The leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one of every ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other towns, and the people blessed all who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem. The chapter enumerates those who settled in Jerusalem: from Judah, 468 descendants of Perez and various family heads; from Benjamin, 928 with their overseers; from the priests, 1,192 serving in the temple with their leaders; from the Levites, various numbers including Mattaniah who led thanksgiving prayers, gatekeepers numbering 172, and temple servants living on Ophel. The chapter also notes that some from Judah and Benjamin lived in villages throughout their ancestral territories from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom and northward, with the Levites having portions in both Judah and Benjamin, and Pethahiah son of Meshezabel representing the people in all matters before the king.
Read Nehemiah Chapter 11 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
Cupbearer to the king who led wall rebuilding and reform
Priest and scribe who read the Law publicly leading to revival
Samaritan opponent who tried to stop the wall building
Ammonite official who opposed Nehemiah's work
Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ
Wise King of Israel
Youngest Son of Jacob
Prophet of Messianic Visions
Scribe of Jeremiah
Prophet of the Day of the Lord
Levite Musician and Psalmist
Places in This Chapter
Beersheba, meaning "Well of the Oath," was the southernmost major city of Israel. Abraham and Isaac both dug wells and made covenants here. It marked the traditional southern boundary of Israel in the phrase "from Dan to Beersheba." Hagar wandered in its wilderness, and Elijah fled here.
Bethel means "House of God" and was where Jacob had his famous dream of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending. Abraham also built altars here. Later, Jeroboam set up a golden calf here as an alternative worship site to Jerusalem, which was condemned by prophets.
Position in Book
Repopulating Jerusalem, dedication of the walls, Nehemiah's final reforms.