Nehemiah 11:28 (KJV)

What does Nehemiah 11:28 mean?

Nehemiah 11:28 lists Ziklag, Mekonah, and their surrounding villages as places where some of the people of Judah settled after returning from exile. This verse is part of a larger record showing where different groups lived in the land after Jerusalem was repopulated.

Nehemiah is describing the resettlement of Judah during the time after the Babylonian exile. The leaders were organizing where people would live, and this verse specifically names two towns—Ziklag and Mekonah—and mentions that people also lived in the smaller villages (or settlements) around them. This helps paint a picture of how the land was being re-inhabited and organized.

The Hebrew behind Nehemiah 11:28

• Ziklag (צִקְלַג, Tsiqlag): This is the name of a town in the south of Judah, known from earlier stories in the Bible as a place given to David. Its mention here shows it was still inhabited after the exile.
• Mekonah (מְכֹנָה, Mekonah): This is another town in the region, less well-known, but its inclusion shows the detailed attention to where the people settled.
• villages (בְּנוֹת, benot): This word literally means "daughters," but is often used to refer to smaller settlements or villages connected to a main town. It shows that not just the main towns, but also their outlying areas, were being resettled.

Why Nehemiah 11:28 matters

• Nehemiah 11:28 highlights the careful organization and record-keeping of the returned exiles, showing that even smaller towns and their surrounding villages were important in rebuilding Judah.
• The verse connects to the larger passage, which details the repopulation of the land, emphasizing the restoration of community life beyond just Jerusalem.
• By naming specific places, the verse gives a sense of rootedness and continuity with the past, as some of these locations have earlier biblical significance.