Nehemiah 11:35
Lod, and Ono; and in the Valley of the Craftsmen.
Lod, and Ono;

These towns lay west of Jerusalem in the Benjaminite region, near important routes connecting the hill country with the coastal plain. Their resettlement strengthened Judah’s presence beyond Jerusalem after the exile. Lod later became known as Lydda, where the apostle Peter healed Aeneas and many turned to the Lord (Acts 9:32–35). Ono also appears when Nehemiah’s enemies tried to draw him away from Jerusalem, but he refused to abandon the work God had given him (Nehemiah 6:2–3).

1Ch 8:12 The sons of Elpaal: Eber, Misham, Shemed…
Ezr 2:33 the men of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 725;
Neh 7:37 the men of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, 721;

and in the Valley of the Craftsmen.

The settlement of skilled workers supplied essential labor for restoring homes, walls, tools, and the life of the covenant community. God’s work of renewal included both leaders in Jerusalem and artisans in surrounding towns. The rebuilding of Judah depended upon faithful service in every calling, as the Lord had also equipped craftsmen for the tabernacle and the temple.

1Ch 4:14 Meonothai was the father of Ophrah, and Seraiah…
2Ki 24:14 He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders…
2Ki 24:16 The king of Babylon also brought into exile…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Lod
A town in the territory of Benjamin, known in the New Testament as Lydda. It was a significant location for the Jewish people returning from exile.

2. Ono
Another town in the territory of Benjamin, often mentioned alongside Lod. It was a place where the returning exiles settled.

3. Valley of the Craftsmen
This area was likely named for the artisans and skilled workers who lived and worked there. It highlights the importance of craftsmanship in the rebuilding efforts.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Community
The mention of Lod, Ono, and the Valley of the Craftsmen underscores the importance of community in rebuilding and sustaining faith. Just as the Israelites needed each other to rebuild their cities, we need our faith communities for spiritual growth and support.

Valuing Skilled Work
The Valley of the Craftsmen highlights the value of skilled labor in God's work. Every talent and skill can be used for God's glory, and we should honor and develop the gifts God has given us.

Heritage and Continuity
The return to these towns signifies a reclaiming of heritage and identity. As Christians, we are called to remember our spiritual heritage and continue the legacy of faith in our families and communities.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the rebuilding of communities like Lod and Ono reflect the importance of community in our own spiritual lives?

2. In what ways can we value and utilize the skills and talents within our church community, similar to the Valley of the Craftsmen?

3. How does understanding our spiritual heritage help us in our walk with Christ today?

4. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' return to their ancestral lands that apply to our own journeys of faith and restoration?

5. How can the account of Peter in Lydda (Acts 9) inspire us to see the potential for God's work in our own communities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 2:33
This verse lists the people of Lod, Hadid, and Ono among those returning from exile, showing the continuity of the Jewish community in these areas.

1 Chronicles 8:12
Chronicles the descendants of Benjamin, including those who settled in Lod and Ono, emphasizing the tribal heritage and continuity.

Acts 9:32-35
In the New Testament, Peter visits Lydda (Lod) and heals a paralytic, demonstrating the ongoing significance of this location in the early Christian church.
The True CentralisationR.A. Redford Nehemiah 11:1-36
Three Elements in the Church of ChristW. Clarkson Nehemiah 11:3-36
People
Abda, Adaiah, Ahitub, Akkub, Amariah, Amashai, Amzi, Ananiah, Anathoth, Arba, Asaph, Athaiah, Azareel, Azrikam, Bakbukiah, Bani, Baruch, Benjamin, Benjamites, Bunni, Colhozeh, Gabbai, Galal, Gispa, Hashabiah, Hashub, Hasshub, Hazaiah, Hilkiah, Immer, Isaiah, Israelites, Ithiel, Jachin, Jedaiah, Jeduthun, Jeroham, Jesaiah, Jeshaiah, Jeshua, Joed, Joel, Joiarib, Jozabad, Kolaiah, Levites, Maaseiah, Malchiah, Malchijah, Mattaniah, Meraioth, Meshezabeel, Meshillemoth, Meshullam, Micha, Pashur, Pedaiah, Pelaliah, Pelet, Perez, Pethahiah, Sallai, Sallu, Senuah, Seraiah, Shabbethai, Shammua, Shelah, Shemaiah, Shephatiah, Shiloni, Shual, Solomon, Talmon, Uzzi, Uzziah, Zabdi, Zabdiel, Zadok, Zechariah, Zerah, Zichri, Ziha
Places
Adullam, Aija, Ananiah, Anathoth, Azekah, Beersheba, Bethel, Beth-pelet, Dibon, En-rimmon, Geba, Gittaim, Hadid, Hazar-shual, Hazor, Jarmuth, Jekabzeel, Jerusalem, Jeshua, Kiriath-arba, Lachish, Lod, Meconah, Michmash, Moladah, Neballat, Nob, Ono, Ophel, Ramah, Valley of Hinnom, Zanoah, Zeboim, Ziklag, Zorah
Topics
Artificers, Craftsmen, Expert, Ge-harashim, Lod, Ono, Valley, Workers
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Nehemiah 11:31-35

     5272   craftsmen

Library
Lydda
"Lydda was a village, not yielding to a city in greatness." Concerning its situation, and distance from Jerusalem, the Misna hath these words: "The vineyard of four years" (that is, the fruit of a vineyard now of four years' growth; for, for the first three years, they were trees, as it were, not circumcised) "was brought to Jerusalem, in the space of a day's journey on every side. Now these were the bounds of it; Elath on the south; Acrabatta on the north; Lydda on the west; and Jordan on the east."
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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