Nehemiah 11 31

Nehemiah 11:31 kjv

The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages.

Nehemiah 11:31 nkjv

Also the children of Benjamin from Geba dwelt in Michmash, Aija, and Bethel, and their villages;

Nehemiah 11:31 niv

The descendants of the Benjamites from Geba lived in Mikmash, Aija, Bethel and its settlements,

Nehemiah 11:31 esv

The people of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Michmash, Aija, Bethel and its villages,

Nehemiah 11:31 nlt

Some of the people of Benjamin lived at Geba, Micmash, Aija, and Bethel with its settlements.

Nehemiah 11 verses

Nehemiah 11 31 Meaning

Nehemiah 11:31, as provided: "and from Anathoth to Michmash, the people of Anathoth and the Meunites," details a geographical expansion and demographic reality of the post-exilic Israelite settlement in Judah. This verse indicates specific areas of habitation north of Jerusalem. It notes the presence of the residents originally from Anathoth and crucially mentions "the Meunites," highlighting the diverse groups within the returning community, including those traditionally associated with temple service or a distinct ethnic background, who are now integrated into these towns. The verse points to the methodical repopulation and organizational efforts to re-establish the Jewish presence throughout the land promised by God.

Nehemiah 11 31 Context

Nehemiah chapter 11 outlines the repopulation efforts of Jerusalem and the surrounding towns following the return from Babylonian exile. With the walls of Jerusalem rebuilt, the focus shifted to establishing a secure and vibrant population in the capital and strategically important surrounding areas. Chapter 11 begins by describing how a tenth of the returned exiles were chosen by lot to dwell in Jerusalem, with the rest settling in their own towns (Neh 11:1). This was a practical necessity for the survival and defense of the revitalized Jewish community. The subsequent verses (11:2-36) provide a register of those who settled in Jerusalem and in other cities of Judah and Benjamin, highlighting their family heads. Nehemiah 11:31 specifically falls within the listing of towns and their inhabitants in the region of Benjamin, detailing the north-central settlement corridor important for securing Jerusalem's approaches and expanding the post-exilic territory of the covenant community. The mention of specific groups within these towns emphasizes the ordered nature of the return and the reintegration of various segments of the exiled people.

Nehemiah 11 31 Word analysis

• and from Anathoth (וּמֵעֲנָתוֹת, u-me'anatot):
  • "and from": Connects this entry to a larger list of towns or origins. It denotes a source or starting point in a geographical enumeration.
  • Anathoth (עֲנָתוֹת): A significant Levitical city located a few miles northeast of Jerusalem in the territory of Benjamin. It is most famously known as the hometown of the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 1:1, 11:21). Its mention here signifies the re-establishment of a historical and sacred Jewish presence in a place known for prophecy and priestly families.
• to Michmash, (מִכְמָשׂ, mikhmash):
  • "to Michmash": Indicates the geographical range or the end point of a stretch of land where settlement is occurring.
  • Michmash: Located northeast of Jerusalem, north of Geba, and strategically significant. It was famously a site of Jonathan's victory over the Philistines during Saul's reign (1 Sam 13-14). Its re-settlement reinforces the Jewish presence in a historically vital area.
• the people of Anathoth (אַנְשֵׁי עֲנָתוֹת, anshey 'anātōth):
  • "the people of": Denotes the specific inhabitants belonging to or associated with that town. This suggests that some individuals or families were specifically designated to resettle their ancestral hometown. It highlights a reassertion of identity tied to specific land inheritances.
• and the Meunites, (וְהַמְּעוּנִים, wə-hammᵉʿūnîm):
  • "and the Meunites": This is a distinctive inclusion within a list primarily focused on geographical locations and their standard inhabitants. The "Meunites" (Me'unim) often appear in Ezra-Nehemiah alongside the Nethinim, who were temple servants descended from foreign exiles (Ezra 2:50; Neh 7:52). While historically (e.g., 2 Chr 26:7) they could be a desert-dwelling, non-Israelite group hostile to Judah, in the post-exilic context of Ezra-Nehemiah, they refer to those who integrated into the covenant community and served the Temple. Their presence in these northern towns signifies a broader, inclusive re-establishment, incorporating not only those directly tied to Israelite lineage but also others who had committed themselves to the community of God's people and the Temple service. It underlines the diverse nature of the restored community and its reach into various settlements.

Nehemiah 11 31 Bonus section

The list of towns in Nehemiah 11 (including v. 31) functions as a legitimizing document, detailing the geographical footprint of the renewed Jewish state in Benjaminite territory. It highlights the recovery of historically significant areas, not just those immediately around Jerusalem. The allocation of different groups (including temple servants, i.e., Meunites, who likely aided in communal organization and practical aspects of living) to various settlements demonstrates the organized planning of the post-exilic leaders. This was critical for strengthening the weak, returning population, ensuring the spread of Mosaic law and the worship of Yahweh throughout the newly defined territory.

Nehemiah 11 31 Commentary

Nehemiah 11:31 (as provided) underscores the meticulous and comprehensive nature of the post-exilic restoration in Judah under Nehemiah's leadership. Beyond simply rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, there was a concerted effort to repopulate the territory, essential for the community's defense, economic viability, and religious continuity. The verse identifies the strategic locations of Anathoth and Michmash, which served as northern outposts, securing routes and extending the reach of the Jewish community beyond Jerusalem's immediate vicinity. The explicit mention of "the people of Anathoth" signifies the return to ancestral lands, reinforcing a sense of historical identity and divine promise fulfilled. The unusual but significant inclusion of "the Meunites" suggests that the re-settlement involved a diverse group, extending beyond direct Israelite lineage to include faithful groups like the Nethinim (temple servants) who, though often of foreign descent, had become integral to the worship life of Israel. Their placement in these towns highlights their full inclusion in the restored community and the expansive effort to populate the entire territory with those devoted to God and His covenant. This organized settlement testifies to God's faithfulness in regathering His people and establishing them securely in the land He promised, laying the groundwork for future generations.