Nehemiah 11

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Nehemiah chapter 11 details the repopulation of Jerusalem after the return from exile. A tenth of the people were chosen by lot to dwell in the holy city, while others volunteered, and the rest remained in surrounding towns. The chapter then provides a detailed register of the families and individuals who settled in Jerusalem, including members of Judah, Benjamin, priests, Levites, and Nethinims.

The Repopulation of Jerusalem 1–2

And the princes of the people dwelt in Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in theothercities.

And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.

Residents of Jerusalem: Judah and Benjamin 3–9

Now these are the chiefs of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon’s servants.

And in Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the children of Perez;

and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite.

All the sons of Perez that dwelt in Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.

And these are the sons of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jeshaiah.

And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.

And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city.

The Priests in the Holy City 10–14

Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin,

Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God,

and their brethren that did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty and two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah,

and his brethren, chiefs of fathers’houses, two hundred forty and two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,

and their brethren, mighty men of valor, a hundred twenty and eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.

The Levites, Singers, and Gatekeepers 15–19

And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God;

and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brethren; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.

All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.

Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, that kept watch at the gates, were a hundred seventy and two.

Distribution in the Cities of Judah 20–24

And the residue of Israel, of the priests, the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.

But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim.

The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the business of the house of God.

For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.

And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.

Judahite Settlements Outside Jerusalem 25–30

And as for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt in Kiriath-arba and the towns thereof, and in Dibon and the towns thereof, and in Jekabzeel and the villages thereof,

and in Jeshua, and in Moladah, and Beth-pelet,

and in Hazar-shual, and in Beer-sheba and the towns thereof,

and in Ziklag, and in Meconah and in the towns thereof,

and in En-rimmon, and in Zorah, and in Jarmuth,

Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and the fields thereof, Azekah and the towns thereof. So they encamped from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom.

Benjaminite Settlements 31–36

The children of Benjamin also dwelt from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and the towns thereof,

at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,

Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,

Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,

Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.

And of the Levites, certain courses in Judah were joined to Benjamin.

Bible text: American Standard Version (1901) · Public domain

Study Notes for Nehemiah 11

Verse 1

cast lots — One in ten was brought to Jerusalem, 'the holy city', and 'nine parts' (literally nine hands, yad) stayed in the other cities. The lot (goral) was used because 'the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD' (Prov 16:33), and by lot Joshua had divided the land 'before the LORD' (Josh 18:10). The rulers settled there first, which answers the empty city of Neh 7:4.

Verse 2

willingly offered themselves — Nadab, to offer willingly, is the verb of the gifts for the house of God, 'because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD' (1 Chr 29:9), and of Judg 5:9, 'offered themselves willingly among the people'. The people blessed those who volunteered for Jerusalem, alongside those the lot had chosen in v.1.

Verse 3

the chief of the province — Medinah is the word of 'the children of the province' in 7:6 and Ezra 2:1. Those outside Jerusalem lived 'every one in his possession' (achuzzah), the word of the jubilee law, 'ye shall return every man unto his possession' (Lev 25:10). Israel, priests, Levites, Nethinims and Solomon's servants are all named here, as in 7:73 and 7:46–60.

Verse 4

of the children of Perez — Judah's line through Perez, named for the 'breach' at his birth (Gen 38:29), is the line of David (Ruth 4:18–22) and of Christ (Matt 1:3). Athaiah's descent runs back five generations to Mahalaleel. The list in 1 Chr 9:3–4 says that in Jerusalem dwelt Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh, and gives Uthai as a son of Perez.

Verse 6

valiant men — 'Valiant' is chayil, strength for war, as in 'all the mighty men of valour' of Josh 1:14. The 468 sons of Perez are the fighting men of Judah's share in a city whose wall was built and whose people were 'few' (Neh 7:4).

Verse 11

the ruler of the house of God — Nagid, a leader, is the title given to Azariah in Hezekiah's day (2 Chr 31:13). Seraiah's line runs back through Hilkiah, Meshullam and Zadok to Meraioth and Ahitub, the priestly house of Zadok, whom Solomon set in the room of Abiathar (1 Kgs 2:35). 1 Chr 9:11 gives the same line for the man it calls Azariah.

Verse 16

the outward business — Chitsonah means outer. The same word describes the 'outward business over Israel, for officers and judges' under David (1 Chr 26:29). Shabbethai and Jozabad oversee the external affairs of the house of God (melakah, work), and both are named among the Levites who 'caused the people to understand the law' (Neh 8:7).

Verse 17

to begin the thanksgiving in prayer — Mattaniah is of Asaph's line, the singers of 'David and Asaph of old' (Neh 12:46). The word for thanksgiving, yadah, is the verb of 'confessed' in 9:3. Bakbukiah is second, and Abda comes of Jeduthun, one of the three houses David set to the service of song (1 Chr 25:1).

Verse 20

every one in his inheritance — 'Residue' is she'ar, the word for 'the rest of the people' in v.1, those who stayed outside Jerusalem. Each family remained on its nachalah, the inheritance kept by the tribe of the fathers (Num 36:7). The priests and Levites also lived in Judah's cities, as the law gave the Levites 'cities to dwell in' (Num 35:2).

Verse 21

the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel — The Nethinims already lived in Ophel when the wall was rebuilt (Neh 3:26). Ophel's wall had been strengthened by Jotham beside the house of the LORD: 'on the wall of Ophel he built much' (2 Chr 27:3). Ziha, who oversees them, heads the first family of the Nethinims in Neh 7:46.

Verse 23

the king's commandment — A 'certain portion' (amanah, the word of the 'sure covenant' in 9:38) was due the singers every day. Ezra 7:24 frees the singers and other servants of the house of God from 'toll, tribute, or custom', and Ezra 6:8–9 has the house supplied from 'the king's goods'. Neh 12:47 records the portions given, 'every day his portion'.

Verse 24

at the king's hand — Literally 'at the king's hand', a man set to act for the king 'in all matters concerning the people'. Pethahiah came of Zerah, the twin brother of Perez, whose hand bore the scarlet thread (Gen 38:27–30), so both sons of Judah's line are among those in Jerusalem (vv.4, 6).

Verse 25

Kirjatharba — The older name of Hebron: 'the name of Hebron before was Kirjatharba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims' (Josh 14:15). Jekabzeel is Kabzeel, one of 'the uttermost cities' of Judah toward Edom (Josh 15:21), the home of Benaiah (2 Sam 23:20). 'Villages' (chatser) are enclosed settlements, each with its fields.

Verse 30

from Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom — The settlers reach from Beersheba, a city in Judah's own inheritance (Josh 15:28), to the valley of Hinnom, where Judah's border ran by Jerusalem (Josh 15:8). Zanoah, Adullam and Azekah are among the towns 'in the valley' (Josh 15:33–35). 'Dwelt' is chanah, to encamp, the verb of 'there Israel camped before the mount' (Ex 19:2).

Verse 31

from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel — Benjamin's towns follow. Geba, spelled Gaba in Josh 18:24, and Bethel are both in Benjamin's list (Josh 18:22, 24). Bethel was 'Luz at the first' until Jacob named it (Gen 28:19), and Luz appears on Benjamin's boundary as 'Luz, which is Bethel' (Josh 18:13).

Verse 35

the valley of craftsmen — Lod and Ono were built by Shamed, a son of Elpaal (1 Chr 8:12). The 'valley of craftsmen' (Ge-charashim) is named in 1 Chr 4:14 as the valley whose founder's family 'were craftsmen'. Neh 7:37 counts 721 children of Lod, Hadid and Ono.

Verse 36

divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin — 'Divisions' is machaloqet, the word for the Levitical courses David set up: 'David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi' (1 Chr 23:6). The Levites were given 'cities to dwell in' among the tribes (Num 35:2), and here their courses are spread over Judah and Benjamin.