1)
What is "Ofel"?
1.
Rashi: It is a district.
2.
Ibn Ezra: It is a tall fortress. The same applies to "Ofel Bas Tziyon", "va'Ya'apilu" (they ascended).
3.
Malbim (27): It is a special fortress. It extended from the great tower that comes out of Beis ha'Melech.
2)
What did the Nesinim do?
1.
Rashi: They lived in Ofel (a district) and built it. It was near the wall, until opposite Sha'ar ha'Mayim of the east.
2.
Ibn Ezra: They were Machazik with them. It means ha'Nesinim ha'Yoshevim b'Ofel; the word Asher is omitted.
3.
Malbim: They were Machazik until Sha'ar ha'Mayim, and they were Machazik also the tower.
