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.

And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.

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.

All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem were four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.

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 after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.

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 Kirjatharba, 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 Bethphelet,

27 And at Hazarshual, and at Beersheba, and in the villages thereof,

28 And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,

29 And at Enrimmon, 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 Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom.

31 The children also of Benjamin from Geba dwelt at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, 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.

Commentary

Verse 1

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
To dwell - That the buildings of the city might be compleated, and the safety of it better provided for.
McArther Bible Commentary
Details of Nehemiah exercising his governorship are given in this section.
Bible Cross References
Matthew 4:5 Acts 1:26 1 Chronicles 9:3 Nehemiah 7:4 Nehemiah 10:34 Nehemiah 11:18 Isaiah 48:2 Isaiah 52:1

Verse 2

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Blessed - Because they denied themselves, and their own safety and profit for the publick good; for this city was the butt of all the malicious plots of their enemies; and for the present it was rather chargeable than beneficial to its inhabitants.
Bible Cross References
Judges 5:9 Psalm 110:3

Verse 3

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Province - Of Judea, which was now made a province. Israel - The generality of the people of Israel, whether of Judah, or Benjamin, or any other tribe. These he calls Israel rather than Judah, because there were many of the other tribes now incorporated with them; and because none of the tribes of Israel, except Judah and Benjamin, dwelt in Jerusalem.
McArther Bible Commentary
The people who lived in Jerusalem are identified.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 9:2 Ezra 2:43 Ezra 2:70 Nehemiah 7:57 Nehemiah 7:73 Nehemiah 11:4 Nehemiah 11:20

Verse 4

Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 11:3 Nehemiah 11:5

Verse 5

Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 3:15 Nehemiah 11:4 Nehemiah 11:6

Verse 6

Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 11:5 Nehemiah 11:7

Verse 7

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 3:21 Nehemiah 11:6 Nehemiah 11:8

Verse 8

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 9:9 Nehemiah 11:7 Nehemiah 11:9

Verse 9

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Overseer - The captain of their thousand.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 6:21 Nehemiah 11:8 Nehemiah 11:10 Nehemiah 11:22

Verse 10

Bible Cross References
Genesis 46:10 1 Chronicles 9:10 Nehemiah 11:9 Nehemiah 11:11

Verse 11

Bible Cross References
Luke 22:4 1 Chronicles 6:14 Nehemiah 11:10 Nehemiah 11:12

Verse 12

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 6:40 1 Chronicles 9:12 Nehemiah 11:11 Nehemiah 11:13

Verse 13

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 12:6 Nehemiah 11:12 Nehemiah 11:14

Verse 14

Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 11:13 Nehemiah 11:15 Nehemiah 11:22

Verse 15

Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 9:14 Nehemiah 11:14 Nehemiah 11:16

Verse 16

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Outward - For those things belonging to the temple and its service, which were to be done without it, or abroad in the country, as the gathering in of the voluntary contributions, or other necessary provision out of the several parts of the land.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 26:29 Nehemiah 11:15 Nehemiah 11:17

Verse 17

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
To begin - In the publick and solemn prayers and praises, which were constantly joined with the morning and evening sacrifice, at which the singers were present, and praised God with a psalm or hymn which, this man began.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 9:12 Nehemiah 11:16 Nehemiah 11:18 Nehemiah 12:24

Verse 18

Bible Cross References
Matthew 4:5 Nehemiah 11:1 Nehemiah 11:17 Nehemiah 11:19

Verse 19

Bible Cross References
2 Kings 7:10 Nehemiah 11:18 Nehemiah 11:20

Verse 20

Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 11:3 Nehemiah 11:19

Verse 21

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The Nethinims dwelt in Ophel - Which was upon the wall of Jerusalem, because they were to do the servile work of the temple: therefore they were to be posted near it, that they might be ready to attend.
McArther Bible Commentary
Ophel. See note on Neh 3:26.
Bible Cross References
1 Chronicles 9:2 Nehemiah 3:26

Verse 22

Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 9:12 Nehemiah 11:9 Nehemiah 11:14

Verse 23

Bible Cross References
2 Kings 25:30 Ezra 6:8 Ezra 7:20 Nehemiah 12:47

Verse 24

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Was, &c. - Or, on the king's part, to determine civil causes and controversies between man and man, by the laws of that kingdom; between the king and people; as in matters of tribute, or grievances.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 38:30 1 Chronicles 18:17 Nehemiah 3:4

Verse 25

McArther Bible Commentary
These are the places where ninety percent of the people lived outside of Jerusalem (cf. Ezr 2:21-23, Ezr 2:27, Ezr 2:34).
Bible Cross References
Genesis 23:2 Joshua 13:9 Joshua 13:17 Joshua 14:15 Nehemiah 11:26

Verse 26

Bible Cross References
Joshua 15:27 Nehemiah 11:25 Nehemiah 11:27

Verse 27

Bible Cross References
Genesis 21:14 Joshua 15:28 Nehemiah 11:26 Nehemiah 11:28

Verse 28

Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 27:6 Nehemiah 11:27 Nehemiah 11:29

Verse 29

Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 11:28 Nehemiah 11:30

Verse 30

Bible Cross References
Genesis 21:14 Genesis 25:16 Nehemiah 11:29 Nehemiah 11:31

Verse 31

Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 13:2 Nehemiah 11:30 Nehemiah 11:32

Verse 32

Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 21:1 Nehemiah 11:31 Nehemiah 11:33

Verse 33

Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 4:3 Nehemiah 11:32 Nehemiah 11:34

Verse 34

Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 13:18 Nehemiah 11:33 Nehemiah 11:35

Verse 35

Bible Cross References
Acts 9:32 Acts 9:35 Nehemiah 11:34 Nehemiah 11:36

Verse 36

John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Divisions - Or, for the Levites (those who were not settled in Jerusalem) there were divisions, places appointed for them, and distributed among them. Thus were they settled free and easy, tho' few and poor. And they might have been happy, but for that general lukewarmness, with which they are charged by the prophet Malachi, who prophesied about this time and in whom prophecy ceased for some ages, 'till it revived in the great prophet.
Bible Cross References
Nehemiah 11:35 Nehemiah 12:1