Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.
Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people living in it, and the houses were not yet built.
The writer is describing how Jerusalem had plenty of space but was still underpopulated and needed to be rebuilt after the exile.
📚 Historical Context
The Book of Nehemiah describes the efforts of Jewish leaders to restore Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile, a period when the city lay in ruins following the conquest and deportation of its people. By chapter 7, the protective walls had been rebuilt under Nehemiah's leadership, but the city remained underpopulated and undeveloped, highlighting the ongoing challenges of resettlement and reconstruction in a vulnerable post-exilic society. This verse underscores the broader biblical theme of God's faithfulness in restoring His people despite their weakened state.
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