Worthy.Bible » STRONG » Nehemiah » Chapter 11 » Verse 1-36

Nehemiah 11:1-36 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

1 And the rulers H8269 of the people H5971 dwelt H3427 at Jerusalem: H3389 the rest H7605 of the people H5971 also cast H5307 lots, H1486 to bring H935 one H259 of ten H6235 to dwell H3427 in Jerusalem H3389 the holy H6944 city, H5892 and nine H8672 parts H3027 to dwell in other cities. H5892

2 And the people H5971 blessed H1288 all the men, H582 that willingly offered H5068 themselves to dwell H3427 at Jerusalem. H3389

3 Now these are the chief H7218 of the province H4082 that dwelt H3427 in Jerusalem: H3389 but in the cities H5892 of Judah H3063 dwelt H3427 every one H376 in his possession H272 in their cities, H5892 to wit, Israel, H3478 the priests, H3548 and the Levites, H3881 and the Nethinims, H5411 and the children H1121 of Solomon's H8010 servants. H5650

4 And at Jerusalem H3389 dwelt H3427 certain of the children H1121 of Judah, H3063 and of the children H1121 of Benjamin. H1144 Of the children H1121 of Judah; H3063 Athaiah H6265 the son H1121 of Uzziah, H5818 the son H1121 of Zechariah, H2148 the son H1121 of Amariah, H568 the son H1121 of Shephatiah, H8203 the son H1121 of Mahalaleel, H4111 of the children H1121 of Perez; H6557

5 And Maaseiah H4641 the son H1121 of Baruch, H1263 the son H1121 of Colhozeh, H3626 the son H1121 of Hazaiah, H2382 the son H1121 of Adaiah, H5718 the son H1121 of Joiarib, H3114 the son H1121 of Zechariah, H2148 the son H1121 of Shiloni. H8023

6 All the sons H1121 of Perez H6557 that dwelt H3427 at Jerusalem H3389 were four H702 hundred H3967 threescore H8346 and eight H8083 valiant H2428 men. H582

7 And these are the sons H1121 of Benjamin; H1144 Sallu H5543 the son H1121 of Meshullam, H4918 the son H1121 of Joed, H3133 the son H1121 of Pedaiah, H6305 the son H1121 of Kolaiah, H6964 the son H1121 of Maaseiah, H4641 the son H1121 of Ithiel, H384 the son H1121 of Jesaiah. H3470

8 And after H310 him Gabbai, H1373 Sallai, H5543 nine H8672 hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and eight. H8083

9 And Joel H3100 the son H1121 of Zichri H2147 was their overseer: H6496 and Judah H3063 the son H1121 of Senuah H5574 was second H4932 over the city. H5892

10 Of the priests: H3548 Jedaiah H3048 the son H1121 of Joiarib, H3114 Jachin. H3199

11 Seraiah H8304 the son H1121 of Hilkiah, H2518 the son H1121 of Meshullam, H4918 the son H1121 of Zadok, H6659 the son H1121 of Meraioth, H4812 the son H1121 of Ahitub, H285 was the ruler H5057 of the house H1004 of God. H430

12 And their brethren H251 that did H6213 the work H4399 of the house H1004 were eight H8083 hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and two: H8147 and Adaiah H5718 the son H1121 of Jeroham, H3395 the son H1121 of Pelaliah, H6421 the son H1121 of Amzi, H557 the son H1121 of Zechariah, H2148 the son H1121 of Pashur, H6583 the son H1121 of Malchiah, H4441

13 And his brethren, H251 chief H7218 of the fathers, H1 two H8147 hundred H3967 forty H705 and two: H8147 and Amashai H6023 the son H1121 of Azareel, H5832 the son H1121 of Ahasai, H273 the son H1121 of Meshillemoth, H4919 the son H1121 of Immer, H564

14 And their brethren, H251 mighty men H1368 of valour, H2428 an hundred H3967 twenty H6242 and eight: H8083 and their overseer H6496 was Zabdiel, H2068 the son H1121 of one of the great men. H1419

15 Also of the Levites: H3881 Shemaiah H8098 the son H1121 of Hashub, H2815 the son H1121 of Azrikam, H5840 the son H1121 of Hashabiah, H2811 the son H1121 of Bunni; H1138

16 And Shabbethai H7678 and Jozabad, H3107 of the chief H7218 of the Levites, H3881 had the oversight of the outward H2435 business H4399 of the house H1004 of God. H430

17 And Mattaniah H4983 the son H1121 of Micha, H4316 the son H1121 of Zabdi, H2067 the son H1121 of Asaph, H623 was the principal H7218 to begin H8462 the thanksgiving H3034 in prayer: H8605 and Bakbukiah H1229 the second H4932 among his brethren, H251 and Abda H5653 the son H1121 of Shammua, H8051 the son H1121 of Galal, H1559 the son H1121 of Jeduthun. H3038

18 All the Levites H3881 in the holy H6944 city H5892 were two hundred H3967 fourscore H8084 and four. H702

19 Moreover the porters, H7778 Akkub, H6126 Talmon, H2929 and their brethren H251 that kept H8104 the gates, H8179 were an hundred H3967 seventy H7657 and two. H8147

20 And the residue H7605 of Israel, H3478 of the priests, H3548 and the Levites, H3881 were in all the cities H5892 of Judah, H3063 every one H376 in his inheritance. H5159

21 But the Nethinims H5411 dwelt H3427 in Ophel: H6077 and Ziha H6727 and Gispa H1658 were over the Nethinims. H5411

22 The overseer H6496 also of the Levites H3881 at Jerusalem H3389 was Uzzi H5813 the son H1121 of Bani, H1137 the son H1121 of Hashabiah, H2811 the son H1121 of Mattaniah, H4983 the son H1121 of Micha. H4316 Of the sons H1121 of Asaph, H623 the singers H7891 were over H5048 the business H4399 of the house H1004 of God. H430

23 For it was the king's H4428 commandment H4687 concerning them, that a certain portion H548 should be for the singers, H7891 due H1697 for every day. H3117

24 And Pethahiah H6611 the son H1121 of Meshezabeel, H4898 of the children H1121 of Zerah H2226 the son H1121 of Judah, H3063 was at the king's H4428 hand H3027 in all matters H1697 concerning the people. H5971

25 And for the villages, H2691 with their fields, H7704 some of the children H1121 of Judah H3063 dwelt H3427 at Kirjatharba, H7153 and in the villages H2691 thereof, and at Dibon, H1769 and in the villages H1323 thereof, and at Jekabzeel, H3343 and in the villages H1323 thereof,

26 And at Jeshua, H3442 and at Moladah, H4137 and at Bethphelet, H1046

27 And at Hazarshual, H2705 and at Beersheba, H884 and in the villages H1323 thereof,

28 And at Ziklag, H6860 and at Mekonah, H4368 and in the villages H1323 thereof,

29 And at Enrimmon, H5884 and at Zareah, H6881 and at Jarmuth, H3412

30 Zanoah, H2182 Adullam, H5725 and in their villages, H2691 at Lachish, H3923 and the fields H7704 thereof, at Azekah, H5825 and in the villages H1323 thereof. And they dwelt H2583 from Beersheba H884 unto the valley H1516 of Hinnom. H2011

31 The children H1121 also of Benjamin H1144 from Geba H1387 dwelt at Michmash, H4363 and Aija, H5857 and Bethel, H1008 and in their villages, H1323

32 And at Anathoth, H6068 Nob, H5011 Ananiah, H6055

33 Hazor, H2674 Ramah, H7414 Gittaim, H1664

34 Hadid, H2307 Zeboim, H6650 Neballat, H5041

35 Lod, H3850 and Ono, H207 the valley H1516 of craftsmen. H2791 H2798

36 And of the Levites H3881 were divisions H4256 in Judah, H3063 and in Benjamin. H1144

Commentary on Nehemiah 11 John Gill's Exposition of the Bible


Introduction

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, Nehemiah 11:1, and of the priests and Levites who dwelt there, Nehemiah 11:10, and of the rest of the people, priests, and Levites, that dwelt in the other cities and villages of Judah and Benjamin, Nehemiah 11:20.


Verse 1

And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem,.... Where it was proper they should, being the metropolis of the nation, both for the performance of their offices, and to protect and defend it, as well as to set an example to the people, and encourage them to dwell there also:

the rest of the people also cast lots to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city; so called, because of the temple and the worship of God in it; and so it is called by Julian the emperorF7Ep. 25. p. 154. ; and someF8Prideaux's Connection, par. 1. p. 56,57. have thought that the Cadytis of HerodotusF9Euterpe, sive, l. 2. c. 159. & Thalia, sive, l. 3. c. 5. is the same with Jerusalem, which had its name from קדשה, "holy", and is now called by the Turks "cuds", that is, "holy"F11Sandys's Travels, l. 5. p. 121. Ed. 5. : now, though it was the chief city, and the place of public worship, yet the people were not forward of settling in it, partly because of the rage of the enemy, which this city was the butt of, and partly because it was more to their worldly advantage to dwell in the country, and where they could have better supplies; they consulted their own ease, safety, and profit; wherefore this method was taken to oblige some to dwell in it, by taking one out of ten by lot, that there might be a sufficient number to rebuild the houses of it, repopulate and defend it:

and nine parts to dwell in other cities; to which they belonged, or where they pleased, any where in the land of Israel.


Verse 2

And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. Who were not taken by lot, but of their own accord settled at Jerusalem; they praised them for it, and wished them all happiness and prosperity, since they denied themselves of ease and profit for the sake of the public good; and it is this which makes the difference between the list of the inhabitants of Jerusalem in 1 Chronicles 9:2 &c. and this here, that takes in all that settled there, whether voluntarily or by lot; this only such as were fixed by the lot, and of them only those who were of greatest note and esteem, as Jarchi observes, and so it follows.


Verse 3

Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem,.... That is, of Judea, reduced to a province by the king of Babylon, and now a province of the Persian monarchy:

but in the cities of Judah dwelt everyone in his possession in their cities; in which they or their ancestors had formerly dwelt: to wit, Israel: the people in general of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and such of the other tribes that returned with them:

the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants; of whom see Ezra 2:55.


Verse 4

And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin,.... It belonging partly to one tribe and partly to the other, and so inhabited by both, as it originally was, Joshua 15:63

of the children of Judah; Athaiah; called Uthai, 1 Chronicles 9:4 whose lineage is traced through Uzziah, Zechariah, Amariah, Shephatiah, Mahalaleel:

of the children of Perez; a son of Judah, see 1 Chronicles 9:4.


Verse 5

And Maaseiah,.... Who seems to be the same with Asaiah, 1 Chronicles 9:5 and whose genealogy is carried up through Baruch, Colhozeh, Hazaiah, Adaiah, Joiarib, Zechariah, to Shiloni; perhaps the same with Shelah, another son of Judah, see 1 Chronicles 9:5.


Verse 6

All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men. And so well qualified to defend the city against its enemies.


Verse 7

And these are the sons of Benjamin,.... That were of that tribe, and inhabited Jerusalem, namely, that follow:

Sallu the son of Meshullam; who from him is traced up through Joed, Pedaiah, Kolaiah, Maaseiah, Ithiel, to Jesaiah.


Verse 8

And after him,.... That is, Sallu: were Gabbai and Sallai; in all nine hundred and twenty eight; there were more of the tribe of Benjamin than of the tribe of Judah, they having perhaps a greater share in the city, or were better disposed to dwell in it.


Verse 9

And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer,.... Or chief governor of the city:

and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city; or the deputy governor of it; so Pitholaus is called an under governor in Jerusalem by JosephusF12Antiqu. l. 14. c. 6. sect. 1. .


Verse 10

Who dwelt in Jerusalem, of whom the same account is given in these two verses as in 1 Chronicles 9:10, only Seraiah here is called Azariah there.


Verse 11

And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two,.... That offered the sacrifices, burnt incense, set on the shewbread, lighted the lamps, &c.

and Adaiah the son of Jeroham; see 1 Chronicles 9:12 whose genealogy is traced here through Pelaliah, Amzi, Zechariah, Pashur, to Malchiah.


Verse 12

And their brethren that did the work of the house were eight hundred twenty and two,.... That offered the sacrifices, burnt incense, set on the shewbread, lighted the lamps, &c.

and Adaiah the son of Jeroham; see 1 Chronicles 9:12 whose genealogy is traced here through Pelaliah, Amzi, Zechariah, Pashur, to Malchiah.


Verse 13

And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two,.... That is, the brethren or relations of Adaiah:

and Amashai; called Maasiai, 1 Chronicles 9:12, whose lineage is traced here through Azareel, Ahasai, Meshillemoth, to Immer.


Verse 14

And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight,.... The brethren of Adaiah and Amashai, who were able men to do the work of their office as priests, and men of courage to fight the enemy, and defend the city upon occasion:

and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men; or the son of Hagedolim, or Gedolim, as some, who take it to be the proper name of a man.


Verse 15

Also of the Levites,.... Who dwelt in Jerusalem:

Shemaiah the son of Hashub: traced from him through Azrikam and Hashabiah to Bunni; these were of the sons of Merari, the third son of Levi, see 1 Chronicles 9:14.


Verse 16

And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites,.... Along with Shemaiah; these had

the oversight of the outward business of the house of God: who had the care of the repairs of the temple, and of getting in the wood for the altar, as Jarchi, and collecting the third part of the shekel, to purchase things with for the use of the temple.


Verse 17

And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph,.... Zabdi is called Zichri in 1 Chronicles 9:15

was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: he was the precentor, or led the song at the time of the daily sacrifice, in which prayer was also made, as in many of the songs, hymns, and psalms of David:

and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren; he was the next singer, or deputy to Mattaniah; perhaps the same that is called Bakbakkar, 1 Chronicles 9:15

and Abda the son of Shammua; called Obadiah the son of Shemaiah, 1 Chronicles 9:16

the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun: one of the three principal singers.


Verse 18

All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four. Who had their residence there, Nehemiah 11:1.


Verse 19

Moreover, the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were one hundred and seventy two. Of whom see 1 Chronicles 9:17.


Verse 20

And the residue of Israel, of the priests and the Levites,..... All of them, besides those that dwelt at Jerusalem: were

in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance; the Israelites in the cities, houses, and estates enjoyed by their ancestors, and the priests and Levites in the cities given out of the several tribes.


Verse 21

But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel,.... An high place or tower on the wall of Jerusalem, see 2 Chronicles 27:3,

and Ziha, and Gispa, were over the Nethinims; had the oversight of them, and took care that they did their work; they were such themselves, but the principal of them, see Ezra 2:43.


Verse 22

The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem was Uzzi, the son of Bani,.... He was the supervisor of them, that looked after them that they did their work in ministering to the priests, as they had occasion for them; this man's genealogy is further traced through Hashabiah and Mattaniah, to Micha the son of Asaph, Nehemiah 11:17,

of the sons of Asaph, the singers were over the business of the house of God; which, according to Jarchi, was to take care of the repairs of the temple and other things; but one would think rather that part of the service of the house which lay in singing the songs of it is respected.


Verse 23

For it was the king's commandment concerning them,.... Either of King David as some, see Nehemiah 12:24 or rather of the king of Persia:

that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day; he settled a daily salary for them, to be paid out of his treasury; having perhaps a peculiar respect for such sort of men, being a lover of music, by means of which they had a settled habitation in Jerusalem.


Verse 24

And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah, the son of Judah,.... The twin brother of Pharez, Genesis 38:30 was

at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people; to speak for them to the king, as Jarchi; when they had a favour to ask of him, a petition to present to him, he delivered it for them, and by him the king returned the answer.


Verses 25-30

And for the villages, with their fields,.... The cities and villages in the country, an account of the inhabitants of them next follows:

some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjatharba, and in the villages thereof; the same with Hebron, Joshua 15:54

and at Dibon; the same with Dimonah, Joshua 15:22

and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof; the same with Kabzeel, one of the uttermost cities of the tribe of Judah southward, Joshua 15:21, of which city was Benaiah, one of David's worthies, 2 Samuel 23:20, from hence to the end of Nehemiah 11:30 mention is made of various cities and towns, in the tribe of Judah, inhabited by the men of it, which are to be met with in Joshua 15:1 excepting Jeshua and Mekonah, Nehemiah 11:26, of which we nowhere else read.


Verses 31-35

The children also of Benjamin, from Geba, dwelt at Michmash,.... Geba was a city on the southern border of Benjamin, Joshua 18:24 and Michmash on the northern, of which see 1 Samuel 13:2 in this and the four following verses are the names of several cities in the tribe of Benjamin, inhabited by the men of that tribe, as Alia, the same with Ai, that lay on the east of Bethel, here also mentioned, see Joshua 7:2 Anathoth, the birth place of Jeremiah the prophet, Jeremiah 1:1. Nob, a city of the priests, 1 Samuel 21:1. Ananiah is nowhere else mentioned; Hazor is to be distinguished from another of this name in the tribe of Naphtali, Joshua 19:36. Ramah, a place well known in Benjamin, Joshua 18:25. Gittaim, of which see 2 Samuel 4:3. Hadid, the same with Adida, which lay in a plain,"Simon also set up Adida in Sephela, and made it strong with gates and bars.' (1 Maccabees 12:38)Zeboim, a valley of this name, is read in 1 Samuel 13:18. Neballat we read of nowhere else; of Lod and Ono, see 1 Chronicles 8:12 and the valley of craftsmen, or Chorasin, 1 Chronicles 4:14.


Verse 36

And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin. They were scattered about, some here and some there, in both these tribes, for the better instruction of the people.