Nehemiah 11
Nehemiah 11 contains the account of how, after the rebuilding of Jerusalem, the people were organized and relocated in a systematic way to fill the city. Jerusalem was rebuilt, but with a low population, it was difficult to carry out proper defense, worship, and the city’s functions. So the leaders drew lots and arranged for one tenth of the whole population to live in Jerusalem, while the rest remained in their respective towns.
1verseThe princes of the people lived 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 the other cities.
2verseThe people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
3verseNow these are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem; but in the cities of Judah, everyone lived in his possession in their cities—Israel, the priests, the Levites, the temple servants, and the children of Solomon’s servants.
4verseSome of the children of Judah and of the children of Benjamin lived in Jerusalem. 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;
5verseand 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 the Shilonite.
6verseAll the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were four hundred sixty-eight valiant men.
7verseThese 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.
8verseAfter him Gabbai and Sallai, nine hundred twenty-eight.
9verseJoel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city.
10verseOf the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin,
11verseSeraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house,
12verseand their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty-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,
13verseand his brothers, chiefs of fathers’ households, two hundred forty-two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
14verseand their brothers, mighty men of valor, one hundred twenty-eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.
15verseOf the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
16verseand Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of God’s house;
17verseand 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 brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
18verseAll the Levites in the holy city were two hundred eighty-four.
19verseMoreover the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were one hundred seventy-two.
20verseThe residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance.
21verseBut the temple servants lived in Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa were over the temple servants.
22verseThe 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 responsible for the service of God’s house.
23verseFor there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.
24versePethahiah 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.
25verseAs for the villages with their fields, some of the children of Judah lived in Kiriath Arba and its towns, in Dibon and its towns, in Jekabzeel and its villages,
26versein Jeshua, in Moladah, Beth Pelet,
27versein Hazar Shual, in Beersheba and its towns,
28versein Ziklag, in Meconah and in its towns,
29versein En Rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth,
30verseZanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and its fields, and Azekah and its towns. So they encamped from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom.
31verseThe children of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, and at Bethel and its towns,
32verseat Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
33verseHazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
34verseHadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
35verseLod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.
36verseOf the Levites, certain divisions in Judah settled in Benjamin’s territory.
Main Structure and Flow
- Verses 1-2: a scene of drawing lots for the people who will live in Jerusalem, and blessings pronounced on those who volunteered to move there
- Verses 3-24: lists of the people of Israel who lived in Jerusalem—especially the descendants of Judah and Benjamin, the priests, the Levites, temple servants, singers, and others.
- Verses 25-36: the list continues with people living outside Jerusalem, scattered among various towns in Judah and the regions of the tribe of Benjamin.
Overall Meaning
Jerusalem was the center of Israel’s faith and identity. After the restoration of the walls, it was not enough to rebuild only buildings; the community had to be restored so that “people” could actually live there, worship, and serve. Nehemiah 11 shows how the people—each with their own roles and responsibilities—build God’s kingdom in the place where they belong, either voluntarily or by lot. This conveys the message that the restoration of the faith community is ultimately completed through each member’s devotion and participation.
Points to Ponder
- Even after the rebuilding of Jerusalem is complete, notice that guarding and establishing the city ultimately depends on people’s devotion.
- Reflect on how different forms of obedience—those who devote themselves willingly to God’s kingdom, those chosen by lot to obey, and those who carried out their roles faithfully in their respective places—built the community.
Applying It to Me
- In my community, what role has been assigned to me, and how can I devote myself for God’s kingdom?
- As you look back on my own life—faithfully serving wherever I’ve been placed, whether willingly or not—make a decision to live a life that does its best to accomplish the work entrusted to me.
