Nehemiah 3:8
Next to them, Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs, and next to him, Hananiah son of the perfumer made repairs. They fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
Next to them, Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs.
Uzziel, identified as the son of Harhaiah, represents the skilled artisans of Jerusalem who contributed to the rebuilding efforts. Goldsmiths were highly regarded for their craftsmanship and precision, often working with valuable materials. Their involvement in construction highlights the communal effort and the willingness of all societal classes to participate in the restoration of Jerusalem's walls. This reflects the unity and dedication of the people, reminiscent of the body of Christ working together with diverse gifts (1 Corinthians 12:12-27).

And next to him, Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs.
Hananiah, a perfumer, signifies the inclusion of various trades in the rebuilding process. Perfumers were responsible for creating incense and anointing oils, essential for worship and daily life in ancient Israel. Their participation underscores the spiritual significance of the work, as the restoration of the walls was not just a physical task but a spiritual renewal. This can be seen as a type of Christ, who brings restoration and healing, much like the fragrant offerings in the temple (Ephesians 5:2).

They fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall.
The Broad Wall is an archaeological feature in Jerusalem, believed to have been constructed during the reign of King Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:7-8) to protect the city from Assyrian invasion. Its mention here indicates the strategic importance of this section of the wall and the thoroughness of Nehemiah's rebuilding efforts. The fortification of Jerusalem symbolizes the protection and security found in God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises to His people. This act of rebuilding can be seen as a precursor to the ultimate protection and salvation offered through Jesus Christ, the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Uzziel son of Harhaiah
A goldsmith involved in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall. His participation highlights the diverse group of people contributing to the work, regardless of their usual professions.

2. Hananiah
A perfumer who also took part in the repairs. His involvement signifies that the work of God requires the participation of all, regardless of their primary skills or trades.

3. The Broad Wall
A significant section of Jerusalem's wall that was being restored. This location underscores the importance of fortifying the city both physically and spiritually.
Teaching Points
Diversity in Unity
The rebuilding of the wall involved people from various professions, illustrating that God's work requires a collective effort from all believers, regardless of their background or skills.

Willingness to Serve
Uzziel and Hananiah's participation shows the importance of being willing to step out of one's comfort zone to serve God's purposes.

Spiritual Fortification
Just as the Broad Wall was restored for protection, believers are called to fortify their spiritual lives through community and obedience to God's Word.

God's Equipping
God equips His people with the necessary skills and abilities to accomplish His work, as seen in the diverse talents of those rebuilding the wall.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the involvement of Uzziel and Hananiah in the rebuilding project challenge our understanding of who can contribute to God's work?

2. In what ways can the concept of "diversity in unity" be applied within your local church or community?

3. Reflect on a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone to serve God. What did you learn from that experience?

4. How can we ensure that we are spiritually fortified, much like the Broad Wall, in our daily lives?

5. Consider the skills and talents God has given you. How can you use them to contribute to the work of God in your community?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Corinthians 12
This chapter discusses the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ, emphasizing that every member, regardless of their role, is essential to the work of God. This parallels the diverse group of workers in Nehemiah 3:8.

Ephesians 4:16
This verse speaks about the body of Christ being built up as each part does its work, similar to how each person contributed to the rebuilding of the wall.

Exodus 31:1-6
This passage describes Bezalel and Oholiab, who were filled with the Spirit of God to perform artistic works for the tabernacle, showing that God equips people with various skills for His purposes.
The Broad WallSpurgeon, Charles HaddonNehemiah 3:8
The Broad WallCharles Haddon Spurgeon Nehemiah 3:8
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
Apothecaries, Broad, Building, Compounders, Fortified, Goldsmiths, Gold-worker, Hananiah, Hanani'ah, Harhaiah, Harhai'ah, Jerusalem, Leave, Perfume-makers, Perfumers, Refiners, Repaired, Repairs, Restored, Section, State, Strengthened, Uzziel, Uz'ziel, Wall, Wide, Working
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Nehemiah 3:8

     4345   metalworkers
     4496   perfume
     7621   disciples, calling

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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