John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. Now the city was large and great , etc.] 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 f40 , an Heathen writer, says the circumference of Jerusalem was fifty furlongs, which was more than six miles; but Josephus makes the circuit of it but thirty three furlongs or about six miles: but the people were few therein ; in comparison of the largeness of the place; for though there were 42,360 that came up at first with Zerubbabel, and many more with Ezra, yet a great number chose to settle in the towns and cities in the country, Jerusalem being in such a desolate condition: and the houses were not builded ; some were, but they were but few, many of them still lay in ruins.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-4 - Nehemiah, having finished the wall, returned to the Persian court, an came to Jerusalem again with a new commission. The public safet depends on every one's care to guard himself and his family agains sin.
Original Hebrew והעיר5892 רחבת7342 ידים3027 וגדולה1419 והעם5971 מעט4592 בתוכה8432 ואין369 בתים1004 בנוים׃1129
