Neh 7:3 | TNotes | STEP | 7:3 The gatekeepers were apparently supposed to close the gates during the time in the afternoon when people were resting and were not prepared to defend the city from attack. Elsewhere, similar language refers to the portion of the day when the sun is the hottest and people retreat inside (Gen 18:1 ; 2 Sam 4:5 ).

bGen 18:1►

c2 Sam 4:5►

‏ Nehemiah 7:3

7:3 ^a The gatekeepers were apparently supposed to close the gates during the time in the afternoon when people were resting and were not prepared to defend the city from attack. Elsewhere, similar language refers to the portion of the day when the sun is the hottest and people retreat inside (Gen 18:1 ^b; 2 Sam 4:5 ^c).