Nehemiah 11

Chapter context

What is happening in Nehemiah 11?

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Nehemiah 11 belongs to the middle movement of the book, especially the section often described as ongoing reform and correction. Nehemiah recounts the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, the renewal of covenant identity, and the hard maintenance of communal reform. Read this chapter with the wider themes of restoration, leadership, and reform in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.

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. ² And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. ³ Now 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. ⁴ And 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; ⁵ And 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. ⁶ All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men. 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 Jesaiah. ⁸ And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight. ⁹ And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city. ¹⁰ Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, 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 ruler of the house of God. ¹² And 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, ¹³ And 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, ¹⁴ And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men. ¹⁵ Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; ¹⁶ And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God. ¹⁷ And 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. ¹⁸ All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four. ¹⁹ Moreover 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. ²¹ But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims. ²² The 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. ²³ For it was the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day. ²⁴ And 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. ²⁵ And 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, ²⁶ And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Bethphelet, ²⁷ And at Hazarshual, and at Beersheba, and in the villages thereof, ²⁸ And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof, ²⁹ And at Enrimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth, ³⁰ Zanoah, 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. ³¹ The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and in their villages, ³² And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah, ³³ Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim, ³⁴ Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat, ³⁵ Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. ³⁶ And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.

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Glossary

City People v. 1, 9, 18: The earliest mention of city-building is that of Enoch, which was built by Cain ( Gen. 4:17 ). After the confusion of tongues, the descendants of Nimrod founded several cities (10:10-12).
Jerusalem Place v. 1-4, 6, 22: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Amariah Person v. 4: Said by Jehovah. (1. ) One of the descendants of Aaron by Eleazar ( 1 Chr. 6:7 , 52). He was probably the last of the high priests of Eleazar’s line prior to the transfer of that office to Eli, of the line of Ithamar.
Benjamin Person v. 4, 7, 31, 36: Son of my right hand. (1. ) The younger son of Jacob by Rachel ( Gen. 35:18 ). His birth took place at Ephrath, on the road between Bethel and Bethlehem, at a short distance from the latter place.
Perez Person v. 4, 6: =Pharez, (q. v. ), breach, the son of Judah ( Neh. 11:4 ). “The chief of all the captains of the host for the first month” in the reign of David was taken from his family ( 1 Chr. 27:3 ).
Shephatiah Person v. 4: Judged of the Lord. (1. ) A son of David by Abital ( 2 Sam. 3:4 ). (2. ) A Benjamite who joined David at Ziklag ( 1 Chr. 12:5 ). (3. ) A Simeonite prince in David’s time ( 1 Chr. 27:16 ).
Zechariah Person v. 4-5, 12: Jehovah is renowned or remembered. (1. ) A prophet of Judah, the eleventh of the twelve minor prophets. Like Ezekiel, he was of priestly extraction. He describes himself (1:1) as.
Baruch Tribe v. 5: Blessed. (1. ) The secretary of the prophet Jeremiah (32:12; 36:4). He was of the tribe of Judah (51:59). To him Jeremiah dictated his prophecies regarding the invasion of the Babylonians and the Captivity.
Meshullam Person v. 7, 11: Befriended. (1. ) One of the chief Gadites in Bashan in the time of Jotham ( 1 Chr. 5:13 ). (2. ) Grandfather of Shaphan, “the scribe,” in the reign of Josiah ( 2 Kings 22:3 ). (3. ) A priest, father of Hilkiah.
Pedaiah Person v. 7: Redemption of the Lord. (1. ) The father of Zebudah, who was the wife of Josiah and mother of king Jehoiakim ( 2 Kings 23:36 ). (2. ) The father of Zerubbabel ( 1 Chr. 3:17-19 ). (3. ).
Sallai Person v. 8: Basket-maker. (1. ) A Benjamite ( Neh. 11:8 ). (2. ) A priest in the days of Joshua and Zerubbabel ( Neh. 12:20 ).
Joel Person v. 9: Jehovah is his God. (1. ) The oldest of Samuel’s two sons appointed by him as judges in Beersheba ( 1 Sam. 8:2 ). (See VASHNI. ) (2. ) A descendant of Reuben ( 1 Chr. 5:4 , 8). (3. ) One of David’s famous warriors.
Second Quarter Place v. 9: Biblical district in settlement. Modern identification: Jerusalem.
Zichri Person v. 9: Remembered; illustrious. (1. ) A Benjamite chief ( 1 Chr. 8:19 ). (2. ) Another of the same tribe ( 1 Chr. 8:23 ).
Jachin Person v. 10: Firm. (1. ) The fourth son of Simeon ( Gen. 46:10 ), called also Jarib ( 1 Chr. 4:24 ). (2. ) The head of one of the courses (the twenty-first) of priests ( 1 Chr. 24:17 ).
Jedaiah Person v. 10: (1. ) Invoker of Jehovah. The son of Shimri, a chief Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:37 ). (2. ) One of those who repaired the walls of Jerusalem after the return from Babylon ( Neh. 3:10 ). (3. ) Knowing Jehovah.
Ahitub Person v. 11: Brother of goodness = good. (1. ) The son of Phinehas. On the death of his grandfather Eli he succeeded to the office of high priest, and was himself succeeded by his son Ahijah ( 1 Sam. 14:3 ; 22:9 , 11, 12, 20).
Hilkiah Person v. 11: Portion of Jehovah. (1. ) 1 Chr. 6:54 . (2. ) 1 Chr. 26:11 . (3. ) The father of Eliakim ( 2 Kings 18:18 , 26, 37). (4. ) The father of Gemariah ( Jer. 29:3 ). (5. ) The father of the prophet Jeremiah (1:1).
Meraioth Person v. 11: Rebellions. (1. ) Father of Amariah, a high priest of the line of Eleazar ( 1 Chr. 6:6 , 7, 52). (2. ) Neh. 12:15 , a priest who went to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel. He is called Meremoth in Neh. 12:3 .
Seraiah Person v. 11: Soldier of Jehovah. (1. ) The father of Joab ( 1 Chr. 4:13 , 14). (2. ) The grandfather of Jehu ( 1 Chr. 4:35 ). (3. ) One of David’s scribes or secretaries ( 2 Sam. 8:17 ). (4. ) A Netophathite.
Zadok Person v. 11: Righteous. (1. ) A son of Ahitub, of the line of Eleazer ( 2 Sam. 8:17 ; 1 Chr. 24:3 ), high priest in the time of David ( 2 Sam. 20:25 ) and Solomon ( 1 Kings 4:4 ).
Jeroham Person v. 12: Cherished; who finds mercy. (1. ) Father of Elkanah, and grandfather of the prophet Samuel ( 1 Sam. 1:1 ). (2. ) The father of Azareel, the “captain” of the tribe of Dan ( 1 Chr. 27:22 ). (3. ) 1 Chr. 12:7 ; a Benjamite.
Malchiah Person v. 12: Jehovah’s king. (1. ) The head of the fifth division of the priests in the time of David ( 1 Chr. 24:9 ). (2. ) A priest, the father of Pashur ( 1 Chr. 9:12 ; Jer. 38:1 ).
Pashur Person v. 12: Release. (1. ) The son of Immer (probably the same as Amariah, Neh. 10:3 ; 12:2 ), the head of one of the priestly courses, was “chief governor [Heb. paqid nagid, meaning “deputy governor”] of the temple” ( Jer. 20:1 , 2).
Amashai Person v. 13: The son of Azareel, appointed by Nehemiah to reside at Jerusalem and do the work of the temple ( Neh. 11:13 ).
Hashabiah Person v. 15, 22: Regarded by Jehovah. (1. ) Merarite Levite ( 1 Chr. 6:45 ; 9:14 ). (2. ) A son of Jeduthun (25:3, 19). (3. ) Son of Kemuel (26:30). (4. ) One of the chief Levites ( 2 Chr. 35:9 ). (5. ) A Levite ( Neh. 11:22 ).
Hashub Person v. 15: Intelligent. (1. ) A Levite of the family of Merari ( Neh. 11:15 ; 1 Chr. 9:14 ). (2. ) Neh. 3:23 . 3:11.
Shemaiah Person v. 15: Whom Jehovah heard. (1. ) A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam ( 1 Kings 12:22-24 ). (2. ) Neh. 3:29 . (3. ) A Simeonite ( 1 Chr. 4:37 ). (4. ) A priest ( Neh. 12:42 ). (5. ) A Levite ( 1 Chr. 9:16 ). (6. ) 1 Chr. 9:14 ; Neh. 11:15 .
Jozabad Tribe v. 16: Whom Jehovah bestows. (1. ) One of the Benjamite archers who joined David at Ziklag ( 1 Chr. 12:4 ). (2. ) A chief of the tribe of Manasseh ( 1 Chr. 12:20 ).
Shabbethai Person v. 16: Sabbath-born, a Levite who assisted in expounding the law and investigating into the illegal marriages of the Jews ( Ezra 10:15 ; Neh. 8:7 ; 11:16 ).
Abda Person v. 17: Servant. (1. ) The father of Adoniram, whom Solomon set over the tribute ( 1 Kings 4:6 ); i. e., the forced labour (R. V., “levy”). (2. ) A Levite of the family of Jeduthun ( Neh. 11:17 ), also called Obadiah ( 1 Chr. 9:16 ).
Asaph Person v. 17, 22: Convener, or collector. (1. ) A Levite; one of the leaders of David’s choir ( 1 Chr. 6:39 ). Psalms 50 and 73-83 inclusive are attributed to him. He is mentioned along with David as skilled in music, and a “seer”.
Jeduthun Person v. 17: Lauder; praising, a Levite of the family of Merari, and one of the three masters of music appointed by David ( 1 Chr. 16:41 , 42; 25:1-6). He is called in 2 Chr. 35:15 .
Mattaniah Person v. 17, 22: Gift of Jehovah. (1. ) A Levite, son of Heman, the chief of the ninth class of temple singers ( 1 Chr. 25:4 , 16). (2. ) A Levite who assisted in purifying the temple at the reformation under Hezekiah ( 2 Chr. 29:13 ).
Micha Person v. 17, 22: (1. ) 2 Sam. 9:12 =MICAH (2). (2. ) The son of Zabdi, a Levite of the family of Asaph ( Neh. 11:17 , 22).
Shammua Tribe v. 17: Heard. (1. ) One of the spies sent out by Moses to search the land ( Num. 13:4 ). He represented the tribe of Reuben. (2. ) One of David’s sons ( 1 Chr. 14:4 ; 3:5 , “Shimea;” 2 Sam. 5:14 ).
Zabdi Person v. 17: Gift of Jehovah. (1. ) An ancestor of Achan ( Josh. 7:1 , 17, 18). He is probably the “Zimri” of 1 Chr. 2:6 . (2. ) A Benjamite ( 1 Chr. 8:19 ).
Akkub Person v. 19: (another form of Jacob). (1. ) The head of one of the families of Nethinim ( Ezra 2:45 ). (2. ) A Levite who kept the gate of the temple after the return from Babylon ( 1 Chr. 9:17 ; Ezra 2:42 ; Neh. 7:45 ).
Ophel Place v. 21: Biblical hill. Modern identification: Ophel.
Ziha Person v. 21: Drought. (1. ) The name of a family of Nethinim ( Ezra 2:43 ; Neh. 7:46 ). (2. ) A ruler among the Nethinim ( Neh. 11:21 ).
Uzzi Person v. 22: The Lord is my strength. (1. ) The son of Bukki, and a descendant of Aaron ( 1 Chr. 6:5 , 51; Ezra 7:4 ). (2. ) A grandson of Issachar ( 1 Chr. 7:2 , 3). (3. ) A son of Bela, and grandson of Benjamin ( 1 Chr. 7:7 ).
Pethahiah Person v. 24: Loosed of the Lord. (1. ) The chief of one of the priestly courses (the nineteenth) in the time of David ( 1 Chr. 24:16 ). (2. ) A Levite ( Ezra 10:23 ). (3. ) Neh. 9:5 .
Dibon Place v. 25: Pining; wasting. (1. ) A city in Moab ( Num. 21:30 ); called also Dibon-gad (33:45), because it was built by Gad and Dimon ( Isa. 15:9 ). Modern identification: Tall Dhiban.
Hebron Place v. 25: A community; alliance. (1. ) A city in the south end of the valley of Eshcol, about midway between Jerusalem and Beersheba, from which it is distant about 20 miles in a straight line. Modern identification: Tel Rumeida.
Kabzeel Place v. 25: Gathering of God, a city in the extreme south of Judah, near to Idumaea ( Josh. 15:21 ), the birthplace of Benaiah, one of David’s chief warriors ( 2 Sam. 23:20 ; 1 Chr. 11:22 ). It was called also Jekabzeel. Modern identification: Khirbet Hora.
Beth-pelet Place v. 26: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell es Saqati.
Jeshua Place v. 26: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Yeshua.
Moladah Place v. 26: Birth, a city in the south of Judah which fell to Simeon ( Josh. 15:21-26 ; 19:2 ). It has been identified with the modern el-Milh, 10 miles east of Beersheba. Modern identification: Khirbet el Waten.
Beersheba Place v. 27, 30: Well of the oath, or well of seven, a well dug by Abraham, and so named because he and Abimelech here entered into a compact ( Gen. 21:31 ). On re-opening it, Isaac gave it the same name ( Gen. 26:31-33 ). Modern identification: Tel Beer Sheva.
Hazar-shual Place v. 27: Village or enclosure of the jackal, a city on the south border of Judah ( Josh. 15:28 ; Neh. 11:27 ). It has been identified with the ruins of Saweh, half-way between Beersheba and Moladah. Modern identification: Tel Beer Sheva.
Meconah Place v. 28: A base or foundation, a town in the south of Judah ( Neh. 11:28 ), near Ziklag. Modern identification: Khirbet Tatrit.
Ziklag Place v. 28: A town in the Negeb, or south country of Judah ( Josh. 15:31 ), in the possession of the Philistines when David fled to Gath from Ziph with all his followers. Modern identification: Tell esh Sharia.
En-rimmon Place v. 29: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tel Halif.
Jarmuth Place v. 29: Height. (1. ) A town in the plain of Judah ( Josh. 15:35 ), originally the residence of one of the Canaanitish kings (10:3, 5, 23). Modern identification: Tel Yarmuth.
Zorah Place v. 29: Place of wasps, a town in the low country of Judah, afterwards given to Dan ( Josh. 19:41 ; Judg. 18:2 ), probably the same as Zoreah ( Josh. 15:33 ). This was Samson’s birthplace. Modern identification: Tel Tzora.
Adullam Place v. 30: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet esh Sheikh Madhkur.
Azekah Place v. 30: Dug over, a town in the Shephelah or low hills of Judah ( Josh. 15:35 ), where the five confederated Amoritish kings were defeated by Joshua and their army destroyed by a hailstrom (10:10, 11). Modern identification: Tel Azekah.
Hinnom Person v. 30: A deep, narrow ravine separating Mount Zion from the so-called “Hill of Evil Counsel. ” It took its name from “some ancient hero, the son of Hinnom. ” It is first mentioned in Josh. 15:8 .
Lachish Place v. 30: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Tell ed Duweir.
Valley of Hinnom Place v. 30: Biblical valley. Modern identification: Hinnom Valley.
Zanoah Place v. 30: Marsh. (1. ) A town in the low country or shephelah of Judah, near Zorah ( Josh. 15:34 ). It was re-occupied after the return from the Captivity ( Neh. 11:30 ). Modern identification: Khirbet Zanu.
Aija Place v. 31: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Et Tell.
Bethel Place v. 31: House of God. (1. ) A place in Central Palestine, about 10 miles north of Jerusalem, at the head of the pass of Michmash and Ai. It was originally the royal Canaanite city of Luz ( Gen. 28:19 ). Modern identification: Beitin.
Geba Place v. 31: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Jaba.
Michmash Place v. 31: Something hidden, a town of Benjamin ( Ezra 2:27 ), east of Bethel and south of Migron, on the road to Jerusalem ( Isa. 10:28 ). Modern identification: Mukhmas.
Ananiah Place v. 32: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Al Eizariya.
Anathoth Place v. 32: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Ras el Kharruba.
Nob Place v. 32: High place, a city of the priests, first mentioned in the history of David’s wanderings ( 1 Sam. 21:1 ). Here the tabernacle was then standing, and here Ahimelech the priest resided. (See AHIMELECH. ) From Isa. Modern identification: Ras el Mesharif.
Gittaim Place v. 33: Two wine-presses, ( 2 Sam. 4:3 ; Neh. 11:33 ), a town probably in Benjamin to which the Beerothites fled. Modern identification: Ras Abu Hamid.
Hazor Place v. 33: Biblical mountain. Modern identification: Khirbet Hazzur.
Ramah Place v. 33: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Al Ram.
Hadid Place v. 34: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Al Haditha.
Neballat Place v. 34: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Beit Nabala.
Zeboim Place v. 34: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Khirbet Sabiyeh.
Ge-harashim Place v. 35: Biblical special. Modern identification: Lod.
Lod Place v. 35: Biblical settlement. Modern identification: Lod.
Ono Place v. 35: A town of Benjamin, in the “plain of Ono” ( 1 Chr. 8:12 ; Ezra 2:33 ); now Kefr ‘Ana, 5 miles north of Lydda, and about 30 miles north-west of Jerusalem. Modern identification: Kafr Ana.