Ophel

Ophel was a fortified area in Jerusalem, located near the temple, and was inhabited by temple servants during the time of Nehemiah.

Ophel was a fortified area or hill in Jerusalem, located south of the temple mount. It is mentioned in connection with the construction and repair of Jerusalem's walls during the reigns of Jotham (2Chr. 27:3) and Manasseh (2Chr. 33:14). During the time of Nehemiah, the Ophel was inhabited by the temple servants, known as the Nethinim (Neh. 3:26; 11:21). The wall of the Ophel was repaired by the Nethinim and other workers during the rebuilding of Jerusalem's defenses under Nehemiah (Neh. 3:27). The Ophel likely served as a strategic and defensive area, protecting the temple complex and the southern part of the city.

Hill; mound, the long, narrow, rounded promontory on the southern slope of the temple hill, between the Tyropoeon and the Kedron valley (2 Chr. 27:3; 33:14; Neh. 3:26, 27). It was surrounded by a separate wall, and was occupied by the Nethinim after the Captivity. This wall has been discovered by the engineers of the Palestine Exploration Fund at the south-eastern angle of the temple area. It is 4 feet below the present surface. In 2 Kings 5:24 this word is translated “tower” (R.V., “hill”), denoting probably some eminence near Elisha’s house.