Nehemiah 3:3
The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.
The Fish Gate
The Fish Gate was one of the gates of Jerusalem, mentioned in several places in the Old Testament. Historically, it was located on the northern wall of the city and was named for its proximity to the fish market, where traders brought fish from the Mediterranean Sea. The gate's name and function highlight the economic activities of ancient Jerusalem, emphasizing the city's role as a hub of trade and commerce. Spiritually, the Fish Gate can symbolize the call to be "fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19), reminding believers of their mission to spread the Gospel.

was rebuilt
The act of rebuilding signifies restoration and renewal. In Hebrew, the word for "rebuild" is "בָּנָה" (banah), which means to build or construct. This reflects the broader theme of Nehemiah, which is about restoring what was broken. The rebuilding of the gate is a testament to the faith and determination of the Israelites to restore their city and their covenant relationship with God. It serves as an encouragement to believers to participate in the work of spiritual restoration in their own lives and communities.

by the sons of Hassenaah
The mention of "the sons of Hassenaah" highlights the communal effort involved in the rebuilding process. Hassenaah is likely a family or clan name, and their involvement underscores the importance of family and community in accomplishing God's work. This phrase reminds us that the work of God is often carried out through the collective efforts of His people, each contributing their unique gifts and resources.

They laid its beams
Laying beams is a foundational task in construction, providing support and structure. The Hebrew word for "beams" is "קָרוֹת" (qarot), which refers to the main structural elements. This action symbolizes the importance of a strong foundation in any endeavor, particularly in spiritual matters. Just as the beams provide stability to the gate, a life built on the foundation of God's Word and principles provides stability and strength to withstand challenges.

and installed its doors, bolts, and bars
The installation of doors, bolts, and bars is crucial for security and protection. In Hebrew, "doors" is "דְּלָתוֹת" (delatot), "bolts" is "בְּרִיחִים" (berichim), and "bars" is "בְּרִיחִים" (berichim). These elements ensure that the gate can be opened and closed securely, controlling access to the city. Spiritually, this can be seen as a metaphor for guarding one's heart and life, allowing in what is good and keeping out what is harmful. It serves as a reminder to believers to be vigilant in their spiritual lives, protecting their hearts and minds with the truth of God's Word.

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Fish Gate
A significant gate in the wall of Jerusalem, likely named for its proximity to the fish market or its use by fishermen. It was an essential part of the city's defenses and commerce.

2. Sons of Hassenaah
A group of builders responsible for the reconstruction of the Fish Gate. Their identity highlights the communal effort in rebuilding Jerusalem's walls.

3. Rebuilding Effort
This event is part of the larger account of Nehemiah's leadership in the restoration of Jerusalem's walls, symbolizing the renewal of the community and its covenant with God.
Teaching Points
Community Involvement
The rebuilding of the Fish Gate by the sons of Hassenaah illustrates the importance of community involvement in achieving common goals. Each member has a role to play in the body of Christ.

Faithful Stewardship
The detailed work of laying beams and installing doors, bolts, and bars reflects the need for diligence and faithfulness in our tasks, no matter how mundane they may seem.

Spiritual Renewal
Just as the physical gates were essential for the security and function of Jerusalem, spiritual "gates" in our lives need attention and renewal to protect our hearts and minds.

Overcoming Opposition
The rebuilding efforts faced challenges, reminding us that perseverance and reliance on God are crucial when facing spiritual or physical opposition.

Symbol of Restoration
The reconstruction of the gates symbolizes God's restorative work in our lives, bringing us back to a place of strength and purpose.
Bible Study Questions
1. What role did the Fish Gate play in the life of Jerusalem, and how does this reflect the importance of certain "gates" or areas in our own spiritual lives?

2. How can we, like the sons of Hassenaah, contribute to the "rebuilding" efforts in our communities or churches today?

3. In what ways does the detailed work of installing doors, bolts, and bars teach us about the importance of diligence in our spiritual and daily lives?

4. How can we draw strength from Nehemiah's leadership and the community's unity when facing opposition in our own faith journeys?

5. Reflect on a time when God restored something in your life. How does the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls encourage you in your personal walk with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Nehemiah 2:17-18
Nehemiah's call to rebuild the walls and the people's response, showing the unity and determination of the Israelites.

Ezra 4:1-5
Opposition faced during the rebuilding efforts, highlighting the perseverance required in the face of adversity.

Psalm 122:7
A prayer for peace within Jerusalem's walls, connecting the physical rebuilding to spiritual and communal well-being.

Ephesians 2:19-22
The spiritual building of the church, drawing a parallel between the physical reconstruction of Jerusalem and the spiritual edification of believers.
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
Bars, Beams, Boards, Bolts, Build, Builders, Built, Doors, Doorway, Fish, Fish-gate, Gate, Hassenaah, Hassena'ah, Hung, Laid, Locks, Rebuilt, Rods, Senaah, Sons, Thereof, Walled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Nehemiah 3:3

     5323   gate

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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