Nehemiah 11:31
What does Nehemiah 11:31 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 11:31 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 11:31 means
Attention turns to Benjamin’s territory, starting from Geba and listing Michmash, Aija, and Beth-el with its towns. These locations, north of Jerusalem, indicate that Benjamin, too, was reestablished in its traditional areas. The inclusion of “Beth-el and the towns thereof” suggests a regional center with surrounding villages. This complements Judah’s southern and lowland settlements by showing northern habitation as well, completing the picture of a land restored on both sides of the capital. The people are not clustered in one area; the nation’s fabric is being rewoven across its breadth.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000The children of Benjamin also dwelt from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and the towns thereof,
KJV
King James Version · 1611The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Beth–el, and in their villages,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901The children of Benjamin also dwelt from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and the towns thereof,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the children of Benjamin were living from Geba, at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and its daughter-towns,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And sons of Benjamin <FI>are<Fi> at Geba, Michmash, and Aija, and Beth-El, and its small towns,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the children of Benjamin, from Geba, at Mechmas, and at Hai, and at Bethel, and in the villages thereof,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the children of Benjamin from Geba [dwelt] in Michmash and Aija and Bethel, and their dependent villages,
Context
With Judah’s settlements summarized (v. 30), verse 31 begins Benjamin’s list, moving to the northern territories. This balances the earlier focus on the south and lowlands. Verses 32–35 will continue naming Benjaminite towns, including places closer to Jerusalem and others further out, culminating with a reference to an artisan valley, indicating economic activity. The final verse will note Levites joined to Benjamin, tying religious service to these areas and closing the chapter’s comprehensive settlement register.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 12:8
And he removed from thence unto the mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el on the west, and Ai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto Jehovah, and called upon the name of Jehovah.
- Joshua 18:13
And the border passed along from thence to Luz, to the side of Luz (the same is Beth-el), southward; and the border went down to Ataroth-addar, by the mountain that lieth on the south of Beth-horon the nether.
- 1 Samuel 13:23
And the garrison of the Philistines went out unto the pass of Michmash.
- Joshua 18:24
and Chephar-ammoni, and Ophni, and Geba; twelve cities with their villages:
- 1 Samuel 13:11
And Samuel said, What hast thou done? And Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that thou camest not within the days appointed, and that the Philistines assembled themselves together at Michmash;
- Genesis 28:19
And he called the name of that place Beth-el: but the name of the city was Luz at the first.
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