Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 3:3
But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who [also] laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
3. But the fish gate ] R.V. And the fish gate. This gate is referred to in chap. Neh 12:39 ; 2Ch 33:14; Zep 1:10. It was on the northern or north-western wall; how far distant from the ‘tower of Hananel’ we cannot tell. But the two sections of wall-building undertaken by ‘the men of Jericho’ and ‘Zaccur the son of Imri’ intervened.
The name of the gate may have been derived from the proximity of the fish market. It has been suggested that the fish brought by the Tyrian traders (Neh 13:16) and by the fishermen of Lake Galilee would arrive by this gate. From Zep 1:10-11, it appears that this gate adjoined the merchant quarter of Jerusalem.
Hassenaah ] cf. Ezr 2:35; Neh 7:38, Senaah.
who also] R.V. they.
the locks thereof ] R.V. the bolts thereof. The details of the fully completed gate are repeated in Neh 3:6 ; Neh 3:13-15. What the ‘bolts’ (A.V. ‘locks’) were, is not certain (LXX. , Vulg. valvas). The word occurs again in Son 5:5.
Some suppose them to be the ‘sockets’ or ‘supports’ into which the ‘bars’ and ‘stanchions’ of the gate filled; others the ‘bolts’ which held the cross-bars firm. The city gates of ancient times turned upon pivots in sockets instead of upon hinges; and we may conjecture that the word rendered ‘locks’ denoted that which held a gate in its place, while ‘the bars’ fastened it to the side-posts.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The fish gate – The gate through which fish from the Jordan and the Sea of Galilee entered Jerusalem; a gate in the north wall, a little to the east of the modern Damascus gate.
Locks – The word used (here and in Neh 3:6, Neh 3:13-15) is thought to mean rather a cross-bar than a lock, while that translated bars is regarded as denoting the hooks or catches which held the cross-bar at its two ends.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 3. The fish gate] We really know scarcely any thing about these gates – what they were, why called by these names, or in what part of the wall situated. All plans of Jerusalem, its temple, walls, and gates, are mere works of conjecture; and yet how learnedly have some men written on all these subjects!
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The fish-gate; of which mention is made 2Ch 33:14; Neh 12:39; Zep 1:10; so called, either from the fish-market, which was near it; or because the fish was brought in by it from the sea, Neh 13:16; this gate being north-westward from Jerusalem.
The locks thereof, and the bars thereof: this is either here related by anticipation, the whole work being here mentioned together, though this part was not done till afterwards, Neh 6:1; 7:1; or this was done to some of the gates, but not to all; and therefore this is said to be done more completely and universally afterwards.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build,…. So called, because fish was brought from the sea coasts through it, and near it was the fish market; this also was southward, according to Dr. Lightfoot x; others say northward; some say it led to the sea of Galilee, Jordan, and all the east and north country: but it is most likely to be westward towards the Mediterranean sea, Tyre, and Joppa, from whence fish were brought; and Rauwolff says y it is still standing towards the west, behind Mount Sion, and over against Mount Gihon, see 2Ch 33:14 he also says, this gate was called the gate of Hebron, because the road of Hebron went through it, which is about seven or eight hours’ walking distant from it:
who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof; completely finished it.
x Chorograph. Cent. of the Land of Israel, c. 26. p. 27. vol. 2. y Ut supra, (Travels, par. 3. c. 3.) p. 226, 227.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The fish-gate did the sons of Senaah build (see rem. on Ezr 2:35); they laid its beams, and set up its doors, bolts, and bars. The fish-gate probably received its name from the fish-market in its neighbourhood, to which the Syrians brought sea-fish (Neh 3:13, Neh 3:16); it is also mentioned in Neh 12:39; 2Ch 33:14, and Zep 1:10. It was not situated, as Thenius has represented it in his plan of Jerusalem, close to the corner tower of Hananeel, but somewhat to the west of it in the north wall; two lengths of wall being, according to Neh 3:2, built between this tower and the gate in question. With respect to , see rem. on Neh 2:8. Besides the doors for the gate, and are mentioned, as also Neh 3:6, Neh 3:13-15. Both words denote bars for closing doors. are, to judge from the use of this word in the description of the tabernacle (Exo 26:26. and elsewhere), longer bars, therefore cross-bars, used on the inner side of the door; and the brackets into which they were inserted.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(3) The fish gate.Through which fish entered from the Jordan and Galilee.
The sons of Hassenaah.Contrary to custom, their names are not mentioned.
The locks thereof, and the bars thereof.The crossbars thereof, and the catches thereof, the latter holding the former at the two ends. Similarly in several other verses.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. The fish gate Probably near the northeastern corner of the ancient city, and not far from the present gate of St. Stephen’s. It was, perhaps, so called from there being a fish market near by.
Laid the beams thereof Framed and joined together the posts and beams.
Doorslocks bars The various parts belonging to a gate. Ancient gates were often fastened by bars, or heavy cross-pieces of wood or iron, which made them more secure than locks.
‘And the sons of Hassenaah rebuilt the fish gate; they laid its beams, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars’.
The Fish Gate itself was repaired by ‘the sons of Hassenaaah’. Hassenaah (Senaah with the definite article ‘ha’) is probably a place name, referring to the place to which the sons of Senaah had returned (Ezr 2:35; Neh 7:38). These returnee families, now living in Senaah, rebuilt the fish gate. This gate may well have been near the north-west corner of the walls, possibly a little to the south of it, although we cannot identify it specifically. Compare Neh 12:39; Zep 1:10 ; 2Ch 33:14. It presumably led into the fish market.
It must be recognised that the repairing of a gateway was not simply a matter of preparing a place to hang the gates, but would include the construction and repair of guardrooms, administrative rooms and storerooms within the gateway.
‘They laid its beams, and set up its doors, its bolts, and its bars’. The setting up of the doors, bolts and bars would have been done after the gateway had been rebuilt, and therefore after Neh 6:1. See Neh 7:1. It is a recurring idea in connection with gateways (Neh 3:13-15). The gateway having been rebuilt, the doors would later be set up, and bolts and bars would be provided so as to bar the gateways. Note the emphasis placed on security. This was a main reason for the building of the walls.
We learn here a recurring lesson of life in that having rebuilt our spiritual gateway with God’s help we are to set up doors, bars and bolts to keep out the Enemy (compare Eph 6:10-18). It is not spiritual to be careless.
Neh 3:3 But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who [also] laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
Ver. 3. But the fish gate ] That stood toward the sea, and let in fishermen, as the men of Tyre, Neh 13:16 ; Neh 13:19 .
Did the sons of Hassenaah build NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Neh 3:3-5
3Now the sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors with its bolts and bars. 4Next to them Meremoth the son of Uriah the son of Hakkoz made repairs. And next to him Meshullam the son of Berechiah the son of Meshezabel made repairs. And next to him Zadok the son of Baana also made repairs. 5Moreover, next to him the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not support the work of their masters.
Neh 3:3 sons of Hassenaah Often places take on the names of the people who live there. This Hebrew term is the name of a returning family in Ezr 2:35, but here it has the ARTICLE, which implies a place, possibly a village.
the Fish Gate This may be another gate on the north wall that connected to a road that led to the Seaof Galilee and/or the city of Tyre (cf. Neh 13:16) because this was the source of most of the fish for Jerusalem.
laid its beams This might be a Hebrew idiom for finishing the roof (cf. Gen 19:8; 1Ki 6:15; 2Ki 6:5; 2Ch 3:7). The NJB has they made the framework.
Neh 3:4 Meremoth This man and his father are both mentioned in Ezr 8:33, which shows a definite historical link between Ezra and Nehemiah. He is also mentioned as helping repair a section of the wall in Neh 3:21.
made repairs This recurrent term (BDB 304, KB 302, Hiphil PERFECT) is used 34 times in Neh 3:4-32. It strongly implies repairing the old wall as well as constructing the new, shorter wall.
Neh 3:5 the Tekoites It is surprising that these people are not mentioned in Ezra 2 or Nehemiah 7. Tekoa is about eleven miles south of Jerusalem. Men of this city are mentioned again in Neh 3:27.
their nobles did not support the work of their masters This shows us that the support for the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem was not unanimous. These nobles (BDB 12 [this is a different word from Neh 2:16]) seem to refer to the rich and landed aristocracy of the city of Tekoa (cf. Neh 10:29). They acted exactly opposite of the High Priest in Neh 3:1.
The their masters (BDB 10, adon, Lords) is unusual. It seems to refer to Nehemiah (i.e., a PLURAL of MAJESTY) or the project foremen of the area (cf. Neh 3:9; Neh 3:12; Neh 3:16-19) who were involved in God’s work. Option one seems best in this context.
fish gate. See note on Neh 2:13, and App-59.
Neh 3:3-5
Neh 3:3-5
THOSE WHO WORKED ON THE WALL HAVING THE FISH GATE
“And the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the bolts thereof, and the bars thereof. And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, and next unto them repaired Meshullum the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabel, and next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana. And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but the nobles put not their neck to the work of their lord.”
The fish gate was the northern gate of the city, See map on page 138 by Merrill F. Unger.
“The Tekoites lived south of the city and were probably in sympathy with Sanballat, or afraid of reprisals if they openly identified themselves with Nehemiah.” This would account for the fact that “Their nobles put not their neck to the work.”
E.M. Zerr:
Neh 3:3. Smith’s Bible Dictionary says that among the purposes of the gates of eastern cities was that of public markets. We understand, therefore, that the fish gate was the place where fish were bought and sold. That part of the wall was built by the sons of Hassenaah. Since the work was extensive and many workmen were needed, the mention of the men in given cases may be all we can know of them. The part mentioned indicates that a gate of such walls that surrounded the great cities had a very complete formation. They had to be made strong against the battering rams of an invading force attempting to overthrow the structure.
Neh 3:4. The simple information in this verse is the fact that Meremoth, Meshullam and Zadok each were placed in order upon the repair work of the wall.
Neh 3:5. Certain groups came in a body to the city to join in the work. These groups would be assigned to their proper places on the job, and it would then be up to the group to make their own distribution of the workers as to turns. The unit as a whole would get the credit for assistance in the project, although certain individuals in the unit might be shirkers. So in this place, there was the work of the Tekoites, people of Tekoa. The common people among them worked on the job, but the nobles or the ones who thought they were more important, felt above the work.
the fish gate: Neh 12:39, 2Ch 33:14, Zep 1:10
the beams: Neh 3:6, Neh 2:8
the doors: Neh 6:1, Neh 7:1
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge