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Saying and doing are often two things: many are ready to say, "Let us rise up and build," who sit still and do nothing, like that fair-spoken son who said, "I go, Sir, but went not." The undertakers here were none of those. As soon as they had resolved to build the wall about Jerusalem they lost no time, but set about it presently, as we find in this chapter. Let it never be said that we left that good work to be done to-morrow which we might as well have done to-day. This chapter gives an account of two things:—I. The names of the builders, which are recorded here to their honour, for they were such as herein discovered a great zeal for God and their country, both a pious and a public spirit, a great degree both of industry and courage; and what they did was fit to be thus largely registered, both for their praise and for the encouragement of others to follow their example. II. The order of the building; they took it before them, and ended where they began. They repaired, 1. From the sheep-gate to the fish-gate, Ne 1:1,2. 2. Thence to the old-gate, Ne 1:3-5. 3. Thence to the valley-gate, Ne 1:6-12. 4. Thence to the dung-gate, Ne 1:13,14. 5. Thence to the gate of the fountain, Ne 1:15. 6. Thence to the water-gate, Ne 1:16-26. 7. Thence by the horse-gate to the sheep-gate again, where they began (Ne 1:27-32), and so they brought their work quite round the city.
1-32
The Rebuilding of the Wall (445 BC)
简体中文
城墙的重建（主前445年）
¹ 那时，大祭司以利亚实起来，又他的弟兄众祭司，建造羊门，分别它为圣，安了门扇；又筑墙到米亚楼，直到哈拿尼楼，都分别它们为圣。
² 在他旁边建造的是耶利哥人。其次是音利的儿子撒刻修造。
³ 哈西拿的众子建造鱼门，架梁，安门扇，和闩，和锁。
⁴ 其次是哈海雅的儿子乌利亚的儿子米利末修造。其次是比利迦的儿子米书兰的儿子米示萨毕修造。其次是巴拿的儿子撒督修造。
⁵ 其次是提哥亚人修造；但是他们的贵胄不用颈项担他们主的工作。
⁶ 巴西亜的儿子约耶达与比所玳的儿子米书兰修造古门；架梁，安门扇，和闩，和锁。
⁷ 其次是基遍人米拉提、米伦尼人雅顿，并基遍人和米斯巴人，修造到河西总督的府。
⁸ 其次是哈海雅的儿子乌薛，就是金匠，修造。其次是作膏药的哈拿尼雅修造。他们就修固耶路撒冷，直到宽墙。
⁹ 其次是户珥的儿子利法雅，就是耶路撒冷半区的区长，修造。
¹⁰ 其次是哈鲁抹的儿子耶大雅，修造在自己房屋的对面。其次是哈沙比尼的儿子哈突修造。
¹¹ 哈琳的儿子玛基雅和巴哈摩押的儿子哈述，修造一段，并炉楼。
¹² 其次是哈罗黑的儿子沙龙，就是耶路撒冷半区的区长，他同着他的女儿们修造。
¹³ 哈嫩和撒挪亚的居民修造谷门；他们建造它，安门扇，和闩，和锁；又筑墙一千肘，直到粪厂门。
¹⁴ 利甲的儿子玛基雅，就是伯哈基琳半区的区长，修造粪厂门；他建造它，安门扇，和闩，和锁。
¹⁵ 沙仑是米斯巴半区的区长，他修造泉门；他建造它，盖完它，安门扇，和闩，和锁；又修造靠近王园的西罗亚池的墙垣，直到从大卫城下来的台阶。
¹⁶ 其次是押卜克的儿子尼希米，就是伯夙半区的区长，修造直到对着大卫坟地的所在，又到所造的池子，并到勇士的房屋。
¹⁷ 其次是利未人巴尼的儿子利宏修造。其次是基伊拉半区的区长哈沙比雅，修造属他的一段。
¹⁸ 其次是他们的弟兄基伊拉半区的区长希拿达的儿子巴瓦伊修造。
¹⁹ 其次是米斯巴的区长耶书亚的儿子以谢，修造一段，对着军库上坡、城墙转弯之处。
²⁰ 其次是萨拜的儿子巴录，竭力修造一段，从城墙转弯之处，直到大祭司以利亚实的房屋门口。
²¹ 其次是哈海雅的儿子乌利亚的儿子米利末，修造一段，从大祭司以利亚实房屋的门口，直到以利亚实房屋的尽末。
²² 其次是祭司，就是平原的人，修造。
²³ 其次是便雅悯与哈述，修造在自己房屋的对面。其次是亚难尼的孙子、玛西雅的儿子亚撒利雅，修造在自己房屋旁边。
²⁴ 其次是希拿达的儿子宾内修造一段，从亚撒利雅的房屋，直到城墙转弯之处，直到城角。
²⁵ 乌赛的儿子巴拉，修造对着城墙转弯之处和王宫高处的突出之楼，就是靠近护卫院的楼。其次是巴录的儿子毗大雅。
²⁶ 尼提宁人住在俄斐勒，直到对着东边水门之处，和突出的楼。
²⁷ 其次是提哥亚人修造一段，对着那突出的高楼，直到俄斐勒的城墙。
²⁸ 从马门以上，是祭司修造，各人对着自己的房屋。
²⁹ 其次是音麦的儿子撒督，修造在自己房屋的对面。其次是示迦尼的儿子示玛雅，就是看守东门的人修造。
³⁰ 其次是示利米雅的儿子哈拿尼雅，和萨法的第六子哈嫩，修造一段。其次是比利迦的儿子米书兰修造，对着自己的房屋。
³¹ 其次是玛基雅，就是金匠的儿子，修造到尼提宁人的住处和商人那里，对着哈米弗甲门，直到城的角楼上坡。
³² 在城的角楼上坡和羊门之间，是金匠和商人修造。
要明白本章怎样划分，最好的方法是看工程怎样在承办人中间分配，使各人知道当作的是什么，并怀着圣洁的 emulation——愿意超过别人，却无争竞、敌意或各人私利之心——殷勤而行。他们之间并无纷争，只有谁为公益多做些。此处所记关于耶路撒冷城墙建造的几件事，可以留意：
I. 大祭司以利亚实与众祭司弟兄，在这一队建造者中居首（尼3:1）。牧者当在一切善工上为首；因为他们的职分使他们有责任以榜样来教导、激励人，正如以教义一样。若其中有劳苦，谁比他们更宜去作？若其中有危险，谁比他们更宜冒险？大祭司的尊荣甚大，也使他理当在此项事奉上显出自己。众祭司修造的是"羊门"，如此称呼，是因为经此门牵入要在殿中献为祭的羊；所以祭司承担这门的修造，因为"耶和华藉火所献的祭物"原是他们的产业。惟独这门，记载说他们"将它分别为圣"——以话语和祷告，或许也以祭物——大概是因为：1. 这门通往圣殿；或 2. 因为城墙的建造从此开始，虽然（他们大概同时在城墙各段动工）这门最先完工，所以他们在这门处庄严地将他们的城和城墙交托于神的护佑；或 3. 因为祭司是这门的建设者；而牧者比别人更当如此，他们既已特别地分别为圣归给 神，就当将自己一切作为都分别为圣归他，甚至平常的行动也"按着敬虔之道"而行。
II. 承办的人甚多，各人按自己的能力，在这工程中各承一份，有多有少。请注意，凡为公益当作之事，人人都当尽力协助，并按着自己的地位与能力推进一步。合力所能胜的，是任何个人所不敢冒险的。人手多则工作轻。
III. 许多人并非耶路撒冷本地居民，却在这工程中殷勤，他们纯粹顾念公益，并不求一己私利或益处。此处有耶利哥人居先（尼3:2），有基遍人和米斯巴人（尼3:7），又有撒挪亚人（尼3:13）。每一个以色列人都当为建造耶路撒冷尽一臂之力。
IV. 几位长官——耶路撒冷的和别城的——都在这工程中殷勤，认为按尊荣而论，他们有责任尽他们的财富与力量所能，促进这善工。但可留意的是，他们被称为"半"区或某"区"的区长。一个是"耶路撒冷半区的区长"（尼3:12），另一个是伯哈基琳某区的区长（尼3:14），另一个是米斯巴某区的区长（尼3:15），另一个是"伯夙半区的区长"（尼3:16），一个是基伊拉"一半半区"的区长，另一个是基伊拉"另一半半区"的区长（尼3:17,18）。大概波斯政府不愿将坚固城交托任何一人，而任命两人相互监察。罗马也有两位执政官。
V. 此处对提哥亚的贵胄贴上公正的责备：他们"不用颈项担他们主的工作"（尼3:5），即不愿负起此项事奉的责任，仿佛他们贵族的尊严与自由便是他们不必事奉 神、不必行善的释放令——其实事奉 神与行善才是最高的尊荣、真正的自由。愿贵胄不要以为任何有助于本国利益的事有失他们的身份；因为他们的贵族身份，除了将他们置于较卑下之人所处之上更广更高的有用之地以外，还有什么用处呢？
VI. 有两人合力修造"古门"（尼3:6），如此便同作根基，共享其荣。凡我们自己不能成就的善工，我们当感谢那些肯与我们合伙的人。有人以为这门称为"古门"，是因为它属于古时的撒冷——那城据说最初为麦基洗德所建。
VII. 几位诚实正直的工匠——正如祭司和长官一样——也在这工程中殷勤：金匠、膏药匠、商人（尼3:8,32）。他们并不以为他们的行业可以作借口，也不推辞说自己不能离开店铺去办公众的事，因为他们知道，所损失的，必因 神对他们行业的赐福而得着补足。
VIII. 提到几位女士也协助这项工程——"沙龙和他的女儿们"（尼3:12），她们虽不能亲自劳作，却因有自己的产业在手，或为富有的寡妇，便捐输银钱，购买材料、支付工人。使徒保罗也提到几位良善的妇女"在福音里与他一同劳苦"（腓4:3）。
IX. 论到有些人，记载他们"在自己房屋的对面"修造（尼3:10,23,28,29），又论到一个人（大概只是房客）"对着自己的房屋"修造（尼3:30）。当作一项通盘的善工之时，各人都当着手作那最贴近自己、又在自己范围以内的那一部分。若人人都扫自家门前，街上就洁净了；若人人都修补一处，我们便都得了修补。那只有一间房屋的人，若修好它前面那一段，也算是尽了他的本分。
X. 论到一个人，记载他"竭力"修造所分得的那一段（尼3:20）——他以炽热的热心去作；并不是说别人冷淡或漠不关心，而是他在众人中最为殷勤，因此也就使自己卓然出众。这样"在善事上热心"是好的；大概这位好人的热心激发了许多人更加殷勤、更加急切。
XI. 在这些建造者中，论到一人，记载他是他父亲的"第六子"（尼3:30）。看来他的五位长兄并没有下手作这工，他却作了。在行善之时，我们不必等长辈在先；他们若推辞，并不因此我们便当推辞。如此，年幼的弟兄若为更好的人，对 神和他那一代作更美的服事，他实在更是上等的绅士；最有用的人最为尊荣。
XII. 有些先已作完的人，帮助同伴，又在最见需要之处另承一份。米利末修造了（尼3:4），又修造（尼3:21）。提哥亚人除了他们所修造的一段（尼3:5）之外，又另承一段（尼3:27），这是更可注意的，因为他们的贵胄退出事奉、给他们作了坏榜样——这不但不能作他们坐视不动的借口，反而使他们更加殷勤，要作双倍的工，借他们的热心或可叫贵胄的贪婪与冷漠得着羞愧，或为他们赎罪。
最后，此处并未提到尼希米本人在工程中有任何特别的分。一位同名之人被提及（尼3:16）。但他什么也没作么？不，他虽未承城墙的任何一段，他却比他们任何一人作得更多，因为他统管他们众人；他的一半仆人在最见需要之处作工，另一半站岗守望，正如我们日后所见（尼4:16）；而他自己亲自巡行各处，指点建造者、鼓励他们，见有需要便下手操作，并留意仇敌的动向，正如我们在下章所要看见的。舵手不必去拉绳子：他能掌舵便够了。
英文原文
The Rebuilding of the Wall (445 BC)
¹ Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel.
² And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri.
³ But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
⁴ And next unto them repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah, the son of Koz. And next unto them repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah, the son of Meshezabeel. And next unto them repaired Zadok the son of Baana.
⁵ And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their Lord.
⁶ Moreover the old gate repaired Jehoiada the son of Paseah, and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah; they laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, and the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.
⁷ And next unto them repaired Melatiah the Gibeonite, and Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon, and of Mizpah, unto the throne of the governor on this side the river.
⁸ Next unto him repaired Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, of the goldsmiths. Next unto him also repaired Hananiah the son of one of the apothecaries, and they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall.
⁹ And next unto them repaired Rephaiah the son of Hur, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem.
¹⁰ And next unto them repaired Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah.
¹¹ Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces.
¹² And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
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 Beth-haccerem; 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 Beth-zur, 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.
¹⁸ After him repaired their brethren, Bavai the son of Henadad, the ruler of the half part of Keilah.
¹⁹ And next to him repaired Ezer the son of Jeshua, the ruler of Mizpah, another piece over against the going up to the armoury at the turning of the wall.
²⁰ After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest.
²¹ After him repaired Meremoth the son of Urijah the son of Koz another piece, from the door of the house of Eliashib even to the end of the house of Eliashib.
²² And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.
²³ After him repaired Benjamin and Hashub over against their house. After him repaired Azariah the son of Maaseiah the son of Ananiah by his house.
²⁴ After him repaired Binnui the son of Henadad another piece, from the house of Azariah unto the turning of the wall, even unto the corner.
²⁵ Palal the son of Uzai, over against the turning of the wall, and the tower which lieth out from the king's high house, that was by the court of the prison. After him Pedaiah the son of Parosh.
²⁶ Moreover the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, unto the place over against the water gate toward the east, and the tower that lieth out.
²⁷ After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.
²⁸ From above the horse gate repaired the priests, every one over against his house.
²⁹ After them repaired Zadok the son of Immer over against his house. After him repaired also Shemaiah the son of Shechaniah, the keeper of the east gate.
³⁰ After him repaired Hananiah the son of Shelemiah, and Hanun the sixth son of Zalaph, another piece. After him repaired Meshullam the son of Berechiah over against his chamber.
³¹ After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith's son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.
³² And between the going up of the corner unto the sheep gate repaired the goldsmiths and the merchants.
The best way to know how to divide this chapter is to observe how the work was divided among the undertakers, that every one might know what he had to do, and mind it accordingly with a holy emulation, and desire to excel, yet without any contention, animosity, or separate interest. No strife appears among them but which should do most for the public good. Several things are observable in the account here given of the building of the wall about Jerusalem:—
I. That Eliashib the high priest, with his brethren the priests, led the van in this troop of builders, Ne 3:1. Ministers should be foremost in every good work; for their office obliges them to teach and quicken by their example, as well as by their doctrine. If there be labour in it, who so fit as they to work? if danger, who so fit as they to venture? The dignity of the high priest was very great, and obliged him to signalize himself in this service. The priests repaired the sheep-gate, so called because through it were brought the sheep that were to be sacrificed in the temple; and therefore the priests undertook the repair of it because the offerings of the Lord made by fire were their inheritance. And of this gate only it is said that they sanctified it with the word and prayer, and perhaps with sacrifices perhaps, 1. Because it led to the temple; or, 2. Because with this the building of the wall began, and it is probable (though they were at work in all parts of the wall at the same time) that this was first finished, and therefore at this gate they solemnly committed their city and the walls of it to the divine protection; or, 3. Because the priests were the builders of it; and it becomes ministers above others, being themselves in a peculiar manner sanctified to God, to sanctify to him all their performances, and to do even their common actions after a godly sort.
II. That the undertakers were very many, who each took his share, some more and some less, in this work, according as their ability was. Note, What is to be done for the public good every one should assist in, and further, to the utmost of his place and power. United force will conquer that which no individual dares venture on. Many hands will make light work.
III. That many were active in this work who were not themselves inhabitants of Jerusalem, and therefore consulted purely the public welfare and not any private interest or advantage of their own. Here are the men of Jericho with the first (Ne 3:2), the men of Gibeon and Mizpah (Ne 3:7), and Zanoah, Ne 3:13. Every Israelite should lend a hand towards the building up of Jerusalem.
IV. That several rulers, both of Jerusalem and of other cities, were active in this work, thinking themselves bound in honour to do the utmost that their wealth and power enabled them to do for the furtherance of this good work. But it is observable that they are called rulers of part, or the half part, of their respective cities. One was ruler of the half part of Jerusalem (Ne 3:12), another of part of Beth-haccerem (Ne 3:14), another of part of Mizpah (Ne 3:15), another of the half part of Beth-zur (Ne 3:16), one was ruler of one half part, and another of the other half part, of Keilah, Ne 3:17,18. Perhaps the Persian government would not entrust any one with a strong city, but appointed two to be a watch upon each other. Rome had two consuls.
V. Here is a just reproach fastened upon the nobles of Tekoa, that they put not their necks to the work of their Lord (Ne 3:5), that is, they would not come under the yoke of an obligation to this service; as if the dignity and liberty of their peerage were their discharge from serving God and doing good, which are indeed the highest honour and the truest freedom. Let not nobles think any thing below them by which they may advance the interests of their country; for what else is their nobility good for but that it puts them in a higher and larger sphere of usefulness than that in which inferior persons move?
VI. Two persons joined in repairing the old gate (Ne 3:6), and so were co-founders, and shared the honour of it between them. The good work which we cannot compass ourselves we must be thankful to those that will go partners with us in. Some think that this is called the old gate because it belonged to the ancient Salem, which was said to be first built by Melchizedek.
VII. Several good honest tradesmen, as well as priests and rulers, were active in this work—goldsmiths, apothecaries, merchants, Ne 3:8,32. They did not think their callings excused them, nor plead that they could not leave their shops to attend the public business, knowing that what they lost would certainly be made up to them by the blessing of God upon their callings.
VIII. Some ladies are spoken of as helping forward this work—Shallum and his daughters (Ne 3:12), who, though not capable of personal service, yet having their portions in their own hands, or being rich widows, contributed money for buying materials and paying workmen. St. Paul speaks of some good women that laboured with him in the gospel, Php 4:3.
IX. Of some it is said that they repaired over against their houses (Ne 3:10,23,28,29), and of one (who, it is likely, was only a lodger) that he repaired over against his chamber, Ne 3:30. When a general good work is to be done each should apply himself to that part of it that falls nearest to him and is within his reach. If every one will sweep before his own door, the street will be clean; if every one will mend one, we shall be all mended. If he that has but a chamber will repair before that, he does his part.
X. Of one it is said that he earnestly repaired that which fell to his share (Ne 3:20)—he did it with an inflamed zeal; not that others were cold or indifferent, but he was the most vigorous of any of them and consequently made himself remarkable. It is good to be thus zealously affected in a good thing and it is probable that this good man's zeal provoked very many to take the more pains and make the more haste.
XI. Of one of these builders it is observed that he was the sixth son of his father, Ne 3:30. His five elder brethren, it seems, laid not their hand to this work, but he did. In doing that which is good we need not stay to see our elders go before us; if they decline it, it does not therefore follow that we must. Thus the younger brother, if he be the better man, and does God and his generation better service, is indeed the better gentleman; those are most honourable that are most useful.
XII. Some of those that had first done helped their fellows, and undertook another share where they saw there was most need. Meremoth repaired, Ne 3:4 and again, Ne 3:21. And the Tekoites, besides the piece they repaired (Ne 3:5), undertook another piece (Ne 3:27), which is the more remarkable because their nobles set them a bad example by withdrawing from the service, which, instead of serving them for an excuse to sit still, perhaps made them the more forward to do double work, that by their zeal they might either shame or atone for the covetousness and carelessness of their nobles.
Lastly, Here is no mention of any particular share that Nehemiah himself had in this work. A name-sake of his is mentioned, Ne 3:16. But did he do nothing? Yes, though he undertook not any particular piece of the wall, yet he did more than any of them, for he had the oversight of them all; half of his servants worked where there was most need, and the other half stood sentinel, as we find afterwards (Ne 4:16), while he himself in his own person walked the rounds, directed and encouraged the builders, set his hand to the work where he saw occasion, and kept a watchful eye upon the motions of the enemy, as we shall find in the next chapter. The pilot needs not haul at a rope: it is enough for him to steer.
说与做往往判若两事：许多人嘴里乐意说“我们起来建造吧”，却安然坐着不动，就像那个嘴上答应的儿子说“主啊，我去”，却始终未去。此处的开工者绝非这等人。他们既已决意在耶路撒冷四周筑墙，便毫不耽延，立即动手，正如我们在本章所见。决不可说：今日能作的善工，我们竟推到明日。本章记述两件事：—I. 建造者的名字：这些名字在此被记录以归荣耀给他们，因为他们在其中显出对神与本国极大的热心，既有敬虔之心，也有为公众的胸怀，并兼具勤勉与勇气；他们所作的，理当如此详尽记下，既为赞美他们，也为激励他人效法。II. 建造的次序：他们循序推进，在起初之处收尾。他们修筑：1. 从羊门到鱼门（尼 1:1-2）。2. 由此到古门（尼 1:3-5）。3. 由此到谷门（尼 1:6-12）。4. 由此到粪厂门（尼 1:13-14）。5. 由此到泉门（尼 1:15）。6. 由此到水门（尼 1:16-26）。7. 由此经马门回到起初的羊门（尼 1:27-32），如此便把他们的工程环绕全城一周。