Nehemiah 11

The Repopulation of Jerusalem

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 and 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, and 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 responsible for the service 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.

Villages Outside Jerusalem

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.

Previous Nehemiah 10

Next Nehemiah 12

Nehemiah 11 records the systematic repopulation of Jerusalem following the completion of the wall repairs. The leaders already lived in the city, but additional residents were selected by lot—one in ten from the surrounding towns—to ensure Jerusalem had sufficient population. The chapter provides detailed genealogical records of the families who settled in Jerusalem, including descendants of Judah and Benjamin, priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and temple servants, while also noting that the remaining population continued to live in their ancestral towns throughout Judah.

Context

This chapter follows the covenant renewal ceremony of chapter 10 and provides the practical implementation of repopulating the restored city before the dedication of the wall in chapter 12.

Key Themes

Outline

1-3
Repopulation Strategy Leaders devise a plan using lots to bring one-tenth of the people to live in Jerusalem while others remain in their cities
4-9
Descendants of Judah and Benjamin Genealogical records of the families from Judah and Benjamin tribes who settled in Jerusalem, totaling hundreds of valiant men
10-14
Priestly Families Lists of priests and their lineages who took up residence in Jerusalem to serve in the temple
15-18
Levitical Assignments Levites assigned to various temple duties including worship leadership, administration, and thanksgiving
19-24
Temple Personnel and Administration Gatekeepers, temple servants, and administrative officials who supported Jerusalem's religious life
25-36
Villages and Towns Geographic distribution of the remaining population in towns throughout Judah and Benjamin territories

The Repopulation of Jerusalem

11:1–11:24

narrative narration contemplative

The systematic repopulation of Jerusalem through casting lots, with detailed genealogical records of those who settled in the holy city. This passage emphasizes the blessing given to those who willingly chose to live in Jerusalem and the careful organization of the restored community.

person_contrast

Uzziah appears among Jerusalem's blessed leaders here, contrasting sharply with his typical biblical associations with divine judgment and prideful downfall.

Villages Outside Jerusalem

11:25–11:36

narrative narration contemplative

A geographical survey of the villages and towns where the people of Judah and Benjamin settled outside Jerusalem. This passage documents the restoration of the broader territorial inheritance and the reestablishment of communities throughout the traditional tribal lands.

geographic

Jekabzeel's singular biblical appearance in this post-exilic settlement list suggests it represented the southernmost frontier of Judah's restored territorial claims near the Edomite border.

Insight Character Study

Uzziah appears among Jerusalem's blessed leaders here, contrasting sharply with his typical biblical associations with divine judgment and prideful downfall.

Insight Geography

Jekabzeel's singular biblical appearance in this post-exilic settlement list suggests it represented the southernmost frontier of Judah's restored territorial claims near the Edomite border.

Cross-References

Connected passages across Scripture

Nehemiah 11:1 1 reference

Lexicals 1

1 Chronicles 24:5 Lexical

Thus they were divided impartially by drawing lots; for there were princes of the sanctuary and princes of God, both of…

3 shared words

Nehemiah 11:3 1 reference

Lexicals 1

1 Chronicles 9:2 Lexical

Now the first inhabitants who lived in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the…

3 shared words

Nehemiah 11:5 2 references

Lexicals 2

2 Chronicles 23:1 Lexical

In the seventh year, Jehoiada strengthened himself, and took the captains of hundreds—Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmae…

Nehemiah 11

The Repopulation of Jerusalem

Villages Outside Jerusalem

The Repopulation of Jerusalem

Villages Outside Jerusalem

Insights

Cross-References

Nehemiah 11:1 1 reference

Nehemiah 11:3 1 reference

Nehemiah 11:5 2 references

Nehemiah 11:6 2 references

Nehemiah 11:7 4 references

Nehemiah 11:10 3 references

Nehemiah 11:11 2 references

Nehemiah 11:12 5 references

Nehemiah 11:14 1 reference

Nehemiah 11:15 2 references

Nehemiah 11:16 1 reference

Nehemiah 11:17 2 references

Nehemiah 11:19 4 references

Nehemiah 11:21 3 references

Nehemiah 11:22 5 references

Nehemiah 11:27 2 references

Nehemiah 11:30 4 references

Nehemiah 11:31 3 references

Nehemiah 11:35 3 references

Interlinear

Historical Context