Nehemiah 11: Filling the Holy City
By lot and by willing offer, families leave their towns to repopulate Jerusalem, and the leaders and people settle into the restored land.
Nehemiah 11 (WEB)
1 The princes of the people lived in Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.
2 The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
3 Now these are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem; but in the cities of Judah everyone lived in his possession in their cities: Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon’s servants.
4 In Jerusalem lived 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 Mahalalel, of the children of Perez;
5 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 the Shilonite.
6 All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were four hundred sixty-eight valiant men.
7 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 Jeshaiah.
8 After him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty-eight.
9 Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city.
10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin,
11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of God’s house,
12 and their brothers who did the work of the house, eight hundred twenty-two; and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malchijah,
13 and his brothers, chiefs of fathers’ households, two hundred forty-two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
14 and their brothers, mighty men of valor, one hundred twenty-eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.
15 Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of God’s house;
17 and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah, the second among his brothers; and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
18 All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred eighty-four.
19 Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were one hundred seventy-two.
20 The residue of Israel, of the priests, the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance.
21 But the Nethinim lived in Ophel: and Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim.
22 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 Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the business of God’s house.
23 For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.
24 Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.
25 As for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah lived in Kiriath Arba and its towns, and in Dibon and its towns, and in Jekabzeel and its villages,
26 and in Jeshua, and in Moladah, and Beth Pelet,
27 and in Hazar Shual, and in Beersheba and its towns,
28 and in Ziklag, and in Meconah and in its towns,
29 and in En Rimmon, and in Zorah, and in Jarmuth,
30 Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and its fields, Azekah and its towns. So they encamped from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom.
31 The children of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, and at Bethel and its towns,
32 at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.
36 Of the Levites, certain divisions in Judah settled in Benjamin’s territory.
Nehemiah 11 (KJV)
1 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.
2 And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
3 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.
4 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;
5 And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col–hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.
6 All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.
7 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.
8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.
9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.
10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.
11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, was the ruler of the house of God.
12 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,
13 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,
14 And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of one of the great men.
15 Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
16 And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.
17 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.
18 All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.
19 Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.
20 And the residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.
21 But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims.
22 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.
23 For it was the king’s commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.
24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.
25 And for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath–arba, and in the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and in the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and in the villages thereof,
26 And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth–phelet,
27 And at Hazar–shual, and at Beer–sheba, and in the villages thereof,
28 And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,
29 And at En–rimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,
30 Zanoah, Adullam, and in their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and in the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beer–sheba unto the valley of Hinnom.
31 The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Beth–el, and in their villages,
32 And at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.
36 And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.
Nehemiah 11 (ASV)
1 And the princes of the people dwelt in Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in theothercities.
2 And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
3 Now these are the chiefs 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 Nethinim, and the children of Solomon’s servants.
4 And in 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 Mahalalel, of the children of Perez;
5 and Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite.
6 All the sons of Perez that dwelt in Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.
7 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 Jeshaiah.
8 And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.
9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city.
10 Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin,
11 Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, the ruler of the house of God,
12 and their brethren that did the work of the house, 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 Pashhur, the son of Malchijah,
13 and his brethren, chiefs of fathers’houses, two hundred forty and two; and Amashsai the son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
14 and their brethren, mighty men of valor, a hundred twenty and eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.
15 And of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
16 and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God;
17 and Mattaniah the son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, who was the chief 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.
18 All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.
19 Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren, that kept watch at the gates, were a hundred seventy and two.
20 And the residue of Israel, of the priests, the Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.
21 But the Nethinim dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gishpa were over the Nethinim.
22 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 Mica, of the sons of Asaph, the singers, over the business of the house of God.
23 For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.
24 And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, was at the king’s hand in all matters concerning the people.
25 And as for the villages, with their fields, some of the children of Judah dwelt in Kiriath-arba and the towns thereof, and in Dibon and the towns thereof, and in Jekabzeel and the villages thereof,
26 and in Jeshua, and in Moladah, and Beth-pelet,
27 and in Hazar-shual, and in Beer-sheba and the towns thereof,
28 and in Ziklag, and in Meconah and in the towns thereof,
29 and in En-rimmon, and in Zorah, and in Jarmuth,
30 Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and the fields thereof, Azekah and the towns thereof. So they encamped from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom.
31 The children of Benjamin also dwelt from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and the towns thereof,
32 at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
33 Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
34 Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
35 Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.
36 And of the Levites, certain courses in Judah were joined to Benjamin.
Summary
A rebuilt wall enclosed a city that was still largely empty, so the people address the need to repopulate Jerusalem. The leaders already live there, and lots are cast so that one in ten of the rest will move into the holy city, while the others remain in their towns. The people bless those who willingly volunteer to dwell in Jerusalem, honoring the sacrifice involved in leaving home and livelihood to strengthen the city. The chapter then records who settled there: descendants of Judah and Benjamin, valiant men, along with the priests who did the work of the temple, the Levites, the gatekeepers who kept watch, and the temple servants in Ophel. It names overseers and leaders responsible for the city's worship and business, including the one who led the thanksgiving in prayer. The remainder of the chapter lists the towns and villages of Judah and Benjamin where the rest of the people settled, from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom and beyond. Beneath the names lies a quiet act of devotion: ordinary families sacrificing comfort to make the holy city secure and its worship vibrant, and a restored people taking root again in the land God had given their fathers.
Key Figures
- The volunteers in Jerusalem — Families who, by lot and by willing offer, leave their towns to live in the holy city, blessed by the people for their sacrifice.
- The priests and Levites — Those who serve the temple, lead worship and thanksgiving, and oversee the business of God's house in the city.
- The gatekeepers and overseers — The men appointed to keep watch at the gates and to supervise the city's worship and affairs.
- The people of Judah and Benjamin — The wider community who settle in their inherited towns and villages throughout the land.
Key Verse
Nehemiah 11:2 (WEB)
The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
Lessons Learned
- A secure structure still needs people willing to fill and sustain it.
- Serving God's purposes sometimes requires leaving comfort for the sake of the community.
- Willing, sacrificial service deserves recognition and blessing from God's people.
- God roots his restored people securely in the place and calling he has given them.
- Buildings need willing people. Lots are cast “to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city” (Nehemiah 11:1, WEB). A restored city is only as strong as the people who inhabit it.
- Honor willing sacrifice. “The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem” (Nehemiah 11:2, WEB). Glad, costly service should be recognized and affirmed.
- Worship needs dedicated servants. Priests, Levites, singers, and gatekeepers settle to maintain God's house (Nehemiah 11:10-19, WEB). Ongoing worship depends on people committed to serve it.
- God settles his people in place. The towns of Judah and Benjamin are filled again (Nehemiah 11:25-36, WEB). The Lord roots his redeemed people securely in the land he promised.
- Why does Jerusalem need to be deliberately repopulated even after the wall is rebuilt?
- What is significant about combining the casting of lots with people willingly volunteering?
- Why does the community bless those who agree to live in Jerusalem?
- What kinds of people and roles are needed to make the holy city function?
- Where might God be calling you to a less comfortable but more strategic place of service for his people?
- The wall secured a city that was still mostly empty, with few houses rebuilt (7:4). A fortified but unpopulated Jerusalem could not function as the center of worship and life. Repopulating it ensured the holy city would be defended, governed, and filled with worship, not merely walled off.
- The lots acknowledge God's sovereign direction, while the willing volunteers show glad, personal commitment (11:1-2). Together they hold divine providence and human willingness side by side: the people submit to God's leading and offer themselves freely, neither merely conscripted nor acting apart from God.
- Moving into Jerusalem meant leaving established homes and fields to take on the risks and burdens of the central city. The community honors this sacrifice with a blessing (11:2), recognizing that those who give up comfort for the good of God's people are worthy of gratitude and affirmation.
- The city requires not only valiant men of Judah and Benjamin but priests for temple work, Levites, singers to lead thanksgiving, gatekeepers to guard, and overseers for its business (11:4-19). A flourishing community of worship depends on many roles, each filled by people committed to serve faithfully.
- This is a personal-application question. Invite members to consider whether God may be calling them toward a harder or less convenient form of service that strengthens the wider body. As leader, keep the emphasis on willing, joyful offering rather than guilt, honoring whatever members already give.