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Nehemiah 12:39

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Nehemiah 12:39 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and above the gate of Ephraim, and by the old gate, and by the fish gate, and the tower of Hananel, and the tower of Hammeah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the gate of the guard.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and above the gate of Ephraim, and by the old gate, and by the fish gate, and the tower of Hananel, and the tower of Hammeah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the gate of the guard.
Nehemiah 12:39 — American Standard Version

Context — Nehemiah 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
36and his brethren, Shemaiah, and Azarel, Milalai, Gilalai, Maai, Nethanel, and Judah, Hanani, with the musical instruments of David the man of God; and Ezra the scribe was before them.
37And by the fountain gate, and straight before them, they went up by the stairs of the city of David, at the ascent of the wall, above the house of David, even unto the water gate eastward.
38And the other company of them that gave thanks went to meet them, and I after them, with the half of the people, upon the wall, above the tower of the furnaces, even unto the broad wall,
39and above the gate of Ephraim, and by the old gate, and by the fish gate, and the tower of Hananel, and the tower of Hammeah, even unto the sheep gate: and they stood still in the gate of the guard.
40So stood the two companies of them that gave thanks in the house of God, and I, and the half of the rulers with me;
41and the priests, Eliakim, Maaseiah, Miniamin, Micaiah, Elioenai, Zechariah, and Hananiah, with trumpets;
42and Maaseiah, and Shemaiah, and Eleazar, and Uzzi, and Jehohanan, and Malchijah, and Elam, and Ezer. And the singers sang loud, with Jezrahiah their overseer.
← Nehemiah 12:38Nehemiah 12:40 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And from above the gate of Ephraim, etc.] The gate which led to the tribe of Ephraim, where that tribe formerly dwelt, (see <160816>Nehemiah 8:16) and above the old gate; of which mention is made, (<160306>Nehemiah 3:6) and above the fish gate, and the tower of Hananeel, and the tower of Meah, even unto the sheep gate; of all which (see <160301>Nehemiah 3:1,2), and they stood still in the prison gate; which was not a gate of the city, but of the court of the prison, (<160325>Nehemiah 3:25), which was near both the king’s palace and the temple, (see <242001>Jeremiah 20:1,2 32:2).”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Stood still - Waiting, as also their brethren did, that they might go together in due order into God's house, there to perfect the solemnity. Nehemiah 12:43”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the gate of Ephraim: Neh 8:16; Kg2 14:13 the old: Neh 3:6 the fish gate: Neh 3:3; Zep 1:10 the tower: Neh 3:1; Jer 31:38 the sheep: Neh 3:32; Joh 5:2 the prison: Neh 3:25, Neh 3:31 \*Heb: Jer 32:2 Nehemiah 12:40”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification