Nehemiah 11 30

Nehemiah 11:30 kjv

Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom.

Nehemiah 11:30 nkjv

Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages; in Lachish and its fields; in Azekah and its villages. They dwelt from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom.

Nehemiah 11:30 niv

Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, in Lachish and its fields, and in Azekah and its settlements. So they were living all the way from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom.

Nehemiah 11:30 esv

Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and its fields, and Azekah and its villages. So they encamped from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom.

Nehemiah 11:30 nlt

Zanoah, and Adullam with their surrounding villages. They also lived in Lachish with its nearby fields and Azekah with its surrounding villages. So the people of Judah were living all the way from Beersheba in the south to the valley of Hinnom.

Nehemiah 11 verses

Nehemiah 11 30 Meaning

Nehemiah 11:30 lists specific towns in the Shephelah (foothills) region of Judah where a portion of the returning exiles, primarily the sons of Judah, settled after the Babylonian captivity. This verse highlights the strategic re-establishment of communities in ancestral territories, contributing to the repopulation and restoration of the land of Israel following the edict of King Cyrus. It emphasizes the meticulous effort in resettling and rebuilding a functioning society after the devastation of exile.

Nehemiah 11 30 Context

Nehemiah 11 describes the strategic repopulation of Judah after the Babylonian exile. With the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt, the focus shifted to consolidating the Jewish presence throughout the land. Chapter 11 details how a tenth of the population was chosen by lot to dwell in Jerusalem, bolstering its population and security as the religious and political center. The remainder of the people settled in their respective towns, re-establishing community life and agricultural practices across the former territories of Judah and Benjamin. Verse 30 is part of a list, beginning in verse 25, that itemizes these other specific towns, demonstrating the widespread and intentional effort to restore not just Jerusalem but also the broader Judahite region. This period marked a crucial step in the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to restore His people to their land.

Nehemiah 11 30 Word analysis

• Zanoah (זָנוֹחַ, Zanowach): A city in the Shephelah (low foothills) of Judah, historically mentioned in Josh 15:34 as part of Judah's tribal inheritance. Its name may relate to being "sluggish" or "abandoned," yet it was re-inhabited, signifying the reversal of desolation. Re-establishing a presence here helped solidify the ancient borderlands.
• Adullam (עֲדֻלָּם, ʻAdullam): Another ancient Judahite city in the Shephelah (Josh 15:35). It holds significance as the location of the cave where David gathered men while fleeing from Saul (1 Sam 22:1-2), a place of refuge and military formation. Its repopulation marked a reclamation of vital historical ground and a re-strengthening of Judah's defense.
• and their villages (וְחַצְרֵיהֶם, wə-ḥaṣrê-hem): The Hebrew word ḥaṣerîm (plural of ḥaṣer) typically refers to unwalled settlements, often farming communities, that are dependent upon and surround a main fortified city. This indicates a restoration not just of the major centers, but also the crucial agricultural and outlying areas vital for sustenance and expansion.
• Lachish (לָכִישׁ, Lakish): A critically important fortified city in the Shephelah (2 Kgs 18:13-17, Jer 34:7), considered second only to Jerusalem in Judah's defense. It controlled strategic routes and was heavily besieged and devastated by the Assyrians (Sennacherib) and Babylonians (Nebuchadnezzar). Its repopulation was essential for the security and territorial integrity of post-exilic Judah, protecting its southern and western borders.
• and its fields (וּשְׂדֹתֶיהָ, ū-śəḏōṯê-hā): The Hebrew śāḏeh denotes cultivated land, open country, or fields. The explicit mention of "fields" alongside cities underscores the agricultural basis of the renewed community's economy and survival. It signifies not just dwelling in urban centers but actively restoring the productivity of the land itself.
• Azekah (עֲזֵקָה, ʻAzēqāh): Another strategically vital city in the Shephelah, often paired with Lachish (Jer 34:7). It was crucial in controlling the Valley of Elah (1 Sam 17:1), where David fought Goliath. Like Lachish, it was fortified by Rehoboam (2 Chr 11:9) and endured Babylonian siege. Its re-inhabitation solidified a crucial defensive line.
• and its villages (וּבְנֹתֶיהָ, ū-ḇənōṯê-hā): The Hebrew bānōṯ (literally "daughters") is often used in ancient Near Eastern geography to refer to satellite towns, daughter settlements, or dependent outlying towns. Similar to "fields" or ḥaṣerîm, this term emphasizes the network of settlements surrounding a major city, indicating a thorough and comprehensive repopulation across the region.

• Words-Group Analysis (Strategic Shephelah Line): The cluster of towns—Zanoah, Adullam, Lachish, and Azekah—all lie in the Shephelah region. This geographical grouping is highly significant. The Shephelah formed Judah's western defensive front, guarding against incursions from the coastal plain and providing vital agricultural land. Re-establishing settlements here was not merely about populating empty towns, but re-asserting control over a critical border region, demonstrating the people's commitment to reclaim their promised land and ensure its future security. These were historic cities of Judah, signaling a return to the covenant inheritance.

Nehemiah 11 30 Bonus section

The careful documentation of where each family and group settled in Nehemiah, exemplified by this verse, demonstrates the meticulous nature of the post-exilic administrative efforts, but also reflects the overarching divine providence in fulfilling ancient prophecies of return and restoration (e.g., Jer 30:3, Ezek 36:24). The re-inhabitation of these specific Shephelah towns, long a contested borderland and invasion route, signifies not just physical return but a re-claiming of sovereign space given by God. It contrasts starkly with the desolation left by the Babylonian invasions, portraying God's ability to rebuild even from utter ruin. This geographical repopulation was critical for defining and securing the emerging provincial boundaries under Persian oversight, laying foundations for future national identity.

Nehemiah 11 30 Commentary

Nehemiah 11:30 serves as a detailed testament to the methodical and Divinely guided restoration of Judah after the Babylonian exile. Beyond the symbolic rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls, the physical re-establishment of communities throughout the traditional Judahite territory was fundamental for national identity, security, and economic viability. The listing of specific towns like Zanoah, Adullam, Lachish, and Azekah, all located in the strategic Shephelah region, highlights the conscious effort to secure key historical and defensive positions. These were not random settlements but places of profound historical significance and strategic importance for protecting Jerusalem from western threats. The mention of "villages" and "fields" alongside the main cities emphasizes the restoration of a complete societal fabric—urban centers supported by agricultural sustenance from surrounding dependent communities. This detail underscores God's faithfulness in bringing His people back to cultivate their inheritance, rebuilding a vibrant society from desolation, and solidifying their presence as the rightful heirs of the land.