The WORD Incarnate is Jesus Christ, the Creator of all things – and just as He created all things with astonishing exactness and precision, right down to the atomic structure of the universe, but also, the atoms themselves have parts we call the subatomic structure and even these subatomic parts have even smaller parts called quanta. I believe He has attended the inspiration of Scripture with at least the same level (I suspect, much higher) of detail, precision and exactness.
One could read through GENESIS 5, and come away with the superficial fact that it lists a genealogy of ten names, and yet when you peel back the English, delve deeper than the colloquial meaning of the Hebrew, and go down into the root meanings of those names, they spell out the message of the Gospel:
“Man [Adam] appointed [Seth] mortal [Enosh] sorrow [Cainan]. The blessed GOD [Mahalalel] shall come down [Jared], teaching [Enoch] His death shall bring [Methuselah] the despairing [Lamech] rest [Noah].”!!! Coincidence? Hardly!As we have already seen in the last article, some of the names of people and even of some places have very significant meaning. This Bible is a treasure trove of truth – and any treasure worth having is usually buried deep – and requires a lot of digging to unearth them!
PROVERBS 25:2-3And if not for the canon of Scripture, the heart of the King of kings would be entirely unsearchable; yet because we who are born again have understanding of the Word by the indwelling Spirit, we are able to see into the holy, magnificent, glorious, beautiful, gracious heart of our King, the LORD of Truth and Grace (ROM 11:33; EPH 3:8-11)!
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter. 3 As the heavens for height and the earth for depth, So the heart of kings is unsearchable.
We left off with various assignments given to specific people in the rebuilding of the walls, the gates, the towers. In what we uncovered so far, some of these names (of people and places) have had extraordinarily pertinent meanings! We’ll pick up in vs. 6 and see what else we can find!
NEHEMIAH 3:6
6 Moreover Jehoiada the son of Paseah and Meshullam the son of Besodeiah repaired the Old Gate; they laid its beams and hung its doors, with its bolts and bars.
The work began along the northern wall, starting with the Sheep Gate (just right of center of the wall) and the Towers of Meah and Hananeel, and then the Fish Gate. That completed repair work for most of the northern wall with the exception of the Miphkad Gate and “Chamber of the Corner” located exactly where the northern and Eastern wall meet. Instead, repair work continued along the Western wall starting with “the Old Gate”.
As previously observed, the allocation of workers was not random; Nehemiah didn’t merely say, “Go build the wall, wherever you feel like it”. They were given assignments and specific instructions where to engage in the rebuilding of the walls around Jerusalem.
Likewise, where we are building in GOD’s kingdom has been granted to us – we didn’t (or shouldn’t!) start working wherever we “feel like it”, but in accordance with GOD’s will, His calling and ordination (HEB 5:4-5). However, it may well be that the ministry you feel like being a part of is the very one GOD has ordained for you!
EPHESIANS 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared [“ordained” KJV] beforehand that we should walk in them.
By abiding in His Word, by seeking Him diligently in prayer, and obeying His leading in the things we’ve already been committed to, in GOD’s timing, He makes known what He has prepared for us in engaging in building GOD’s kingdom.
What I mean by “building GOD’s Kingdom” is simply what the church has been commissioned with from the start: to preach the Gospel to the lost (MARK 16:15; COL 1:23), to make disciples (MATT 28:19), to love and serve the LORD with devoted hearts of worship and prayer, and to serve all, especially the saints (PSALM 95:6 18:1; 31:23; 100:2; GAL 5:13).
What others associate with “building the kingdom” – such as dominating the entertainment industry, taking over the educational system, to enter into the political and business arenas (and other “spheres” as well) with the objective of “Christianizing America” (this is the stuff of the “Seven Mountain Mandate” born out of the New ApostolicReformation movement, a wholly unbiblical movement) is not mentioned anywhere in Scripture as the means of kingdom building!
Jehoiada and Meshullam were assigned with the building of “the old gate”. Jehoiada is based on the root word Yhowyada, meaning “Jehovah is known”. Meshullam (as we saw in our previous study) means “allied”. Only this is a different man, because the former Meshullam had Berechiah (“the blessing of JAH”) as his father.
PSALM 48:1-3This latter Meshullam has Besodeiah as his father, and his name means, “in the counsel of Jehovah”.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised In the city of our God, In His holy mountain. 2 Beautiful in elevation, The joy of the whole earth, Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, The city of the great King. 3 God is in her palaces; He is known as her refuge (See also PSALM 76:1-3; 1 JOHN 2:14).
The old gate was among the first, if not the first gate reconstructed which led into the city of David (that section of Jerusalem that was established first (upon which, the city expanded until the entire parameters of the old city was built.
I am reminded of what Jeremiah declared to apostate Israel: his cry for the people to return to the LORD:
JEREMIAH 6:16Those old paths were “the ways of the LORD” the blessings He would pour upon them as they yielded and obeyed the voice of the LORD. Those were indeed “the path of life” (PSALM 16:11) where the saints of old would find “rest for your souls” and if those words ring familiar it’s because He Who is the Way as well as the Truth and the Life (JOHN 14:6) said that those who would take up His yoke and learn of Him would find rest of their souls (MATT 11:29).
Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'
“Jehovah is known” in these paths of old, the way that is good, the Law of the LORD that was given to Israel. Those who are “allied” with the “counsel of Jehovah” will know of this blessedness as they “walk in it” even as we the church “walk in the Light” (1 JOHN 1:7)!
Jehoiada is the son of Paseah, whose name means “to limp” but it can also mean “to dance” – we rejoice, we sing, we dance, we celebrate with joy in our hearts when we understand that “Jehovah is known [to us]!” and we “stand in the ways” and “ask for the old paths”.
Let us remember the LORD and return to Him if ever we stray from the tried and true Scripture, whenever we might find ourselves attracted to the things of this world, or even “to the (so-called) newest move of the Spirit” only to later learn that it wasn’t new, and it wasn’t the Holy Spirit, but a seducing one (1 TIM 4:1)!
NEHEMIAH 3:7
And next to them Melatiah the Gibeonite, Jadon the Meronothite, the men of Gibeon and Mizpah, repaired the residence [more properly translated as “throne” in the KJV and the Hebrew “kicce”] of the governor of the region beyond the River.
Time after time, we keep seeing this one word repeated fluently: “repaired” which is chazaq in the Hebrew (appearing twenty eight times in this chapter alone!), and it means “to strengthen or cause to be strong, to fasten upon, courageous, fortify (to be obstinate), to confirm or establish, to encourage (oneself), to harden, to play the man, stout (hearted), valiant”. This was what it meant to repair the walls of Jerusalem, and as we’ve seen before, these walls represent the prayers of the saints, testimony, sanctification, and a declaration of distinction between GOD’s people and the devil’s..
We are to be strengthened by our prayers, courageous in our testimony for Christ, to harden or fortify ourselves in the face of opposition and persecution, to be resolved in pursuing sanctification and Christlikeness in a world of perverse evils and rebellion. We are to be valiant in exhibiting our distinction from the world, as being saints of GOD, followers of His holiness: salt and light – both of which can sting (salt in the open wounds caused by the corruption of sin, light in the eyes that are accustomed to the spiritual darkness that covers all this fallen world).
Just as the repairs were going on in the City of Peace, that work of restoration so that the people of GOD could rest in the LORD’s peace, so too is the work of the Spirit in our lives: to repair the old waste places that were damaged by the ravages of sin (ISA 58:12). The LORD redeems and reclaims us who were once lost sheep, starved and ravaged, harassed by wolves, but brought into His fold – loved supremely, cared for incessantly, and led faithfully!
Melatiah means “Jah has delivered”; he was a Gibeonite along with his men that helped to build. along with Jadon (“thankful”) the Meronothite were intent upon repairing the throne of the governor.
There are times when we saints can forget the One Who bought us (1 COR 6:20) – the One that we declared would be LORD over our lives (ROM 10:9-10). We forget how cruel and hard this world really is and begin to look on it once again with fondness, as a friend (JAMES 4:4).
The LORD’s throne within our hearts begins to fall into disrepair and it’s only as “the LORD delivers” us from our backslidden condition that the throne is brought back to its rightful state, where the LORD is once again enthroned, glorified, and worshiped above all. It’s at such times that we are “thankful” that He left the ninety-nine and sought for that one sheep that was lost – and was found (LUKE 15:4-7)!
Interestingly enough, I couldn’t find any specific information for the description of Jadon (“the Meronothite”) but I did find out that his people dwelled in “a district of Zebulon”, whose name means “to dwell, to abide, a residence”).
This is exactly what we’ve desired when we came to know all that the LORD Jesus Christ did for us, all that the Father sacrificed out of His heart of love, all that the Spirit does for us, the indwelling, the anointing, the empowering – that the LORD GOD would (and has!) taken up residence on the throne of our hearts and dwells and abides with and in us (JOHN 14:23; 15:4)!
In the ultimate restoration of Israel to occur preceding, and initiating the Millennium, their spiritual prosperity will be completely, entirely fulfilled:
EZEKIEL 36:24-25Here we see a removal of the wicked heart (JER 17:9), being replaced with a totally new heart – created by GOD Himself, wherein the Holy Spirit will find a suitably sanctified dwelling, ‘our holy of holies’ as it were, that currently blesses the church, the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 COR 6:19) which will then bless Israel!
24 "For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land (see EZEK 34:13; 37:21). 25 "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols (see ISA 52:15; JER 33:8; HEB 10:22).
It was because of Israel’s horrid and blasphemous idolatry that led them into captivity to begin with, from which they’ve only in Nehemiah’s time, began to recover from!
EZEKIEL 36:26-27
26 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh (also JER 32:39; EZEK 11:19). 27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them (and EZEK 11:19; 37:14).
NEHEMIAH 3:8-10
8 Next to him Uzziel the son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths, made repairs. Also next to him Hananiah, one of the perfumers, made repairs; and they fortified Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall. 9 And next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, leader of half the district of Jerusalem, made repairs. 10 Next to them Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs in front of his house. And next to him Hattush the son of Hashabniah made repairs.
Now the repairs have been effected from the middle of the North Wall, proceeding West and having the Old Gate repaired. What’s next on the agenda is “the Broad Wall” which is adjacent to the Old Gate, and south of it, is the wider section of the West wall that extends from the Tower of the Ovens (Furnace) down to the far end where the West wall meets the South wall (close to the Valley Gate).
Vs. 8 – Uzziel (son of Harhaiah) and Hananiah made repairs from the Old Gate area all the way to the Broad Wall that included the Ephraim Gate.
Uzziel means “strength of GOD” and his father’s name – Harhaiah, means “fearing Jah”!
ISAIAH 33:5-6Any who exhibit godly fear – reverential, awe-filled, submissive hearts that both will and do the will of GOD will have GOD’s strength accompany them:
5 The LORD is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness. 6 Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; The fear of the LORD is His treasure.
PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13This formidable work at the Broad Wall (a name given from the wide expanse and thickness of this structure) would comprise of a prodigious project. To match it, GOD would provide His strength to all who reverence and serve Him. An old saying, “Where GOD guides, GOD provides” and where by the Spirit of the LORD these men were directed to this task, the LORD would see to it that His strength would be provided.
12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Hananiah means “Jah has favored” and if his name sounds familiar to you, it’s because it is! He is one of the three Hebrew young men that accompanied Daniel the prophet (DAN 1:6).
The LORD’s favor is upon those who seek Him and His kingdom first (MATT 6:33)!
Vs. 9 – Rephaiah, the son of Hur together with his father made repairs to “the half district of Jerusalem, which apparently included the city from the Tyropoaon Valley all the way to the North wall. Rephaiah means “Jah has cured”. We know of a Hur previously as one of the assistants to Moses (EXOD 17:10).
“The Tyropoaon Valley is the name given by Josephus the historian to the valley or rugged ravine, in the Old City of Jerusalem, which in ancient times separated Mount Moriah from Mount Zion and emptied into the valley of Hinnnom”. From Wikipedia.
This interior area of the northern section of the Old City was in a terrible state of disrepair, but by the grace of GOD Rephaiah and his father Hur saw to the task.
Just as Hur’s son’s name means “Jah has cured” we apply this truth to our own lives as Christians: whether by the ravages of time, the ill will of plunder or the malice of attacks be they spiritual or physical – there is no damage we can incur that our GOD cannot cure and bring wholeness and healing! Any who believe otherwise serve too small a ‘God’.
Vs. 10 – Jedaiah the son of Harumaph made repairs in front of (or “before”) his house and Hattush the son of Hashabniah likewise made such repairs.
It’s worthy of note that these men were not accustomed to menial labors to produce menial pay. Though one could consider goldsmithing hard work, it rendered considerable wealth, as did the manufacture of perfumes or remedies (as with apothecaries).
Regardless of their own professions with all the wealth associated with them, these men were willing to engage in such heavy, manual labor that benefitted the city of Jerusalem and blessed the LORD’s heart – quite contrary to the nobles who “put not their necks to the work” (NEH 3:5).
There were many of the Jews who came from far away, and traveled extensively just so that they could arrive at Jerusalem and conduct work in this massive project. Others were already in the Old City because it was their home.
The LORD Jesus told His disciples to: "Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (MATT 9:38), and we come from far and near to work in the kingdom of GOD – for some of us, where we work is “before [our] house”, and others are sent to far off, distant and foreign lands. We seek the salvation of our immediate family or those families that are native to lands the globe over.
In any event, we should all be engaged in prayer that the LORD will send His laborers into His fields or vineyards to work (MATT 20:1-6). Just don’t be surprised after some time in praying, that He may call you as one of those workers!
“Jedaiah” means “praised of Jah”; and Hashabniah means “thought of Jah”
You will notice by now that virtually all of these names have the Name of GOD (either “Jah” or “El”) in them: this is not coincidental at all! We all know the truth of the matter:
PSALM 127:1aJedaiah - Who is it that the LORD will praise and give recognition to? Those who hear and obey – (MATT 7:24; 25:20-23) or as Scripture puts it, “to hearken to the LORD” (1 SAM 15:1,22). You see, to hear and to hearken are not the same thing; I used to think so!
Unless the LORD [JAH] builds the house, They labor in vain who build it…
The act of hearing is simply to hear: one listens to another; but hearken means to listen with the intent to obey! I see these as different as a student listening to a lecture, and a soldier at attention, receiving orders from their superior.
And then we have Hashabniah – “thought of Jah”. Not being a Hebrew scholar, I only have the same resources as any student of the Bible, but from what I can gather in my Hebrew Lexicon “thought” refers to “a plan, a contrivance, a thought, to think on, evil plot, evil intent”.
Since GOD is not capable of moral evil, I think this word is unilaterally from man to GOD (not the other way around), hence, “thought of GOD” means one who has thought of, thought on, or about GOD.
When we receive the Word of GOD, we ponder the things of GOD, we think on Him, we speak about Him, and we desire to hearken to Him. Did you know that GOD keeps record of those who meditate upon “His Name”? And He claims those as His “jewels”?
MALACHI 3:16-17We’ve only covered five verses in Part Four of this study and look at how much we were able to draw out! This is a testament to the depths of GOD’s Holy Word! It’s been said that “the Bible is shallow enough for a babe to wade in, but also deep enough to sink an elephant into it!”
16 Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name. 17 "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them As a man spares his own son who serves him."
We’ll go ahead and tackle the next part (Five) and continue through NEHEMIAH 3; as for searching out the names and places of their original Hebrew meanings, for the sake of picking up the pace a bit, I will leave this blessed task to you, our readers! Chuck Missler didn’t call Bible study “the Grand Adventure” for nothing, right??
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