Nehemiah 7:4

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

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}.

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

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

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

Commentary

Nehemiah 7:4 provides a concise yet poignant summary of the state of Jerusalem immediately following the successful completion of its defensive walls. While the city's fortifications were now secure, the verse reveals a significant challenge for its long-term restoration: a sparse population and widespread residential ruin. This highlights that rebuilding a city involves more than just its outer defenses; it requires a vibrant community and functional living spaces.

Context

This verse follows the triumphant completion of the walls of Jerusalem, a monumental task accomplished in just 52 days under Nehemiah's leadership, as celebrated in Nehemiah 6:15. With the physical barrier against enemies established, Nehemiah now turns his attention to the internal state of the city. Chapter 7 begins with Nehemiah appointing gatekeepers, singers, and Levites for temple service, ensuring the city's spiritual and administrative functions. However, verse 4 immediately presents the stark reality of the city's physical emptiness, setting the stage for the next phase of Nehemiah's mission: repopulating Jerusalem and rebuilding its domestic infrastructure.

Key Themes

  • The Scale of the Task: The description of Jerusalem as "large and great" emphasizes its geographical expanse and historical significance, yet this grandeur stood in stark contrast to its neglected internal state. Rebuilding was not just about the walls but about revitalizing a vast, desolated urban area.
  • Population Shortage: The core problem stated is that "the people were few therein." A city, no matter how well-fortified, cannot thrive without inhabitants. This demographic deficit posed challenges for defense, economy, and the overall vibrancy of the city. Nehemiah would later address this by organizing a plan to encourage people to settle in Jerusalem, as detailed in Nehemiah 11:1-2.
  • Unfinished Reconstruction: The phrase "and the houses were not builded" points to the lingering devastation from the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem, which had occurred decades prior (2 Kings 25:9). Many homes remained in ruins, making the city unattractive and difficult for people to settle, even after the walls were complete. This highlights the difference between public works and private restoration.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words convey the stark reality. "Large" is rachab (ืจึธื—ึธื‘), indicating breadth or spaciousness, and "great" is gadol (ื’ึธึผื“ื•ึนืœ), denoting magnitude or importance. Together, they stress the extensive physical dimensions of Jerusalem. The word for "few" is m'at (ืžึฐืขึทื˜), clearly signifying a small quantity or number, underscoring the sparse population. "Not builded" uses lo' (ืœึนื) for negation and banuy (ื‘ึธึผื ื•ึผื™), the passive participle of banah (ื‘ึธึผื ึธื”), "to build," accurately conveying that the houses were unconstructed or unrepaired, emphasizing the depth of the desolation.

Practical Application

Nehemiah 7:4 offers valuable lessons for any endeavor, whether spiritual, communal, or personal. It teaches us that completing one phase of a project does not mean the entire work is done. True and lasting restoration requires attention to all aspects, not just the most visible or urgent. Just as Jerusalem needed both walls and people with homes, our spiritual lives or community projects often require comprehensive development. This verse encourages patience and diligence in the ongoing process of building and filling, reminding us that God's work often unfolds in sequential steps, each requiring faith, planning, and dedicated effort.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 58:12 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Haggai 1:4 (2 votes)

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

  • Haggai 1:6 (2 votes)

    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.