Concerning the man himself, we know nothing. The names of both the man and his father are relatively common. The phrase ruler of half the district of Jerusalem
is more challenging. The term ruler
denotes a (Persian) appointee mandated to govern a portion of Persian territory (in the province Beyond the River); the term occurs also in Nehemiah 3:12, Nehemiah 3:14–19. Rephiah’s jurisdiction covered half the district of Jerusalem.
It is unknown how big the district of Jerusalem
was. Presumably it includes the city itself together with land around the city. However big this area was, Rephaiah was responsible for half of it. This would make Rephaiah a man of importance. But he, unlike the nobles
of Tekoa, took responsibility for a section of the wall (no doubt with men of the city labouring under him).
9 Next to them Rephaiah the son of Hur, ruler of half the district of Jerusalem, repaired.