wall for 300 feet each way from the south-west corner of the Haram being more recent than the rest.
The first salient angle is passed over because the worker who begins north of it continues his labours till he comes south of it, and so its mention is not necessary in defining the work done. (In like manner, in vv. 6-8, the Gate of Ephraim is passed by without mention, although, according to xii. 38, 39, it existed between the Broad Wall and the Old Gate; and the Corner Gate, which we know existed, is passed over by Nehemiah.)
Verse 25. The mention now of another re-entering angle might perplex us, only that the same verse speaks of a "tower standing out from the king's upper house," and this may easily afford the angle.
Verse 26. We are now fairly on the Hill of Ophel, and accordingly the workers who have been set to labour here are "the Nethinim dwelling in Ophel." There is also mention in v. 31 of a house of the Nethinim near the northern end of the east wall—still outside the Temple precincts.[1]
As soon as the Nethinim of Ophel get far enough south to look beyond the projecting tower and see the Triple Gate, they are stated to be over against the Water Gate. Lewin says that "the Water Gate proper was that of the inner Temple, to the south of the altar, and led down to the great southern gate of the outer Temple, which was probably also called the Water Gate." The Nethinim find themselves at the same time looking eastward, or their wall facing toward the sun-rising. They are also over against the tower that standeth out. This is not the tower mentioned in the previous verse as projecting from the king's house, but may perhaps be the one at the bend of the Ophel wall, discovered by Warren.
Verse 27. Where the Nethinim cease their work it is taken up by the Tekoites, who presently come "over
- ↑ The Nethinim were but servants of the Levites.
