John Gill Commentary Nehemiah 7:4

"Now the city was wide and large; but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded." — Nehemiah 7:4 (ASV)

Now the city was large and great
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 ^F2 , an Heathen writer, says the circumference of Jerusalem was fifty furlongs, which was more than six miles; but Josephus ^F3 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F2: Apud Euseb. Praepar. par. Evangel. l. 9. c. 4. p. 408. & apud Joseph. contr. Apion, l. 1. c. 22.
• F3: De Bell. Jud. l. 5. c. 4. sect. 3.