Nehemiah 11: The Sacrifice of Presence: Filling the City
Nehemiah 11 documents the strategic repopulation of Jerusalem through a combination of voluntary settlement and a lottery system that brought 1 in 10 families into the city. It articulates the honor bestowed upon those who chose to live within the walls, recognizing that urban living was a strategic and spiritual sacrifice.
v1-2: The Volunteers and the Tithe of the People
v3-24: The Registry of Leaders and Residents in Jerusalem
v25-36: The Distribution of the Remnant in the Villages
And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts to dwell in other cities.
Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.
And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;
And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.
And these are the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the 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 Jesaiah.
And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah.
And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God.
And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjatharba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof,
Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom.
And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.
See how Nehemiah solves the 'empty city' problem by calling for a 10% tithe of the population to move into the capital. Begin your study with nehemiah 11 summary.
The people 'blessed' the volunteers who chose to live in Jerusalem, indicating that being a city-dweller was considered a risky, front-line ministry at the time. The 'Word Secret' is *Nidab*, meaning 'to offer freely' or 'volunteered,' highlighting that God loves a willing heart more than a forced lot. Discover the riches with nehemiah 11 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
Unlock the hidden nehemiah 11 1 meaning and summary by exploring context, analyzing original greek and hebrew words, and studying cross references of each verse.
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