Nehemiah 11:20 - The residue of Israel, of the priests, the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance.

Generated Verse: Nehemiah 11:20

What does "Nehemiah 11:20" mean?


Nehemiah 11:20 is stating that after the initial resettlement of Jerusalem (described earlier in the chapter), the remaining Israelites, including priests and Levites, were distributed throughout the cities of Judah, each living on their ancestral land or allotted territory.

Let's break it down:

"The residue of Israel, of the priests, the Levites...": This refers to the Israelites, specifically including the priests and Levites, who were not among those chosen to live in Jerusalem (as described in Nehemiah 11:3-19). A significant focus was placed on repopulating Jerusalem after the exile, but the remaining population still needed to be accounted for.
"...were in all the cities of Judah...": This means they lived in the various towns and villages throughout the region of Judah. They were not all concentrated in Jerusalem.
"...everyone in his inheritance.": This is the key point. "Inheritance" refers to the land originally allotted to their ancestors when the Israelites conquered Canaan under Joshua. The ideal was that families retained ownership of their ancestral land. After the exile, efforts were made to restore this system. This phrase emphasizes the restoration and stability of their lives, rooted in their traditional land ownership. It signifies a return to normalcy and a rebuilding of their society in the land God had promised them.

In summary, the verse shows that after resettling Jerusalem, the remaining Israelites, including priests and Levites, went back to their respective ancestral lands throughout Judah, signifying a return to their traditional way of life and land ownership after the Babylonian exile. This verse paints a picture of the broader resettlement effort, not just in Jerusalem, but across the entire region of Judah. It shows a commitment to restoring the old order and re-establishing the Israelites' connection to their land.

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