Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 12:39
And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.
39. from above ] R.V. above.
the gate of Ephraim ] This gate is not mentioned in chap. 3. It was situated probably at about the centre of the northern wall, and was so called because through it passed the main road to Ephraim.
above the old gate ] R.V. by the old gate. Cf. Neh 3:6.
above (R.V. by) the fish gate ] Cf. Neh 3:3.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
39. Cf. Neh 3:2
Hananeel ] R.V. Hananel.
Meah ] R.V. Hammeah. Marg. Or, The hundred.
the sheep gate ] Cf. Neh 3:1.
the prison gate ] R.V. the gate of the guard. In Neh 3:25, we have mention of ‘the court of the guard.’ The gate here mentioned we should expect to be one of the gates of the Temple precincts, leading from the north side into the open space to the east of the Temple. It is an objection that from the mention of ‘the court of the guard’ (Neh 3:25) we should infer that it lay on the south side of the Temple; and if so (which is very unlikely), that the procession led by Nehemiah would have marched past the halting-place of the other company.
It is noticeable that the concluding clause is not found in the best text of the LXX. It may possibly represent a later insertion on the part of a scribe who wished to assign a halting-place to this company.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Waiting, as also their brethren did, that they might go together in due order into Gods house, there to perfect the solemnity.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And from above the gate of Ephraim,…. The gate which led to the tribe of Ephraim, where that tribe formerly dwelt, see Ne 8:16
and above the old gate; of which mention is made, Ne 3:6
and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate; of all which see Ne 3:1, and they stood still in the prison gate; which was not a gate of the city, but of the court of the prison, Ne 3:25, which was near both the king’s palace and the temple, see Jer 20:1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(39) The gate of Ephraim.Not mentioned in the process of repairing, as having remained comparatively intact with part of the broad wall.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
39. Gate of Ephraim In the northern wall, opening out in the direction of Ephraim’s territory. See on 2Ki 14:13.
Old gate sheep gate See Plan, page 444, and notes on Neh 3:1; Neh 3:3; Neh 3:6.
Stood still in the prison gate Came to a halt at that point. The position of the prison gate is uncertain, but was probably near the southwestern corner of the temple area, and not far from the water gate, where the other procession halted. See on Neh 12:37.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Neh 12:39 And from above the gate of Ephraim, and above the old gate, and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the prison gate.
Ver. 39. And from above the gate of Ephraim ] Much mention is here made of the several gates and towers; because God was much seen in helping them so soon to build such; and, by the sight of them, they were much excited to praise the Lord.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the gate of Ephraim: Neh 8:16, 2Ki 14:13
the old: Neh 3:6
the fish gate: Neh 3:3, Zep 1:10
the tower: Neh 3:1, Jer 31:38
the sheep: Neh 3:32, Joh 5:2
the prison: Neh 3:25, Neh 3:31,*Heb: Jer 32:2
Reciprocal: 2Ch 25:23 – gate of Ephraim 2Ch 33:14 – fish gate Zec 14:10 – from Benjamin’s
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Neh 12:39-40. They stood still in the prison-gate Waiting, as also their brethren did, that they might go together in due order into Gods house, there to perfect the solemnity. So stood the two companies, &c. That is, they met together at the temple, and gave thanks in the courts of it. And I and the half of the rulers with me And Ezra and the other half with him, as appears by comparing this with Neh 12:35-36. The order wherein they marched in this pompous manner round about the city seems a little obscure; but the sense of the whole description is this: that they being met together in the same place, half of the rulers went upon the wall on the right hand, accompanied with several priests and Levites, and Ezra the scribe at the head of them, Neh 12:36; and the other half took the left hand, and walked upon the wall in the same order, accompanied with Nehemiah, who brought up the rear of them, Neh 12:38. And, at length, both parts of this chorus met in the temple, and there they stood still and completed their praises and thanksgivings, and offered sacrifices, as mentioned Neh 12:43.