Nehemiah 3:17
After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part. After him repaired the Levites, Rehum the son of Bani. Next unto him repaired Hashabiah, the ruler of the half part of Keilah, in his part.
The verse names Levites at work on the wall, Rehum the son of Bani repairing one portion and Hashabiah, ruler of half the district of Keilah, repairing next in his own portion. Each man is assigned his section, so the record preserves both personal names and civic office alongside the place repaired.
This labor belongs to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall after Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem in safety. He carried royal letters to the governors of the provinces along his route, and those letters secured for him honorable reception and prompt assistance. He also traveled with a military escort, showing that he had come on an important mission under the power of the Persian king.
His arrival excited the jealousy of the heathen tribes near the city. Foremost among them were Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite, and Geshem the Arabian. From the first they watched his movements with critical eyes and endeavored by every means to thwart his plans and hinder the work.
The account of rebuilding Zion's defenses serves as an image for strengthening faith and religious life in the home.