Nehemiah 3:5

5 Beside them the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not lift a finger to help^[a] their supervisors.

Nehemiah 3:5 Meaning and Commentary

Nehemiah 3:5

And next unto them the Tekoites repaired
The inhabitants of Tekoa, a city in the tribe of Judah; see ( Amos 1:1 )

but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord;
either of Nehemiah, as some, or rather of the lord and prince appointed over their families, as Aben Ezra, to whom they would not be subject; though it seems best, with Jarchi, to understand it of the Lord their God, by whose command this work was begun; but they refused to give any assistance to it with their purses or presence, but withdrew from it, as refractory oxen withdraw their necks from the yoke. This is observed to their disgrace, when the common people of their city were ready to work, and did.

Nehemiah 3:5 In-Context

3 The sons of Hassenaah built the Fish Gate. They built it with beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.

4 Next to them Meremoth son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz, made repairs. Beside them Meshullam son of Berechiah, son of Meshezabel, made repairs. Next to them Zadok son of Baana made repairs.

5 Beside them the Tekoites made repairs, but their nobles did not lift a finger to help their supervisors.

6 Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate. They built it with beams and installed its doors, bolts, and bars.

7 Next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, and the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, who were under the authority of the governor of the region west of the Euphrates River.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit not bring their neck to the work of