Nehemiah 11

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.

The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.

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, the Levites, the temple servants, and the children of Solomon’s servants.

Some of the children of Judah and of the children of Benjamin lived in Jerusalem. 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;

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.

All the sons of Perez who lived in Jerusalem were four hundred sixty-eight valiant men.

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.

After him Gabbai and Sallai, nine hundred twenty-eight.

Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer; and Judah the son of Hassenuah was second over the city.

Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin,

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,

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,

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,

and their brothers, mighty men of valor, one hundred twenty-eight; and their overseer was Zabdiel, the son of Haggedolim.

Of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hasshub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;

and Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chiefs of the Levites, who had the oversight of the outward business of God’s house;

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.

All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred eighty-four.

Moreover the gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brothers, who kept watch at the gates, were one hundred seventy-two.

The residue of Israel, of the priests, and the Levites were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance.

But the temple servants lived in Ophel; and Ziha and Gishpa were over the temple servants.

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 responsible for the service of God’s house.

For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.

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.

As for the villages with their fields, some of the children of Judah lived in Kiriath Arba and its towns, in Dibon and its towns, in Jekabzeel and its villages,

in Jeshua, in Moladah, Beth Pelet,

in Hazar Shual, in Beersheba and its towns,

in Ziklag, in Meconah and in its towns,

in En Rimmon, in Zorah, in Jarmuth,

Zanoah, Adullam, and their villages, Lachish and its fields, and Azekah and its towns. So they encamped from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom.

The children of Benjamin also lived from Geba onward, at Michmash and Aija, and at Bethel and its towns,

at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,

Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,

Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,

Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.

Of the Levites, certain divisions in Judah settled in Benjamin’s territory.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter records the resettlement of the population following the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls, focusing on the repopulation of the holy city and the distribution of the people throughout Judah. It details who lived in Jerusalem—leaders, priests, Levites, and other tribes—and how the remainder were situated in their ancestral towns, fulfilling the broader restoration of order and worship in the land.

Flow.

The chapter begins with the allocation of one-tenth of the people by lot to live in Jerusalem, alongside the voluntary settlement of others, particularly leaders.
A list of those dwelling in Jerusalem follows, including leaders from Judah and Benjamin, priests, Levites, and gatekeepers, with specific numbers and genealogies provided.
The text then shifts to the broader distribution of the people across Judah’s cities and villages, noting the residence of temple servants and Levitical settlements.
It closes with the observation that some Levites were also settled among the Benjaminites, highlighting the integration of worship leadership throughout the land.

Connections.
Following chapter 10, which sealed the covenant with signatures and commitments to support the temple and city, chapter 11 demonstrates the practical outworking of that covenant in the reestablishment of Jerusalem’s population and the ordered return to tribal inheritances. The focus on leadership and worship personnel in the city sets the stage for chapter 12, which records the dedication of the wall and the organization of priestly and Levitical service, showing how structural restoration leads into liturgical celebration.

What it teaches.
The chapter reflects the importance of godly leadership and the sanctity of the covenant community’s structure, showing how God’s people are to be organized in both worship and residence. The voluntary and divinely guided (by lots) settlement in Jerusalem underscores sacrificial service for the good of the whole (WCF 22.2; HC LD 32). The careful listing of priests and Levites reinforces their distinct role in maintaining temple worship (Num. 3; WCF 22.3), while the dispersion of the people according to genealogies and inheritances affirms the continuity of God’s promises to the tribes (WCF 7.4; BC Art. 27). The presence of singers and gatekeepers in established roles shows the permanence of worship order (1 Chron. 23–24; WCF 21.5).

Apply.
When leaders step forward and people commit to their God-given places, the whole community is strengthened for worship and witness.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.