The Bible Says
Nehemiah 11:25-36 Meaning

In Nehemiah 11:25-36, the text describes where some of the people of Judah and Benjamin chose to dwell after returning from exile. We read, Now some of the sons of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba and its towns, in Dibon and its towns, and in Jekabzeel and its villages, and in Jeshua, in Moladah and Beth-pelet, and in Hazar-shual, in Beersheba and its towns, and in Ziklag, in Meconah and its towns, and in En-rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth, Zanoah, Adullam and their villages, Lachish and its fields, and Azekah and its towns. So they encamped from Beersheba as far as the valley of Hinnom (vv. 25-30). Kiriath-arba, also known as Hebron, was a prominent city in the southern hills of Judah, historically connected to Abraham (see Genesis 13 for the first mention of this region). Dibon, Jekabzeel, and Moladah are lesser-known locations south of Jerusalem, yet they played a vital part in populating the land. Beersheba, in the Negev region, served as a well-known southern border of the Promised Land, while the Valley of Hinnom (Gehenna in Hebrew. To read our aritcle on Gehenna, click here) lay to the southwest of Jerusalem, marking a boundary near the city.

The passage continues by stating, The sons of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, at Bethel and its towns, at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, Lod and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. From the Levites, some divisions in Judah belonged to Benjamin (vv. 31-36). Geba, located near the edge of Benjamin’s tribal land, formed a critical point of regional defense. Bethel to the north carried deep significance from Israel’s patriarchal history (Genesis 28). Anathoth, which was also in Benjamin’s territory, later produced the prophet Jeremiah (7th century BC). Lod and Ono, recognized as significant centers near the Joppa route, hint at thriving trade and crafts in this valley. These verses highlight the effort to redistribute the population thoughtfully, ensuring that both the territory of Judah and that of Benjamin were inhabited and protected. By including members of the Levites, this passage underscores that proper worship and instruction in God’s Law took place throughout the land, pointing forward to the eternal hope of a people dwelling with God.

Historically, this account fits into the period around 445-420 BC, following Nehemiah’s reforms to restore Jerusalem’s walls and spiritual integrity. Nehemiah, a cupbearer in the Persian court, led the third wave of returning exiles. His actions demonstrate careful planning to repopulate crucial cities and secure regions that once thrived under the monarchy of David (around 1010-970 BC). In many ways, these verses mirror the covenant spirit of reestablishing the people in the land God gave them, foreshadowing the future restoration of Israel and of all things through the Messiah (Acts 3:21).