Nehemiah 11 explained: Filling Jerusalem With People Again

Choosing who moves in (vv. 1-2)

The leaders already lived in the city, and the rest drew lots, a way of leaving the choice to God, so that one person in every ten would move there. Moving likely meant leaving family land for a poorer, more exposed city, which may be why volunteers were openly praised.

Families of Judah and Benjamin (vv. 3-9)

Jerusalem sat on the border of these two tribes' old lands, so their families made up the city's lay population, traced by family line to show they belonged. Perez was a son of Judah and an ancestor of King David, and the list ends with the officers who kept order in the city.

The priests (vv. 10-14)

Priests led the sacrifices and worship at the temple, so many of them lived close by. Seraiah's title probably means he was the chief officer managing the temple under the high priest.

Levites, singers and gatekeepers (vv. 15-19)

Levites were temple assistants, and two leaders oversaw the temple's outside work, which some think meant practical tasks like gathering supplies, though the text does not say. Mattaniah came from Asaph's family, a famous line of temple musicians, and led the songs of thanks in prayer.

Temple servants and royal oversight (vv. 20-24)

The temple servants, a group assigned to help with temple work, lived on Ophel, the hill beside the temple, and a Persian king's order covered the singers, though translations differ on whether it set their daily duties or their daily support. Pethahiah acted as the king's agent in matters concerning the people, but scholars are unsure exactly what that role involved.

Towns beyond the city (vv. 25-36)

The rest of the people of Judah lived in towns from Beersheba in the far south up to the valley just outside Jerusalem, with Benjamin's people to the north. Some towns probably lay outside the small Persian province of the time, so scholars debate whether the list shows where people actually lived or recalls the old tribal homelands.

Key verse: Nehemiah 11:1

Something to think about

When a community needs some people to give up something for the common good, what makes the way they are chosen feel fair or unfair to you?