Nehemiah 11:27 - in Hazar Shual, in Beersheba and its towns,

Generated Verse: Nehemiah 11:27

What does "Nehemiah 11:27" mean?


Nehemiah 11:27, "in Hazar Shual, in Beersheba and its towns," is part of a longer passage (Nehemiah 11:25-36) detailing the resettlement of the people of Judah after their return from the Babylonian exile. This verse specifically lists locations where people were living. To understand its meaning, we need to consider:

Context: The context of Nehemiah 11 is about repopulating Jerusalem and the surrounding areas. Jerusalem was a priority, but people also needed to live in the countryside to support the city with agriculture and other services.
Specific Locations:

Hazar Shual: This was a town in the Negev (southern part of Judah), located in the territory of the tribe of Simeon (Joshua 19:3). The name "Hazar Shual" means "village of the jackal".
Beersheba: This was a major city in the Negev, located at the southern edge of Judah. It was a well-known place with a long history.
"and its towns": This phrase indicates that the resettlement wasn't just in the major city of Beersheba, but also in the smaller surrounding villages and settlements that were dependent on it.

Significance:

Geographic Scope: The verse highlights the geographical reach of the resettlement. It shows that people were living not only in Jerusalem and its immediate surroundings but also in the more distant southern regions of Judah.
Re-establishment of Boundaries: These towns were part of the ancestral territory of Judah. Their repopulation signified the re-establishment of the boundaries of the restored Jewish community.
Economic and Social Implications: The people living in these areas were likely engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry, contributing to the economic recovery of the region. Their presence also suggests a degree of security and stability in the area.

In essence, Nehemiah 11:27 shows that the resettlement efforts after the exile extended beyond Jerusalem and its immediate vicinity to include towns like Hazar Shual and the area around Beersheba in the Negev. This verse emphasizes the geographical spread of the renewed Jewish community and the re-establishment of its historical boundaries.

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