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3. The wall of Jerusalem. Some commentators think that Hanani’s remarks refer to the destruction of the city by Nebuchadnezzar’s forces in 586 b.c. But this would hardly have been news to Nehemiah, unless it be assumed that Hanani and his companions reported merely that nothing had as yet been done by way of rebuilding the wall. Considering the shock occasioned by Hanani’s report (vs. 4-11), the events described must have been recent. The words of Hanani do not necessarily mean that the whole wall had been destroyed and all gates burned with fire.

That only portions of the wall and some of the gates were affected is clear from the subsequent description of the building of the wall found in Neh. 3. Some sections of the wall were merely repaired (ch. 3:4, 5), while others were “builded” (ch. 3:2). Similarly, some gates had to be rebuilt completely (ch. 3:1, 3), while others needed only repairs (ch. 3:6). That only a partial destruction had occurred may also be inferred from the space of time—52 days—in which Nehemiah was able to complete the rebuilding of the entire city wall (ch. 6:15). In so short a time it would have been all but impossible even under the most favorable circumstances to rebuild the entire wall, including its many gates, had it been in the condition in which Nebuchadnezzar left it. The rapid reconstruction was due not only to the great enthusiasm of both leaders and people, but also to the progress undoubtedly made under Ezra and others before the Samaritans destroyed part of it.