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.

NEHEMIAH 3:14KJV
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Nehemiah 3:14 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 3:14 mean?

Nehemiah 3:14 describes how Malchiah, the son of Rechab and a leader over part of Bethhaccerem, was responsible for repairing the Dung Gate in Jerusalem. The verse lists the specific work he did: rebuilding the gate, installing its doors, and securing it with locks and bars.

In the book of Nehemiah, these verses record the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls after the Babylonian exile. Nehemiah is narrating who repaired each section, showing the cooperation of different families and leaders. The Dung Gate was an important but humble part of the city, used for removing refuse, and Malchiah’s work there was vital for the city’s restoration.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 3:14

  • דֶּלֶת (deleth; “doors”): This word refers to the actual door panels of the gate, highlighting that the repair included making the gate functional and secure, not just decorative.
  • מִנְעֲלוֹת (min‘alot; “locks”): These were mechanisms to fasten or secure the doors, showing attention to the safety and usability of the gate.
  • בְּרִיחִים (berichim; “bars”): These were horizontal beams used to reinforce the gate, further emphasizing the thoroughness of the repairs.

Why Nehemiah 3:14 matters

  • Nehemiah 3:14 shows that even less glamorous parts of the city, like the Dung Gate, were given careful attention and leadership in their restoration, underlining the value of every role in a community.
  • The verse highlights the cooperation of local leaders, like Malchiah, who took responsibility for their assigned sections, reflecting the shared commitment to rebuilding Jerusalem.
  • By listing the specific repairs—doors, locks, and bars—the verse emphasizes that the work was not superficial but made the gate strong and secure, which was essential for the city’s defense and cleanliness.

Where else these words appear

“Bethhaccerem” Hebrew H1021 · used in 2 verses

  • Jeremiah 6:1 O ye children of Benjamin, gather yourselves to flee out of the midst of Jerusalem, and blow the trumpet in Tekoa, and set up a sign of fire in Bethhaccerem: for evil appeareth out of the north, and great destruction.

“locks” Hebrew H4514 · used in 6 verses

  • Nehemiah 3:3 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.
  • Nehemiah 3:6 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.
  • Nehemiah 3:15 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.

“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 3:13 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.
  • Psalms 113:7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;

“part” Hebrew H6418 · used in 9 verses

  • 2 Samuel 3:29 Let it rest on the head of Joab, and on all his father's house; and let there not fail from the house of Joab one that hath an issue, or that is a leper, or that leaneth on a staff, or that falleth on the sword, or that lacketh bread.
  • Nehemiah 3:12 And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.
  • Nehemiah 3:17 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.