Nehemiah 11 26

Nehemiah 11:26 kjv

And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Bethphelet,

Nehemiah 11:26 nkjv

in Jeshua, Moladah, Beth Pelet,

Nehemiah 11:26 niv

in Jeshua, in Moladah, in Beth Pelet,

Nehemiah 11:26 esv

and in Jeshua and in Moladah and Beth-pelet,

Nehemiah 11:26 nlt

They also lived in Jeshua, Moladah, Beth-pelet,

Nehemiah 11 verses

Nehemiah 11 26 Meaning

Nehemiah 11:26 lists three towns outside Jerusalem where some of the Jewish exiles, returning from Babylonian captivity, were resettled. These towns are Jeshua, Moladah, and Beth-Pelet. The verse marks a continuing aspect of the post-exilic repopulation efforts beyond Jerusalem itself, highlighting the establishment of communities across the restored land of Judah. It demonstrates the practical fulfillment of God's promises of return and re-establishment for His people, emphasizing the re-inhabiting of specific locations, many of which had strategic or historical significance within the southern Judean territory.

Nehemiah 11 26 Context

Nehemiah chapter 11 details the repopulation of Jerusalem and other towns in Judah following the return from Babylonian exile. Prior to this chapter, the walls of Jerusalem have been rebuilt and the covenant renewed. The population in Jerusalem was still sparse, so lots were cast to bring one-tenth of the people from other towns to live in the capital, while the remaining nine-tenths would settle in their traditional cities or new areas across Judah. This was a critical administrative and logistical task, aimed at strengthening the city for defense and establishing a functional society. Verse 26, specifically, lists three particular towns in the southern region of Judah (often considered the Negev area) where a segment of the returnees settled. These areas were significant both agriculturally and strategically for protecting the southern borders against tribes like the Edomites and Amalekites. The verse helps complete the picture of the physical restoration and re-establishment of the Israelite presence across their designated land, signifying the faithfulness of God in bringing His people home and enabling them to reclaim their inheritance after decades of desolation.

Nehemiah 11 26 Word analysis

• And (וְ - ve): A simple conjunction, connecting this list of towns to the preceding verses which also enumerate places of settlement in Judah. It emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the resettlement program across the land.
• at Jeshua (בְּיֵשׁוּעַ - beYeshua):
  • be-: The preposition "at" or "in".
  • Yeshua: The name of the town, not a person. The Hebrew name (יֵשׁוּעַ) itself means "salvation" or "Yahweh saves." This is distinct from Jeshua the high priest (mentioned in Ezr 3:2, Neh 7:7, etc.).
  • Significance: Its meaning "salvation" would have been highly symbolic to the returning exiles. It implicitly acknowledged God's role in their return from exile, seeing their re-settlement as an act of divine deliverance. It was a place for a remnant of Judah to find refuge and re-establish their lives. Its location is often debated, but it's generally placed in the southern or eastern Negev, strategically significant for controlling routes and protecting the southern frontier.
• and at Moladah (וּבְמוֹלָדָה - uVeMoladah):
  • u-: Shortened "and" (a waw prefix) with be- for "at" or "in."
  • Moladah: (מוֹלָדָה) The name of the town, meaning "birth" or "nativity."
  • Significance: Symbolically, "birth" resonated with the rebirth of the nation after exile. It suggested new beginnings and fresh life for a people who had experienced communal death during their time in Babylon. Historically, Moladah was an ancient Simeonite city, later reoccupied by Judah, located in the Negev desert region. Its repopulation marked a reassertion of Israelite control and presence in a strategic southern area.
• and at Beth-Pelet (וּבְבֵית פֶּלֶט - uVeBet Pelet):
  • u-: "and" with be- for "at" or "in."
  • Beth-Pelet: (בֵּית פֶּלֶט) Literally means "House of Escape" or "House of Deliverance."
  • Significance: The name is deeply poignant for those who had escaped Babylonian captivity and were now being delivered back to their land. It was a powerful reminder of God's redemptive work. Beth-Pelet was a city in the far south of Judah, also located in the Negev. It was a significant border town, particularly important for defending against southern incursions, showcasing the practical steps taken by the returnees for security and re-establishment in a vulnerable frontier region. The resettlement of these frontier towns signifies not only physical occupation but a reclaiming of their historical territory and identity given by God.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-Pelet": This grouping presents a sequence of place names that specifically describe the resettlement pattern outside of Jerusalem. The repetitive use of "and at" emphasizes each distinct location being repopulated. The collective names — Jeshua ("salvation"), Moladah ("birth"), and Beth-Pelet ("house of escape/deliverance") — create a symbolic narrative of God's redemptive act. The re-inhabitation of these specific towns, previously desolate, highlights the fulfillment of prophetic promises regarding the restoration of Judah's physical territory (Isa 44:26; Ezek 36:33). Strategically, placing people in these southern cities was vital for national security and the assertion of the borders of Judah in a period of vulnerability. This distribution allowed for a broader demographic base and provided economic and defensive support for Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 11 26 Bonus section

• Strategic Importance: The cities listed in this verse (and surrounding ones in Neh 11:25-30) were often located in the Negev or southern Judean Shephelah, acting as frontier outposts. This settlement pattern suggests a deliberate effort to secure Judah's southern flank, which was historically prone to incursions from Edomites, Amalekites, or other Arabian tribes. Re-inhabiting these specific locations indicated a comprehensive national strategy beyond merely rebuilding Jerusalem's walls.
• Archaeological Insights: While archaeological evidence for detailed post-exilic occupation levels specifically matching this precise population movement is not always definitive, the general pattern of re-settlement in certain key areas of Judah is supported. The listing of such precise towns underscores the meticulous administrative records kept during the time of Nehemiah, emphasizing an organized return rather than a haphazard scattering.
• Historical Echoes: Many of these southern towns had previous significance in the tribal allotments of Judah and Simeon (e.g., Jos 15, 1 Chr 4). Their re-occupation by the returned exiles represented a reassertion of ancient land claims and an effort to reclaim the full breadth of their historical territory promised by God. This continuity from previous biblical eras would have resonated deeply with the covenant community.

Nehemiah 11 26 Commentary

Nehemiah 11:26 offers a terse yet potent snapshot of the pragmatic process of restoring the nation of Judah post-exile. While the preceding verses highlight the repopulation of Jerusalem as the spiritual and administrative center, this verse demonstrates the essential truth that the revival was not confined to the capital. The listing of Jeshua, Moladah, and Beth-Pelet — all towns located in the vulnerable southern regions, often bordering areas inhabited by adversaries — underscores both the strategic necessities and the courageous commitment of the returnees. Their names, signifying "Salvation," "Birth," and "House of Escape," implicitly underscore the belief that God had orchestrated their deliverance and was overseeing a new beginning. This was more than just relocating people; it was a visible re-occupation of their God-given inheritance, reflecting resilience and faith. The returnees, in re-establishing communities in these frontier towns, were not only providing for their physical sustenance but also actively defending and extending the borders of the renewed covenant community, preparing for future stability and growth in a post-exilic world still marked by external threats. The re-establishment of these peripheral towns was a crucial step in cementing the post-exilic identity and securing the promised land.