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Nehemiah 11:3-36 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Nehemiah 11

Commentary on Nehemiah 11 Matthew Henry Commentary


Chapter 11

Jerusalem was walled round, but it was not as yet fully inhabited, and therefore was weak and despicable. Nehemiah's next care is to bring people into it; of that we have here an account.

  • I. The methods taken to replenish it (v. 1, 2).
  • II. The principal persons that resided there, of Judah and Benjamin (v. 3-9), of the priests and Levites (v. 10-19).
  • III. The several cities and villages of Judah and Benjamin that were peopled by the rest of their families (v. 20-36).

Neh 11:1-19

Jerusalem is called here the holy city (v. 1), because there the temple was, and that was the place God had chosen to put his name there; upon this account, one would think, the holy seed should all have chosen to dwell there and have striven for a habitation there; but, on the contrary, it seems they declined dwelling there,

  • 1. Because a greater strictness of conversation was expected from the inhabitants of Jerusalem than from others, which they were not willing to come up to. Those who care not for being holy themselves are shy of dwelling in a holy city; they would not dwell in the New Jerusalem itself for that reason, but would wish to have a continuing city here upon earth. Or,
  • 2. Because Jerusalem, of all places, was most hated by the heathen their neighbours, and against it their malicious designs were levelled, which made that the post of danger (as the post of honour usually is) and therefore they were not willing to expose themselves there. Fear of persecution and reproach, and of running themselves into trouble, keeps many out of the holy city, and makes them backward to appear for God and religion, not considering that, as Jerusalem is with a special malice threatened and insulted by its enemies, so it is with a special care protected by its God and made a quiet habitation, Isa. 33:20; Ps. 46:4, 5. Or,
  • 3. Because it was more for their worldly advantage to dwell in the country. Jerusalem was no trading city, and therefore there was no money to be got there by merchandise, as there was in the country by corn and cattle. Note, All seek their own, not the things that are Jesus Christ's, Phil. 2:21. It is a general and just complaint that most people prefer their own wealth, credit, pleasure, ease, and safety, before the glory of God and the public good. People being thus backward to dwell at Jerusalem, now that it was poor, we are here told,
    • I. By what means it was replenished.
      • 1. The rulers dwelt there, v. 1. That was the proper place for them to reside in, because there were set the thrones of judgment (Ps. 122:5), and thither, in all difficult matters, the people resorted with their last appeals. And if it were an instance of eminent affection to the house of God, zeal for the public good, and of faith, and holy courage, and self-denial, to dwell there at this time, the rulers would be examples of these to their inferiors. Their dwelling there would invite and encourage others to dwell there too. Magnates magnetes-the mighty are magnetic. When great men choose the holy city for their habitation their example brings holiness into reputation, and their zeal will provoke very many.
      • 2. There were some that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem, nobly foregoing their own secular interest for the public welfare, v. 2. It is upon record, to their honour, that when others were shy of venturing upon difficulty, loss, and danger, they sought the good of Jerusalem, because of the house of the Lord their God. Those shall prosper that thus love Zion, Ps. 122:6, 9. It is said, The people blessed them. They praised them; they prayed for them; they praised God for them. Many that do not appear forward themselves for the public good will yet give a good word to those that do. God and man will bless those that are public blessings, which should encourage us to be zealous in doing good.
      • 3. They, finding that yet there was room, concluded upon a review of their whole body to bring one in ten to dwell in Jerusalem; who they should be was determined by lot, the disposal whereof, all knew, was of the Lord. This would prevent strife, and would be a great satisfaction to those on whom the lot fell to dwell at Jerusalem, that they plainly saw God appointing the bounds of their habitation. They observed the proportion of one in ten, as we may suppose, to bring the balance between the city and country to a just and equal poise; so it seems to refer to the ancient rule of giving the tenth to God; and what is given to the holy city he reckons given to himself.
    • II. By what persons it was replenished. A general account is here given of the inhabitants of Jerusalem because the governors of Judah looked upon them as their strength in the Lord of hosts their God, and valued them accordingly, Zec. 12:5.
      • 1. Many of the children of Judah and Benjamin dwelt there; for, originally, part of the city law in the lot of one of those tribes and part in that of the other; but the greater part was in the lot of Benjamin, and therefore here we find of the children of Judah only 468 families in Jerusalem (v. 6), but of Benjamin 928, v. 7, 8. Thus small were its beginnings, but afterwards, before our Saviour's time, it grew much more populous. Those of Judah all descended from Perez, or Pharez, that son of Judah of whom, as concerning the flesh, Christ came. And, though the Benjamites were more in number, yet of the men of Judah it is said (v. 6) that they were valiant men, fit for service, and able to defend the city in case of an attack. Judah has not lost its ancient character of a lion's whelp, bold and daring. Of the Benjamites that dwelt in Jerusalem we are here told who was overseer, and who was second, v. 9. For it is as necessary for a people to have good order kept up among themselves as to be fortified against the attacks of their enemies from abroad, to have good magistrates as to have good soldiers.
      • 2. The priests and Levites did many of them settle at Jerusalem; where else should men that were holy to God dwell, but in the holy city?
        • (1.) Most of the priests, we may suppose, dwelt there, for their business lay where the temple was. Of those that did the work of the house in their courses here were 822 of one family, 242 of another, and 128 of another, v. 12-14. It was well that those labourers were not few. It is said of some of them that they were mighty men of valour (v. 14); it was necessary that they should be so, for the priesthood was not only a work, which required might, but a warfare, which required valour, especially now. Of one of these priests it is said that he was the son of one of the great men. It was no disparagement to the greatest man they had to have his son in the priesthood; he might magnify his office, for his office did not in the least diminish him.
        • (2.) Some of the Levites also came and dwelt at Jerusalem, yet but few in comparison, 284 in all (v. 18), with 172 porters (v. 19), for much of their work was to teach the good knowledge of God up and down the country, for which purpose they were to be scattered in Israel. As many as there was occasion for attended at Jerusalem; the rest were doing good elsewhere.
          • [1.] It is said of one of the Levites that he had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God, v. 16. The priests were chief managers of the business within the temple gates; but this Levite was entrusted with the secular concerns of God's house, that were in ordine ad spiritualia-subservient to its spiritual concerns, the collecting of the contributions, the providing of materials for the temple service, and the like, which it was necessary to oversee, else the inward business would have been starved and have stood still. Those who take care of the ta exoµthe outward concerns of the church, the serving of its tables, are as necessary in their place as those who take care of its ta esoµits inward concerns, who give themselves to the word and prayer.
          • [2.] It is said of another that he was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer. Probably he had a good ear and a good voice, and was a scientific singer, and therefore was chosen to lead the psalm. He was precentor in the temple. Observe, Thanksgiving is necessary in prayer; they should go together; giving thanks for former mercies is a becoming way of begging further mercies. And care should be taken in public service that every thing be done in the best manner, decently and in good order- in prayer, that one speak and the rest join-in singing, that one begin and the rest follow.

Neh 11:20-36

Having given an account of the principal persons that dwelt in Jerusalem (a larger account of whom he had before, 1 Chr. 9:2, etc.), Nehemiah, in these verses, gives us some account of the other cities, in which dwelt the residue of Israel, v. 20. It was requisite that Jerusalem should be replenished, yet not so as to drain the country. The king himself is served of the field, which will do little service if there be not hands to manage it. Let there therefore be no strife, no envy, no contempt, no ill will, between the inhabitants of the cities and those of the villages; both are needful, both useful, and neither can be spared.

  • 1. The Nethinims, the posterity of the Gibeonites, dwelt in Ophel, which was upon the wall of Jerusalem (ch. 3:26), because they were to do the servile work of the temple, which therefore they must be posted near to, that they might be ready to attend, v. 21.
  • 2. Though the Levites were dispersed through the cities of Judah, yet they had an overseer who resided in Jerusalem, superior of their order and their provincial, to whom they applied for direction, who took care of their affairs and took cognizance of their conduct, whether they did their duty, v. 22.
  • 3. Some of the singers were appointed to look after the necessary repairs of the temple, being ingenious men, and having leisure between their hours of service; they were over the business of the house of God, v. 22. And, it seems, the king of Persia had such a kindness for their office that he allotted a particular maintenance for them, besides what belonged to them as Levites, v. 23.
  • 4. Here is one that was the king's commissioner at Jerusalem. He was of the posterity of Zerah (v. 24); for of that family of Judah there were some new settled in Jerusalem, and not all of Pharez, as appears by that other catalogue, 1 Chr. 9:6. He is said to be at the king's hand, or on the king's part, in all matters concerning the people, to determine controversies that arose between the king's officers and his subjects, to see that what was due to the king from the people was duly paid in and what was allowed by the king for the temple service was duly paid out, and happy it was for the Jews that one of themselves was in this post.
  • 5. Here is an account of the villages, or country towns, which were inhabited by the residue of Israel-the towns in which the children of Judah dwelt (v. 25-30), those that were inhabited by the children of Benjamin (v. 31-35), and divisions for the Levites among both, v. 36. We will now suppose them safe and easy, though few and poor, but by the blessing of God they were likely to increase in wealth and power, and they would have been more likely if there had not been that general profaneness among them, and lukewarmness in religion, with which they were charged in God's name by the prophet Malachi, who, it is supposed, prophesied about this time, and in whom prophecy ceased for some ages, till it revived in the great prophet and his forerunner.