What Does Nehemiah 3:27 Mean in the King James?
After them the Tekoites repaired another piece, over against the great tower that lieth out, even unto the wall of Ophel.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The word translated “repaired” means to strengthen, and “piece” is literally a measured portion: restoration takes shape one strengthened span at a time.
THE MEANING
Here, restoration appears as measured work: one span is strengthened, reaching from the tower’s outward projection to the wall. Even the exposed edge belongs to the larger structure’s wholeness.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that a small repair matters only once the whole structure is complete loses its force: this measured section is named as part of the restoration.
THE ROOT
הֶחֱזִיקוּ
heḥeziqu
GROWS FROM
חזק
To be strong or firm; in a causative form, to strengthen or make firm.
“repaired” in this verse is heḥeziqu. The Tekoites do not merely patch the wall: the verb pictures them making it strong, with the sense of holding fast. Repair here is strength restored in a specific span.
ALSO GROWS
ḥazaq: Become strong, firm, or prevail.
חָזַק
The condition described by this branch is what the builders bring about in the wall.
ḥizzeq: Strengthen something or make it secure.
חִזֵּק
This causative sense makes the verse’s repair an act of restoring strength.
heḥeziq: Take hold, hold firmly, or strengthen.
הֶחֱזִיק
The verse uses this verb for the Tekoites’ work, tying repair to actively taking hold of the wall.
מִדָּה
middah
GROWS FROM
מדד
To measure or measure out.
English “piece” can sound like an arbitrary fragment; the Hebrew word is a measure or extent. The repair is a defined span, joined to the next part of the wall.
ALSO GROWS
madad: Measure or mark out a dimension.
מָדַד
The root keeps the idea of a bounded, knowable span inside the word translated “piece.”
middah: A measure, dimension, or portion.
מִדָּה
This is the word used here for the section the Tekoites strengthen.
THE PATTERN
Restoration becomes whole through shared work on distinct, connected parts.
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:THE THREAD
Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:Haggai’s “be strong” uses the same root חזק (ḥazaq, be strong or strengthen) that lies behind “repaired” here. Haggai joins strength to work, revealing the shared root beneath the wall’s repair.
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