Nehemiah 7:4

“Now the city was large and great, etc.] The circumference of it, all within the wall; for that was built on its old foundation, and enclosed as much ground as ever it did: Hecataeus f40, an Heathen writer, says the circumference of Jerusalem was fifty furlongs, which was more than six miles; but Josephus f41 makes the circuit of it but thirty three furlongs or about six miles: but the people were few therein; in comparison of the largeness of the place; for though there were 42,360 that came up at first with Zerubbabel, and many more with Ezra, yet a great number chose to settle in the towns and cities in the country, Jerusalem being in such a desolate condition: and the houses were not…”

“Now the city was large and great--The walls being evidently built on the old foundations, the city covered a large extent of surface, as all Oriental towns do, the houses standing apart with gardens and orchards intervening. This extent, in the then state of Jerusalem, was the more observable as the population was comparatively small, and the habitations of the most rude and simple construction--mere wooden sheds or coverings of loose, unmortared stones.”

“The people were few - The number of those who returned with Zerubbabel was no more than 42,360 Nehemiah 7:66. Less than 2,000 people had come with Ezra Ezra 8:1-20. return to 'Top of Page'”

“7:4-5 Most people lived in the country near their fields, so the population of Jerusalem was small. Apparently, a registration would encourage more people to settle in and near Jerusalem (7:73).”

“large and great: Heb. broad in spaces the houses: Isa 58:12; Hag 1:4-6; Mat 6:33 Nehemiah 7:5”