Nehemiah 3:5

5 The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.^[a]

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Nehemiah 3:5 in Other Translations

KJV

5 And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.

ESV

5 And next to them the Tekoites repaired, but their nobles would not stoop to serve their Lord.

NLT

5 Next were the people from Tekoa, though their leaders refused to work with the construction supervisors.

MSG

5 and next to him the Tekoites (except for their nobles, who wouldn't work with their master and refused to get their hands dirty with such work).

CSB

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

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Nehemiah 3:5 In-Context

3 The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place.

4 Meremoth son of Uriah, the son of Hakkoz, repaired the next section. Next to him Meshullam son of Berekiah, the son of Meshezabel, made repairs, and next to him Zadok son of Baana also made repairs.

5 The next section was repaired by the men of Tekoa, but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work under their supervisors.

6 The Jeshanah Gate was repaired by Joiada son of Paseah and Meshullam son of Besodeiah. They laid its beams and put its doors with their bolts and bars in place.

7 Next to them, repairs were made by men from Gibeon and Mizpah—Melatiah of Gibeon and Jadon of Meronoth—places under the authority of the governor of Trans-Euphrates.

Cross References 1

1. ver 27; S 2 Samuel 14:2

Footnotes 1

[a]. Or "their Lord" or "the governor"