KJV ORIGINAL
Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people living in it, and the houses were not yet built.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is describing how Jerusalem had plenty of space but was still underpopulated and needed to be rebuilt after the exile.
📚 Historical Context
This verse describes Jerusalem after Nehemiah had rebuilt its walls around 445 BC, following the Jewish return from Babylonian exile. Though the city's defensive walls were now complete, the population was still sparse because many Jews had remained in other lands, and much of the city's infrastructure still lay in ruins from the Babylonian destruction decades earlier.
Explore Similar Verses
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.
Share or Save