Nehemiah 11

A Register of those that took their habitations in Jerusalem by certain order, verse 1.etc. The rest of the people is divided into the other cities, towns and villages of Juda and Benjamin, 25.

1. Moreover, the Rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem [See above chap.7.4,5.] but the rest of the people cast lots, to bring out one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, the holy city, [Hebr. city of holiness; so below verse 18.] and nine parts [Hebr. hands] in the (other) cities.

2. And the people blessed all the men, that wittingly offered (themselves) to dwell at Jerusalem. [That is, they highly commended them, and wished the blessing of the Lord to light upon them, because of their own accord, without tarrying for the lot, they offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem; for as much as this city was (as it were) the mother and preservation of them all, and without valiant and courageous inhabitants could not be kept and preserved against the policy & power of the enemies, and the same being kept and preserved, the other places which the enemies look not at, had no need to fear.]

3. And these are the heads of the country, [Or Province, meaning Judea, the same being at that time as a Province under the Persian Empire and Dominion] that dwelt at Jerusalem; But in the cities of Juda dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, Israel [by Israel in this place, some understand those of Juda, as 2 Chron.21.on verse 2. Others understand thereby some of the ten tribes, that for Religions sake had joined themselves unto Juda. See 1 Chron.9.3.] the Priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims [See Ezra 2.on v.43.] and the children of Salomons servants [See Ezra 2.on v.55.]

4. At Jerusalem there dwelt (some) of the children of Juda, and of the children of Benjamin; of the children of Juda, Athaja the son of Uzzia, the son of Zacharja, the son of Amarja, the son of Shepharja, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez.

5. And Maaseja the son of Baruch, the son of Col-hose, the son of Hazeja, the son of Adaja, the son of Jojarib, the son of Zacharja, the son of Siloni.

6. All the children of Perez, that dwelt at Jerusalem men. [Or, able, rich men. Hebr. men of valour; or ability.]

7. And these are the children of Benjamin: Sallu the son of Mesullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaija, the son of Kelaja, the son of Maaseja, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaja.

8. And after him, Gabbai, Sallai; nine hundred twenty and eight.

9. And Joel, the son of Zichri, was overseer over them; and Juda, the son of Senua, was the second over the city.

10. Of the Priests; Jedaja the son of Jojarib, Jachin,

11. Seraja the son of Hilkia, the son of Mesullam, the son of Zadok, the son of merajoth, the son of Ahitub, was leader, [Or, Duke. See 1 Chron.9. on verse 11.] of the house of God.

12. And their brethren, that did the work in the house, [To wit in the house of God, that is the Temple, managing all businesses that pertained to the service of God] were eight hundred twenty and two; and Adaja, the son of Jeroham, the son of Palalja, the son of Amzi, the son of Zecharja, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchia.

13. And his brethren, heads of the fathers, were two hunderd forty and two. And Amassai the son of Azareel, the son of Achzai, the son of Mesillemoth, the son of Immer.

14. And their brethren valiant champions, were an hundred twenty and eight; and the overseer over them was Zabdict the son of Gedolim. [Hebr. Haggedolim. Oth. of (one) of the great ones.]

15. And of the Levites; Semaja the son of Hassub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hasabja, the son of Bani.

16. And Sabbethai, and Jozabad, of the heads of the Levites were over the outwork of the house of God. [Meaning to order and manage affairs out of the Temple that were requisite to the service of God, and to gather in the money which the congregation had freely undertaken to contribute to that end, as was related above chap.10.32,33. Compare 1 Chron.26.on verse 29.]

17. And Mathanja the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph was the head, who begun the thanksgiving in prayer, [As being the chief singer, the tuner of the Psalms and Hymns or songs of Praise, that first began the Psalm or song] and Bakkbukia was the second of his brethren; and Abda the son of Summua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.

18. All the Levites, in the holy city [Namely Jerusalem] were two hundred fourscore and four.

19. And the Porters, Akkub, Talmon, with their brethren that kept watch [Or, the watchmen] at the gates, were an hundred seventy and two.

20. Now the rest of Israel [See on verse 3.] of the Priests, (and) the Levites, were all in the cities of Juda, every one in his inheritance. [See below on verse 36.]

21. And the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel; [As above chap.3.26.] and Ziha and Gispa were over the Nethinims.

22. And the overseer of the Levites at Jerusalem, was Uzzi, the son of Bani, the son of Hasabja, the son of Mattanja, the son of Micha; of the children of Asaph were the Singers over against the work of the House of God. [That is, these were to be at hand, and to be present in the Temple, to mind and heed the daily necessaries of the service of God, as others heeded or minded the outward business of Gods worship ab.verse 16. See bel. Chap.12.9.]

23. For there was a commandment of the king concerning them; to wit, a certain maintenance for the Singers every days (allowance) in its day. [Heb. sureness, faithfulness, certainty; (as above chap.9.38.) that is here, a sure rent, revenue, or income, or a certain stipend, allowance or maintenance to be allowed out of the kings treasure. Oth.a sure rent for the Singers; which they understand thus, that they were intrusted by the king to receive money of his Commissary, and to lay it out for daily necessaries for the service of God. See Ezra 6:8,9. And 7.20,21,22.]

24. And Petahja the son of Mesezabeel, of the children of Zerah, the son of Juda, was at the kings hand, [That is, the kings Commissioner. Compare 1 Chron.18.17.] in all matters unto the people. [Or in all (or every) word unto the people, or of the people; that is in that which was to be presented unto the people from the king, or in the kings name, or in that which the people had to do with the king; item to get in and demand the kings revenues, and to see them laid out and disburses according to the kings order and commission. See Ezra 6:8.]

25. Now in the villages in their fields (some) of the children of Juda dwelt in Kiriath-Arba [Of this and all the following places, see Jos.15.13, 21, &c. And 18.22. and 19.2, &c.] and her dependant places, [Hebr. daughters; so in the following words, and elsewhere often] and in Dibon, and her dependant places, and in Jakabzeel and her villages.

26. And at Jesua, and at Molada, and at Beth-Pelet,

27. And at Hazar-Sual, and in Beerseba, and her dependant places,

28. And at Ziglag, and in Mechona, and her dependant places,

29. And at En.Rimmon, and at Zora, and at Jarmuth.

30. Zamoth, Adullam and their villages, Lachis, and her fields, Azeka and her dependant places; and they camped themselves from Beerseba unto the valley of Hinnom. [That is, they inhabited all that country, making shift to dwell there as well as they could, repairing the decayed places by little and little, &c.]

31. Now the children of Benjamin, from Geba (dwelt) in, Michmas, and Aija, and Bethel, and their dependant places,

32. Anathoth, Nob, Ananja,

33. Hazor, Rama, Gitthaim,

34. Hadid Zeboim, Neballat,

35. Lod, and Ono, (in) the valley of craftsmen. [That is, Carpenters and Smiths. See 1 Chron.4.14.]

36. Now of the Levites, (some dwelt in) the divisions of Juda, (and) Benjamin. [The places that by Gods appointment were allotted unto the Levites from those two tribes.]