Nehemiah 11

Nehemiah 11 details the resettlement of Jerusalem and surrounding towns following the completion of the city walls. It describes how leaders and certain individuals willingly lived in the newly restored city while others were chosen by lot to join them. This chapter highlights the importance of Jerusalem as the religious and political center of Israel, as well as the people's willingness to contribute to its restoration.

Nehemiah 11:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Now the leaders of the people dwelt at Jerusalem; the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine-tenths were to dwell in other cities.
2 And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.

The leaders set an example by choosing to live in Jerusalem, ensuring the city's revival. Since not everyone could reside in the city, a system was created where lots determined who would move there. Those who volunteered to live in Jerusalem received special honor from the people, demonstrating the significance of ensuring the city's repopulation and spiritual renewal.

Nehemiah 11:3-4 (NKJV)
3 These are the heads of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem. But in the cities of Judah everyone dwelt in his own possession in their cities—Israelites, priests, Levites, Nethinim, and descendants of Solomon’s servants.
4 Also in Jerusalem dwelt some of the children of Judah and of the children of Benjamin. 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;

The chapter now lists the key leaders and individuals who settled in Jerusalem. These include members of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, priests, Levites, and other officials. The city was a gathering point for various people groups, ensuring that Jerusalem's population would reflect the broad community of Israel.

Nehemiah 11:5-6 (NKJV)
5 and 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.
6 All the sons of Perez who dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred and sixty-eight valiant men.

The descendants of Perez, a major family of Judah, are highlighted here. The men of this family were described as "valiant," emphasizing their bravery and strength. These men were essential for the protection and administration of the city as it regained its significance.

Nehemiah 11:7-9 (NKJV)
7 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 Jeshaiah;
8 And after him Gabbai and Sallai, nine hundred and twenty-eight.
9 Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer, and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.

The tribe of Benjamin also contributed to the population of Jerusalem, with almost a thousand men listed. Joel and Judah are named as leaders of the city, ensuring that both Judah and Benjamin shared responsibility for governing the restored city.

Nehemiah 11:10-12 (NKJV)
10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, and Jachin;
11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the leader of the house of God.
12 Their brethren who did the work of the house were eight hundred and 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.

Among the priests who settled in Jerusalem were key figures responsible for temple worship and administration. Seraiah, a descendant of a line of prominent priests, was tasked with overseeing the temple. The number of priests underscores their vital role in reestablishing worship in the holy city.

Nehemiah 11:13-14 (NKJV)
13 Also his brethren, heads of the fathers’ houses, were two hundred and forty-two. And Amashai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
14 And their brethren, mighty men of valor, were one hundred and twenty-eight. Their overseer was Zabdiel the son of one of the great men.

Additional priests, described as "mighty men of valor," took up residence in Jerusalem. Their inclusion shows that physical strength and spiritual leadership were both valued as the city needed to defend itself and maintain its religious practices.

Nehemiah 11:15-17 (NKJV)
15 Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
16 Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the heads of the Levites, had the oversight of the business outside of the house of God;
17 Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the leader who began the thanksgiving with prayer, Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.

The Levites, who assisted the priests and cared for the temple's functions, also played an essential role in Jerusalem's restoration. They were responsible for tasks outside the temple and led in prayer and thanksgiving. Mattaniah, in particular, is noted for initiating worship.

Nehemiah 11:18-19 (NKJV)
18 All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred and eighty-four.
19 Moreover the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren who kept the gates, were one hundred and seventy-two.

A significant number of Levites and gatekeepers are listed here. Gatekeepers were vital to the city's security, controlling access to the temple and the city, ensuring both the spiritual and physical protection of Jerusalem.

Nehemiah 11:20-21 (NKJV)
20 And the rest of Israel, of the priests and Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance.
21 But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel. And Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim.

Most of the Israelites, priests, and Levites lived in their respective ancestral lands throughout Judah, but the Nethinim, temple servants, lived in Ophel, near the temple. They had their own leaders, Ziha and Gishpa, who managed their service.

Nehemiah 11:22-23 (NKJV)
22 Also the overseer 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 in charge of the service of the house of God.
23 For it was the king’s command concerning them that a certain portion should be for the singers, a quota day by day.

Uzzi was in charge of the Levites, particularly the singers, who were descendants of Asaph. The king had commanded that these singers receive provisions daily, underscoring the importance of worship in maintaining the spiritual life of the city.

Nehemiah 11:24 (NKJV)
24 Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was the king’s deputy in all matters concerning the people.

Pethahiah served as a liaison between the people and the king. His role ensured that the needs of Jerusalem and its inhabitants were communicated to the Persian authorities, securing support for the city's restoration.

Nehemiah 11:25-30 (NKJV)
25 And as for the villages with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt in Kirjath Arba and its villages, Dibon and its villages, Jekabzeel and its villages,
26 In Jeshua, Moladah, Beth Pelet,
27 Hazar Shual, and Beersheba and its villages,
28 In Ziklag and Meconah and its villages,
29 In En Rimmon, Zorah, Jarmuth,
30 Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, in Lachish and its fields, in Azekah and its villages. They dwelt from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom.

These verses describe the various towns and regions where the descendants of Judah settled. Their presence across these lands highlights how the tribes of Judah were reestablished throughout the southern territories, repopulating the land of their inheritance.

Nehemiah 11:31-36 (NKJV)
31 Also the children of Benjamin from Geba dwelt in Michmash, Aija, and Bethel, and their villages,
32 In Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
33 In Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
34 In Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
35 In Lod, Ono, and the Valley of Craftsmen.
36 Some of the Judean divisions of Levites were in Benjamin.

The tribe of Benjamin also had significant settlements across various cities and towns, including Michmash and Bethel. This shows how the northern areas were also repopulated, and even some Levites from Judah settled in Benjamin's territory, ensuring collaboration among the tribes in rebuilding the nation.