Nehemiah 11 29

Nehemiah 11:29 kjv

And at Enrimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,

Nehemiah 11:29 nkjv

in En Rimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth,

Nehemiah 11:29 niv

in En Rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth,

Nehemiah 11:29 esv

in En-rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth,

Nehemiah 11:29 nlt

They also lived in En-rimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth,

Nehemiah 11 verses

Nehemiah 11 29 Meaning

Nehemiah 11:29 lists three cities – En Rimmon, Zorah, and Jarmuth – where the returning exiles of Judah settled after the captivity. This verse, part of a broader census, signifies the repopulation and re-establishment of the Jewish community within the ancestral land, particularly beyond the immediate vicinity of Jerusalem. It reflects the faithful fulfillment of God's promise to restore His people to their dwelling places, transforming desolation into inhabited areas.

Nehemiah 11 29 Context

Nehemiah 11 is an administrative chapter that details the repopulation of Jerusalem and other towns of Judah after the Babylonian exile. With Jerusalem re-inhabited by one-tenth of the population and key leaders, the focus shifts to ensuring that other strategic towns in Judah are also resettled. This was vital not only for defensive purposes, spreading the population more broadly across the territory, but also for economic revival and establishing a truly functional society. Nehemiah 11:25-36 specifically lists these outlying settlements. The inclusion of En Rimmon, Zorah, and Jarmuth in this list indicates a deliberate and successful effort to re-establish a presence in significant historical locations within the ancestral lands of Judah, demonstrating the extent of the restoration and the re-establishment of national identity.

Nehemiah 11 29 Word analysis

• and at: This conjunction links the current set of locations to the preceding list, indicating a continuation of the administrative survey of inhabited towns. It emphasizes each specific place.
• En Rimmon:
  • Original Hebrew: עַיִן רִמּוֹן (Ayin Rimmon).
  • Ayin (עין) means "eye" or, more commonly in place names, "spring" or "fountain," indicating a water source.
  • Rimmon (רִמּוֹן) means "pomegranate."
  • Therefore, "En Rimmon" means "Spring of the Pomegranate." The presence of a spring was crucial for the sustainability of any settlement, highlighting its viability for repopulation. This site is consistently linked with other cities in Joshua and Chronicles as part of Judah's and Simeon's ancient inheritance.
• at Zorah:
  • Original Hebrew: צָרְעָה (Tzorah).
  • This city holds significant biblical importance, primarily known as the birthplace of Samson (Jdg 13:2) and part of the traditional inheritance of the tribe of Dan, though it later fell within Judah's influence. Its re-inhabitation signifies a return to ancestral and spiritually meaningful territory.
• at Jarmuth:
  • Original Hebrew: יַרְמוּת (Yarmuth).
  • Historically significant as one of the five Amorite city-states whose king fought against Joshua (Jos 10:3, 5) and was defeated. Its re-occupation demonstrates the re-establishment of Israelite control and settlement over formerly hostile, but ancestrally allotted, land within Judah's boundaries (Jos 15:35).
• "at En Rimmon, at Zorah, at Jarmuth,": This phrase constitutes a list of distinct locations. The repetition of "at" (or implicit "in" depending on translation) underscores the specificity and intentionality of their settlement. These cities represent a geographic spread across Judah, contributing to a defensive perimeter and economic vitality beyond Jerusalem itself. Their inclusion points to a meticulous process of census and resettlement orchestrated by Nehemiah and the leadership, rooted in God's providence for His returning people to possess their inheritance.

Nehemiah 11 29 Bonus section

• Strategic Repopulation: The listing of these particular towns (En Rimmon in the south, Zorah and Jarmuth in the Shephelah or lowlands to the west) highlights a deliberate strategy to re-establish settlements in different geographical zones around Jerusalem. This was crucial for creating a network of defense and trade routes, strengthening the entire Judean province.
• God's Sovereignty in Logistics: While Nehemiah implemented the logistical planning, the entire process of return and repopulation is presented in Scripture as the sovereign hand of God bringing His people back to the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The seemingly mundane act of listing towns becomes an affirmation of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His Word through human leadership.
• Future Hope Echoes: The re-establishment of settlements, especially ancient ones with a storied past, carries a hopeful resonance. It foreshadows a complete future restoration promised throughout the prophets, where the land will be fully re-inhabited by a numerous and flourishing people under God's righteous rule.

Nehemiah 11 29 Commentary

Nehemiah 11:29, though a brief geographical reference, encapsulates a profound spiritual reality of restoration and divine faithfulness. It's not merely a dry list of ancient settlements; it marks the physical manifestation of God's covenant promises, fulfilling prophecies that foretold Israel's return from exile and rebuilding of desolate cities. Each place name carries a historical weight, recalling prior inhabitants, tribal allocations, and pivotal events. The re-settlement of places like En Rimmon, Zorah, and Jarmuth demonstrated the broad reach of the restoration effort beyond Jerusalem, solidifying a functional Israelite society rooted deeply in the land. This act of repopulation showcased the re-assertion of identity, claim to the land, and the blessing of the Almighty upon His humbled, yet now thriving, people. Practically, it underscores the importance of intentional community-building and faithful perseverance in reclaiming and restoring what seems lost.