The numerous references to next to
and after him/them
suggest considerable joint labour as teams worked alongside each other, presumably in happy accord. Such harmony and unity of course ought to characterize the people of God (Psalm 133:1–3). In fact, the evident harmony and enthusiasm of Nehemiah 3:1–32 also foreshadow how New Testament saints cooperated in mutual care and in the work of the Lord (Acts 2:44–45; Philippians 1:7), specifically in the Lord’s church-building and church-gathering work.
1 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brothers the priests, and they built the Sheep Gate. They consecrated it and set its doors. They consecrated it as far as the Tower of the Hundred, as far as the Tower of Hananel.