נחמיה, פרק ג׳, פסוק ל״א

The project of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem nears its final stages, moving past key landmarks and highlighting the diverse craftsmen dedicated to the work. Taking up the next section of the wall is Malchijah, whose family name indicates his profession as a goldsmith [רש״י, רלב״ג]. His restoration efforts reached the area housing the Temple servants and the local merchants. These merchants were general traders [רס״ג], though some suggest they specifically dealt in spices [מצודת ציון].

The construction line then extended to the area opposite the Inspection Gate [מצודת דוד]. This gate had a distinct function in the city, serving as the designated location for burning the bulls and goats meant to be consumed by fire [רס״ג].

From that gate, the wall continued toward the corner upper room [מצודת דוד]. This structure functioned either as a corner tower [ביאור שטיינזלץ] or as an elevated fortress that people would ascend [מלבי״ם]. Reaching this high corner marked a deeply significant milestone in the restoration project. Just past this point stood the Sheep Gate, the exact location where the entire building effort had originally begun. Arriving here meant that the builders had successfully come full circle, effectively completing the circumference of the city wall [מלבי״ם].