And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire.

NEHEMIAH 2:13KJV
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Nehemiah 2:13 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 2:13 mean?

Nehemiah 2:13 describes Nehemiah secretly inspecting the ruined walls and burned gates of Jerusalem at night, traveling by way of the Valley Gate, past the Dragon Well, and to the Dung Gate. Nehemiah is carefully surveying the damage to understand the true condition of the city before making his plans public.

Nehemiah himself is the speaker, narrating his actions after arriving in Jerusalem from Persia. He chooses to go out at night, likely to avoid drawing attention, and follows a specific route along the city’s southern perimeter. The verse highlights Nehemiah’s caution and determination as he prepares for the difficult work of rebuilding Jerusalem’s defenses.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 2:13

  • "night" (לַיְלָה, laylah): The use of this word emphasizes that Nehemiah’s inspection was done under cover of darkness, suggesting secrecy and perhaps a desire to avoid opposition or premature attention.
  • "viewed" (שָׁבַר, shabar): This word can mean to examine or inspect closely, not just to look at. Nehemiah is carefully assessing the state of the walls, not just passing by.
  • "walls" (חוֹמָה, chomah): The word for walls refers specifically to defensive city walls, underlining the vulnerability of Jerusalem at this time.
  • "gates" (שַׁעַר, sha'ar): Gates were crucial for a city’s security and commerce. The fact that they were "consumed with fire" (אָכַל, akal for "consumed" and אֵשׁ, esh for "fire") shows the extent of the destruction.

Why Nehemiah 2:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Nehemiah did not rush into rebuilding but first took time to understand the real situation, showing wisdom and careful leadership.
  • The mention of specific locations (Valley Gate, Dragon Well, Dung Gate) grounds the story in real geography and history, making it more concrete and credible.
  • By describing the destruction in detail, Nehemiah sets up the urgency and scale of the task ahead, helping readers appreciate the challenges he faced and the significance of the rebuilding effort.

Where else these words appear

“dung” Hebrew H830 · used in 7 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.
  • Nehemiah 3:14 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.
  • Psalms 113:7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

“viewed” Hebrew H7663 · used in 8 verses

  • Ruth 1:13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.
  • Esther 9:1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them,(though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
  • Psalms 119:166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

“dragon” Hebrew H8577 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  • Psalms 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
  • Jeremiah 10:22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.

“down” Hebrew H6555 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
  • Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.