And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their LORD.
Parallel translations
- WEB Next to them, the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles didn’t put their necks to the Lord’s work.
- BSB Next to him, the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.
- NKJV Next to them the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles did not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.
- NASB Moreover, next to him the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not support the work of their masters.
- NLT Next were the people from Tekoa, though their leaders refused to work with the construction supervisors.
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
The Tekoites make repairs, but their nobles refuse to stoop to the Lord's work. Most serve faithfully while some proud leaders hold back.
Overview
The common people of Tekoa labor willingly, yet their nobles "didn't put their necks to the Lord's work," declining to share the burden. This rare note of criticism in the chapter exposes pride and self-importance that resist humble service. It stands as a warning that status can become an excuse for shirking duty, while the Lord honors those who willingly bend to His work.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Neh 3:27After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.
- 2 Sam 14:2And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
- Amos 1:1The words of Amos, who was among the herdmen of Tekoa, which he saw concerning Israel in the days of Uzziah king of Judah, and in the days of Jeroboam the son of Joash king of Israel, two years before the earthquake.
- 1 Tim 6:17–18Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
- Jer 27:12I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live.
- Matt 11:29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
- 1 Cor 1:26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
- Acts 15:10Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
- Jer 27:8And it shall come to pass, that the nation and kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish, saith the LORD, with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.
- Jer 27:2Thus saith the LORD to me; Make thee bonds and yokes, and put them upon thy neck,
- Jer 5:4–5Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.
- Jer 30:8–9For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:
- Judg 5:23Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the LORD, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof; because they came not to the help of the LORD, to the help of the LORD against the mighty.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 3:5 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.