After him Meremoth the son of Uriah, son of Hakkoz repaired another section from the door of the house of Eliashib to the end of the house of Eliashib.
Ministers must lead in good works, not follow. Eliashib and his priests took the Sheep Gate first, teaching by their labor as well as their words; they sanctified it with prayer, committing the whole city to God's protection. There is no rivalry here, only holy emulation to do most for the public good.
AI summary
Commenting on Nehemiah 3:1-32
And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain. Either of the plain of Jericho, where, in later times at least, there was a station of the priests, or of the plain about Jerusalem; those also assisted in the repairs of the wall. And after him repaired the priests, the men of the plain.
Baruch emulated the work with zealous energy, repairing from the angle to the high priest's door. The word means to contend eagerly, not to be angry; the definitions of place always follow the verb in this narrative, as they do here, and they mark the progression northward along Zion's eastern side.
AI summary
Commenting on Nehemiah 3:20-21