(3) He built.--He it was that built (pronoun emphatic). He "built," i.e., restored and beautified. The same statement occurs in 2 Kings 15:35.
The high gate.--Rather, the upper gate; i.e., the northern gate of the inner or upper court (Ezekiel 9:2). The north being the holy quarter (Isaiah 14:13; Psalm 48:2), the north gate would be the principal entrance.
And on the wall of Ophel he built much.--The southern slope of the Temple hill was called the Ophel, i.e., "the mound." Its wall would be the line of fortifications connecting Zion with Moriah, on which Uzziah had already laboured (2 Chronicles 26:9), with the same object of securing the city against attacks from the south and east. Neither this detail nor the next three verses are found in the parallel account. The style and contents of the passage indicate a good ancient source.
Much.--Lar?b, "to much;" one of the chronicler's favourite words.
Verse 3. - The highgate. In the parallel, rendered in the Authorized Version the "higher" gate, the Hebrew (חָעֶלְיון) being the same in both places. The Revised Version shows "upper gate" in both places. It was probably the gate which led from the palace to the temple's outer court (see 2 Chronicles 23:20, and note there). On the wallof Ophel; Hebrew, הָעפֶל; i.e. the ophel, which may be Englished "the swelling ground." It was the extreme south end of the spur which gradually narrowed southward, and which was the continuation of the Bezetha hill, bounded by the brook Kedron on the east, and the Tyropceon on the west. This extreme south part called the Ophel sank into the bounding valleys to the Kedron precipitously and to the Tyropeon gradually. Pp. 328-335 of Condor's 'Handbook' (2nd edit.), and specially pp. 332-334, well repay a thorough study. A ditch was cut across the narrowest part of the ridge, which separated the temple hill itself from the Bezetha hill. In these parts fortifications were built, and no doubt to such it is our text calls attention.
27:1-9 Jotham's reign in Judah. - The people did corruptly. Perhaps Jotham was wanting towards the reformation of the land. Men may be very good, and yet not have courage and zeal to do what they might. It certainly casts blame upon the people. Jotham prospered, and became mighty. The more stedfast we are in religion, the more mighty we are, both to resist evil, and to do good. The Lord often removes wise and pious rulers, and sends others, whose follies and vices punish a people that valued not their mercies.
He built the high gate in the house of the Lord,.... See the note on 2 Kings 15:35.
and on the wall of Ophel he built much; which Kimchi interprets an high place; it was the eastern part of Mount Zion. Josephus (f) calls it Ophlas, and says it joined to the eastern porch of the temple; and some have thought the porch of the temple is meant; the Targum renders it a palace; it is a tradition of the Jews that it was the holy of holies (g).
(f) De Bell. Jud. l. 5. c. 4. sect. 2.((g) Vid. Hieron Trad. Heb. in lib. Paralipom. fol. 86. A. F. G.
The high gate.--Rather, the upper gate; i.e., the northern gate of the inner or upper court (Ezekiel 9:2). The north being the holy quarter (Isaiah 14:13; Psalm 48:2), the north gate would be the principal entrance.
And on the wall of Ophel he built much.--The southern slope of the Temple hill was called the Ophel, i.e., "the mound." Its wall would be the line of fortifications connecting Zion with Moriah, on which Uzziah had already laboured (2 Chronicles 26:9), with the same object of securing the city against attacks from the south and east. Neither this detail nor the next three verses are found in the parallel account. The style and contents of the passage indicate a good ancient source.
Much.--Lar?b, "to much;" one of the chronicler's favourite words.
and on the wall of Ophel he built much; which Kimchi interprets an high place; it was the eastern part of Mount Zion. Josephus (f) calls it Ophlas, and says it joined to the eastern porch of the temple; and some have thought the porch of the temple is meant; the Targum renders it a palace; it is a tradition of the Jews that it was the holy of holies (g).
(f) De Bell. Jud. l. 5. c. 4. sect. 2.((g) Vid. Hieron Trad. Heb. in lib. Paralipom. fol. 86. A. F. G.