The Wall Is Completed and Leaders Appointed
Nehemiah 6:15-7:3
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Neh.6.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותשלם: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- החומה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בעשרים: PREP+NUM,card,pl
- וחמשה: CONJ+NUM,m,pl
- לאלול: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחמשים: PREP+NUM,card,pl
- ושנים: CONJ+NUM,m,pl,abs
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Nehemiah 2:17-18 (thematic): Nehemiah's initial call to rebuild the wall and the people's agreement—sets the goal that culminates in the wall's completion in 52 days.
- Nehemiah 4:6 (verbal): Describes the people's determination and the advancing work on the wall ('the people had a mind to work'), echoing the progress culminated in 6:15.
- Nehemiah 6:16 (structural): Immediate narrative consequence: the enemies' reaction and shame when they learned the wall was finished—direct continuation of 6:15.
- Ezra 6:15 (thematic): Reports the completion of the temple under Persian authority—parallel theme of finishing a major restoration project in Jerusalem under Persian rule.
- Isaiah 44:28 (allusion): Prophecy naming Cyrus as an instrument to rebuild Jerusalem/temple; provides prophetic background for the Restoration-era rebuilding activities described in Nehemiah.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth of Elul—in fifty-two days.
- And the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth of Elul—in fifty-two days.
Neh.6.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- שמעו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- כל: DET
- אויבינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- סביבתינו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,1,pl
- ויפלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מאד: ADV
- בעיניהם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,poss-3,m,pl
- וידעו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- מאת: PREP
- אלהינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
- נעשתה: VERB,nip,perf,3,f,sg
- המלאכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Ezra 6:16 (structural): Both passages report the completion of a major rebuild of Israel’s sacred work (temple/walls) and the reaction of surrounding peoples—showing the project’s public, God‑enabled character.
- Ezekiel 36:23 (thematic): God declares that he will act so that the nations will know (yad’u) that the action is from the LORD—echoing Nehemiah’s language that surrounding peoples perceived the work was from God.
- Joshua 2:9–11 (thematic): Rahab’s report that the Canaanite inhabitants feared because they had heard how the LORD had acted on Israel’s behalf parallels the motif that neighboring peoples, seeing God’s deeds, are afraid and recognize divine agency.
- Acts 4:16 (thematic): The leaders acknowledge that a notable miracle has been done and cannot deny the evident work of God—paralleling Nehemiah’s note that neighboring peoples perceived the work to be from God and were struck with fear.
Alternative generated candidates
- When all our enemies heard of it and all the surrounding nations saw it, they were very much dismayed in their own eyes and understood that this work had been done with the help of our God.
- When all our enemies heard of it and all the nations around us saw it, they were greatly dismayed and lost face; they perceived that this work had been accomplished by our God.
Neh.6.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- גם: ADV
- בימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ההם: PRON,dem,m,pl
- מרבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- חרי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אגרתיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- הולכות: VERB,qal,ptc,_,f,pl
- על: PREP
- טוביה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- לטוביה: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- באות: PART,qal,part,f,pl
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Nehemiah 6:18 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same passage: explains that many of the Judahite nobles and officials were allied with Tobiah, expanding on 6:17’s report of their correspondence and mutual support.
- Nehemiah 6:5 (verbal): Directly related report of opponents sending letters (Sanballat’s repeated open letters to Nehemiah); parallels the motif of hostile correspondence and attempts to manipulate or intimidate through written messages.
- Ezra 4:7 (structural): Shows a comparable pattern of adversaries using formal letters/petitions to influence Persian authorities against Jerusalem’s rebuilding — analogous use of written communications to advance opposition.
- Daniel 6:5–8 (thematic): The conspirators employ written petitions/letters to the king to entrap a faithful official; thematically similar in showing how letters and formal correspondence are used as political weapons and means of collusion.
Alternative generated candidates
- Also in those days many of the nobles of Judah sent letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah's letters came to them.
- Moreover, in those days many of the nobles of Judah sent letters to Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came to them.
Neh.6.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- רבים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ביהודה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעלי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- שבועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- חתן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- לשכניה: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויהוחנן: CONJ+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- לקח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- משלם: VERB,piel,part,3,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברכיה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Ezra 9:1-2 (thematic): Leaders and officials of Judah are criticized for marrying foreign women; parallels Nehemiah’s note that prominent families were allied by marriage to Sanballat/Tobiah, showing elite intermarriage and its political implications.
- Nehemiah 13:23-27 (structural): Nehemiah later confronts the problem of Jews marrying foreign women and the social/religious consequences—directly related theme within the same book about mixed marriages and foreign influence.
- 1 Kings 11:1-4 (thematic): Solomon’s foreign marriages are portrayed as political alliances that led to religious compromise—parallels the idea here that marriage created political bonds between Judahite leaders and foreign officials.
- Deuteronomy 7:3-4 (allusion): The Torah prohibition and warning against intermarriage with surrounding nations provides the legal and theological background for negative views of such alliances reflected in Nehemiah.
- Judges 14:2 (thematic): Samson’s marriage to a Philistine woman exemplifies earlier Israelite instances of marriage to foreign peoples for social/political ends, comparable to the alliances described in Nehemiah 6:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- For many in Judah had bound themselves by oath to him, for he was son-in-law to Shecaniah son of Arah, and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.
- For many in Judah were bound to him by oath, because he was son-in-law to Shechaniah son of Arah; and Jehohanan his son had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.
Neh.6.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- גם: ADV
- טובתיו: NOUN,f,sg,suff
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אמרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לפני: PREP
- ודברי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs,1cs
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מוציאים: VERB,hiph,ptc,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- אגרות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- שלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- טוביה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ליראני: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- Nehemiah 6:5-6 (verbal): Same episode: enemies sent letters and hired a false prophet to intimidate Nehemiah with fabricated charges — directly parallels the tactic of sending correspondence to influence or accuse.
- Nehemiah 6:17-18 (structural): Closely related verses showing the wider network of correspondence between Jewish nobles and Tobiah/Sanballat, underlining the exchange of letters and political maneuvering described in 6:19.
- Ezra 4:7-16 (thematic): Opponents of Jerusalem send formal letters and accusations to Persian authorities to halt rebuilding — a comparable strategy of using written complaints and bureaucracy to obstruct the work.
- Psalm 35:11 (thematic): David laments false witnesses and malicious accusations laid against him. The theme of enemies fabricating charges against a faithful leader echoes the slander and letters directed at Nehemiah.
Alternative generated candidates
- They continually spoke well of him to others and reported my words to him; and Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.
- Also they were reporting his good deeds and were telling Tobiah everything I said; and Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.
Neh.7.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- נבנתה: VERB,nip,perf,3,f,sg
- החומה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואעמיד: CONJ+VERB,hiphil,impf,1,*,sg
- הדלתות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ויפקדו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- השוערים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והמשררים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Nehemiah 6:15-16 (structural): Same narrative context: announcement of the wall’s completion immediately before Neh 7.1; continuation of the rebuilding storyline (wall finished, rejoicing, and aftermath).
- Nehemiah 12:27-43 (thematic): Description of the dedication of the wall with appointed gatekeepers, singers, and Levites — echoes the organization and cultic personnel established after the wall’s reconstruction.
- Ezra 3:10-11 (verbal): Priests and Levites (singers) praising and giving thanks at a building/dedication event — parallels the appointment of singers and Levites in Neh 7.1.
- 1 Chronicles 9:22-27 (verbal): Lists gatekeepers and their duties at the gates and house of the LORD; parallels the mention of watchmen/gatekeepers (shomrim) appointed in Neh 7.1.
- 1 Chronicles 15:16-24 (thematic): David’s appointment of Levites, singers, and gatekeepers for liturgical service — a close analogue to Nehemiah’s organization of Levites, singers, and watchmen after rebuilding.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, I stationed the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites.
- And when the wall was finished and I had set up the doors, I appointed the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites.
Neh.7.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואצוה: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- חנני: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחי: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- ואת: CONJ
- חנניה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- על: PREP
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- כאיש: PREP
- אמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האלהים: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מרבים: ADV
Parallels
- Ezra 8:24-25 (thematic): Both passages record the appointment of reliable leaders for the return/settlement work and emphasize prayer, reliance on God, and selection of trustworthy men to oversee the people and resources.
- 1 Chronicles 9:21-27 (structural): Lists gatekeepers and officers appointed in Jerusalem after the return; parallels Nehemiah's appointment of a commander/governor over the fortress and concern for trustworthy oversight of the city.
- Acts 6:3 (thematic): The early church selects 'men of good repute, full of the Spirit and wisdom' to handle a practical civic-religious task—similar criterion of trustworthiness and fitness for leadership as in Neh 7:2 ('a man of truth who feared God').
- Daniel 6:4 (thematic): Daniel is singled out for faithfulness and integrity, provoking others' envy; echoes the characterization of Hananiah as a faithful man who feared God above many.
- Genesis 41:39-44 (thematic): Pharaoh appoints Joseph as his trusted official because of his discernment and reliability—a literary/thematic parallel to appointing a dependable governor/castle commander over the land or city.
Alternative generated candidates
- I appointed Hanani my brother, and Hananiah, the commander of the citadel, over Jerusalem—for he was a man of truth and feared God above most.
- I placed Hanani my brother in charge, and Hananiah, the ruler of the citadel, over Jerusalem; for he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most.
Neh.7.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- יפתחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- שערי: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- חם: ADJ,m,sg
- השמש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- הם: PRON,personal,3,m,pl
- עמדים: VERB,qal,part,3,m,pl
- יגיפו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
- הדלתות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ואחזו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- והעמיד: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg
- משמרות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במשמרו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ואיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נגד: PREP
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Nehemiah 7:2 (structural): Immediate context — appointment of Hanani and Hananiah as gatekeepers; 7:3 continues the instruction about not opening the gates and setting guards.
- Nehemiah 4:13-14 (verbal): Direct parallel in wording and function: people are stationed on the wall, set as a guard with weapons, and given orders to stand watch against attack.
- Nehemiah 4:21-23 (verbal): Describes the continual guard duty and the practice of working with one hand and holding weapons with the other, and ordering watchfulness at the gates—closely mirrors the guard detail in 7:3.
- 2 Chronicles 23:8-11 (thematic): Those loyal to Joash stand at their posts with weapons to protect the king/temple; parallels the practice of posting guards at gates and houses to secure the city.
- Nehemiah 6:15-16 (thematic): The completed wall brings security and frustrates enemies; this outcome underscores the purpose of the gate-keeping and watch-posts commanded in 7:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- I said to them, “Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the heat of the day; and while they stand, bolt the doors. Set watchmen for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, each at his post and each opposite his own house.”
- And I commanded them, "Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot. While they are standing, they shall shut and bar the doors; appoint guards for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, every man at his post and every man opposite his house."
So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth day of Elul—in fifty-two days.
When all our enemies heard of it, all the surrounding nations were greatly dismayed and lost heart; they perceived that this work had been wrought by our God.
Also in those days many of the leading men of Judah sent letters to Tobiah, and Tobiah's letters came to them.
For many in Judah had sworn allegiance to him, for he was son-in-law to Shecaniah son of Arah; and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berechiah.
Moreover, his supporters spoke well of him before me and reported my words to him; so Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.
When the wall had been built and I had set up the doors, I appointed the gatekeepers, the singers, and the Levites. And I placed Hanani my brother and Hananiah the ruler of the citadel over Jerusalem, for he was a man of integrity and feared God more than many.
I also commanded them, 'Do not open the gates of Jerusalem until the sun is hot; and while they stand, keep the doors closed and fastened. Station the watchmen—residents of Jerusalem—each at his post and each opposite his own house.'