Nehemiah 11:1-19·~2 min

Jerusalem’s New Settlers

The leaders live in Jerusalem, the people cast lots to bring more residents into the holy city, and volunteers are blessed. The section then introduces the households and groups who settle there, while others remain in their towns.

N¹ow the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in the holy city of Jerusalem, while the remaining nine were to dwell in their own towns. ²And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem. ³These are the heads of the provinces who settled in Jerusalem. (In the villages of Judah, however, each lived on his own property in their towns— the Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants, and descendants of Solomon’s servants— ⁴while some of the descendants of Judah and Benjamin settled in Jerusalem.)

The chapter names descendants of Judah and Benjamin who settle in Jerusalem and gives their numbers and officers. The city is presented as filled not only with families but with recognized strength and local oversight.

⁵Athaiah son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, a descendant of Perez; and Maaseiah son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, a descendant of Shelah. ⁶The descendants of Perez who settled in Jerusalem totaled 468 men of valor. ⁷From the descendants of Benjamin: ⁸Sallu 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; and his followers Gabbai and Sallai — 928 men. ⁹Joel son of Zichri was the officer over them, and Judah son of Hassenuah was over the Second District of the city.

The priests in Jerusalem are named with their family lines, duties, and totals. Their presence centers on the work of the house of God, with both temple service and household leadership clearly assigned.

¹⁰From the priests: ¹¹Jedaiah son of Joiarib; Jachin; Seraiah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the chief official of the house of God; ¹²and their associates who did the work at the temple — 822 men; ¹³Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah; and his associates, the leaders of families — 242 men; ¹⁴Amashai son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer; and his associates — 128 mighty men of valor. Zabdiel son of Haggedolim was their overseer.

The Levites are named with their various responsibilities, including work outside the house of God, thanksgiving, and prayer, and their total is given. The gatekeepers are then introduced as another necessary part of the city’s ordered life.

¹⁵From the Levites: ¹⁶Shemaiah son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni; Shabbethai and Jozabad, two leaders of the Levites, who supervised the work outside the house of God; ¹⁷Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. ¹⁸The Levites in the holy city totaled 284. ¹⁹And the gatekeepers:

Section summaryJerusalem is repopulated by leaders, chosen households, and willing residents, and the chapter names the families and officials who make life in the holy city possible. Judah, Benjamin, priests, Levites, and gatekeepers are all counted, so the city appears not merely inhabited but ordered for worship and civic life.

Role in the chapterThis opening section establishes Jerusalem as the restored center of the people’s common life. It shows that living in the city requires both shared sacrifice and carefully assigned service.