Next were the people from Tekoa, though their leaders refused to work with the construction supervisors.
Parallel translations
- WEB Next to them, the Tekoites made repairs; but their nobles didn’t put their necks to the Lord’s work.
- KJV And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their LORD.
- 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.
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 him the Tekoites repaired another portion, over against the great tower that stands out, and to the wall of Ophel.
- 2 Sam 14:2Joab sent to Tekoa, and brought a wise woman from there, and said to her, “Please act like a mourner, and put on mourning clothing, please, and don’t anoint yourself with oil, but be as a woman who has mourned a long time for the dead.
- Amos 1:1The words of Amos, who was among the herdsmen 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 those who are rich in this present world that they not be haughty, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on the living God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy;
- Jer 27:12I spoke 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 from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.
- 1 Cor 1:26For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;
- Acts 15:10Now therefore why do you tempt God, that you should put a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
- Jer 27:8“‘“‘It will happen that the nation and the kingdom which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and that will not put their neck under the yoke of the king of Babylon, that nation will I punish,’ says Yahweh, ‘with the sword, and with the famine, and with the pestilence, until I have consumed them by his hand.
- Jer 27:2Yahweh says to me: “Make bonds and bars, and put them on your neck.
- Jer 5:4–5Then I said, “Surely these are poor. They are foolish; for they don’t know the way of Yahweh, nor the law of their God.
- Jer 30:8–9It shall come to pass in that day, says Yahweh of Armies, that I will break his yoke from off your neck, and will burst your bonds; and strangers shall no more make them their bondservants;
- Judg 5:23‘Curse Meroz,’ said Yahweh’s angel. ‘Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they didn’t come to help Yahweh, to help Yahweh against the mighty.’
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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 3:5 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
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