Ophel was the name given to the long, narrowish, rounded spur or promontory, which intervenes between the central valley of Jerusalem (the Tyropoeon) and the Kidron, or valley of Jehoshaphat. The anxiety of Uzziah and Jotham to fortify their territory indicates a fear of external attack, which at this time was probably felt mainly in connection with Samaria and Syria (2 Kings 15:37 note). The faithless trust put in fortifications was rebuked by the prophets of the time Hosea 8:14; Isaiah 2:15.

On the wall of Ophel - The wall, says the Targum, of the interior palace. Ophel was some part of the wall of Jerusalem, that was most pregnable, and therefore Jotham fortified it in a particular manner.

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.

He built the upper gate of the house of Jahve, i.e., the northern gate of the inner or upper court (see on 2 Kings 15:35); the only work of his reign which is mentioned in the book of Kings. But besides this, he continued the fortifying of Jerusalem, which his father had commenced; building much at the wall of the Ophel. העפל was the name of the southern slope of the temple mountain (see on 2 Chronicles 33:14); the wall of Ophel is consequently the wall connecting Zion with the temple mountain, at which Uzziah had already built (see on 2 Chronicles 26:9). He likewise carried on his father's buildings for the protection of the herds (2 Chronicles 26:10), building the cities in the mountains of Judah, and castles (בּירניּות, 2 Chronicles 17:12) and towers in the forests of the mountains of Judah (חרשׁים from חרשׁ, a thicket).

He built the high {c} gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much.

(c) Which was 60 cubits high and was for the height called Ophel: it was at the east gate and mention is made of it in 2Ch 3:4.

27:3 Built - Repaired it: for it was built before, chap.11:5.

Ophel: or, the tower

3. He built the high gate of the house of the Lord-situated on the north-that portion of the temple hill which was high compared with the southern part-hence "the higher," or upper gate (see on [457]2Ki 15:35). He built, that is, repaired or embellished.

and on the wall of Ophel-Hebrew, "the Ophel," that is, the mound, or eminence on the southeastern slope of the temple mount, a ridge lying between the valleys Kedron and Tyropoon, called "the lower city" [Josephus]. He

built much-having the same desire as his father to secure the defense of Jerusalem in every direction.

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.