4 Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt.
4 Now the city was large
4 The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt.
4 The city was large and spacious with only a few people in it and the houses not yet rebuilt.
4 Now the city was large and spacious, but the people in it were few, and the houses were not rebuilt.
4 At that time the city was large and spacious, but the population was small, and none of the houses had been rebuilt.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 7:4
Commentary on Nehemiah 7:1-4
(Read Nehemiah 7:1-4)
Nehemiah, having finished the wall, returned to the Persian court, and came to Jerusalem again with a new commission. The public safety depends on every one's care to guard himself and his family against sin.