Bible Commentaries
Nehemiah 11

Introduction

Overview

Nehemiah 11:1, The rulers, voluntary men, and the tenth man chosen by lot, dwell at Jerusalem; Nehemiah 11:3, A catalogue of their names; Nehemiah 11:20, The residue dwell in other cities.

Verse 1

the rulers: Nehemiah 7:4, Nehemiah 7:5, Deuteronomy 17:8, Deuteronomy 17:9, Psalms 122:5

cast lots: Jerusalem certainly had many inhabitants at this time, but not sufficient to preserve the city, which was now encompassed with a wall, the building of which was going on fast. Nehemiah, therefore, obliged one-tenth of the country people to come and dwell in it, that the population might be sufficient for the defence of the city. Some volunteered their services, which was at that time considered a sacrifice to patriotism; as Jerusalem then afforded very few advantages, and was a place of considerable danger: hence "the people blessed them that willingly offered themselves." Nehemiah 10:34, Joshua 18:10, 1 Chronicles 26:13, Proverbs 16:33, Acts 1:24

one of ten: Judges 20:9, Judges 20:10

the holy: Nehemiah 11:18, Isaiah 48:2, Isaiah 52:1, Matthew 4:5, Matthew 27:53

Reciprocal: Numbers 3:17 - Gershon 1 Chronicles 8:28 - dwelt 1 Chronicles 9:3 - Jerusalem 1 Chronicles 9:34 - chief fathers Nehemiah 4:22 - every one Proverbs 18:18 - General Isaiah 1:21 - the faithful Ezekiel 48:19 - shall serve Zechariah 12:6 - Jerusalem shall

Verse 2

blessed: Deuteronomy 24:13, Job 29:13, Job 31:20

willingly: Judges 5:9, 2 Corinthians 8:16, 2 Corinthians 8:17

Reciprocal: Exodus 25:2 - willingly Exodus 39:43 - blessed them Judges 5:2 - when 2 Samuel 14:22 - thanked Nehemiah 4:22 - every one 1 Corinthians 9:17 - if I

Verse 3

Now: There is a good deal of difference between this enumeration and that in Chronicles; as this comprehends not only those who came first with Zerubbabel, but also those who came with Ezra and Nehemiah. See note on 1 Chronicles 9:18.

the chief: Nehemiah 7:6, Ezra 2:1

Israel: Nehemiah 7:73, 1 Chronicles 9:1-3, Ezra 2:70

Nethinims: Ezra 2:43, Ezra 2:55

the children: Nehemiah 7:57-60, Ezra 2:55-58

Reciprocal: Joshua 9:27 - made them 1 Kings 9:21 - bondservice 1 Chronicles 9:2 - the first Ezra 5:8 - the province Nehemiah 1:3 - the province Nehemiah 7:1 - the porters Psalms 107:7 - that they Zechariah 1:17 - My cities

Verse 4

dwelt: 1 Chronicles 9:3, 1 Chronicles 9:4-9

Perez: The variation of Pharez and Perez is only found in the translation; the original being uniformly פרץ [Strong's H6557]. Genesis 38:29, Ruth 4:18, Pharez, Matthew 1:3, Luke 3:33, Phares

Reciprocal: Numbers 26:20 - Pharez 1 Chronicles 2:4 - Pharez Ezra 8:8 - Shephatiah

Verse 5

Colhozeh: Nehemiah 3:15

Shiloni: Some suppose Shiloni to be the name of a man; others derive it from Shiloh, the city so called; and others derive it from Shelah, son of Judah. Genesis 38:5, Shelah, Numbers 26:20, Shelanites, 1 Chronicles 4:21, 1 Chronicles 9:5

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 8:4 - Maaseiah

Verse 6

Reciprocal: Genesis 38:29 - his name Numbers 26:20 - Pharez 1 Chronicles 9:4 - Pharez

Verse 7

the sons: 1 Chronicles 9:7-9

Joed: It is probable that Joed was also called Hodaviah, and that Pedaiah had also the name of Hasenuah.

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 8:28 - dwelt Nehemiah 8:4 - Meshullam

Verse 9

Judah: 1 Chronicles 9:7, Hodaviah, Hasenuah

Reciprocal: Genesis 41:34 - officers 1 Chronicles 23:4 - set forward Nehemiah 11:22 - overseer

Verse 10

Jedaiah: One of Dr. Kennicott's manuscripts omits, בן [Strong's H1121], ben, "son of," and reads "Jedaiah, Joiarib, Jachin," which is nearly that of the parallel place. Joiarib, יויריב [Strong's H3114], is merely a contracted form of יהויריב [Strong's H3080], Jehoiarib, by the elision of ה, hay. Nehemiah 7:39, Nehemiah 12:19, 1 Chronicles 9:10, Jehoiarib, Ezra 2:36, Ezra 8:16

Joiarib: Nehemiah 12:6

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 24:7 - to Jedaiah 2 Chronicles 35:4 - the houses

Verse 11

Seraiah: Seraiah probably had also the name of Azariah. 1 Chronicles 6:7-14, 1 Chronicles 9:11, Azariah, Ezra 7:1-5

the ruler: He had the command over all secular matters; as the high priest had over all those which were spiritual. Numbers 3:32, 1 Chronicles 9:1, 2 Chronicles 19:11, 2 Chronicles 31:13, Acts 5:24

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:12 - Shallum 1 Chronicles 6:14 - Seraiah 1 Chronicles 24:5 - the governors Nehemiah 10:2 - Seraiah Nehemiah 10:7 - Meshullam Nehemiah 11:22 - were over

Verse 12

Adaiah: 1 Chronicles 9:12, 1 Chronicles 9:13

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 10:3 - Pashur Jeremiah 21:1 - Pashur Jeremiah 38:1 - Pashur

Verse 13

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 9:12 - Meshillemith

Verse 14

of one of the great men: or, of Haggedolim, Nehemiah 11:14

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 9:13 - very able men 1 Chronicles 26:6 - mighty men of valour Nehemiah 11:22 - overseer Nehemiah 12:42 - overseer

Verse 15

Shemaiah: 1 Chronicles 9:14, 1 Chronicles 9:19

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 10:11 - Hashabiah

Verse 16

Shabbethai: Nehemiah 8:7

had the oversight of: Heb. were over, 1 Chronicles 26:20

outward: Calmet supposes they provided the victuals for the priests, the victims for the sacrifices, the sacerdotal vestments, the sacred vessels, and other necessaries for the service of the temple. Acts 6:2, Acts 6:3

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 26:29 - the outward Ezra 10:15 - Shabbethai Ezra 10:23 - Jozabad Nehemiah 11:22 - were over

Verse 17

Zabdi: In the parallel passage, instead of Zichri, many manuscripts have Zabdi, as here: he is also called Zaccur. Nehemiah 10:12, 1 Chronicles 9:15, Zichri

to begin: Nehemiah 12:8, Nehemiah 12:31, 1 Chronicles 16:4, 1 Chronicles 16:41, 1 Chronicles 25:1-6

thanksgiving: Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Bakbukiah: Nehemiah 12:9, Nehemiah 12:25

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 2:1 - prayed 1 Chronicles 6:32 - and then 1 Chronicles 6:39 - Asaph 1 Chronicles 9:16 - Obadiah 1 Chronicles 9:33 - were free 2 Chronicles 31:2 - to give thanks Ezra 2:41 - Asaph Nehemiah 11:22 - Mattaniah Nehemiah 12:35 - Zechariah

Verse 18

the holy: Nehemiah 11:1, 1 Kings 11:13, Daniel 9:24, Matthew 24:15, Matthew 27:53, Revelation 11:2, Revelation 21:2

Reciprocal: Isaiah 48:2 - they call

Verse 19

Akkub: Nehemiah 7:45, Nehemiah 12:25, 1 Chronicles 9:17-22

that kept: Psalms 84:10

the gates: Heb. at the gates

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 22:4 - the keepers Nehemiah 8:7 - Akkub

Verse 20

Reciprocal: Nehemiah 12:27 - out Zechariah 1:17 - My cities

Verse 21

the: Nehemiah 3:26, Nehemiah 3:31, 2 Chronicles 27:3

Ophel: or, the tower

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 9:2 - the Nethinims

Verse 22

overseer: Nehemiah 11:9, Nehemiah 11:14, Nehemiah 12:42, Acts 20:28

Uzzi: Nehemiah 12:42

Bani: Nehemiah 3:17, Nehemiah 8:7, Nehemiah 9:4, Nehemiah 9:5, Nehemiah 10:13

Hashabiah: Nehemiah 10:11, Nehemiah 12:24, Ezra 8:19

Mattaniah: Nehemiah 11:17, Nehemiah 12:25, Nehemiah 12:35, Nehemiah 13:13, 1 Chronicles 9:15

Of the sons: Nehemiah 11:17, Nehemiah 12:46, 1 Chronicles 25:1-6

were over: Nehemiah 11:11, Nehemiah 11:16, 1 Chronicles 9:16-32

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 6:39 - Asaph 1 Chronicles 9:33 - were free 1 Chronicles 23:4 - set forward Nehemiah 12:8 - Mattaniah

Verse 23

the king's: 1 Chronicles 9:33, Ezra 6:8, Ezra 6:9, Ezra 7:20-24

a certain portion: or, a sure ordinance

Reciprocal: Exodus 16:4 - a certain rate every day 2 Kings 25:30 - a daily rate

Verse 24

Meshezabeel: Nehemiah 10:21

Zerah: Genesis 38:30, Zarah, Numbers 26:20, Matthew 1:3, Zara

at the king's: 1 Chronicles 18:17, 1 Chronicles 23:28, *marg.

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 2:4 - Zerah

Verse 25

Kirjatharba: Joshua 14:15

Dibon: Joshua 15:22, Dimonah

Jekabzeel: Joshua 15:21, Kabzeel

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 9:22 - in their

Verse 26

Moladah: Joshua 15:26, Joshua 19:2

Bethphelet: Joshua 15:27, Beth-palet

Verse 27

Hazar-shua, Joshua 15:28, Joshua 19:3, Beth-sheba, Genesis 21:31, Genesis 26:33, Judges 20:1

Verse 28

Ziklag: Joshua 15:31, 1 Samuel 27:6

Mekonah: Probably the Mechanam which Jerome - in Beth-macha places eight miles from Eleutheropolis, towards Jerusalem.

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 4:30 - Ziklag

Verse 29

Enrimmon: Rimmon is placed by Eusebius in the south of Judah, 16 miles south of Eleutheropolis. Joshua 15:32, Rimmon

Zareah: These variations are only chargeable to the translator; the original being uniformly Zorah. Joshua 15:33, Zoreah, Joshua 19:41, Judges 13:25, Zorah

Jarmuth: Joshua 12:11, Joshua 15:35

Verse 30

Zanoah: Nehemiah 3:13, Joshua 15:34

Adullam: Joshua 12:15, Micah 1:15

Lachish: Joshua 10:3, Joshua 15:39, Isaiah 37:8

Azekah: Joshua 15:35

the valley: Joshua 15:8, Joshua 18:16, 2 Kings 23:10, Jeremiah 7:31, Jeremiah 7:32, Jeremiah 19:2, Jeremiah 19:6, Jeremiah 32:35

Verse 31

from Geba: or, of Geba, Nehemiah 7:30, Gaba, Joshua 18:24

at Michmash: or, to Michmash, Nehemiah 7:31, Michmas, 1 Samuel 13:11, 1 Samuel 13:23, Isaiah 10:28

Aija: Nehemiah 7:32, Ai, Genesis 12:8, Hai, Joshua 8:9, Ai, Beth-el, Genesis 28:19, Joshua 18:13

Reciprocal: Joshua 7:2 - to Ai Nehemiah 12:29 - Geba

Verse 32

Anathoth: Nehemiah 7:27, Joshua 21:18, Isaiah 10:30, Jeremiah 1:1

Nob: 1 Samuel 21:1, 1 Samuel 22:19, Isaiah 10:32

Verse 33

Ramah: Joshua 18:25, 1 Samuel 7:17, Matthew 2:18, Rama

Gittaim: 2 Samuel 4:3

Verse 34

Zeboim: 1 Samuel 13:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:2 - Zeboiim Ezra 2:33 - Lod Nehemiah 7:37 - Lod

Verse 35

Lod: Nehemiah 7:37, 1 Chronicles 8:12

the valley: 1 Chronicles 4:14

Reciprocal: Ezra 2:33 - Lod Nehemiah 6:2 - Ono

Verse 36

And of: Joshua 21:1-45, 1 Chronicles 6:54-81

divisions: Genesis 49:7

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 9:22 - in their