Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded.
After the wall was finished and the gates were set up, Jerusalem was large and extensive yet thinly populated. Its houses had not yet been rebuilt, showing a sparse settlement and an unfinished restoration. The city was spacious and great in extent, but few people lived within it.
The setting is B.C. 444, when the wall had been finished in fifty-two days. Opposition from Sanballat, Geshem and Tobiah had been overcome, so that even the enemies perceived the work was wrought of God. At that time proper officers and watches were appointed and the number of the Jews was listed again. Because enemies remained active, watchmen were stationed on the wall and the gates had to be guarded even after the wall was complete.
After the wall was finished and the gates were set up, Jerusalem was large and extensive yet thinly populated. Its houses had not yet been rebuilt, showing a sparse settlement and an unfinished restoration. The city was spacious and great in extent, but few people lived within it.
The setting is B.C. 444, when the wall had been finished in fifty-two days. Opposition from Sanballat, Geshem and Tobiah had been overcome, so that even the enemies perceived the work was wrought of God. At that time proper officers and watches were appointed and the number of the Jews was listed again. Because enemies remained active, watchmen were stationed on the wall and the gates had to be guarded even after the wall was complete.