{"id":12631,"date":"2022-09-24T04:37:28","date_gmt":"2022-09-24T09:37:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-nehemiah-1131\/"},"modified":"2022-09-24T04:37:28","modified_gmt":"2022-09-24T09:37:28","slug":"exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-nehemiah-1131","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-nehemiah-1131\/","title":{"rendered":"Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 11:31"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 align='center'><b><i> The children also of Benjamin from Geba [dwelt] at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and [in] their villages, <\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p> <strong> 31<\/strong>. <em> The children also of Benjamin from Geba<\/em> dwelt at <em> Michmash<\/em> ] R.V. <strong> The children of Benjamin also<\/strong> dwelt <strong> from Geba<\/strong> onward, <strong> at Michmash.<\/strong> The list of Benjamite towns starts from Geba, about 10 or 12 miles N. of Jerusalem, the modern Djibia. It is strange that the R.V. having altered the preposition from &lsquo;at&rsquo; to &lsquo;in&rsquo; in <span class='bible'><em> Neh 11:25-29<\/em><\/span> should leave &lsquo;at&rsquo; unaltered in <span class='bible'><em> Neh 11:31-32<\/em><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p><em> Aija<\/em> ] Probably the same as Ai, which is mentioned along with &lsquo;Michmas&rsquo; and &lsquo;Beth-el&rsquo; in <span class='bible'>Ezr 2:28<\/span>, where see note.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><P>  Verse 31.  <I><B>Geba<\/B><\/I>] Probably the same as <I>Gibeah of Saul<\/I>.<\/P> <\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Adam Clarke&#8217;s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p><strong>The children also of Benjamin, from Geba, dwelt at Michmash<\/strong>,&#8230;. Geba was a city on the southern border of Benjamin, <span class='bible'>Jos 18:24<\/span> and Michmash on the northern, of which see <span class='bible'>1Sa 13:2<\/span> in this and the four following verses are the names of several cities in the tribe of Benjamin, inhabited by the men of that tribe, as Alia, the same with Ai, that lay on the east of Bethel, here also mentioned, see <span class='bible'>Jos 7:2<\/span> Anathoth, the birth place of Jeremiah the prophet, <span class='bible'>Jer 1:1<\/span>. Nob, a city of the priests, <span class='bible'>1Sa 21:1<\/span>. Ananiah is nowhere else mentioned; Hazor is to be distinguished from another of this name in the tribe of Naphtali, <span class='bible'>Jos 19:36<\/span>. Ramah, a place well known in Benjamin, <span class='bible'>Jos 18:25<\/span>. Gittaim, of which see <span class='bible'>2Sa 4:3<\/span>. Hadid, the same with Adida, which lay in a plain,<\/p>\n<p> &#8220;Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.&#8221; (1 Maccabees 12:38)<\/p>\n<p> Zeboim, a valley of this name, is read in <span class='bible'>1Sa 13:18<\/span>. Neballat we read of nowhere else; of Lod and Ono, see <span class='bible'>1Ch 8:12<\/span> and the valley of craftsmen, or Chorasin, <span class='bible'>1Ch 4:14<\/span>.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: John Gill&#8217;s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>(31) F<strong>rom Geba.<\/strong>This verse should read: <em>the children also of Benjamin dwelt from Geba to Michmash.<br \/><\/em><\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Ellicott&#8217;s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p> <strong> The Dwellingplaces Of The Children Of Benjamin (<span class='bible'><strong> Neh 11:31-35<\/strong><\/span><\/strong> <strong> ).<\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p> In contrast with the description of Judah, the cities and towns of Benjamin are detailed, although this may partly indicate how thoroughly Judah had been devastated during and after the capture of Jerusalem. The Benjamites had settled back into their cities and towns north of Jerusalem.<\/p>\n<p> <span class='bible'><strong> Neh 11:31<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:1.8em'>&lsquo;The children of Benjamin also dwelt from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and its towns,&rsquo;<\/p>\n<p> Geba (meaning &lsquo;a hill&rsquo;) and Michmash are well known from the activities of Saul ( 1Sa 13:2-3 ; <span class='bible'>1Sa 13:5<\/span>; <span class='bible'>1Sa 13:16<\/span>; 1Sa 13:23 ; <span class='bible'>1Sa 14:5<\/span>; <span class='bible'>1Sa 14:31<\/span>). Geba was 11 kilometres (7 miles) north of Jerusalem, and was 5 kilometres (3 miles) from Gibeah. It was previously a Levitical city (<span class='bible'>Jos 21:17<\/span>). It was the site of Saul&rsquo;s camp during his resistance to the Philistine invasion (<span class='bible'>1Sa 13:23<\/span>). At one point it was the northernmost town in Judah (<span class='bible'>2Ki 23:8<\/span>). It was mentioned in Isaiah&rsquo;s description of the Assyrian advance on Jerusalem (<span class='bible'>Isa 10:29<\/span>). Today it is called Jeba. Michmash was 12 kilometres north of Jerusalem, and east of Bethel. It was a centre for the Philistines when they invaded Israel in the time of Saul (<span class='bible'>1Sa 13:5<\/span>; <span class='bible'>1Sa 13:16<\/span>). It is mentioned by Isaiah as a stage in the advance of the Assyrian army on Jerusalem, the point at which they laid up their baggage (<span class='bible'>Isa 10:28<\/span>). It was thus situated at a crucial point. It was on the pass between Bethel and Jericho. It is at present a ruined village called Mukhmas, on the northern ridge of the Wadi Suweinit. Nothing is known of Aija, although some identify it with modern Khirbet Haiyan. It was seemingly in the same area as Geba, Michmash and Bethel.<\/p>\n<p>&lsquo;Bethel and its towns&rsquo; was well known throughout Israel&rsquo;s history. It was about 19 kilometres (12 miles) north of Jerusalem and was known in some form to Abraham and Jacob (<span class='bible'>Gen 12:8<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Gen 13:3<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Gen 31:13<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Gen 35:7<\/span>), but its site is not certainly identified. A good number of scholars identify it with Burg Beitin or Tel Beitin, but this, like most identifications, is uncertain. There are many tels in the area and there is no certain way of identifying them. All we can do is consider them in terms of the Biblical narrative. Its king was defeated by Joshua, although Bethel itself was probably not taken at the time. It was one of the two major religious centres of Northern Israel after the division of the kingdom following the death of Solomon, infamous for its idol worship (&lsquo;come to Bethel and transgress&rsquo; &#8211; <span class='bible'>Amo 4:4<\/span>), the other being Dan. It became incorporated in Judah under Josiah, at which point Jerusalem then became the centre of the people&rsquo;s worship.<\/p>\n<p> <span class='bible'><strong> Neh 11:32<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:1.8em'>&lsquo;At Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,&rsquo;<\/p>\n<p> Anathoth was a Benjamite city and the home town of Abiathar (<span class='bible'>1Ki 2:26<\/span>) and Jeremiah (<span class='bible'>Jer 1:1<\/span>). It was previously a Levitical city (<span class='bible'>Jos 21:18<\/span>). Its possible site (Deir-es-Sid) <span class='bible'>Isaiah 5<\/span> kilometres (3 miles) north east of Jerusalem. It was one of the areas affected by Nebuchadnezzar&rsquo;s march on Jerusalem (<span class='bible'>Isa 10:30<\/span>). Nob was another such affected area, and was the last stage prior to Jerusalem itself, indicating its nearness to Jerusalem (possible site Ras umm et-Tais). It was where David ate holy bread while on the run from Saul (<span class='bible'>1Sa 21:6<\/span>), and where in retaliation Saul slaughtered Ahimelech and his priestly brothers (<span class='bible'>1Sa 22:9-19<\/span>). Ananiah is possibly Beit Hanina, which is seven kilometres (between three and four miles) north-north-west of Jerusalem. As will be observed, these three towns were all within 7 kilometres (four miles) of Jerusalem, looking north.<\/p>\n<p> <span class='bible'><strong> Neh 11:33<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:1.8em'>&lsquo;Hazor, Ramah.&rsquo;<\/p>\n<p> This Hazor (which simply means &lsquo;village, settlement&rsquo;) was not the well known Hazor mentioned in <span class='bible'>Jos 11:1-13<\/span>, but was rather a lesser known one found in Benjamite territory. It is possibly modern Khirbet Hazzur, north of Bethel. Ramah was a resting-place on the way north. It was near Bethel (<span class='bible'>Jdg 4:5<\/span>) and in the region of Gibeon and Beeroth (<span class='bible'>Jos 18:25<\/span>). It was one of the places in which the Levite planned to stay, with his concubine, and had he finally stayed there rather than in Gibeah (<span class='bible'>Jdg 19:13-14<\/span>). the history of the Benjamites might have been different. It was where Nebuzaradan gathered the prospective exiles after the fall of Jerusalem, and from where he released Jeremiah (<span class='bible'>Jer 40:1-4<\/span>). At one stage it was a border fortress of northern Israel (<span class='bible'>1Ki 15:17<\/span>). The non-mention of Mizpah, which was previously prominent in this area, may suggest that it had been laid waste by Nebuchadnezzar in retaliation for the death of Gedaliah (<span class='bible'>Jer 40:6<\/span> to <span class='bible'>Jer 41:3<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p> <span class='bible'><strong> Neh 11:33-34<\/strong><\/span> <strong> <\/p>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:1.8em'>&lsquo; Gittaim Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,&rsquo;<\/p>\n<p> These four towns, along with Lod and Ono, were in the northern Shephelah. Gittaim was the place to which Ish-bosheth&rsquo;s captains fled in the time of David (<span class='bible'>2Sa 4:3<\/span>). It is possibly modern Ras Abu Hamid. Hadid is named alongside Lod and Ono in <span class='bible'>Ezr 2:33<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Neh 7:37<\/span>, and is probably to be identified with Adida (Septuagint Hadida) as mentioned in 1Ma 12:38 ; 1Ma 13:13 , which was described as &#8220;over against the plain.&#8221; It was fortified by Simon Maccabeus. It is represented by modern el-Haditheh, about 5 kilometres (3 miles) north-east of Lydda. Zeboim is unknown but was presumably in the same area. Neballat is probably to be identified with modern Beit Nebala, 6 kilometres (4 miles) north-east of Lydda.<\/p>\n<p> <span class='bible'><strong> Neh 11:35<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:1.8em'>&lsquo;Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.&rsquo;<\/p>\n<p> Lod and Ono are always mentioned together. They are described as built by the Benjamites, in <span class='bible'>1Ch 8:12<\/span>, and spoken of, together with Hadid, in <span class='bible'>Ezr 2:33<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Neh 7:37<\/span>. They were presumably in &lsquo;the plain of Ono&rsquo; (<span class='bible'>Neh 6:2<\/span>), in which Nehemiah&rsquo;s opponents intended to trap him. This may be the same as, or contain, &lsquo;the valley of the craftsmen&rsquo; (see also <span class='bible'>1Ch 4:14<\/span> RV margin). This latter may have obtained its name from woodworking activity carried out there in consequence of its nearness to Joppa, through which timber from Lebanon would be imported. Ono is probably to be identified with modern Kafr &lsquo;Ana, which lies near Lydda.<\/p>\n<p> <span class='bible'><strong> Neh 11:36<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style='margin-left:1.8em'>&lsquo;And of the Levites, certain courses in Judah (were joined\/allocated) to Benjamin.&rsquo;<\/p>\n<p> Among these Benjamites as previously described were located a number of courses of Levites, who would be responsible, among other things, for gathering tithes, and teaching and guiding the people. As God&rsquo;s servants they were called on to be flexible. YHWH Himself, together with the tithes, were the inheritance of Levi, not some earthly portion of land (<span class='bible'>Num 18:24<\/span>; <span class='bible'>Deu 10:9<\/span>).<\/p>\n<p> This was not just an appended afterthought. It was a reminder that provision was being made for the fulfilment of the covenant provisions in <span class='bible'>Neh 10:38-39<\/span>. The responsibility of the Benjamites towards God was not to be overlooked. (Previously it had been stated that the residue of the Levites were in &lsquo;all the cities of Judah&rsquo; &#8211; <span class='bible'>Neh 11:20<\/span>). It also serves as a connecting verse with chapter 12 where details concerning the Priests and Levites is given.<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n<p>from Geba: or, of Geba, Neh 7:30, Gaba, Jos 18:24 <\/p>\n<p>at Michmash: or, to Michmash, Neh 7:31, Michmas, 1Sa 13:11, 1Sa 13:23, Isa 10:28 <\/p>\n<p>Aija: Neh 7:32, Ai, Gen 12:8, Hai, Jos 8:9, Ai, Beth-el, Gen 28:19, Jos 18:13 <\/p>\n<p>Reciprocal: Jos 7:2 &#8211; to Ai Neh 12:29 &#8211; Geba<\/p>\n<h4 align='right'><i><b>Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The children also of Benjamin from Geba [dwelt] at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and [in] their villages, 31. The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash ] R.V. The children of Benjamin also dwelt from Geba onward, at Michmash. The list of Benjamite towns starts from Geba, about 10 or 12 miles &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/exegetical-and-hermeneutical-commentary-of-nehemiah-1131\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nehemiah 11:31&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12631","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-commentary"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12631","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12631"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12631\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12631"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12631"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.biblia.work\/bible-commentary\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12631"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}