Definition: And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Nehemiah 3:12. It's a little tricky at first, but we can understand it really simply. Here’s what it means in plain language: “And next unto him repaired Shallum the son of Halohesh, the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem, he and his daughters.” Basically, this verse tells us that Nehemiah, a leader of rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem, repaired a building (likely a temple or important structure) that was partially occupied by someone named Shallum. Here's a breakdown: “And next unto him…” : This means after the repair, he continued to work on it. “…repaired…” : He made repairs – likely fixing something damaged. “…Shallum the son of Halohesh…” : This is the name of the person who was responsible for the repair. “Halohesh” doesn’t have a readily available translation, but it's likely a royal or important name. "...the ruler of the half part of Jerusalem..." : This is key! "Half part" means approximately one-half (or about one-third) of the city. So, this person was in charge of a significant portion of Jerusalem’s population and territory. “…he and his daughters.” : He had two children involved in the repair – Shallum and his daughter. What's the Big Picture? This verse points to a situation where there was some division or conflict within Jerusalem. Nehemiah is addressing someone who was controlling a significant portion of the city, and he’s saying he repaired something that was already partially occupied. It suggests a potential issue with governance and perhaps a lack of stability. Important Note: The exact context of this verse isn't always fully clear, but it's generally seen as a reminder of the importance of maintaining order and justice in Jerusalem during its rebuilding period. --- Do you want me to explain any of these points further? For example, would you like me to: Explain the historical context of this verse? Discuss the significance of "half part" of Jerusalem? Connect it to a larger theme in the Bible (like justice or rebuilding)?