The Gate of the Fountain Repaired - Nehemiah 3:15

In the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah went back to the city of Jerusalem and began to rebuild the wall. Among many people he employed, “Jedaiah the son of Harumaph, even over against his house. And next unto him repaired Hattush the son of Hashabniah. Malchijah the son of Harim, and Hashub the son of Pahathmoab, repaired the other piece, and the tower of the furnaces. And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters. 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. 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”, and in chapter three and verse fifteen of Nehemiah, Nehemiah said, “the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun”, where we read,

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.

The verse reads, “But the gate of the fountain repaired Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of part of Mizpah;”Nehemiah began with the words, “but the gate of the fountain” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover the portal, entryway and opening belonging to the spring” “repaired Shallun” which means “strengthened, hardened and made firm Shallun whose name means retribution” “the son of Colhozeh” or “the male offspring and progeny belonging to Colhozeh whose name means all-seeing”, “the ruler of part of Mizpah” which means “the prince, leader, official, chief and chieftain pertaining to a portion belonging to Mizpah whose name means watchtower”. Nehemiah shared how “Shallun” who was a ruling official in a portion of “Mizpah” worked on the spring or “fountain” portal. 

The verse continues, “he built it, and covered it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof, ...” Nehemiah added the words, “he built it” or “he, Shallun, rebuilt, reconstructed and established the fountain gate”, “and covered it” which means “and put a roof over it, the fountain gate”, “and set up the doors thereof” or “and stood, erected and established the leaves of the gates”, “the locks thereof” which means “the bolts within the fountain gate”, “and the bars thereof” or “and the wooden bars within the fountain gate”. Nehemiah shared how “Shallun” rebuilt the“fountain gate”, put a roof over it, affixed the swinging doors and attached the bolts and wooden bars to the gate.

Finally the verse says, “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 concluded this verse with the words, “and the wall of the pool of Shiloah” or “and the barrier wall pertaining to the pond or fishpool belonging to Shiloah whose name means sent” “by the king's garden” which means “through the means of the enclosure of the garden of plants which belonged to the royal ruler and leader”, “and unto the stairs” or “and toward the ascending steps” “that go down” which means “that descend” “from the city of David” or “separate and apart from the town, place of waking and guarded place belonging to David whose name means blessed and was the son of Jesse and the second king of Israel”. Nehemiah ended this verse by sharing how “Shallun”also worked on the barrier wall belonging to the “pool of Siloah” which was located beside the royal rulers' plant garden and toward the steps which descended from the dwelling place of “David”.

When we meditate upon Nehemiah's words in this verse, we learn how “Shallun”, the ruling official within a portion of“Mizpah”, was actively involved in the reconstruction of the wall located near the spring of “fountain gate”. “Shallun”not only reestablished the “gate” but also the “doors, locks and bars” as well as covering the “gate” with a roof. He continued his work toward the “pool of Siloah” which was located beside the royal ruler's plant garden and toward the steps which descended from the dwelling place of “David”. Piece by piece and section by section the wall of Jerusalem was being rebuilt, and “Shallum” was a part of it. God brought together all these people to rebuild the barrier wall, and He wants to assemble people from around the world to be a part of His Kingdom work. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when Jesus was resurrected from the grave three days later, all who believe and trust in Him as their “Savior and Lord” will be forgiven of their sins, granted everlasting life and given a position in His Kingdom to accomplish His purpose for them in the world. 

Next time Nehemiah says, “after him repaired Nehemiah”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".