Below is the ChatGPT produced summary of the very interesting article “Big City, Small Town—Why Size Matters” by John W. Herbst, Ph.D. published in BAR Winter 2025. Herbst points out that the Hebrew bible on has one word for a settlement, no matter how large or small they were. Only recently has archeological data been obtained to provide such information.
In this article, John W. Herbst explores the translation of the Hebrew word ‘ir, which is commonly rendered as “city” in English versions of the Bible, but can also mean “town” or “village” depending on context. He argues that the English translations often misrepresent the size and influence of ancient Israelite settlements due to the broad range of meanings of ‘ir.
While ‘ir is used more than 1,000 times in the Hebrew Bible, it typically refers to settlements that were much smaller than modern cities. For instance, Jerusalem, while the largest ancient settlement in Israel with a peak population of around 12,000 to 25,000, only qualified as a city after the construction of Solomon’s Temple. Other major settlements like Bethel, Hebron, and Lachish were likely towns, not cities, and many settlements with fewer than 1,000 residents should be translated as “villages.”
The article highlights that to translate ‘ir accurately, it’s crucial to consider both population size and the settlement’s influence. Cities have larger populations and regional impact, while towns, though smaller, have cultural or economic significance. Villages, on the other hand, have limited influence and fewer residents.
Herbst discusses examples from 1 Samuel to demonstrate how misinterpretations of ‘ir can alter our understanding of biblical texts:
- Ramathaim (1 Samuel 1, 9) – Samuel’s hometown and Saul’s first capital. In 1 Samuel 9, Samuel is presented as a regional figure, suggesting that Ramathaim, though significant as Samuel’s base, was a village with limited prominence at that time. Over time, its function expanded, which may warrant calling it a “town.”
- Shiloh (1 Samuel 1:3, 4:13) – The home of the Ark of the Covenant and a religious center. While it played an important role in Israel’s history, its small population (under 1,000) suggests it should be considered a town, not a city.
- The Philistine Cities (1 Samuel 5:9, 11, 12; 6:18) – The five principal settlements of the Philistines: Ashdod, Ashkelon, Ekron, Gath, and Gaza. Despite their substantial influence and size, none likely exceeded 5,000 residents, making them towns rather than cities.
- The Amalekite Settlement (1 Samuel 15:5) – This unnamed settlement in the story of Saul’s battle with the Amalekites is described as a target for Saul’s large army, suggesting a settlement of significant size, which might qualify as a city.
- Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:4) – David’s birthplace. Given the archaeological evidence that Bethlehem was a small, rural settlement with few residents during David’s time, it is more accurately translated as a village, reinforcing the idea of David coming from humble origins.
- Nob (1 Samuel 22:19) – Described as an ‘ir of priests, but with only a few hundred residents and little outside influence, Nob should be translated as a village.
- Ziklag (1 Samuel 27:6) – A settlement given to David by his Philistine patron Achish. Though its location is uncertain, the text indicates that it housed David’s men and their families, suggesting a village-like settlement.
Ultimately, Herbst calls for more nuanced translations that respect the distinct meanings of “city,” “town,” and “village,” which will help readers better grasp the social and political realities of ancient Israel.
This expanded summary includes the specific Bible passages and shows how Herbst uses these examples to illustrate the need for more careful distinctions between settlements in biblical translations.
