Nehemiah 3:5

5 Next to them the men from T'koa made repairs; but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.

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 Hasna'ah rebuilt the Fish Gate; they installed its timber framework and set up its doors, along with its bolts and bars.

4 Next to them M'remot the son of Uriyah, the son of Hakotz, made repairs. Next to them Meshulam the son of Berekhyah, the son of Mesheizav'el, made repairs. Next to them Tzadok the son of Ba'ana made repairs.

5 Next to them the men from T'koa made repairs; but their nobles would not put their shoulders to the work of their Lord.

6 Yoyada the son of Paseach and Meshulam the son of B'sodyah made repairs to the Old City Gate; they installed its timber framework and set up its doors, along with its bolts and bars.

7 Next to them M'latyah the Giv'oni, Yadon the Meronoti and the men from Giv'on and Mitzpah made repairs; they worked for the people associated with the governor of the territory beyond the [Euphrates] River.