Nehemiah 7:4

KJV

Now the city [was] large and great: but the people [were] few therein, and the houses [were] not builded.

KJV (with Strong's)

Now the city {H5892} was large {H7342}{H3027} and great {H1419}: but the people {H5971} were few {H4592} therein {H8432}, and the houses {H1004} were not builded {H1129}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not been rebuilt.

Berean Standard Bible

Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt.

American Standard Version

Now the city was wide and large; but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nehemiah 7:4 offers a stark and poignant assessment of Jerusalem's condition immediately following the monumental completion of its defensive walls. Despite the city's impressive size and historical significance, the verse reveals a critical internal deficit: a severely sparse population and widespread residential devastation, with houses still unbuilt. This highlights that true restoration extends beyond mere external security, demanding the revitalization of community and the establishment of functional living spaces to transform a fortified shell into a thriving city.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial pivot point in the book of Nehemiah. Having achieved the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding Jerusalem's walls in just 52 days, a triumph recorded in [Nehemiah 6:15](/nehemiah/6-15 "Nehemiah 6:15 - Completion of the Wall"), Nehemiah now shifts his focus from external defense to internal revitalization. Chapter 7 begins with Nehemiah establishing administrative and spiritual order, appointing gatekeepers, singers, and Levites to ensure the city's proper functioning and worship. However, [Nehemiah 7:4](/nehemiah/7-4 "Nehemiah 7:4 - The State of Jerusalem") immediately presents the stark reality that despite its secure perimeter, the city itself remained largely desolate, setting the stage for the next phase of Nehemiah's God-ordained mission: repopulating Jerusalem and rebuilding its domestic infrastructure, which he addresses later in [Nehemiah 11](/nehemiah/11 "Nehemiah 11 - Repopulation of Jerusalem").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The state of Jerusalem described in this verse reflects the lingering devastation from the Babylonian exile, which had occurred over 140 years prior, when Nebuchadnezzar's forces destroyed the city and its temple, as recounted in [2 Kings 25:9](/2_kings/25-9 "2 Kings 25:9 - Destruction of Jerusalem"). Though some exiles had returned under Zerubbabel and Ezra, the city remained largely uninhabited and in ruins. For a city to truly function as a capital and religious center, it required a substantial population to provide defense, economic activity, and a vibrant social fabric. The Persian imperial context, under which Nehemiah operated, would have expected a functioning provincial capital, and a depopulated city was a sign of weakness and inefficiency. The lack of built houses indicates not just neglect but also a significant economic and social challenge, as people would be hesitant to move into a city lacking basic infrastructure and housing.
* **Key Themes:** The themes emerging from [Nehemiah 7:4](/nehemiah/7-4 "Nehemiah 7:4 - The State of Jerusalem") are profound. Firstly, it underscores **The Holistic Nature of Restoration**. True restoration is not merely about external defenses or physical structures; it encompasses the vitality of its inhabitants and the functionality of their living spaces. The walls were a necessary first step, but not the complete solution. Secondly, it highlights the **Challenge of Repopulation and Resettlement**. A city, no matter how grand or well-fortified, is nothing without its people. The "few therein" points to a demographic crisis that threatened the city's long-term viability and purpose. Nehemiah's subsequent actions, detailed in [Nehemiah 11:1-2](/nehemiah/11-1 "Nehemiah 11:1-2 - Repopulation Initiative"), directly address this critical need. Lastly, the phrase "the houses [were] not builded" emphasizes the **Lingering Effects of Desolation**. Decades of ruin meant that private dwellings, essential for a thriving community, remained largely unaddressed, a stark reminder that public works often precede, but do not negate the need for, private and domestic reconstruction.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"large and great" (רָחָב וּגְדֹלָה, _rachav u'g'dolah'_):** The Hebrew words _rachav_ (large, broad, spacious) and _gadolah_ (great, mighty, important) together emphasize the sheer physical expanse and historical significance of Jerusalem. It wasn't merely a small town; it was a sprawling, historically important city, making its emptiness even more striking. This highlights the immense potential that lay dormant, awaiting revitalization.
* **"few" (מְעַט, _m'at'_):** This word denotes a small quantity or number, underscoring the severe demographic deficit within the city. It's a stark contrast to the city's potential and past glory, indicating a critical shortage of inhabitants necessary for defense, economic activity, and the vibrant life of a capital city.
* **"not builded" (לֹא בָנוּי, _lo' banuy'_):** The negation _lo'_ combined with the passive participle _banuy_ (built, constructed) from the verb _banah_ (to build) precisely conveys that the houses remained unconstructed or unrepaired. This points to the depth of the desolation, indicating that even after the temple and walls were rebuilt, the domestic infrastructure, vital for daily life and resettlement, was still in ruins.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the city [was] large and great":** This opening clause establishes the impressive scale and inherent importance of Jerusalem. It was not a minor settlement but a significant urban center, historically and geographically. This sets up a profound contrast with the subsequent description, emphasizing the disparity between its potential and its reality.
* **"but the people [were] few therein":** The conjunction "but" introduces the stark reality. Despite its grand dimensions, the city suffered from a critical lack of population. This demographic scarcity was a major impediment to its full restoration, impacting its security, economy, and social vitality. A city without people is merely a collection of structures.
* **"and the houses [were] not builded":** This final clause provides the practical reason for the sparse population. The widespread destruction of homes from the Babylonian conquest had not been remedied. Without adequate housing, even those few people present would struggle, and new inhabitants would have no place to settle, making the city unattractive and uninhabitable for many.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Nehemiah 7:4 is **Contrast**, specifically **Juxtaposition**. The verse deliberately places the grand scale and historical significance of Jerusalem ("large and great") in direct opposition to its desolate internal state ("people were few therein, and the houses were not builded"). This juxtaposition powerfully highlights the incompleteness of the city's restoration, even after the monumental success of the wall-building project. The stark difference between the external achievement (secure walls) and the internal reality (empty, ruined city) creates a sense of tension and underscores the next phase of Nehemiah's challenging mission. There's also an element of **Understatement** in the simple declaration "not builded," which belies the immense task of rebuilding an entire city's domestic infrastructure after decades of neglect.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nehemiah 7:4 powerfully illustrates that God's work of restoration is comprehensive and holistic, extending beyond visible achievements to address the deeper, often less glamorous, needs of community and individual well-being. It reveals that securing external boundaries is only one part of true flourishing; the internal vitality, the presence of people, and the establishment of functional homes are equally crucial for a city to fulfill its purpose. This verse reminds us that God is concerned not just with grand structures but with the lives of His people within them, emphasizing the importance of both corporate and individual flourishing in His redemptive plan. It sets the stage for a new phase of faith and labor, demonstrating that God's providence guides His servants through sequential steps of rebuilding.

* [Nehemiah 11:1-2](/nehemiah/11-1 "Nehemiah 11:1-2 - Repopulation of Jerusalem")
* [Haggai 1:4](/haggai/1-4 "Haggai 1:4 - Priority of God's House")
* [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds the House")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nehemiah 7:4 offers profound lessons for our spiritual journeys and communal endeavors. It serves as a potent reminder that completing one significant phase of a task, even a divinely appointed one, does not signify the entire work is done. Just as Jerusalem needed more than just walls to be a true city, our lives and ministries require comprehensive development. We might achieve outward successes—a spiritual discipline mastered, a ministry launched, a theological truth understood—yet neglect the "unbuilt houses" or "sparse populations" within our own souls or communities. This could manifest as a lack of deep spiritual fellowship, unaddressed personal character flaws, or a failure to invest in the internal health and growth of a church or family, even as external programs flourish. This verse calls us to a holistic view of God's work, urging patience, diligence, and a willingness to engage in the less visible, often more arduous, work of internal consolidation and nurturing, recognizing that true flourishing comes from both external security and internal vitality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "walls" have I successfully built in my life or ministry, and what "unbuilt houses" or "sparse populations" might still exist within those areas?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of "completion" in spiritual growth or communal projects?**
* **In what ways might I be prioritizing external achievements over internal health and community development, and what steps can I take to address this imbalance?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jerusalem so empty even after the walls were rebuilt?**

Answer: Jerusalem's emptiness, despite the rebuilt walls, was a direct consequence of the long period of desolation following the Babylonian exile. For over 140 years, the city had lain largely in ruins, making it unattractive and unsafe for resettlement. Most Jewish returnees had settled in surrounding towns and villages where they had established homes and livelihoods. Moving into a ruined city, even with new walls, required significant commitment, resources, and a willingness to face hardship, as basic housing and infrastructure were still lacking. The walls provided security, but not immediate comfort or economic opportunity, hence the "few people therein."

**What was the significance of the "houses not builded"?**

Answer: The phrase "the houses were not builded" is highly significant because it highlights the fundamental challenge to repopulation. A city needs homes for its inhabitants. The lack of built or repaired houses meant there was no adequate dwelling place for people to live, raise families, or conduct business. This wasn't merely an aesthetic problem; it was a practical barrier to resettlement and a symbol of the city's lingering devastation. It underscored that true restoration had to extend beyond public works (walls, temple) to the private, domestic sphere, which was essential for a vibrant community.

**How did Nehemiah address the problem of the sparse population and unbuilt houses?**

Answer: Nehemiah recognized this as the next critical phase of Jerusalem's restoration. He addressed it systematically. Firstly, he initiated a census to understand the existing population (Nehemiah 7:5-69). Secondly, and most importantly, he implemented a plan to encourage people to resettle in Jerusalem. This involved a voluntary relocation effort, where one-tenth of the population from the surrounding towns and villages was chosen by lot to live in Jerusalem (as detailed in [Nehemiah 11:1-2](/nehemiah/11-1 "Nehemiah 11:1-2 - Repopulation of Jerusalem")). This strategic repopulation, combined with the ongoing work of rebuilding homes and establishing civic order, was crucial for transforming Jerusalem from a fortified shell into a thriving, inhabited city.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nehemiah 7:4, with its depiction of a vast, significant city lacking inhabitants and proper dwellings, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament's understanding of the Church. Just as Jerusalem was designed to be a dwelling place for God's presence and a gathering point for His people, so too is the Church. Christ, as the ultimate Builder, declares, "[I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Christ Builds His Church")" (Matthew 16:18). He not only provides the "walls" of salvation and security, protecting His people from spiritual enemies, but also fills the "city" with inhabitants—those called by His grace. Believers are described as "[living stones... being built up a spiritual house](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, Spiritual House")" (1 Peter 2:5), forming a "[holy temple in the Lord](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21 - A Holy Temple in the Lord")" (Ephesians 2:21). Christ's work ensures that His spiritual city is not merely a grand, empty structure, but a vibrant, indwelt community where God's Spirit dwells (Ephesians 2:22). He is the one who prepares not just the "city," but also the "dwelling places" within it, ultimately promising to "[go and prepare a place for you](/john/14-2 "John 14:2 - Preparing a Place for You")" (John 14:2) in the New Jerusalem, where God will "[dwell with them](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People")" (Revelation 21:3). Thus, Christ fulfills Nehemiah's vision by building a spiritual city that is both great in purpose and abundantly populated by His redeemed people.

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

Isaiah 58:12

And [they that shall be] of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Haggai 1:4

[Is it] time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house [lie] waste?

Haggai 1:6

Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages [to put it] into a bag with holes.