Nehemiah 3:1 Meaning and Explanation
“Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall begins with the high priest and his fellow priests, who construct and dedicate the sheep gate.
What Does Nehemiah 3:1 Mean?
Chapter three records, gate by gate and section by section, how the people rebuilt the broken wall of Jerusalem. The list opens fittingly with Eliashib the high priest leading the priests to raise the sheep gate, the entrance near the temple through which sacrificial animals were brought.
That the priests begin the work, and that they sanctify their portion, sets the tone for everything that follows: this is holy labor, not mere construction. The sheep gate, where the lambs entered, quietly points ahead to the Lamb of God who would enter the city to be offered. Honest work, set apart to God, is itself a form of worship.
Nehemiah 3:1 in the Original Language
qadash (קָדַשׁ), 'sanctified' -- to set apart as holy, consecrated for God's use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nehemiah 3:1
What does Nehemiah 3:1 mean?
The rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall begins with the high priest and his fellow priests, who construct and dedicate the sheep gate.