Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.
Parallel translations
- WEB (Now the temple servants lived in Ophel, to the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that stands out.)
- BSB and the temple servants living on the hill of Ophel made repairs opposite the Water Gate toward the east and the tower that juts out.
- NKJV Moreover the Nethinim who dwelt in Ophel made repairs as far as the place in front of the Water Gate toward the east, and on the projecting tower.
- NASB Now the temple servants living in Ophel made repairs as far as the front of the Water Gate toward the east and the projecting tower.
- NLT with the Temple servants living on the hill of Ophel, who repaired the wall as far as a point across from the Water Gate to the east and the projecting tower.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
A parenthetical note records that the temple servants lived in Ophel near the water gate and made repairs there. The Nethinim, lowly temple helpers, also share in the work.
Overview
The temple servants (Nethinim), who performed menial duties at the temple, dwelt in the Ophel district and built near the water gate. Their inclusion shows that even those of humblest standing contributed to the holy task. The verse affirms that God's work embraces servants of every rank, each valued in His sight.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Neh 8:1And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.
- Neh 11:21But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims.
- Neh 8:3And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.
- Neh 12:37And at the fountain gate, which was over against them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the going up of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.
- 2 Chr 33:14Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.
- Neh 3:27After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.
- Neh 7:46–56The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hashupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
- Neh 8:16So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street of the water gate, and in the street of the gate of Ephraim.
- 1 Chr 9:2Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, the Israelites, the priests, Levites, and the Nethinims.
- 2 Chr 27:3He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much.
- Neh 10:28And the rest of the people, the priests, the Levites, the porters, the singers, the Nethinims, and all they that had separated themselves from the people of the lands unto the law of God, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, every one having knowledge, and having understanding;
- Ezra 2:43–58The Nethinims: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
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Christ at the center
The rebuilt walls and renewed covenant community foreshadow the greater builder who gathers and secures a people for God, the one who declares 'I will build my church.'
How Nehemiah 3:26 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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