Nehemiah 3:12
And next to them, Shallum son of Hallohesh, ruler of the other half-district of Jerusalem, made repairs, with the help of his daughters.
And next to them
This phrase indicates the collaborative effort in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. The work was organized in sections, with each group responsible for a specific part. This reflects the unity and shared purpose among the Israelites, reminiscent of the body of Christ working together in the New Testament (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

Shallum son of Hallohesh
Shallum is identified by his lineage, which was a common practice in biblical times to establish identity and credibility. Hallohesh is not widely mentioned elsewhere, suggesting that Shallum's significance comes from his role in the rebuilding rather than his ancestry. This highlights the importance of individual contributions to God's work, regardless of one's background.

ruler of the other half-district of Jerusalem
This indicates Shallum's position of authority and responsibility. Jerusalem was divided into districts for administrative purposes, and Shallum was a leader of one such district. His involvement in the repairs shows the commitment of leaders to the physical and spiritual restoration of the city, paralleling the role of leaders in the church today (Hebrews 13:17).

made repairs
The act of making repairs signifies restoration and renewal. In the context of Nehemiah, it represents the physical rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, which also symbolizes spiritual renewal and protection. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who restores and rebuilds the brokenness in our lives (Isaiah 61:1-4).

with the help of his daughters
The mention of Shallum's daughters is significant, as it highlights the involvement of women in the rebuilding process, which was unusual in the patriarchal society of ancient Israel. This inclusion underscores the theme of inclusivity in God's work, where all are called to participate, reflecting Galatians 3:28, which speaks of unity in Christ regardless of gender.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Shallum
A leader in Jerusalem, specifically a ruler of a half-district, who took an active role in the rebuilding of the wall.

2. Hallohesh
The father of Shallum, mentioned to establish lineage and authority.

3. Jerusalem
The city where the wall was being rebuilt, central to Jewish identity and worship.

4. Shallum's Daughters
Notable for their involvement in the construction work, highlighting the role of women in this significant project.

5. The Wall of Jerusalem
The focus of the rebuilding efforts, symbolizing protection, identity, and the restoration of the community.
Teaching Points
Leadership and Responsibility
Shallum, as a leader, sets an example by actively participating in the work. True leadership involves serving alongside those you lead.

Inclusion of Women
The mention of Shallum's daughters highlights the importance of including women in ministry and community efforts. God values the contributions of all His people, regardless of gender.

Family Involvement in Ministry
The participation of Shallum's family underscores the importance of involving our families in the work of God. Ministry can be a family affair, strengthening bonds and faith.

Community Effort
The rebuilding of the wall was a communal task, requiring the cooperation and effort of many. This teaches us the value of working together for a common goal in the body of Christ.

Restoration and Renewal
The rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall symbolizes spiritual renewal and restoration. Just as the physical wall was rebuilt, God desires to rebuild and restore our spiritual lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does Shallum's leadership style teach us about the role of leaders in the church today?

2. How can we encourage and support the involvement of women in our church and community activities, as seen in the example of Shallum's daughters?

3. In what ways can families participate together in ministry, and what benefits might this bring to both the family and the church?

4. How does the communal effort in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem reflect the way the church should function today?

5. What areas of your life might God be calling you to rebuild or restore, and how can you apply the lessons from Nehemiah 3:12 to this process?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 31
The involvement of Shallum's daughters can be connected to the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31, who is industrious and contributes to her household and community.

Galatians 3:28
This verse speaks to the equality of all in Christ, which can be related to the inclusion of women in the work of rebuilding the wall.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27
The body of Christ is made up of many parts, each with a role to play, similar to the diverse group of people working on the wall in Nehemiah.
Family ZealHomiletic CommentaryNehemiah 3:12
Worthy WomenJ. M. Randall.Nehemiah 3:12
A Godly AncestryT. C. Finlayson.Nehemiah 3:1-32
A Suggestive Church RecordHomiletic CommentaryNehemiah 3:1-32
Associated LabourScientific IllustrationsNehemiah 3:1-32
At WorkT. Rowson.Nehemiah 3:1-32
Church WorkR.A. Redford Nehemiah 3:1-32
Honourable MentionT. C. Finlayson.Nehemiah 3:1-32
Individual LaboursA. G. Griffith.Nehemiah 3:1-32
Life's MasonryHomiletic CommentaryNehemiah 3:1-32
Merchant WorkersJ. M. Randall.Nehemiah 3:1-32
Ministers Should be LeadersJ. M. Randall.Nehemiah 3:1-32
System and Detail in WorkHomiletic CommentaryNehemiah 3:1-32
The Builders At WorkW. P. Lockhart.Nehemiah 3:1-32
The Building of the WallW. P. Lockhart.Nehemiah 3:1-32
The Repairer of the BreachW. Ritchie.Nehemiah 3:1-32
People
Ananiah, Azariah, Azbuk, Baana, Bani, Baruch, Bavai, Benjamin, Berechiah, Besodeiah, Binnui, Colhozeh, David, Eliashib, Ezer, Gibeon, Hakkoz, Hallohesh, Halohesh, Hananiah, Hanun, Harhaiah, Harim, Harumaph, Hashabiah, Hashabniah, Hashub, Hassenaah, Hasshub, Hattush, Henadad, Hur, Immer, Imri, Jadon, Jedaiah, Jehoiada, Jeshua, Joiada, Koz, Levites, Maaseiah, Malchiah, Malchijah, Melatiah, Meremoth, Meshezabeel, Meshullam, Nehemiah, Pahathmoab, Palal, Parosh, Paseah, Pedaiah, Rechab, Rehum, Rephaiah, Shallum, Shallun, Shecaniah, Shechaniah, Shelah, Shelemiah, Shemaiah, Tekoites, Uriah, Urijah, Uzai, Uzziel, Zabbai, Zaccai, Zaccur, Zadok, Zalaph, Zur
Places
Beth-haccherem, Beth-zur, Beyond the River, Broad Wall, Dung Gate, East Gate, Fish Gate, Fountain Gate, Gate of Yeshanah, Gibeon, Horse Gate, Jericho, Jerusalem, Keilah, Mizpah, Muster Gate, Ophel, Pool of Shelah, Sheep Gate, Tower of Hananel, Tower of the Hundred, Tower of the Ovens, Valley Gate, Water Gate, Zanoah
Topics
Daughters, District, Half, Half-district, Hallohesh, Hallo'hesh, Halohesh, Jerusalem, Official, Repaired, Repairs, Ruler, Section, Shallum, Strengthened
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Nehemiah 3:12

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Library
'Over against his House'
'The priests repaired every one over against his house.'--NEH. iii. 28. The condition of our great cities has lately been forced upon public attention, and all kinds of men have been offering their panaceas. I am not about to enter upon that discussion, but I am glad to seize the opportunity of saying one or two things which I think very much need to be said to individual Christian people about their duty in the matter. 'Every man over against his house' is the principle I desire to commend to you
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Broad Wall
"The broad wall."--Nehemiah 3:8. IT SEEMS that around Jerusalem of old, in the time of her splendor, there was a broad wall, which was her defence and her glory. Jerusalem is a type of the Church of God. It is always well when we can see clearly, distinctly, and plainly, that around the Church to which we belong there runs a broad wall. This idea of a broad wall around the Church suggests three things: separation, security, and enjoyment. Let us examine each of these in its turn. I. First, the SEPARATION
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 57: 1911

Divers Matters.
I. Beth-cerem, Nehemiah 3:14. "The stones, as well of the altar, as of the ascent to the altar, were from the valley of Beth-cerem, which they digged out beneath the barren land. And thence they are wont to bring whole stones, upon which the working iron came not." The fathers of the traditions, treating concerning the blood of women's terms, reckon up five colours of it; among which that, "which is like the water of the earth, out of the valley of Beth-cerem."--Where the Gloss writes thus, "Beth-cerem
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Some Buildings in Acra. Bezeiha. Millo.
Mount Sion did not thrust itself so far eastward as mount Acra: and hence it is, that mount Moriah is said, by Josephus, to be "situate over-against Acra," rather than over-against the Upper City: for, describing Acra thus, which we produced before, "There is another hill, called Acra, which bears the Lower City upon it, steep on both sides": in the next words he subjoins this, "Over-against this was a third hill," speaking of Moriah. The same author thus describes the burning of the Lower City:
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3
The beginning of the circumference was from 'the sheep-gate.' That, we suppose, was seated on the south part, yet but little removed from that corner, which looks south-east. Within was the pool of Bethesda, famous for healings. Going forward, on the south part, was the tower Meah: and beyond that, "the tower of Hananeel": in the Chaldee paraphrast it is, 'The tower Piccus,' Zechariah 14:10; Piccus, Jeremiah 31:38.--I should suspect that to be, the Hippic tower, were not that placed on the north
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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