Nehemiah — Chapter 11

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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 Col-hozeh, 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 Kirjath-arba, 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 Beth-phelet,

27And at Hazar-shual, and at Beer-sheba, and in the villages thereof,

28And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,

29And at En-rimmon, 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 Beer-sheba 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.

1And 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 the [other] cities.

2And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.

3Now 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.

4And 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;

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 the Shilonite.

6All the sons of Perez that dwelt in 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 Jeshaiah.

8And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.

9And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah 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, the ruler of the house of God,

12and 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,

13and 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,

14and their brethren, mighty men of valor, a hundred twenty and eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.

15And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

16and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God;

17and 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.

18All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.

19Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, that kept watch at the gates, were a hundred seventy and two.

20And the residue of Israel, of the priests, the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.

21But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim.

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 Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the business of the house of God.

23For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.

24And 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.

25And 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,

26and in Jeshua, and in Moladah, and Beth-pelet,

27and in Hazar-shual, and in Beer-sheba and the towns thereof,

28and in Ziklag, and in Meconah and in the towns thereof,

29and in En-rimmon, and in Zorah, and in Jarmuth,

30Zanoah, 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.

31The children of Benjamin also [dwelt] from Geba [onward], at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and the towns thereof,

32at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,

33Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,

34Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,

35Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.

36And of the Levites, certain courses in Judah [were joined] to Benjamin.

1So the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, while the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to settle in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine remained in other cities.

2The people gave their blessing on all the men who volunteered to settle in Jerusalem.

3These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem. (While other Israelites, the priests, the Levites, the temple attendants, and the sons of the servants of Solomon settled in the cities of Judah, each on his own property in their cities,

4some of the descendants of Judah and some of the descendants of Benjamin settled in Jerusalem.) Of the descendants of Judah: Athaiah son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, from the descendants of Perez;

5and Maaseiah son of Baruch, the son of Col-Hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, from the descendants of Shelah.

6The sum total of the descendants of Perez who were settling in Jerusalem was 468 exceptional men.

7These are the descendants of Benjamin: Sallu 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,

8and his followers, Gabbai and Sallai—928 in all.

9Joel son of Zicri was the officer in charge of them, and Judah son of Hassenuah was second-in-command over the city.

10From the priests: Jedaiah son of Joiarib, Jakin,

11Seraiah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, supervisor in the temple of God,

12and their colleagues who were carrying out work for the temple—822; and Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malkijah,

13and his colleagues who were heads of families—242; and Amashsai son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,

14and his colleagues who were exceptional men—128. The officer over them was Zabdiel the son of Haggedolim.

15From the Levites: Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

16Shabbethai and Jozabad, leaders of the Levites, were in charge of the external work for the temple of God;

17Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the praise leader who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his colleagues; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.

18The sum total of the Levites in the holy city was 284.

19And the gatekeepers: Akkub, Talmon, and their colleagues who were guarding the gates—172.

20And the rest of the Israelites, with the priests and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, each on his own property.

21The temple attendants were living on Ophel, and Ziha and Gishpa were over them.

22The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica. He was one of Asaph’s descendants, who were the singers responsible for the service of the temple of God.

23For they were under royal orders which determined their activity day by day.

24Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, one of the descendants of Zerah son of Judah, was an adviser to the king in every matter pertaining to the people.

25As for the settlements with their fields, some of the people of Judah settled in Kiriath Arba and its neighboring villages, in Dibon and its villages, in Jekabzeel and its settlements,

26in Jeshua, in Moladah, in Beth Pelet,

27in Hazar Shual, in Beer Sheba and its villages,

28in Ziklag, in Meconah and its villages,

29in En Rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth,

30Zanoah, Adullam and their settlements, in Lachish and its fields, and in Azekah and its villages. So they were encamped from Beer Sheba to the Valley of Hinnom.

31Some of the descendants of Benjamin settled in Geba, Micmash, Aija, Bethel and its villages,

32in Anathoth, Nob, and Ananiah,

33in Hazor, Ramah, and Gittaim,

34in Hadid, Zeboyim, and Neballat,

35in Lod, Ono, and the Valley of the Craftsmen.

36Some of the Judean divisions of the Levites settled in Benjamin.

1The 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.

2The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.

3Now 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.

4Some 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;

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 the Shilonite.

6All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were four hundred sixty-eight valiant men.

7These 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.

8After him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty-eight.

9Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah 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, the ruler of God’s house,

12and 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,

13and 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,

14and their brothers, mighty men of valor, one hundred twenty-eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.

15Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

16and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of God’s house;

17and 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.

18All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred eighty-four.

19Moreover the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were one hundred seventy-two.

20The residue of Israel, of the priests, the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance.

21But the temple servants lived in Ophel: and Ziha and Gishpa were over the temple servants.

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 Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the business of God’s house.

23For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.

24Pethahiah 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.

25As 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,

26in Jeshua, in Moladah, Beth Pelet,

27in Hazar Shual, in Beersheba and its towns,

28in Ziklag, in Meconah and in its towns,

29in En Rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth,

30Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and its fields, and Azekah and its towns. So they encamped from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom.

31The children of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, and at Bethel and its towns,

32at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,

33Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,

34Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,

35Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.

36Of the Levites, certain divisions in Judah settled in Benjamin’s territory.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Commentary
Videos
Reflection

Summary

The repopulation of Jerusalem is organized by lot, with one in ten people chosen to live in the holy city while the rest remain in surrounding towns. The chapter lists those who settled in Jerusalem from Judah, Benjamin, and the Levitical families.

Authorship & Background

Author: Nehemiah, with possible editorial additions by Ezra. Written approximately 445-400 BC. Nehemiah covers the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls (445 BC) and the spiritual renewal of the community. Key themes: prayer and action together, opposition overcome by faith, the importance of God's Word (chapter 8), covenant renewal, and the principle that spiritual rebuilding must accompany physical rebuilding.
Historical Context: Chapter 11 addresses a practical crisis: the walls were rebuilt and the covenant renewed, but Jerusalem itself remained largely unpopulated. A walled city without inhabitants is merely an empty fortress. The leaders already lived in Jerusalem (v.1), but the general population preferred their ancestral villages where they had land, farms, and established livelihoods. Moving to Jerusalem meant leaving productive property, rebuilding homes in a still-recovering city, and potentially facing greater danger as a concentrated target.
The solution combined volunteerism and divine lot. The people cast lots to bring one-tenth of the rural population into Jerusalem (v.1), while others "willingly offered themselves" (v.2). Those who volunteered were blessed by the community — their sacrifice was publicly honored. The chapter then provides a detailed census of Jerusalem's new inhabitants: men of Judah (vv.4-6), Benjamin (vv.7-9), priests (vv.10-14), Levites (vv.15-18), gatekeepers (v.19), Temple servants (v.21), and the Levitical overseer of singers (vv.22-23). The detail demonstrates that Jerusalem's repopulation was not random but organized — each family, role, and responsibility was documented.
The chapter closes with a geographical survey of where the remaining population of Judah and Benjamin settled across the countryside (vv.25-36). This inventory served both administrative and theological purposes: it showed that the returned community occupied the land God had promised, from Beersheba in the south to the Valley of Hinnom, and Benjamin from Geba northward. The holy city was being filled, and the holy land was being inhabited — God's people were taking possession of God's promises.

Map & Geography

  • Susa (Shushan) — the Persian winter capital in modern Iran, where Nehemiah serves as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes.
  • Jerusalem — the city whose walls Nehemiah rebuilds. Chapter 3 names specific gates (Sheep Gate, Fish Gate, Valley Gate, Dung Gate, etc.) tracing the wall circuit.
  • The surrounding enemies occupy identifiable regions: Sanballat (Samaria/north), Tobiah (Ammon/east), Geshem (Arabia/south).

Commentary

  • Enduring Word (David Guzik): enduringword.com Guzik notes that Jerusalem's repopulation required both divine selection (lots) and human willingness (volunteers). He emphasizes that the "holy city" needed holy inhabitants — walls without people offered no security, and a Temple without a surrounding community had no congregation. The detailed census demonstrates that every person counted; God recorded their names because their sacrifice mattered.
  • Charles Spurgeon: "They 'willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem,' and the people blessed them for it. Here is a pattern for the church. We need volunteers — those who will go where the need is greatest, not where comfort is easiest. The holy city needed settlers who would leave their farms and vineyards to inhabit a half-ruined capital surrounded by enemies. They went willingly, and heaven marked their names. Are you willing to dwell where God's cause needs you most? Will you leave comfortable obscurity for costly service? The people blessed such men; how much more shall God bless them in eternity."

Videos

The Bible Project — Nehemiah Overview

Reflection

  • 1. God's work sometimes requires uncomfortable relocation (v.1). Moving to Jerusalem meant leaving established homes for an underpopulated, still-recovering city. God sometimes calls His people to leave comfortable situations for places of greater need. Are you willing to move — physically, vocationally, or relationally — to where God's work most needs you, even if it costs you convenience?
  • 2. Voluntary sacrifice deserves community honor (v.2). "The people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves." When someone in your church or community makes a costly sacrifice for God's purposes — leaving a lucrative career for ministry, moving to serve in a difficult context, giving sacrificially — bless them. Verbally honor their sacrifice. Public recognition of faithfulness encourages future faithfulness in others.
  • 3. Every role is documented because every role matters (vv.3-19). The detailed census records gatekeepers (172), Levites (284), priests, and administrators by name. God notices and records faithful service regardless of prominence. Your name is known in heaven for your faithful service, even if unknown on earth. Work as for an audience of One who records everything.
  • 4. Worship requires institutional support (vv.22-23). The singers had a "fixed provision" and an overseer — worship was organized, funded, and supervised. Spirit-led worship does not mean disorganized worship. Excellence in worship ministry requires planning, resources, leadership structure, and financial support. Invest in your church's worship infrastructure.
  • 5. Filling the holy city is still God's purpose (v.1). God desires His dwelling place — now the church — to be full. Empty pews represent unfulfilled divine intention. Invite others into God's community. Be willing to be part of the "tenth" that occupies the place where God dwells, even when rural comfort beckons.