Nehemiah 11:27

KJV

And at Hazarshual, and at Beersheba, and [in] the villages thereof,

KJV (with Strong's)

And at Hazarshual {H2705}, and at Beersheba {H884}, and in the villages {H1323} thereof,

Complete Jewish Bible

in Hatzar-Shu'al and its villages, in Be'er-Sheva and its villages,

Berean Standard Bible

in Hazar-shual; in Beersheba and its villages;

American Standard Version

and in Hazar-shual, and in Beer-sheba and the towns thereof,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 11:27, a seemingly simple geographical listing, details the repopulation of Hazarshual, Beersheba, and their surrounding villages by the returned exiles. This verse is a crucial component of a broader chapter that meticulously records the resettlement efforts in Judah and Benjamin after the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls. It underscores the practical and tangible fulfillment of God's promises to restore His people to their ancestral land, transforming a desolate territory into a vibrant, re-established community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nehemiah 11 is a detailed administrative record, following the completion of Jerusalem's walls and the solemn covenant renewal ceremony described in [Nehemiah 9-10](/nehemiah/9 "Nehemiah 9-10 - Covenant Renewal and Confession"). With the capital city secured, the focus shifts to repopulating not just Jerusalem, where one-tenth of the population was chosen to reside ([Nehemiah 11:1-2](/nehemiah/11-1 "Nehemiah 11:1-2 - Repopulating Jerusalem")), but also the surrounding towns and villages of Judah and Benjamin. This chapter provides a comprehensive census of those who settled in these various locations, demonstrating the practical outworking of the restoration. Verse 27 is part of a list of specific towns in the southern region of Judah, highlighting the extent of the resettlement beyond the immediate vicinity of Jerusalem.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Nehemiah take place in the mid-5th century BCE, during the Persian Empire's rule. After the Babylonian exile, many Jews remained in Babylon, but a remnant returned in successive waves, first under Zerubbabel and Joshua (c. 538 BCE), then Ezra (c. 458 BCE), and finally Nehemiah (c. 445 BCE). The land of Judah had been largely desolate for decades, with many cities lying in ruins. Repopulating the territory was not merely a logistical exercise but a theological imperative, signifying the re-establishment of Israel's presence in the Promised Land. Beersheba, in particular, was a historically significant city, marking the traditional southern boundary of Israel ("from Dan to Beersheba"), making its repopulation a symbolic reclaiming of ancestral territory and a vital step in securing the southern frontier of the small Persian province of Yehud (Judah).
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of Nehemiah 11, contributes to several overarching themes. The primary theme is **Resettlement and Repopulation**, showcasing the practical efforts to re-establish life and community in the land after the exile, fulfilling prophetic promises of return (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Promises of Restoration")). It also highlights **God's Faithfulness and Providence**, as the return and settlement in specific, often historically significant, locations underscore His commitment to His covenant people and His detailed oversight of their restoration. The meticulous listing emphasizes the **Importance of Place and Inheritance**, demonstrating that the physical land was integral to Israel's national and religious identity. Finally, the act of settling together, as detailed in this chapter, is foundational to **Community Building and National Rebirth**, laying the groundwork for the social, economic, and religious reconstruction of the post-exilic Jewish community.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hazarshual (Hebrew, _Ḥăṣar Šūʿāl_):** This name literally means "Court of the Fox" or "Village of the Jackal." Its inclusion in this list suggests a smaller, perhaps less prominent, and possibly more remote settlement in the southern part of Judah. The repopulation of such a place demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the resettlement effort, extending even to the less strategically important or historically renowned locations, ensuring that the entire ancestral territory was being reclaimed.
* **Beersheba (Hebrew, _Bə'ēr Ševaʿ_):** Meaning "Well of the Oath" or "Well of Seven," Beersheba holds immense historical and symbolic significance in the biblical narrative. It is frequently associated with the patriarchs Abraham and Isaac, who made covenants and dug wells there (e.g., [Genesis 21:31](/genesis/21-31 "Genesis 21:31 - Abraham's Covenant at Beersheba") and [Genesis 26:33](/genesis/26-33 "Genesis 26:33 - Isaac's Well at Beersheba")). As the southernmost major city of Judah, its repopulation was critical for re-establishing the traditional boundaries of Israel and reclaiming a deeply rooted ancestral heritage.
* **Villages (Hebrew, _bənōtehā_):** The Hebrew word literally means "daughters," a common idiom in ancient Near Eastern geography used to describe the dependent towns or satellite communities surrounding a larger, more prominent city. In this context, "the villages thereof" refers to the smaller settlements that were economically, politically, or socially tied to Beersheba. Their inclusion emphasizes that the resettlement was not limited to major urban centers but extended to the entire rural landscape, ensuring a thorough and complete re-establishment of the population across the land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And at Hazarshual":** This phrase introduces the first of two primary locations mentioned in the verse. Hazarshual represents the smaller, perhaps more obscure, but nonetheless vital settlements being repopulated. Its inclusion highlights the comprehensive scope of the returnees' efforts to reclaim and inhabit the entire land, not just the major centers.
* **"and at Beersheba":** This clause signifies the repopulation of one of the most historically and geographically significant cities in Judah. Beersheba, as the traditional southern boundary, symbolizes the full extent of the restored territory and the reclaiming of a deep patriarchal heritage. Its re-establishment was a powerful statement of continuity and divine faithfulness.
* **"and [in] the villages thereof":** This concluding phrase broadens the scope of the resettlement beyond the named cities to include their dependent satellite communities. The "villages thereof" (literally "its daughters") indicate a thorough and pervasive repopulation, demonstrating that the land was being settled not just in isolated pockets but comprehensively, fostering interconnected communities and a re-established social fabric.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Nehemiah 11, and specifically in this verse, is **Cataloging** or **Listing**. The entire chapter functions as a detailed register of names and places, meticulously recording the individuals and locations involved in the post-exilic resettlement. This seemingly dry enumeration serves several important purposes: it provides an authoritative historical record, validates the legitimacy of the returnees' claims to the land, and emphasizes the thoroughness and divine order behind the repopulation effort. The inclusion of both prominent (Beersheba) and less prominent (Hazarshual) locations within this list creates a sense of **Completeness** or **Totality**, implicitly suggesting that the entire breadth of the ancestral land was being reclaimed, from its established centers to its outlying dependencies. While not a strict merism, the mention of a key southern city like Beersheba, alongside other towns, contributes to the overall impression of a widespread and comprehensive reoccupation of Judah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 11:27, though a simple geographical listing, is profoundly theological. It testifies to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to bring His people back from exile and re-establish them in the land He swore to their ancestors. The repopulation of these specific towns, especially Beersheba with its patriarchal connections, is a tangible demonstration of God's restorative power and His commitment to His people's physical and spiritual well-being. It highlights that divine restoration is not merely an abstract spiritual concept but often involves concrete, practical acts of rebuilding communities, establishing homes, and reclaiming physical territory. This act of resettlement is a testament to the enduring nature of God's covenant with Israel, proving that even after severe judgment, His redemptive purposes prevail.

* [Genesis 21:31](/genesis/21-31 "Abraham's Oath at Beersheba")
* [Jeremiah 32:44](/jeremiah/32-44 "Prophecy of Land Repurchase")
* [Ezekiel 36:33-35](/ezekiel/36-33 "Desolate Cities Rebuilt")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly mundane list of places in Nehemiah 11:27 carries profound implications for our understanding of God's work and our role in it. It reminds us that God's grand redemptive plan often unfolds through very practical, detailed, and sometimes even tedious acts of obedience. The rebuilding of a nation wasn't just about spiritual revival; it was about people physically settling into homes, cultivating land, and establishing communities. This teaches us that faithfulness isn't solely about grand spiritual gestures but also about the diligent, often unseen, work of building, maintaining, and contributing to the places and communities God has called us to. Just as the exiles reclaimed their physical inheritance, we are called to steward our spiritual inheritance and build up the Body of Christ in the specific "villages" and "cities" where God has placed us. Every place, from the historically significant to the seemingly obscure, has a role in God's providential plan, and our presence within them contributes to His ongoing work of restoration and flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the detailed nature of this list encourage us to see God's hand in the seemingly mundane details of our lives and communities?**
* **In what "villages" or specific contexts has God placed you, and how can you contribute to building up His kingdom in those particular places?**
* **What does the repopulation of Beersheba, a place of ancestral significance, teach us about reclaiming our spiritual heritage in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why is it important for the Bible to list these specific places like Hazarshual and Beersheba?**

Answer: The detailed listing of specific places in Nehemiah 11, including Hazarshual and Beersheba, serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it provides a historical and administrative record, authenticating the return and resettlement of the Jewish people in their ancestral land after the Babylonian exile. This meticulous detail underscores the tangible reality of God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises of restoration ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return")). Secondly, it demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the repopulation effort; it wasn't just Jerusalem that was rebuilt, but the entire surrounding territory, from major historical centers like Beersheba to smaller, perhaps less significant, "villages." This shows a thorough re-establishment of the community and a reclaiming of the full inheritance. Finally, for the original audience, these lists affirmed their identity and connection to the land, reminding them of God's providential hand in bringing them back to their divinely appointed home.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The physical repopulation of the land in Nehemiah 11:27, including the return to ancestral sites like Beersheba, foreshadows the spiritual restoration and gathering of God's people in Christ. Just as the scattered exiles were brought back to a specific geographical location to re-establish a physical community, so too are all believers, once scattered by sin, gathered into the one spiritual body of Christ, the true Israel of God ([Galatians 3:28-29](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28-29 - All One in Christ")). The "well of the oath" at Beersheba, a place of covenant for the patriarchs, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the new covenant established through the blood of Jesus, who is the ultimate "well of living water" ([John 4:10-14](/john/4-10 "John 4:10-14 - Jesus, the Living Water")). The re-establishment of a physical presence in the land points to the spiritual reality that in Christ, we are given an eternal inheritance, not bound by geographical borders, but encompassing all who believe ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). The meticulous care God showed in resettling His people in their physical land reflects His even greater care in building His spiritual temple, the Church, where every believer is a living stone, united in Christ ([1 Peter 2:4-5](/1_peter/2-4 "1 Peter 2:4-5 - Living Stones in God's Spiritual House")).

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 19:3

And Hazarshual, and Balah, and Azem,

Genesis 26:33

And he called it Shebah: therefore the name of the city [is] Beersheba unto this day.

Joshua 15:28

And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,

Genesis 21:31

Wherefore he called that place Beersheba; because there they sware both of them.

Judges 20:1

¶ Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.