Table of Contents
The Practical Task of Building a Community
Nehemiah chapter 11 addresses a critical logistical problem that followed the rebuilding of the wall: the city of Jerusalem was secure, but it was largely empty. A fortified city without a sufficient population to defend it and sustain its life is merely an empty shell. This chapter details the organized plan to repopulate the capital. The process involved both a systematic draft by casting lots and the willing sacrifice of volunteers. The chapter is primarily composed of lists, recording the names of the leaders and family groups who took up residence in Jerusalem, the “holy city.” While these lists may seem like a simple census, they are a record of honor, naming the pioneers who left their established homes and lands to invest their lives in the future of the nation’s capital. The chapter highlights the themes of civic duty, personal sacrifice, and the strategic importance of a strong, centralized community for the restored nation.
A Call for Residents
(Nehemiah 11:1-2) The chapter begins by stating that the leaders of the people had already settled in Jerusalem. However, a larger population was needed. To solve this, a plan was enacted: the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to live in Jerusalem, while the other nine would remain in their own towns. Casting lots was a common method in ancient Israel for discerning God’s will in a situation where human decision was difficult. It ensured a fair and impartial selection.
Alongside this draft, there were also volunteers. The text makes a special point to mention that “the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.” This reveals the difficulty of the situation. Moving to Jerusalem was a significant sacrifice. It meant leaving behind ancestral lands, established homes, and familiar communities to move to a city that was still in the early stages of rebuilding. It was a dangerous and uncertain undertaking. The fact that the people publicly blessed the volunteers shows that their sacrifice was recognized and deeply appreciated. It was an act of patriotism and faith.
The New Inhabitants of Jerusalem
(Nehemiah 11:3-24) The bulk of the chapter is a detailed register of the new residents of Jerusalem. The list is organized to show the structure of the community. It begins with the “chiefs of the province” and then details the laypeople from the tribes of Judah and Benjamin who settled in the city. These two tribes were the primary constituents of the southern kingdom and the post-exilic community. The list provides the names of the leaders and the number of their kinsmen, giving a sense of the size of these family groups.
Following the laypeople, the list records the priests, who were “mighty men of valor,” a term indicating their capability and leadership. The Levites are listed next, with their specific duties mentioned, including the oversight of the “outward business of the house of God.” The singers, descendants of Asaph, were responsible for leading the thanksgiving and prayer in the temple. The gatekeepers, who guarded the entrances to the city and the temple, are also named. The list demonstrates that the newly populated city was being organized around the temple. It was not just a political or military capital, but a spiritual one. The presence of these dedicated religious personnel was essential for the restoration of the nation’s worship.
The Settlements in Judah and Benjamin
(Nehemiah 11:25-36) The chapter concludes with a list of the towns and villages outside of Jerusalem where the rest of the people of Judah and Benjamin lived. This section shows that the repopulation effort was part of a broader strategy of resettlement for the entire region. While Jerusalem was the vital center, the health of the nation also depended on the strength of the surrounding towns. The list of locations, stretching from Kiriath-arba (Hebron) in the south to the villages of Benjamin north of Jerusalem, provides a geographical map of the restored community. It shows that the people were re-inhabiting their ancestral lands, fulfilling God’s promise to bring them back from exile.
Verse by Verse
(Nehemiah 11:1-2) The leaders already live in Jerusalem. To increase the population, lots are cast to choose one in ten people from the country to move into the city. The people bless the men who volunteered for this difficult task.
(Nehemiah 11:3-6) The list of Jerusalem’s new residents begins. The first group detailed are the descendants of Judah who settled in the city.
(Nehemiah 11:7-9) The second group of laypeople, the descendants of Benjamin, are listed.
(Nehemiah 11:10-14) A list of the priests who lived in Jerusalem is provided, along with the numbers of their kinsmen.
(Nehemiah 11:15-18) The Levites who took up residence in the city are named. Their total number in the “holy city” is given as 284.
(Nehemiah 11:19-21) The gatekeepers and the temple servants (Nethinim) living in Jerusalem are mentioned.
(Nehemiah 11:22-24) The overseer of the Levites is named, and the role of the singers is highlighted. A representative of the people before the king is also mentioned, showing the organized civil structure.
(Nehemiah 11:25-30) A list of the towns in the territory of Judah that were resettled is given.
(Nehemiah 11:31-36) A list of the towns in the territory of Benjamin that were resettled is provided. Some Levites were assigned to live in both territories.
Cross References
Nehemiah 7:4: “The city was wide and large, but the people within it were few, and no houses had been rebuilt.” This verse states the problem that Nehemiah 11 provides the solution for. The repopulation plan was the necessary next step after the wall was built.
1 Chronicles 9:2-17: This chapter contains a parallel list of the inhabitants of Jerusalem after the return from exile. The existence of multiple, similar lists highlights the importance in the post-exilic period of establishing a clear record of the legitimate members of the covenant community.
Judges 20:9: In a time of national crisis, the tribes of Israel cast lots to choose one in ten men to go and fight. This is a biblical precedent for using lots to select people for a difficult and necessary national duty, similar to the method used by Nehemiah.
Isaiah 48:2: Jerusalem is referred to as “the holy city.” Nehemiah 11:1 and 11:18 also use this title. The repopulation of Jerusalem was not just a political act but a spiritual one, aimed at restoring the city that God had set apart for His name to dwell.
Hebrews 11:9-10: Abraham lived in the promised land as a sojourner, “looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.” The people who volunteered to move to Jerusalem showed a similar faith. They left their present comfort for the sake of a future hope, investing in the city that was central to God’s redemptive plan.