Nehemiah 12:31
Then I brought vp the princes of Iudah vpon the wall, and appointed two great companies of them that gaue thankes, whereof one went on the right hand vpon the wall toward the dounggate: Nehemiah 12:31 (KJV)
companies of them that gave thanks,
whereof one
went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate: Nelemiah 12:31 (KJV)
Nehemiah 12:31 records a moment in the dedication of Jerusalem’s rebuilt wall, a ceremony that followed the remarkable reconstruction accomplished under Nehemiah’s leadership. The book of Nehemiah is set after the Babylonian exile, when a remnant of Israel returned to Jerusalem. Nehemiah, serving as cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes, received permission to travel to Jerusalem after hearing of the city’s ruined defenses. He organized the people, overcame opposition, and oversaw the rebuilding of the walls in a striking fifty‑two days, a testament to communal unity, determination, and divine favor.
With the walls completed, Nehemiah arranged a grand dedication. The verse highlights that he “brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall,” indicating that the leading officials and tribal heads were positioned on the newly finished fortifications. Their presence symbolized the collective responsibility of Judah’s leadership in the restoration project. Nehemiah also “appointed two great companies of them that gave thanks,” designating two sizable groups to lead a joyful procession along the wall. One of these companies “went on the right hand upon the wall toward the dung gate,” a specific geographic reference that situates the procession at a known entrance of the city.
The right‑hand placement carries connotations of honor and strength, underscoring the significance of the participants’ role. The mention of the dung gate simply provides a point of orientation, not a theological focus. Overall, the verse emphasizes thanksgiving, unity, and the public acknowledgment of God’s faithfulness in restoring Jerusalem. By involving the princes and organized companies, the dedication ceremony reinforced communal identity and celebrated the divine assistance that made the rebuilding possible, inviting the people to give thanks for the renewed security and spiritual renewal of their city.
