Nehemiah 3:20 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 3:20 mean?

Nehemiah 3:20 records Baruch’s part in rebuilding Jerusalem’s wall. It singles him out for working earnestly and identifies the section entrusted to him by the landmarks at each end.

The account moves along the wall from one work party to the next. Here, the writer traces Baruch’s section from a bend in the wall to the entrance of the high priest Eliashib’s house. These landmarks helped readers picture where the work took place.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 3:20

• “earnestly” — חָרָה (ḥarah): This word can carry the sense of burning or being stirred up. Here the KJV understands it as describing the energy Baruch put into his work.

• “repaired” — חָזַק (ḥazaq): This word can mean “strengthen” or “make firm.” It brings out the work of making the damaged wall sturdy again.

• “other” — שֵׁנִי (sheni): This word can mean “second.” It identifies the section as another piece of work, rather than describing the material used.

Why Nehemiah 3:20 matters

• Baruch’s effort receives special notice. The word “earnestly” gives a detail about how he worked, alongside the account of where he worked.

• The verse connects the wall repairs with a recognizable household. “Eliashib the high priest” identifies the Eliashib whose house served as a landmark; the high priest was the leading priest among the people.