Nehemiah 11 34

Nehemiah 11:34 kjv

Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,

Nehemiah 11:34 nkjv

in Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat;

Nehemiah 11:34 niv

in Hadid, Zeboim and Neballat,

Nehemiah 11:34 esv

Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,

Nehemiah 11:34 nlt

Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,

Nehemiah 11 verses

Nehemiah 11 34 Meaning

Nehemiah 11:34 states that descendants of Judah inhabited "Hadid, Zeboim, and Neballat." This verse is a specific entry within a larger registry of towns and villages reoccupied by the returned exiles from Babylon. It highlights the concrete geographical extent of the post-exilic settlement in the land of Judah, illustrating the practical outworking of God's restoration.

Nehemiah 11 34 Context

This verse is part of Nehemiah chapter 11, which meticulously documents the re-population efforts after the wall of Jerusalem was completed and dedicated. The people understood the need not just for a rebuilt capital, but also for established settlements in the surrounding regions to secure their presence, cultivate the land, and maintain community and worship. Nehemiah 11:3-19 details those who lived in Jerusalem (about 10% chosen by lot and leaders), and Nehemiah 11:20-36 then lists the villages and towns throughout Judah and Benjamin that were inhabited by the remaining returnees.

Verse 34, specifically, is found within the list of towns inhabited by the descendants of Judah (Neh 11:25-36). This administrative record was crucial for acknowledging tribal lands, securing lineage, and demonstrating the literal re-establishment of the covenant people in their ancestral homeland. Historically, this occurs during the Persian period, approximately a century after the first return from Babylonian exile, emphasizing the continued effort to solidify the Jewish presence and consolidate the returned community under Persian rule. The listing provides a comprehensive picture of the geographical reach of the repopulated Judean state.

Nehemiah 11 34 Word analysis

• Hadid (חָדִיד, Chadid): This name is believed to mean "sharp" or "new." Hadid was an ancient town situated in the Shephelah, the low foothills of Judah, known to be strategically significant. Its inclusion here indicates that this area, important historically, was part of the repopulation. It is also mentioned in Ezra 2:33 and Nehemiah 7:37, reinforcing its significance as one of the known settlements for returnees. Its continued mention underscores its role in the re-established Judah.

• Zeboim (צְבֹאיִם, Tsebo'im): The name potentially relates to "hyenas" or "painted ones." Its exact location is debated, but it's often linked to the Valley of Zeboim (1 Sam 13:18), a border area between Benjamin and the Philistine territory, possibly east of Michmash. If a settlement in that valley, it suggests the returnees were reoccupying areas even at the frontiers of the territory. Its mention signifies a push outwards from the central areas of Judah.

• Neballat (נְבַלָּט, Nevalat): The name might relate to "secret place" or "folly." Located in the Shephelah, close to Lydda (Lod) and not far from Hadid, it implies a cluster of repopulated towns in this particular region. Its reappearance in this list after a long period of desolation points to the tangible fulfillment of prophecies concerning the return and re-inhabitation of the land.

• "Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat": This specific sequence and grouping of names are more than just a dry list; they represent the successful, tangible efforts to re-establish Israel's physical presence across diverse, formerly desolate regions. They signify the careful administrative documentation of the "land claim" of the returning community. The fact that these places, which likely lay abandoned for decades, are now listed as inhabited underscores the fulfillment of divine promise. The listing ensures the continuity of the covenant people's rightful claim and responsibility to their heritage in these specific locations. It symbolizes a new beginning, re-rooting the people in the historical geography of their inheritance.

Nehemiah 11 34 Bonus section

The grouping of Hadid, Zeboim, and Neballat within Nehemiah 11 suggests they might represent a geographical cluster in the western lowlands (Shephelah) of Judah and parts of the Benjamin territory. This area was strategically important, bordering the coastal plain and potential Philistine territories. The detailed listing of these towns served as a crucial historical and legal document, providing tangible proof of the returnees' re-occupation of specific hereditary lands following the exile. This act of repopulation and documentation subtly functions as a polemic against any claims that the land remained desolate or that its true inhabitants had vanished; it clearly states the opposite—that God had brought His people back to precisely those places, reasserting their divinely given inheritance and covenant bond with the land. These meticulous records are a profound affirmation of God's covenant loyalty.

Nehemiah 11 34 Commentary

Nehemiah 11:34, as part of a longer list of re-inhabited towns, is more than mere geography; it is a testament to divine faithfulness and human diligence. After securing Jerusalem’s walls, the community strategically repopulated the surrounding towns. This detailed account, including places like Hadid, Zeboim, and Neballat, highlights the practical administration and foresight of leaders like Nehemiah. It demonstrates that the restoration was not limited to the capital but spread throughout the tribal lands.

The specific names of these smaller towns, rather than being insignificant, serve to solidify the claims of the returning exiles to the entire territory promised to Abraham and reconfirm the re-establishment of the Mosaic covenant with its territorial implications. It indicates a thorough and organized effort to take possession of the land. For the original audience, such lists validated their re-established claims and demonstrated the vibrancy of the restored community. The existence of these settlements contributed to Judah’s stability and its capacity for self-defense and economic growth, further securing their religious and cultural identity. The diligent and often unnoticed work of re-settlement reflects the commitment required to rebuild God's community.