Nehemiah 11

1 And the chiefs of the people dwelt in Jerusalem: and the rest of the people cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the cities.

2 And the people blessed all the men that volunteered to dwell in Jerusalem.

3 Now these the chiefs of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem, and in the cities of Juda; man dwelt in his possession in their cities: Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nathinim, and the children of the servants of Solomon.

4 And there dwelt in Jerusalem of the children of Juda, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Juda; Athaia son of Azia, the son of Zacharia, the son of Samaria, the son of Saphatia, the son of Maleleel, and of the sons of Phares;

5 and Maasia son of Baruch, son of Chalaza, son of Ozia, son of Adaia, son of Joarib, son of Zacharias, son of Seloni.

6 All the sons of Phares who dwelt in Jerusalem four hundred and sixty-eight men of might.

7 And these the children of Benjamin; Selo son of Mesulam, son of Joad, son of Phadaia, son of Coleia, son of Maasias, son of Ethiel, son of Jesia.

8 And after him Gebe, Seli, nine hundred and twenty-eight.

9 And Joel son of Zechri overseer over them: and Juda son of Asana was second in the city.

10 Of the priests: both Jadia son of Joarib, and Jachin.

11 Saraia, son of Elchia, son of Mesulam, son of Sadduc, son of Marioth, son of Aetoth, was over the house of God.

12 And their brethren doing the work of the house were eight hundred and twenty-two: and Adaia son of Jeroam, son of Phalalia, son of Amasi, son of Zacharia, son of Phassur, son of Melchia,

13 and his brethren, chiefs of families, two hundred and forty-two: and Amasia son of Esdriel, son of Mesarimith, son of Emmer,

14 and his brethren, mighty men of war, a hundred and twenty-eight: and overseer Badiel son of great men.

15 And of the Levites; Samaia, son of Esricam,

16

17 Matthanias son of Micha, and Jobeb son of Samui,

18 two hundred and eighty-four.

19 And the porters; Acub, Telamin, and their brethren, a hundred and seventy-two.

20

21

22 And the overseer of the Levites the son of Bani, son of Ozi, son of Asabia, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph the singers over the house of God,

23 For so was the king's commandment concerning them.

24 And Phathaia son of Baseza was in attendance on the king in every matter for the people,

25 and with regard to villages in their country district: and of the children of Juda dwelt in Cariatharboc,

26 and in Jesu,

27 and in Bersabee:

28

29

30 And their villages Lachis and her hands: and they pitched their tents in Bersabee.

31 And the children of Benjamin from Gabaa Machmas.

32

33

34

35

36 And of the Levites there were divisions to Juda to Benjamin.

Nehemiah 11 Commentary

Chapter 11

The distribution of the people.

- In all ages, men have preferred their own ease and advantage to the public good. Even the professors of religion too commonly seek their own, and not the things of Christ. Few have had such attachment to holy things and holy places, as to renounce pleasure for their sake. Yet surely, our souls should delight to dwell where holy persons and opportunities of spiritual improvement most abound. If we have not this love to the city of our God, and to every thing that assists our communion with the Saviour, how shall we be willing to depart hence; to be absent from the body, that we may be present with the Lord? To the carnal-minded, the perfect holiness of the New Jerusalem would be still harder to bear than the holiness of God's church on earth. Let us seek first the favour of God, and his glory; let us study to be patient, contented, and useful in our several stations, and wait, with cheerful hope, for admission into the holy city of God.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO NEHEMIAH 11

This chapter treats of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, those of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, who settled there by lot, or of their own accord, their names and numbers, Ne 11:1-9, and of the priests and Levites who dwelt there, Ne 11:10-19, and of the rest of the people, priests, and Levites, that dwelt in the other cities and villages of Judah and Benjamin, Ne 11:20-36.