Nehemiah11

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.

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The Repopulation of Jerusalem

¶ And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.

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

Residents of Jerusalem: Judah and Benjamin

Now these are the chief 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 Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.

And at 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 Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;

And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.

All the sons of Perez that dwelt at 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 Jesaiah.

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

And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.

The Priests in the Holy City

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, was the ruler of the house of God.

And their brethren that did the work of the house were 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 Pashur, the son of Malchiah,

And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,

And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men.

The Levites, Singers, and Gatekeepers

Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.

And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal 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 the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.

Distribution in the Cities of Judah

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

But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims.

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 Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.

For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.

And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, 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

And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjatharba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof,

And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Bethphelet,

And at Hazarshual, and at Beersheba, and in the villages thereof,

And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,

And at Enrimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,

Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom.

Benjaminite Settlements

The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages,

And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,

Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,

Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,

Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.

And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.

Study Notes for Nehemiah 11

Verse 1

After the walls were rebuilt, Jerusalem remained sparsely populated (Neh 7:4). Casting lots was employed to ensure a fair, divinely-guided method, requiring 10 percent of the populace to move into the capital city.

Verse 2

Settling in Jerusalem was dangerous and costly, as it was the primary target for enemies. The people blessed those who either volunteered or were chosen, recognizing their sacrifice for the common security and religious life of the nation.

Verse 3

The term 'chief of the province' refers to the leading administrators under the Persian rule (Yehud). This section begins the detailed roster, differentiating between the residents of the capital and those who settled the outlying towns.

Verse 4

The list focuses almost entirely on the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, reflecting the composition of the post-exilic community, which traced its lineage back to the former Southern Kingdom.

Verse 6

Identifying these men as 'valiant men' indicates that the repopulation was strategic. The residents of the capital were expected to be strong and capable of defending the city.

Verse 11

Seraiah is the 'ruler of the house of God,' identifying him as the chief administrator or high-ranking priest responsible for the Temple complex and its organization.

Verse 16

The 'outward business' refers to the secular, administrative, and logistical tasks required to run the Temple, including finances, supplies, and maintenance, separating them from the ritual duties.

Verse 17

Mattaniah’s role in leading the 'thanksgiving in prayer' emphasizes the centrality of organized musical worship and psalmody in the restored Temple liturgy.

Verse 20

This verse summarizes that the majority of the community remained spread throughout the ancestral territories, ensuring agricultural stability and economic viability across the province.

Verse 21

The Nethinims were Temple servants, likely non-Israelite laborers assigned to the sanctuary. Ophel was a fortified hill adjacent to the Temple Mount, placing them near their work.

Verse 23

The 'king’s commandment' refers to the decree issued by the Persian imperial government (likely Artaxerxes I), which provided state-sponsored stipends and portions to ensure the continual operation of the Temple services.

Verse 24

Pethahiah served as the official liaison between the Jewish community and the Persian provincial authorities, handling legal and civil matters concerning the people.

Verse 25

This list details the major towns of Judah being re-established. Kirjatharba is the ancient name for Hebron, one of the most historically significant cities of Judah.

Verse 30

This enumeration defines the southern boundary of the restored Persian province of Yehud, extending from Beersheba (in the south) up to the Valley of Hinnom (the border of Jerusalem).

Verse 31

This list details the towns located north and northeast of Jerusalem, defining the northern border regions of the province of Yehud.

Verse 35

Lod and Ono were significant settlements in the Shephelah (lowlands). The 'valley of craftsmen' suggests the re-establishment of specialized economic zones necessary for the region's recovery.

Verse 36

This final statement ensures the reader that the Levites—responsible for teaching and spiritual administration—were distributed throughout the entire territory, serving both Judahite and Benjaminite settlements.

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Nehemiah11

The Repopulation of Jerusalem

Residents of Jerusalem: Judah and Benjamin

The Priests in the Holy City

The Levites, Singers, and Gatekeepers

Distribution in the Cities of Judah

Judahite Settlements Outside Jerusalem

Benjaminite Settlements

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