Nehemiah – Chapter 3

Old Testament31 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 3 of Nehemiah begins: "Then Eliasib the high priest arose, and his brethren the priests, and they built the flock gate: they sanctified it, and set up the doors…" The chapter centers on Ananias, David and Uriah. Across its 31 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and holiness. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Then Eliasib the high priest arose, and his brethren the priests, and they built the flock gate: they sanctified it, and set up the doors thereof, even unto the tower of a hundred cubits they sanctified it unto the tower of Hananeel.

2And next to him the men of Jericho built: and next to them built Zachur the son of Amri.

3But the fish gate the sons of Asnaa built: they covered it, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks, and the bars. And next to them built Marimuth the son of Urias the son of Accus.

4And next to him built Mosollam the son of Barachias, the son of Merezebel, and next to them built Sadoc the son of Baana.

5And next to them the Thecuites built: but their great men did not put their necks to the work of their Lord.

6And Joiada the son of Phasea, and Mosollam the son of Besodia built the old gate: they covered it and set up the doors thereof, and the locks, and the bars.

7And next to them built Meltias the Gabaonite, and Jadon the Meronathite, the men of Gabaon and Maspha, for the governor that was in the country beyond the river.

8And next to him built Eziel the son of Araia the goldsmith: and next to him built Ananias the son of the perfumer: and they left Jerusalem unto the wall of the broad street.

9And next to him built Raphaia the son of Hur, lord of the street of Jerusalem.

10And next to him Jedaia the son of Haromaph over against his own house: and next to him built Hattus the son of Hasebonia.

11Melchias the son of Herem, and Hasub the son of Phahath Moab, built half the street, and the tower of the furnaces.

12And next to him built Sellum the son of Alohes, lord of half the street of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.

13And the gate of the valley Hanun built, and the inhabitants of Zanoe: they built it, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks, and the bars, and a thousand cubits in the wall unto the gate of the dunghill.

14And the gate of the dunghill Melchias the son of Rechab built, lord of the street of Bethacharam: he built it, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks, and the bars.

15And the gate of the fountain, Sellum, the son of Cholhoza, built, lord of the street of Maspha: he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks, and the bars, and the walls of the pool of Siloe unto the king's guard, and unto the steps that go down from the city of David.

16After him built Nehemiah the son of Azboc, lord of half the street of Bethsur, as far as over against the sepulchre of David, and to the pool, that was built with great labour, and to the house of the mighty.

17After him built the Levites, Rehum the son of Benni. After him built Hasebias, lord of half the street of Ceila in his own street.

18After him built their brethren Bavai the son of Enadad, lord of half Ceila.

19And next to him Aser the son of Josue, lord of Maspha, built another measure, over against the going up of the strong corner.

20After him in the mount Baruch the son of Zachai built another measure, from the corner to the door of the house of Eliasib the high priest.

21After him Merimuth the son of Urias the son of Haccus, built another measure, from the door of the house of Eliasib, to the end of the house of Eliasib.

22And after him built the priests, the men of the plains of the Jordan.

23After him built Benjamin and Hasub, over against their own house: and after him built Azarias the son of Maasias the son of Ananias over against his house.

24After him built Bennui the son of Hanadad another measure, from the house of Azarias unto the bending, and unto the corner.

25Phalel, the son of Ozi, over against the bending and the tower, which lieth out from the king's high house, that is, in the court of the prison: after him Phadaia the son of Pharos.

26And the Nathinites dwelt in Ophel, as far as over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that stood out.

27After him the Thecuites built another measure over against, from the great tower that standeth out unto the wall of the temple.

28And upward from the horse gate the priests built, every man over against his house.

29After them built Sadoc the son of Emmer over against his house. And after him built Semaia the son of Sechenias, keeper of the east gate.

30After him built Hanania the son of Selemia, and Hanun the sixth son of Seleph, another measure: after him built Mosollam the son of Barachias over against his treasury. After him Melcias the goldsmith's son built unto the house of the Nathinites, and of the sellers of small wares, over against the judgment gate, and unto the chamber of the corner.

31And within the chamber of the corner of the flock gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants built.

Important Verses in Nehemiah 3

And next to them the Thecuites built: but their great men did not put their necks to the work of their Lord.

Nehemiah 3:5

And next to him built Raphaia the son of Hur, lord of the street of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 3:9

And next to him built Sellum the son of Alohes, lord of half the street of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.

Nehemiah 3:12

After him built Nehemiah the son of Azboc, lord of half the street of Bethsur, as far as over against the sepulchre of David, and to the pool, that was built with great labour, and to the house of the mighty.

Nehemiah 3:16

Historical Context

Nehemiah addresses the restored Jerusalem community, organized for worship and covenant living within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 3 of 13 belongs to the early movement of the book, where the narrative or argument is still unfolding. It is a genealogical record linking earlier promises to later generations with 31 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Ananias, David, Uriah and Baruch appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "Then Eliasib the high priest arose, and his brethren the priests, and they built the flock gate: they sanctified it,…" It concludes: "And within the chamber of the corner of the flock gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants built. " The wider setting of Nehemiah is this: Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, obtained leave to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in 445 BC—completing them in fifty-two days despite armed opposition. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Nehemiah around About 430-400 BC.

Who Wrote It

Based on the personal memoirs of Nehemiah; compiled with the Ezra traditions

When It Was Written

About 430-400 BC

Catholic Commentary

This chapter traces lines of descent that connect earlier promises to later figures in salvation history. A pivotal line is verse 5: "And next to them the Thecuites built: but their great men did not put their necks to the work of their Lord." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

According to Catholic interpretation, this chapter contributes to the book's portrait of rebuilding Jerusalem and covenant renewal. Nehemiah's leadership models faithful service (CIC 2578). The Catechism and the liturgy frequently draw on such passages to nourish faith and moral life (CIC 2466).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that God's work requires human cooperation. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, Nehemiah 3 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • 'Be holy, for I am holy': God calls His people to be set apart for Him in every area of life.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.

People in This Chapter

Ananias2 mentionsDavid2 mentionsUriah2 mentionsBaruch1 mentionJoshua1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches Nehemiah Chapter 3 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that rebuilding Jerusalem and covenant renewal is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing forgiveness and reconciliation.

Let Nehemiah Chapter 3 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nehemiah Chapter 3 about?

Nehemiah 3 contains 31 verses. It opens with "Then Eliasib the high priest arose, and his brethren the priests, and they built the flock gate: they sanctified it,…" and closes with "And within the chamber of the corner of the flock gate, the goldsmiths and the merchants built. ". The book as a whole is memoir and historical narrative.

What is a key verse in Nehemiah 3?

One of the most significant verses is verse 5: "And next to them the Thecuites built: but their great men did not put their necks to the work of their Lord." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Nehemiah Chapter 3?

This chapter mentions Ananias, David, Uriah, Baruch, Joshua.

Who wrote Nehemiah and when?

Based on the personal memoirs of Nehemiah; compiled with the Ezra traditions. About 430-400 BC.

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