Nehemiah 11
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
To bring one of ten - Jerusalem certainly had many inhabitants at this time; but not sufficient to preserve the city, which was now encompassed with a wall, and the rebuilding of which was going on fast. Nehemiah therefore obliged one tenth of the country people to come and dwell in it, that the population might be sufficient for the preservation and defense of the city. Ten were set apart, and the lot cast among them to see which one of the ten should take up his residence in the city.
Open source ↗THE RULERS, VOLUNTARY MEN, AND EVERY TENTH MAN CHOSEN BY LOT, DWELL AT JERUSALEM. (Neh 11:1-2) the rulers . . . dwelt at Jerusalem--That city being the metropolis of the country, it was right and proper that the seat of government should be there. But the exigency of the times required that special measures should be taken to insure the residence of an adequate population for the custody of the buildings and the defense of the city. From the annoyances of restless and malignant enemies, who tried every means to demolish the rising fortifications, there was some danger attending a settlement in Jerusalem. Hence the greater part of the returned exiles, in order to earn as well as secure the rewards of their duty, preferred to remain in the country or the provincial towns. To remedy this state of things, it was resolved to select every tenth man of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin by lot, to become a permanent inhabitant of the capital. The necessity of such an expedient commended it to the general approval. It was the more readily submitted to because the lot was resorted to on all the most critical conjunctures of the Jewish history, and regarded by the people as a divine decision (Pro 18:18). This awakened strongly the national spirit; and patriotic volunteers came forward readily to meet the wishes of the authorities, a service which, implying great self-denial as well as courage, was reckoned in the circumstances of so much importance as entitled them to the public gratitude. No wonder that the conduct of these volunteers drew forth the tribute of public admiration; for they sacrificed their personal safety and comfort for the interests of the community because Jerusalem was at that time a place against which the enemies of the Jews were directing a thousand plots. Th…
Open source ↗And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem,.... Where it was proper they should, being the metropolis of the nation, both for the performance of their offices, and to protect and defend it, as well as to set an example to the people, and encourage them to dwell there also: the rest of the people also cast lots to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city; so called, because of the temple and the worship of God in it; and so it is called by Julian the emperor (g); and some (h) have thought that the Cadytis of Herodotus (i) is the same with Jerusalem, which had its name from "holy", and is now called by the Turks "cuds", that is, "holy" (k): now, though it was the chief city, and the place of public worship, yet the people were not forward of settling in it, partly because of the rage of the enemy, which this city was the butt of, and partly because it was more to their worldly advantage to dwell in the country, and where they could have better supplies; they consulted their own ease, safety, and profit; wherefore this method was taken to oblige some to dwell in it, by taking one out of ten by lot, that there might be a sufficient number to rebuild the houses of it, repopulate and defend it: and nine parts to dwell in other cities; to which they belonged, or where they pleased, any where in the land of Israel. (g) Ep. 25. p. 154. (h) Prideaux's Connection, par. 1. p. 56, 57. (i) Euterpe, sive, l. 2. c. 159. & Thalia, sive, l. 3. c. 5. (k) Sandys's Travels, l. 5. p. 121. Ed. 5.
Open source ↗Neh 11:1 and Neh 11:2 narrate the carrying out of Nehemiah's resolution, Neh 7:4, to make Jerusalem more populous, and follow Neh 7:5 as to matter, but the end of Neh 10 as to time. For while Nehemiah, after the completion of the wall, was occupied with the thought of bringing into the thinly populated capital a larger number of inhabitants, and had for this purpose convoked a public assembly, that a list of the whole Israelite population of the towns of Benjamin and Judah might be taken in hand, the seventh month of the year arrived, in which all the people assembled at Jerusalem to perform those acts of worship and solemnities (described Neh 8-10) in which this month abounded. Hence it was not till after the termination of these services that Nehemiah was able to carry out the measures he had resolved on. For there can be no doubt that Neh 11:1 and Neh 11:2 of the present chapter narrate the execution of these measures. The statement that one in ten of all the people was appointed by lot to dwell in Jerusalem, and the remaining nine in other cities, and that the people blessed the men who showed themselves willing to dwell at Jerusalem, can have no other meaning than, that the inhabitants of Jerusalem were increased in this proportion, and that this was consequently the measure which God had, according to Neh 7:5, put it into Nehemiah's heart to take. The statement taken by itself is indeed very brief, and its connection with Neh 7:5 not very evident. But the brevity and abruptness do not justify Bertheau's view, that these two verses are not the composition of Nehemiah himself, but only an extract from a larger context, in which this circumstance was fully explained. For Nehemiah's style not unfrequently exhibits a certain abruptness; comp. e.g., the commencements of…
Open source ↗Jerusalem is called here the holy city (Neh 11:1), because there the temple was, and that was the place God had chosen to put his name there; upon this account, one would think, the holy seed should all have chosen to dwell there and have striven for a habitation there; but, on the contrary, it seems they declined dwelling there, 1. Because a greater strictness of conversation was expected from the inhabitants of Jerusalem than from others, which they were not willing to come up to. Those who care not for being holy themselves are shy of dwelling in a holy city; they would not dwell in the New Jerusalem itself for that reason, but would wish to have a continuing city here upon earth. Or, 2. Because Jerusalem, of all places, was most hated by the heathen their neighbours, and against it their malicious designs were levelled, which made that the post of danger (as the post of honour usually is) and therefore they were not willing to expose themselves there. Fear of persecution and reproach, and of running themselves into trouble, keeps many out of the holy city, and makes them backward to appear for God and religion, not considering that, as Jerusalem is with a special malice threatened and insulted by its enemies, so it is with a special care protected by its God and made a quiet habitation, Isa 33:20; Psa 46:4, Psa 46:5. Or, 3. Because it was more for their worldly advantage to dwell in the country. Jerusalem was no trading city, and therefore there was no money to be got there by merchandise, as there was in the country by corn and cattle. Note, All seek their own, not the things that are Jesus Christ's, Phi 2:21. It is a general and just complaint that most people prefer their own wealth, credit, pleasure, ease, and safety, before the glory of God and the public good.…
Open source ↗11:1-36 The narrative returns to the issue of repopulating the secure city of Jerusalem (see 7:1-5). The list of names roughly parallels the list in 1 Chr 9:2-17. 11:1-2 Sacred lots were probably the Urim and Thummim (10:34; Josh 7:14, 16-18; 14:2).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine שְׁאָר (shᵉʼâr, H7605) — a remainder נָפַל (nâphal, H5307) — to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or… גּוֹרָל (gôwrâl, H1486) — properly, a pebble, i.e. a lot (small stones being used for that purpose); figuratively,… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) קֹדֶשׁ (qôdesh, H6944) — a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… תֵּשַׁע (têshaʻ, H8672) — nine or (ordinal) ninth יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) נָדַב (nâdab, H5068) — to impel; hence, to volunteer (as a soldier), to present spontaneously יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
Open source ↗רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… מְדִינָה (mᵉdîynâh, H4082) — properly, a judgeship, i.e. jurisdiction; by implication, a district (as ruled by a… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… אֲחֻזָּה (ʼăchuzzâh, H272) — something seized, i.e. a possession (especially of land) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… לֵוִיִּי (Lêvîyîy, H3881) — a Levite or descendant of Levi נָתִין (Nâthîyn, H5411) — the Nethinim, or Temple-servants (as given to that duty) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor
Open source ↗יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory עֲתָיָה (ʻĂthâyâh, H6265) — Athajah, an Israelite עֻזִּיָּה (ʻUzzîyâh, H5818) — Uzzijah, the name of five Israelites זְכַרְיָה (Zᵉkaryâh, H2148) — Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites אֲמַרְיָה (ʼĂmaryâh, H568) — Amarjah, the name of nine Israelites שְׁפַטְיָה (Shᵉphaṭyâh, H8203) — Shephatjah, the name of ten Israelites מַהֲלַלְאֵל (Mahălalʼêl, H4111) — Mahalalel, the name of an antediluvian patriarch and of an Israelite פֶּרֶץ (Perets, H6557) — Perets, the name of two Israelites
Open source ↗מַעֲשֵׂיָה (Maʻăsêyâh, H4641) — Maasejah, the name of sixteen Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בָּרוּךְ (Bârûwk, H1263) — Baruk, the name of three Israelites כׇּל־חֹזֶה (Kol-Chôzeh, H3626) — Col-Chozeh, an Israelite חֲזָיָה (Chăzâyâh, H2382) — Chazajah, an Israelite עֲדָיָה (ʻĂdâyâh, H5718) — Adajah, the name of eight Israelites יוֹיָרִיב (Yôwyârîyb, H3114) — Jojarib, the name of four Israelites זְכַרְיָה (Zᵉkaryâh, H2148) — Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites שִׁלֹנִי (Shilônîy, H8023) — Shiloni, an Israelite
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… פֶּרֶץ (Perets, H6557) — Perets, the name of two Israelites יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם (Yᵉrûwshâlaim, H3389) — Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שִׁשִּׁים (shishshîym, H8346) — sixty שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בִּנְיָמִין (Binyâmîyn, H1144) — Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory סַלּוּ (Çallûw, H5543) — Sallu or Sallai, the name of two Israelites מְשֻׁלָּם (Mᵉshullâm, H4918) — Meshullam, the name of seventeen Israelites יוֹעֵד (Yôwʻêd, H3133) — Joed, an Israelite פְּדָיָה (Pᵉdâyâh, H6305) — Pedajah, the name of six Israelites קוֹלָיָה (Qôwlâyâh, H6964) — Kolajah, the name of two Israelites מַעֲשֵׂיָה (Maʻăsêyâh, H4641) — Maasejah, the name of sixteen Israelites אִיתִיאֵל (ʼÎythîyʼêl, H384) — Ithiel, the name of an Israelite, also of a symbolical person יְשַׁעְיָה (Yᵉshaʻyâh, H3470) — Jeshajah, the name of seven Israelites
Open source ↗אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… גַּבַּי (Gabbay, H1373) — Gabbai, an Israelite סַלּוּ (Çallûw, H5543) — Sallu or Sallai, the name of two Israelites תֵּשַׁע (têshaʻ, H8672) — nine or (ordinal) ninth מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)…
Open source ↗יוֹאֵל (Yôwʼêl, H3100) — Joel, the name of twelve Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… זִכְרִי (Zikrîy, H2147) — Zicri, the name of twelve Israelites פָּקִיד (pâqîyd, H6496) — a superintendent (civil, military or religious) יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… סְנוּאָה (Çᵉnûwʼâh, H5574) — pointed; (used with the article as a proper name) Senuah, the name of two Israelites מִשְׁנֶה (mishneh, H4932) — properly, a repetition, i.e. a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount);… עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere…
Open source ↗כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… יְדַעְיָה (Yᵉdaʻyâh, H3048) — Jedajah, the name of two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יוֹיָרִיב (Yôwyârîyb, H3114) — Jojarib, the name of four Israelites יָכִין (Yâkîyn, H3199) — Jakin, the name of three Israelites and of a temple pillar
Open source ↗שְׂרָיָה (Sᵉrâyâh, H8304) — Serajah, the name of nine Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חִלְקִיָּה (Chilqîyâh, H2518) — Chilhijah, the name of eight Israelites מְשֻׁלָּם (Mᵉshullâm, H4918) — Meshullam, the name of seventeen Israelites צָדוֹק (Tsâdôwq, H6659) — Tsadok, the name of eight or nine Israelites מְרָיוֹת (Mᵉrâyôwth, H4812) — Merajoth, the name of two Israelites אֲחִיטוּב (ʼĂchîyṭûwb, H285) — Achitub, the name of several priests נָגִיד (nâgîyd, H5057) — a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מְלָאכָה (mᵉlâʼkâh, H4399) — properly, deputyship, i.e. ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold עֲדָיָה (ʻĂdâyâh, H5718) — Adajah, the name of eight Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יְרֹחָם (Yᵉrôchâm, H3395) — Jerocham, the name of seven or eight Israelites פְּלַלְיָה (Pᵉlalyâh, H6421) — Pelaljah, an Israelite אַמְצִי (ʼAmtsîy, H557) — Amtsi, an Israelite זְכַרְיָה (Zᵉkaryâh, H2148) — Zecarjah, the name of twenty-nine Israelites
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אַרְבָּעִים (ʼarbâʻîym, H705) — forty עֲמַשְׁסַי (ʻĂmashçay, H6023) — Amashsay, an Israelite בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עֲזַרְאֵל (ʻĂzarʼêl, H5832) — Azarel, the name of five Israelites אַחְזַי (ʼAchzay, H273) — Achzai, an Israelite מְשִׁלֵּמוֹת (Mᵉshillêmôwth, H4919) — Meshillemoth, an Israelite אִמֵּר (ʼImmêr, H564) — Immer, the name of five Israelites
Open source ↗אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… גִּבּוֹר (gibbôwr, H1368) — powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שְׁמֹנֶה (shᵉmôneh, H8083) — a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal)… פָּקִיד (pâqîyd, H6496) — a superintendent (civil, military or religious) זַבְדִּיאֵל (Zabdîyʼêl, H2068) — gift of God; zabdiel, the name of two Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Open source ↗Cross-references
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who indeed call yourselves after the holy city and lean on the God of Israel; the LORD of Hosts is His name.
Awake, awake, clothe yourself with strength, O Zion! Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, holy city! For the uncircumcised and unclean will no longer enter you.
We have cast lots among the priests, Levites, and people for the donation of wood by our families at the appointed times each year. They are to bring it to the house of our God to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the Law.
The Levites in the holy city totaled 284.
Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple.
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
For there the thrones of judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.
They cast lots for each gate, according to their families, young and old alike.
And they prayed, “Lord, You know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen
After Jesus’ resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many people.