History · Chapter 11 of 13

Nehemiah 11

Jerusalem is rebuilt but underpopulated, so the leaders live there and the people cast lots to bring one in ten to settle in the holy city, while others remain in their towns. The chapter lists those who volunteered or were chosen to dwell in Jerusalem, including families of Judah and Benjamin, priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and temple servants, and then names the towns and villages where the rest of the people lived.

What happens in Nehemiah 11

With the wall complete, the concern turns to filling the city. The leaders already live in Jerusalem, and the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to settle in the holy city, while nine parts remain in the surrounding towns. The community blesses those who willingly volunteer to move into Jerusalem. The chapter then lists the residents: descendants of Judah and of Benjamin who settled in the city, with their numbers and notable ancestors. It records the priests who did the work of the temple, the Levites, the gatekeepers who guarded the thresholds, and the temple servants living in Ophel.

It notes an officer appointed over the singers and the king's arrangement for their support. Finally it names the many villages and their fields where the people of Judah and Benjamin dwelt, from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom, showing the community spreading across the land while the holy city is repopulated.

Nehemiah 11 in context

This chapter addresses a practical problem raised earlier: Jerusalem was large and its walls now secure, but few people lived inside, and many houses were unbuilt. A city needs inhabitants to thrive and be defended. Because living in Jerusalem meant leaving established homes and fields, and perhaps facing danger as a visible target, moving there was a genuine sacrifice.

The casting of lots and the honoring of volunteers show how the community shared this burden, settling the holy city while maintaining the wider towns of Judah and Benjamin.

Main themes of Nehemiah 11

Nehemiah 11 (KJV)

1And 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. 2And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. 3Now 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. 4And 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; 5And 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. 6All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men. 7And 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. 8And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight. 9And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city. 10Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin. 11Seraiah 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. 12And 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, 13And 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, 14And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men. 15Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; 16And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God. 17And 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. 18All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four. 19Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two. 20And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance. 21But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims. 22The 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. 23For it was the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day. 24And 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. 25And 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, 26And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Bethphelet, 27And at Hazarshual, and at Beersheba, and in the villages thereof, 28And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof, 29And at Enrimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth, 30Zanoah, 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. 31The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages, 32And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, 33Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, 34Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, 35Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. 36And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.

Verses to carry from Nehemiah 11

“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.”Nehemiah 11:1

“And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.”Nehemiah 11:2

“All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.”Nehemiah 11:18

Reflection

Sometimes faithfulness means going where God is honored rather than where life is easiest. These settlers gave up comfort to fill the holy city, and they were blessed for it. Where is God calling you to willingly go, or to stay, for the sake of his people and presence? And do you set your heart on the city that is to come?

A prayer from Nehemiah 11