Nehemiah 3:5

5 Next to them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles didn't put their necks 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 fish gate did the sons of Sena'ah build; they laid the beams of it, and set up the doors of it, the bolts of it, and the bars of it.

4 Next to them repaired Meremot the son of Uriyah, the son of Hakkotz. Next to them repaired Meshullam the son of Berekhyah, the son of Meshezav'el. Next to them repaired Tzadok the son of Ba`anah.

5 Next to them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles didn't put their necks to the work of their lord.

6 The old gate repaired Yoiada the son of Pase'ach and Meshullam the son of Besodyah; they laid the beams of it, and set up the doors of it, and the bolts of it, and the bars of it.

7 Next to them repaired Melatyah the Giv`oni, and Yadon the Meronotite, the men of Giv`on, and of Mitzpah, [that appertained] to the throne of the governor beyond the River.