These 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—
The chapter introduces the provincial heads who settle in Jerusalem and distinguishes them from the wider population living on inherited land in other towns.
This verse opens the formal list and locates Jerusalem within the broader restored community.
1Now 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.) 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. 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. 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: