Nehemiah 11

King James Version

Full text for Nehemiah Chapter 11

1¶ 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.

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.

20¶ And 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,

32[And] 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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

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.

Medium Summary

This chapter describes the organized effort to repopulate Jerusalem, where rulers already resided, and one-tenth of the remaining people were selected by lot to live. Those who willingly offered themselves were blessed by the people. The text then lists the specific families and their numbers from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin who settled in Jerusalem, along with their appointed overseers. Furthermore, it enumerates the priests, Levites, and porters, specifying their numbers and some of their roles within the house of God, such as leading thanksgiving and overseeing outward business. The Nethinims are noted as dwelling in Ophel, and the king's provision for the singers is mentioned. Finally, the chapter lists the various cities and villages throughout Judah and Benjamin where the remaining Israelites, priests, and Levites resided.

Long Summary

Nehemiah chapter 11 outlines the strategic resettlement of Jerusalem, which was deemed the holy city. The rulers of the people already dwelt there, and a system was established where one-tenth of the remaining populace was chosen by lot to inhabit Jerusalem, while the other nine parts remained in their respective cities. Those who voluntarily offered to dwell in Jerusalem were commended by the people. The chapter then provides an extensive register of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, beginning with the children of Judah, specifically mentioning 468 valiant men from the sons of Perez. Following them are the children of Benjamin, numbering 928, along with their overseers. The priests are also listed, including Seraiah, the ruler of the house of God, and their brethren who performed temple work, totaling 822, 242, and 128 men, with their respective chiefs and overseers. The Levites in Jerusalem numbered 284, with specific individuals like Mattaniah appointed to lead thanksgiving in prayer, and others overseeing the outward business of the house of God. The porters, who guarded the gates, totaled 172. It is noted that the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel, with Ziha and Gispa overseeing them. The singers, sons of Asaph, were responsible for the business of the house of God, receiving a daily portion by the king's commandment. The chapter concludes by listing the numerous cities and villages in Judah and Benjamin where the remainder of Israel, including priests and Levites, settled, each in their inheritance, demonstrating the widespread distribution of the returned exiles.

Core Concepts

  • Repopulation by Lot and VolitionA system was implemented where one-tenth of the people were chosen by lot to dwell in Jerusalem, while others willingly offered themselves, demonstrating a communal effort to resettle the capital.
  • Tribal Representation in JerusalemSpecific numbers and leaders from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin are listed, highlighting their significant presence in the newly repopulated holy city.
  • Ecclesiastical Roles and NumbersThe chapter details the various groups of priests, Levites, and porters, specifying their numbers and some of their duties related to the service and maintenance of the house of God.
  • King's Provision for SingersA specific royal commandment ensured a daily portion for the singers, indicating the importance placed on their musical ministry in the temple.
  • Distribution of InhabitantsBeyond Jerusalem, the chapter enumerates numerous other cities and villages throughout Judah and Benjamin where the remaining Israelites, priests, and Levites resided, each in their inherited lands.
  • Nethinims and Their LocationThe Nethinims, temple servants, are specifically mentioned as dwelling in Ophel, indicating their designated area within or near Jerusalem.