Nehemiah 11 25

Nehemiah 11:25 kjv

And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjatharba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof,

Nehemiah 11:25 nkjv

And as for the villages with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt in Kirjath Arba and its villages, Dibon and its villages, Jekabzeel and its villages;

Nehemiah 11:25 niv

As for the villages with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath Arba and its surrounding settlements, in Dibon and its settlements, in Jekabzeel and its villages,

Nehemiah 11:25 esv

And as for the villages, with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba and its villages, and in Dibon and its villages, and in Jekabzeel and its villages,

Nehemiah 11:25 nlt

As for the surrounding villages with their open fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba with its settlements, Dibon with its settlements, and Jekabzeel with its villages.

Nehemiah 11 verses

Nehemiah 11 25 Meaning

Nehemiah 11:25 details the specific geographic locations in Judah where the returning exiles resettled, extending beyond Jerusalem. It lists several towns and their associated villages and fields where descendants of Judah began to dwell, highlighting the deliberate and comprehensive re-establishment of a settled population across the tribal territory, vital for the nation's spiritual, economic, and social renewal after the Babylonian exile.

Nehemiah 11 25 Context

Nehemiah chapter 11 primarily focuses on the re-population of Jerusalem and the surrounding towns in Judah after the return from Babylonian exile. Prior to this, Jerusalem remained sparsely inhabited, posing challenges for defense and economic vitality. Nehemiah 11 describes a deliberate effort, possibly involving lots, to bring a significant portion of the population (one-tenth of the general populace plus leading men) to live within the city walls. This specific verse (11:25) then shifts focus to complement the Jerusalem settlement, listing a selection of other significant towns within Judah where the remaining Israelites settled. This broader settlement strategy was crucial for developing the agricultural base, securing the wider provincial borders, and ensuring the sustenance and support for the centralized capital of Jerusalem. It reflects the meticulous process of restoring national life and territory in line with the promises of God.

Nehemiah 11 25 Word analysis

• And for the villages:
  • Original Hebrew: וּבַחֲצֵרִים (u-vakhâtserim).
  • Word: וּ (u-) "and, but"; בַּ (ba-) "in, at"; חֲצֵרִים (châtserim) "villages," "open courts," "settlements."
  • Significance: Refers to smaller, often unfortified settlements outside major cities. These were crucial for agriculture and sustenance. Their repopulation demonstrates a comprehensive reclaiming of the land, beyond just urban centers. It shows a movement toward establishing an economically viable society rooted in the land.
• with their fields:
  • Original Hebrew: עַל־שְׂדֹותֵיהֶם (ʿal-śedōtêhem).
  • Word: עַל־ (ʿal-) "upon, by"; שְׂדֹותֵיהֶם (śedōtêhem) "their fields," "their cultivated lands."
  • Significance: Explicitly links the settlements with the surrounding agricultural land. This highlights the agricultural basis of the renewed society and the re-establishment of food production. It emphasizes practical resettlement, not just defensive fortifications.
• some of the children of Judah:
  • Original Hebrew: יִשְׁבוּ בְּנֵי יְהוּדָה (yishvu b'nê Yehûdāh).
  • Word: יִשְׁבוּ (yishvu) "they dwelt"; בְּנֵי (b'nê) "sons of," "children of"; יְהוּדָה (Yehûdāh) "Judah."
  • Significance: Specifies the tribe settling these areas, reinforcing the historical tribal inheritances and the fulfillment of divine promises to Judah. It underscores their specific role in the post-exilic community.
• dwelt:
  • Original Hebrew: יִשְׁבוּ (yishvu).
  • Word: From the root יָשַׁב (yashav) "to sit," "to dwell," "to inhabit."
  • Significance: Conveys permanence and settled occupation, not just temporary residence. This word implies a restoration of stable communities.
• in Kiriath-arba:
  • Original Hebrew: בְּקִרְיַת־אַרְבַּע (b'Qiryat-Arbaʿ).
  • Word: בְּ (b') "in"; קִרְיַת־אַרְבַּע (Qiryat-Arbaʿ) "City of Four," the ancient name for Hebron.
  • Significance: Hebron (Kiriath-arba) is a city of profound historical and patriarchal significance (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Caleb's inheritance). Its repopulation signified the reclaiming of core Judahite territory and heritage.
• and in her towns:
  • Original Hebrew: וּבְנֹתֶיהָ (u-v'notheha).
  • Word: וּ (u-) "and"; בְּ (b') "in"; בָּנוֹת (banot) "daughters," often used metaphorically for dependent towns or settlements surrounding a major city.
  • Significance: Indicates the re-establishment of regional administration and population centers radiating from the main city. It implies a hierarchical structure of settlements being restored.
• and in Dibon:
  • Original Hebrew: וּבְדִיבֹון (u-v'Dîvon).
  • Word: וּ (u-) "and"; בְּ (b') "in"; דִּיבֹון (Dîvon) "Dibon."
  • Significance: While a well-known Dibon was in Moab, scholarly consensus and context suggest a distinct "Dibon" located within the southern territory of Judah, likely a less prominent but equally vital outpost being re-inhabited. Its inclusion reinforces the completeness of Judah's repopulation efforts across its historical boundaries.
• and in Jekabzeel:
  • Original Hebrew: וּבִיקַבְצְאֵל (u-vYekabse'el).
  • Word: וּ (u-) "and"; בְּ (b') "in"; יְקַבְצְאֵל (Yekabse'el) "God gathers."
  • Significance: Also known as Kabzeel (Josh 15:21), a town in the extreme south of Judah. Its name itself ("God gathers") is poignant for a returning remnant. Its re-occupation demonstrates the reclamation of even the outer fringes of Judah's historical inheritance.

Words-group Analysis:

• "villages, with their fields": This phrase highlights the importance of the rural, agricultural economy to the sustainability of the rebuilt province. It shows the careful re-establishment of food production and land tenure, fundamental aspects of a viable society, beyond just fortified cities.
• "Kiriath-arba, and in her towns, and in Dibon, and in her towns, and in Jekabzeel, and in her towns": This litany of names demonstrates the geographical spread and the comprehensive nature of the repopulation. Each listed city, with its subordinate settlements, indicates a deliberate re-assertion of control and habitation over historical Judahite lands, reflecting a fulfillment of prophetic promises for restoration.

Nehemiah 11 25 Bonus section

• Divine Sovereignty in Resettlement: The listing of these towns and the detailed account of resettlement implicitly points to the divine hand in fulfilling prophecies of return and restoration. God's purpose for Israel to dwell in their land is actively unfolding.
• Economic Stability: Repopulating villages and fields ensured agricultural production, preventing famine, and allowing the population to grow and support Jerusalem, showcasing a practical side of God's provision.
• Territorial Integrity: Inhabiting the specified towns and their environs strengthened Judah's borders and asserted its claim to the land, amidst surrounding nations and potential adversaries, reinforcing the nation's identity and security.
• Fulfilling Prophecy: This administrative detail points to the larger theme of the Lord gathering His scattered people back to their land (e.g., Jer 32:37, Ezek 36:33-36), making desolated cities inhabited again.

Nehemiah 11 25 Commentary

Nehemiah 11:25 serves as a testament to the meticulous and divine work of rebuilding the Jewish nation not just in its capital, Jerusalem, but across its historical territorial extent. The specific naming of towns like Kiriath-arba (Hebron), Dibon, and Jekabzeel emphasizes the full and thorough nature of the re-establishment process. Kiriath-arba, with its profound patriarchal and covenantal heritage, underscores the re-connection to their foundational identity. The inclusion of smaller, less prominent, or even contested border towns like the Judahite Dibon and Jekabzeel demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the returnees' efforts to reclaim and populate all their promised inheritance, signaling the restoration of the social, economic, and strategic fabric of the province of Judah. This re-habitation ensured not only a secure base for Jerusalem but also the renewal of the agricultural livelihood vital for national survival, implicitly reaffirming God's faithfulness in bringing His people back to the land and allowing them to thrive.