple-slaves lived in Ophel, across from the Water Gate toward the east, and the tower that sticks out.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
(As for ye Nethinims they dwelt in Ophel, vnto ye Watergate, towarde the east where ye tower lieth out)
American Standard Version
(Now the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that standeth out.)
Bible in Basic English
(Now the Nethinim were living in the Ophel, as far as the place facing the water doorway to the east, and the tower which comes out.)
Bishop's Bible (1568)
As for the Nethinims they dwelt in the strong hold vnto the water gate toward the east, and to the towre that lyeth out.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Now the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that standeth out.--
King James Version (1611)
Moreouer the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, vnto the place ouer against the water gate, toward the East, and the tower that lieth out.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
And the Nathinim dwelt in Ophal, as far as the garden of the water-gate eastward, and there is the projecting tower.
English Revised Version
(Now the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that standeth out.)
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Forsothe Nathynneis dwelliden in Ophel til ayens the yate of watris at the eest, and the tour that apperide.
Update Bible Version
And those given [to temple service], they were living on Ophel, to the place across from the water gate toward the east, and the tower that stands out.
Webster's Bible Translation
Moreover, the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, to [the place] over against the water-gate towards the east, and the projecting tower.
New King James Version
Moreover the Nethinim who dwelt in Ophel made repairs as far as the place in front of the Water Gate toward the east, and on the projecting tower.
New Living Translation
with the Temple servants living on the hill of Ophel, who repaired the wall as far as a point across from the Water Gate to the east and the projecting tower.
New Life Bible
and the servants of the house of worship living in Ophel did the needed work as far as the front of the Water Gate on the east and the tall tower.
New Revised Standard
and the temple servants living on Ophel made repairs up to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Now, the Nethinim, were dwelling in Ophel, - as far as over against the water-gate, on the east, and the tower that projecteth;
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Nathinites dwelt in Ophel, as far as over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that stood out.
Revised Standard Version
and the temple servants living on Ophel repaired to a point opposite the Water Gate on the east and the projecting tower.
Young's Literal Translation
And the Nethinim have been dwelling in Ophel, unto over-against the water-gate at the east, and the tower that goeth out.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
The temple servants living in Ophel made repairs as far as the front of the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower.

Contextual Overview

1 The name of the high priest was Eliashib. He and his brothers, the priests, went to work and built the Sheep Gate. They prayed to make that gate holy to God. They set its doors in place in the wall. The priests worked on the wall of Jerusalem as far as the Tower of the Hundred and the Tower of Hananel. They prayed to make all this work holy to God. 2 The men from Jericho built the wall next to the priests. And Zaccur son of a man named Imri built the wall next to the men of Jericho. 3 The sons of a man named Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They set the beams in place. They put doors on the building. Then they put the locks and bolts on the doors. 4 Meremoth son of Uriah repaired the next section of the wall. (Uriah was the son of Hakkoz.) Meshullam son of Berekiah repaired the next section of the wall. (Berekiah was the son of Meshezabel.) Zadok son of Baana repaired the next section of the wall. 5 The men from Tekoa repaired the next section of the wall, but the leaders from Tekoa refused to work for Nehemiah their governor. 6 Joiada and Meshullam fixed the Old Gate. Joiada is the son of Paseah and Meshullam is the son of Besodeiah. They set the beams in place. They put the doors on the hinges. Then they put the locks and bolts on the doors. 7 The men from Gibeon and Mizpah fixed the next section of the wall. Melatiah from Gibeon and Jadon from Meronoth did the work. Gibeon and Meronoth are places that are controlled by the governors of the area west of the Euphrates River. 8 Uzziel son of Harhaiah repaired the next section of the wall. Uzziel was a goldsmith. Hananiah was one of the perfume makers. These men built and repaired Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 Rephaiah son of Hur repaired the next section of the wall. Rephaiah was the governor of half of Jerusalem. 10 Jedaiah son of Harumaph repaired the next section of the wall. Jedaiah repaired the wall next to his own house. Hattush son of Hashabneiah repaired the next section.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Nethinims: Nehemiah 7:46-56, Nehemiah 10:28, 1 Chronicles 9:2, Ezra 2:43-58

dwelt: etc. or, which dwelt in Ophel, repaired unto

Ophel: or, the tower. Nehemiah 3:27, Nehemiah 11:21, 2 Chronicles 27:3, 2 Chronicles 33:14

the water: The water gate is supposed to have been that by which the Nethinim brought in water for the use of the temple. Nehemiah 8:1, Nehemiah 8:3, Nehemiah 12:37

Reciprocal: Ezra 2:58 - Nethinims Nehemiah 8:16 - the street of the water gate

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Moreover, the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel,.... An high tower upon the wait, in this part of it, see 2 Chronicles 27:3, these were servants to the Levites, and repaired here, where their dwellings were:

unto the place over against the water gate toward the east: and as one part of their work was to fetch water for the temple, they were here very properly situated; it led to the king's garden, the valley of Jehoshaphat, and from thence a plain way to Bethany:

and the tower that lieth out; from the wall.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The constant mention of “priests,” “Levites,” and Nethinims,” sufficiently indicates that the writer is here concerned with the sacerdotal quarter, that immediately about the temple.

Nehemiah 3:18

Bavai - Or, “Binnui” Nehemiah 3:24; Nehemiah 10:9.

The armoury at the turning of the wall - literally, “the armoury of the corner.” The northwestern corner of the special wall of the “city of David” seems to be intended. See Nehemiah 3:1 note.

Nehemiah 3:20

The other piece - Rather, “another piece.” The notice of Baruch’s first piece, like that of Malchijah’s and Hashub’s Nehemiah 3:11, seems to have slipped out of the text.

Nehemiah 3:22

The word here translated “plain” is applied in the rest of Scripture almost exclusively to the Ghor or Jordan valley. Compare, however, Nehemiah 12:28.

Nehemiah 3:24

The turning of the wall - The northeastern angle of the “city of David” seems here to be reached. At this point a tower “lay out” Nehemiah 3:25, or projected extraordinarily, from the wall, being probably a watch-tower commanding the Kidron valley and all the approaches to the city from the southeast, the east, and the northeast.

Nehemiah 3:25

The “king’s high house” is almost certainly the old palace of David, which was on the temple hill, and probably occupied a position directly north of the temple.

That was by the court of the prison - Prisons were in old times adjuncts of palaces. The palace of David must have had its prison; and the “prison gate” Nehemiah 12:39 was clearly in this quarter.

Nehemiah 3:26

The marginal reading is better. On the Nethinims see 1 Chronicles 9:2 note.

Ophel was the slope south of the temple (see the marginal reference “y” note); and the water-gate, a gate in the eastern wall, either for the escape of the superfluous water from the temple reservoirs, or for the introduction of water from the Kidron valley when the reservoirs were low.

Nehemiah 3:27

The foundations of an outlying tower near the southeast angle of the temple area in this position have been recently discovered.

Nehemiah 3:28

“The horse gate” was on the east side of the city, overlooking the Kidron valley. It seems to have been a gate by which horses approached and left the old palace, that of David, which lay north of the temple Nehemiah 3:25.


 
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