Nehemiah 7:4

Now the city was large and great,.... 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 (b), an Heathen…

The people were few - The number of those who returned with Zerubbabel was no more than 42,360 Neh 7:66. Less than 2,000 people had come with Ezra Ezra 8:1-20.

The houses were not builded - The city was not yet rebuilt, only a row of houses in the inside of the wall all round.

God saith concerning his church (Isa 62:6), I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem! This is Nehemiah's care here; for dead walls, without living watchmen, are but a poor defence to a city.

I.…

large and great R.V. wide and large. The phrase rendered -wide" (cf. Gen 34:21; Jdg 18:10) denotes extension on every side; its literal rendering would be -wide on both hands."

the peoplewere few The…