Definition: After him repaired Malchiah the goldsmith’s son unto the place of the Nethinims, and of the merchants, over against the gate Miphkad, and to the going up of the corner.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nehemiah 3:31. It's a really important passage about rebuilding and God’s plan for Israel. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes the first step in rebuilding the city of Jerusalem after its destruction during the Babylonian exile. It’s about setting up a new, better place for the people to worship God and live. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “After him…” : This tells us we’re talking about the previous leader who was overseeing the rebuilding. “…repaired Malchiah the goldsmith’s son unto the place of the Nethinims…” : This is where it gets a little more specific. Let's translate that: Malchiah: This is a Hebrew name for God, often associated with wisdom and administration. the Goldsmith’s son: This means Malchiah was a skilled craftsman – specifically, a goldsmith! unto the place of the Nethinims… : “Nethinims” is a Hebrew word that means “the merchants,” or "the traders." So, this refers to the area where the merchants and vendors used to operate. “…over against the gate Miphkad…” : This tells us the new place was built right next to the old gate – Miphkad. This was a very important gate for trade. "...and to the going up of the corner." : “Going up of the corner” means that the new building would be positioned at the top of the city wall, making it a central and prominent spot. Putting it all together: Essentially, Nehemiah is saying that Malchiah, a skilled goldsmith’s son, was appointed to oversee the rebuilding of the city. He was placed right next to the merchants' area – the old gate – so the new city would be a place of worship and commerce, and its top would be easily visible for everyone to see. Why is this important? This verse highlights God’s plan for rebuilding Israel after exile. It shows that He wants to restore the city to its former glory and provide a place for the people to worship Him. It's a significant step in the process of restoring Jerusalem to its original prosperity. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these words or phrases more clearly? Provide context about the time period this verse came from? Offer a different interpretation of the verse?