1 tn Heb “the animal.”
2 tn Or “Well of the Serpents”; or “Well of the Jackals” (cf. ASV, NIV, NLT).
3 tn Or “Rubbish Gate” (so TEV); NASB “Refuse Gate”; NCV “Trash Gate”; CEV “Garbage Gate.”
4 tc For the MT reading שֹׂבֵר (sover, “inspecting”) the LXX erroneously has שֹׁבֵר (shover, “breaking”). However, further destruction of Jerusalem’s walls was obviously not a part of Nehemiah’s purpose.
5 tn Heb “the words of the king which he had spoken to me.”
6 tn Heb “Arise! Let us rebuild!”
7 tn Heb “strengthened their hands.”
8 tn The Hebrew text does not include the words “all this,” but they have been added in the translation for clarity.
9 tn Heb “will arise and build.” The idiom “arise and…” means to begin the action described by the second verb.
10 tn Heb “portion or right or remembrance.” The expression is probably a hendiatris: The first two nouns retain their full nominal function, while the third noun functions adjectivally (“right or remembrance” = “ancient right”).