Nehemiah 11:26

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And at Jeshua {H3442}, and at Moladah {H4137}, and at Bethphelet {H1046},

Complete Jewish Bible

in Yeshua, in Moladah, in Beit-Pelet,

Berean Standard Bible

in Jeshua, Moladah, and Beth-pelet;

American Standard Version

and in Jeshua, and in Moladah, and Beth-pelet,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 11:26 is a concise yet significant verse, meticulously listing three towns—Jeshua, Moladah, and Bethphelet—re-inhabited by the returning exiles of Judah and Benjamin. This detail is part of a broader census in Nehemiah 11, which documents the organized repopulation of Jerusalem and the surrounding territories after the Babylonian captivity. The verse underscores the post-exilic community's commitment to re-establishing their presence throughout the promised land, moving beyond the capital to secure the breadth of their ancestral inheritance and fulfill God's covenant promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 11:26 is situated within a crucial administrative section of the book of Nehemiah, specifically following the completion and dedication of Jerusalem's walls (Nehemiah 6-7) and the spiritual renewal under Ezra's leadership (Nehemiah 8-10). Chapter 11 marks a pivot from rebuilding the physical structures to repopulating the land, which was essential for the long-term viability and security of the restored community. This chapter provides a detailed register of the families and individuals who settled in Jerusalem and the surrounding towns, with verse 26 contributing to the list of settlements in the southern region of Judah. The meticulous nature of this list highlights the careful planning and organization involved in re-establishing the nation, demonstrating a commitment to God's covenant promises regarding the land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described is the post-exilic era, specifically after the return from Babylonian captivity, likely in the mid-5th century BCE under Persian rule. While Jerusalem had been rebuilt, much of the surrounding Judean countryside remained sparsely populated or desolate after decades of neglect and foreign occupation. The repopulation effort was not merely a logistical exercise but a theological imperative, fulfilling prophecies of return and re-inhabitation (e.g., [Jeremiah 32:44](/jeremiah/32-44 "Jeremiah 32:44 - Buying Fields in Anathoth")). Culturally, the act of settling the land reaffirmed their identity as the people of Israel, tied to their ancestral inheritance. These towns, Jeshua, Moladah, and Bethphelet, were located in the Negeb (southern) region of Judah, indicating the breadth of the repopulation effort beyond the immediate vicinity of Jerusalem, strengthening the southern border and re-establishing agricultural and pastoral life.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of Nehemiah 11, contributes significantly to several overarching themes. Firstly, **Re-establishment and Repopulation** is paramount, illustrating the deliberate and organized effort to fill the desolate land with the covenant people, a vital step in restoring national identity and security. Secondly, it highlights the **Commitment and Perseverance** of the returning exiles, who, despite challenges, undertook the arduous task of settling remote or ruined areas, demonstrating their resolve to rebuild the entire region, not just the capital. Thirdly, the meticulous record-keeping, though humanly orchestrated, subtly underscores **Divine Providence and Faithfulness**. It reflects God's hand guiding the restoration of His people to their land, as promised, enabling them to re-establish their presence and fulfill the covenant, echoing earlier promises concerning the land given to Abraham ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). The return and resettlement were a testament to God's enduring covenant love, even after the discipline of exile (cf. [Deuteronomy 30:1-5](/deuteronomy/30-1 "Deuteronomy 30:1-5 - Restoration to the Land")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jeshua (Hebrew, _Yeshua'_):** This name, meaning "salvation" or "the Lord saves," is significant not only as a place name but also due to its underlying theological resonance. While primarily identifying a geographical location, its etymology subtly echoes the broader theme of divine deliverance and restoration that characterizes the post-exilic period. The very act of re-inhabiting these towns was a testament to God's saving work in bringing His people back from exile.
* **Moladah (Hebrew, _Moladah'_):** Meaning "birth" or "generation," this name, like Jeshua, carries a symbolic weight beyond its geographical designation. It speaks to the idea of new beginnings, the re-generation of the community, and the continuation of the covenant people after the desolation of exile. The repopulation was a "new birth" for the nation, signifying renewed life and the perpetuation of their lineage in the promised land.
* **Bethphelet (Hebrew, _Bet-Pelet'_):** This name translates to "house of escape" or "house of deliverance." Its meaning directly points to the experience of the exiles who had indeed "escaped" or been "delivered" from Babylon. Settling in a "house of deliverance" would have been a poignant reminder of God's faithfulness in rescuing them and establishing them once again in their homeland.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And at Jeshua":** This phrase introduces the first of three specific towns in the southern territory of Judah that were re-inhabited by the returning exiles. The mention of Jeshua underscores the detailed nature of the census, highlighting the specific locations where the community was re-establishing its presence. Its inclusion signifies the expansion of settlement beyond Jerusalem, contributing to the broader repopulation effort.
* **"and at Moladah":** Following Jeshua, Moladah is listed as another key settlement. The inclusion of Moladah further emphasizes the geographical spread of the repopulation. These towns, often mentioned in conjunction with others in the Negeb, were vital for securing the southern borders of Judah and re-establishing agricultural and pastoral life in the region.
* **"and at Bethphelet":** The final town listed in this verse, Bethphelet, completes the trio of southern Judean settlements. Its mention reinforces the meticulous record-keeping of Nehemiah 11, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the repopulation strategy. The enumeration of these specific places highlights the tangible reality of the returnees' commitment to reclaiming and inhabiting the entirety of their ancestral land.

#### Literary Devices
Nehemiah 11:26 primarily employs **Listing/Enumeration**, a common literary device in historical and administrative texts of the Bible. This meticulous cataloging of towns serves to provide a comprehensive and verifiable record of the post-exilic repopulation efforts, lending credibility and authority to the narrative. The precise naming of **Topographical Detail** (Jeshua, Moladah, Bethphelet) grounds the abstract concept of "repopulation" in concrete geographical realities, emphasizing the physical re-establishment of the community in specific, identifiable locations within the promised land. Furthermore, while not a direct literary device, the **Symbolism** inherent in the names themselves (Jeshua: "salvation," Moladah: "birth," Bethphelet: "house of escape") adds a layer of theological resonance, subtly echoing the themes of divine deliverance, new beginnings, and restoration that permeate the book of Nehemiah and the broader post-exilic narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 11:26, though a simple list of names, is deeply embedded in the theological narrative of God's faithfulness to His covenant people. It demonstrates the tangible fulfillment of prophecies concerning the return from exile and the re-inhabitation of the land, affirming that God keeps His promises even after periods of judgment. The meticulous repopulation of these towns was not merely an administrative task but an act of faith, signifying the community's commitment to rebuilding their life under God's sovereignty. It underscores the importance of every part of the promised land and every individual family in God's grand plan of restoration, reflecting a holistic view of national and spiritual renewal.

* [Ezra 2:1](/ezra/2-1 "Ezra 2:1 - The First Return from Exile")
* [Jeremiah 32:44](/jeremiah/32-44 "Jeremiah 32:44 - Fields Bought in Anathoth")
* [Isaiah 43:5-6](/isaiah/43-5 "Isaiah 43:5-6 - God Gathers His People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 11:26, despite its seemingly mundane nature as a list of towns, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that true restoration and spiritual rebuilding often require diligent, organized effort that extends beyond grand, visible projects. Just as the Israelites were called to re-inhabit every corner of their promised land, attending to the details of community life and securing their presence in seemingly insignificant places, so too are believers called to faithfulness in every sphere of their lives. This includes stewarding the specific places, relationships, and responsibilities God has entrusted to them, building up communities, and demonstrating commitment in the everyday, often unseen, aspects of life. The meticulous record-keeping also highlights the value of every individual and every location within God's larger, redemptive plan, encouraging us to see divine purpose even in the details. Our faithfulness in small, specific areas contributes to the larger work of God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life or community am I called to "repopulate" or "re-establish" faithfulness in areas that might seem mundane or overlooked?**
* **How does the commitment of the returning exiles to settle challenging areas inspire my own perseverance in difficult spiritual or communal tasks?**
* **In what ways can I recognize God's providence and faithfulness at work in the seemingly small or detailed aspects of my life and responsibilities?**

### FAQ
**Why is Nehemiah 11:26, a list of towns, included in the Bible?**

Answer: Nehemiah 11:26, along with the broader chapter, is included in the biblical narrative for several crucial reasons. Firstly, it serves as a historical record, meticulously documenting the post-exilic repopulation of Judah, which was vital for the re-establishment of the Jewish nation after decades of Babylonian captivity. This detailed census demonstrates the organized effort to fulfill God's promise to bring His people back to their land ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Seventy Years of Exile")). Secondly, it underscores the theme of divine faithfulness; the ability of the exiles to return and re-inhabit their ancestral towns was a direct fulfillment of God's covenant promises. Thirdly, it highlights the commitment and perseverance of the people, who, having rebuilt Jerusalem's walls, now undertook the arduous task of settling the surrounding, often desolate, territories, thereby securing the nation's borders and economic viability. It shows that God's work of restoration involves both grand acts and meticulous, detailed efforts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nehemiah 11:26 is a historical record of geographical repopulation, its underlying themes point to the greater spiritual restoration found in Christ. The re-inhabitation of the physical land by the returning exiles foreshadows the spiritual re-inhabitation of God's people by the Holy Spirit, making them temples of God ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). The names of the towns themselves—Jeshua ("salvation"), Moladah ("birth"), and Bethphelet ("house of escape")—resonate profoundly with the work of Jesus. He is our ultimate [Salvation](/luke/2-30 "Luke 2:30 - Simeon's Prophecy of Salvation"), through Him we experience a [new birth](/john/3-3 "John 3:3 - Jesus on Being Born Again") into God's family, and He provides the true "house of escape" from sin and death, offering eternal deliverance ([Hebrews 2:15](/hebrews/2-15 "Hebrews 2:15 - Deliverance from Fear of Death")). Just as the exiles returned to a physical inheritance, believers in Christ inherit spiritual blessings and a heavenly citizenship ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")), becoming part of God's holy nation, a people re-established not by geographical location but by faith in the Lamb of God ([1 Peter 2:9-10](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen People")). The meticulous care for every town in Nehemiah points to God's comprehensive plan of redemption, which leaves no part of humanity untouched by His saving grace, ultimately culminating in the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells ([2 Peter 3:13](/2_peter/3-13 "2 Peter 3:13 - New Heavens and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 19:2

And they had in their inheritance Beersheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,

Joshua 15:26

Amam, and Shema, and Moladah,

Joshua 15:27

And Hazargaddah, and Heshmon, and Bethpalet,