Nehemiah 3:5

5 And next to them the Tekoites restored; but their nobles did not 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 And the sons of Hassenaah built the fish gate; they laid its beams and set up its doors, its locks, and its bars.

4 And next to them Meremoth, the son of Urijah, the son of Koz restored. And next to them Meshullam, the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel restored. And next to them Zadok, the son of Baana, restored.

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

6 Moreover, the old gate was restored by Jehoiada, the son of Paseah, and Meshullam, the son of Besodeiah; they laid its beams and set up its doors, its locks, and its bars.

7 And next to them restored Melatiah, the Gibeonite, and Jadon, the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and of Mizpah, on behalf of the captain of the king over the land on this side the river.