King James Version

What Does Nehemiah 3:15 Mean?

Nehemiah 3:15 in the King James Version says “But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered...” — study this verse from Nehemiah chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.”

Nehemiah 3:15 · KJV

Context

13

The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and a thousand cubits on the wall unto the dung gate.

14

But the dung gate repaired Malchiah the son of Rechab, the ruler of part of Bethhaccerem; he built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.

15

But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.

16

After him repaired Nehemiah the son of Azbuk, the ruler of the half part of Bethzur, unto the place over against the sepulchres of David, and to the pool that was made, and unto the house of the mighty.

17

After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.

Read Nehemiah 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Col-hozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah; he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, and the wall of the pool of Siloah by the king's garden, and unto the stairs that go down from the city of David.

This verse within Nehemiah 3 addresses themes of community, cooperation, diligence, stewardship. The detailed listing of builders demonstrates organized community effort where each person contributes according to ability and opportunity. The construction work (banah, בָּנָה) symbolizes restoring what sin and judgment destroyed. Jerusalem's wall (chomah, חוֹמָה) provided security, dignity, and testimony to God's faithfulness. City gates were strategic both defensively and administratively, controlling access and serving as centers of commerce and justice. This passage demonstrates biblical principles applicable across both testaments—God's sovereignty combined with human responsibility, faith expressed through obedient action, and the necessity of both individual and corporate commitment to covenant faithfulness. Nehemiah models leadership that combines vision, prayer, courage, integrity, and perseverance amid sustained opposition.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nehemiah's account occurs during Persian imperial dominance (539-331 BC), specifically 445-433 BC under Artaxerxes I. The 52-day wall completion represents remarkable achievement given opposition and limited resources. Excavations have confirmed portions of Nehemiah's wall and various gates mentioned in the text. The Persian period was crucial transitional time when Jewish identity shifted from monarchical nationalism to Torah-centered covenantal community. Without political independence, the people's cohesion depended on shared scripture, temple worship, and covenant obedience. This established patterns persisting through the Second Temple period into New Testament times. Understanding this context illuminates Jesus's ministry among a people shaped by these reforms and challenges.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Nehemiah 3:15 deepen your understanding of God's character and His work in human history?
  2. What specific action or attitude change does this verse call you to make in your walk with God?
  3. How can the principles demonstrated in this passage inform your response to current challenges in your life or church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 29 words
וְאֵת֩1 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שַׁ֨עַר2 of 29

“But the gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הָעַ֜יִן3 of 29

“of the fountain”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

הֶֽ֠חֱזִיק4 of 29

“repaired”

H2388

to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively strengthen, cure, help, repair, fortify), obstinate; to bind, restra

שַׁלּ֣וּן5 of 29

“Shallun”

H7968

shallun, an israelite

בֶּן6 of 29

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

כָּל7 of 29
H0
חֹזֶה֮8 of 29

“of Colhozeh”

H3626

col-chozeh, an israelite

שַׂ֣ר9 of 29

“the ruler”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

פֶּ֣לֶךְ10 of 29

“of part”

H6418

a circuit (i.e., district); also a spindle (as whirled); hence, a crutch

הַמִּצְפָּה֒11 of 29

“of Mizpah”

H4709

mitspah, the name of two places in palestine

ה֤וּא12 of 29
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

יִבְנֶ֙נּוּ֙13 of 29

“he built”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

וִיטַֽלְלֶ֔נּוּ14 of 29

“it and covered”

H2926

properly, to strew over, i.e., (by implication) to cover in or plate (with beams)

וְיַעֲמִיד֙ו15 of 29

“it and set up”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

דַּלְתֹתָ֔יו16 of 29

“the doors”

H1817

something swinging, i.e., the valve of a door

מַנְעֻלָ֖יו17 of 29

“thereof the locks”

H4514

a bolt

וּבְרִיחָ֑יו18 of 29

“thereof and the bars”

H1280

a bolt

וְ֠אֵת19 of 29
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חוֹמַ֞ת20 of 29

“thereof and the wall”

H2346

a wall of protection

בְּרֵכַ֤ת21 of 29

“of the pool”

H1295

a reservoir (at which camels kneel as a resting-place)

הַשֶּׁ֙לַח֙22 of 29

“of Siloah”

H7975

shiloach, a fountain of jerusalem

לְגַן23 of 29

“garden”

H1588

a garden (as fenced)

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ24 of 29

“by the king's”

H4428

a king

וְעַד25 of 29
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַֽמַּעֲל֔וֹת26 of 29

“and unto the stairs”

H4609

elevation, i.e., the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step o

הַיּֽוֹרְד֖וֹת27 of 29

“that go down”

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מֵעִ֥יר28 of 29

“from the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

דָּוִֽיד׃29 of 29

“of David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Nehemiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Nehemiah 3:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Nehemiah 3:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 9:7Isaiah 8:6Nehemiah 12:37Luke 13:4Nehemiah 2:14Judges 20:1

Places in This Verse

City of DavidSettlement · Modern: City of David · 31.77°N, 35.24°E46 verses across 7 books
Fountain GateGate · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E3 verses across 1 book
Mizpah 3Settlement · Modern: Tell en Nasbeh · 31.89°N, 35.22°E32 verses across 7 books
SiloamPool · Modern: Pool of Siloam · 31.77°N, 35.23°E5 verses across 3 books
View all places in Nehemiah 3 →

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