Nehemiah 11: Jerusalem Resettled by Lot

Short answer: Nehemiah 11 describes the resettlement of Jerusalem after the wall was rebuilt. It records the casting of lots to bring one in ten to live in the holy city, lists the leaders and families who moved there, and notes the remaining people in the towns of Judah and Benjamin.

What Nehemiah 11 says

The chapter opens with a practical problem: Jerusalem was large and newly fortified but sparsely populated. The princes and leaders already lived there, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to dwell in the holy city, while nine parts remained in the other cities. This was not a forced migration but a voluntary offering, and the people blessed those who willingly offered themselves to live in Jerusalem. The text does not explain the criteria for the lot, only that it was used to distribute the burden fairly. The result was a deliberate repopulation of the city that had been the center of worship and governance. The chapter then lists the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem, beginning with the children of Judah and Benjamin, and gives detailed genealogies and numbers for the valiant men and the sons of Perez and Benjamin.

The second movement focuses on the religious personnel who resided in Jerusalem. The priests are listed with their ancestral houses, including Jedaiah, Jachin, and Seraiah, who is called the ruler of God's house. Their brothers who did the work of the house numbered eight hundred twenty-two. Additional priests and their brothers, chiefs of fathers' households, are named, along with mighty men of valor. The Levites are also recorded, including Shemaiah and others who had oversight of the outward business of God's house. Mattaniah is singled out as the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer, and Bakbukiah is second among his brothers. The total number of Levites in the holy city was two hundred eighty-four. The gatekeepers, Akkub, Talmon, and their brothers, kept watch at the gates, one hundred seventy-two in all. These details show that worship and security were central concerns for the repopulated city.

The third movement describes the oversight and provisions for the temple servants and singers. The temple servants lived in Ophel, with Ziha and Gishpa over them. Uzzi, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, was overseer of the Levites at Jerusalem, responsible for the business of God's house. A command from the king ensured a settled provision for the singers, as every day required. Pethahiah, of the children of Zerah, was at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people. This section highlights the organized structure that supported the temple ministry and the civil administration. It also shows that the king, likely Artaxerxes, took an interest in the proper functioning of Jerusalem's worship and governance, providing for the singers and appointing a representative for the people's affairs.

The final movement lists the villages and towns where the rest of the people lived. The children of Judah settled in Kiriath Arba, Dibon, Jekabzeel, and many other towns, encamping from Beersheba to the valley of Hinnom. The children of Benjamin lived from Geba onward, in Michmash, Aija, Bethel, Anathoth, Nob, and other places, including Lod and Ono, the valley of craftsmen. Certain divisions of Levites in Judah settled in Benjamin's territory. This geographic spread shows that the repopulation was not limited to Jerusalem but included the surrounding regions, ensuring that the land was inhabited and the towns rebuilt. The chapter ends with a picture of a community reestablished in its ancestral inheritances, with Jerusalem at the center and the surrounding villages supporting the whole.

Verses that carry the chapter

• “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.” (Nehemiah 11:1) — This verse introduces the central action of the chapter: the casting of lots to bring one tenth of the people to live in Jerusalem. It shows a deliberate and communal approach to repopulating the holy city.
• “The people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.” (Nehemiah 11:2) — The people blessed those who willingly offered to dwell in Jerusalem. This highlights the voluntary nature of the resettlement and the honor given to those who took on the challenge of living in the city.
• “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.” (Nehemiah 11:17) — Mattaniah is named as the chief to begin the thanksgiving in prayer. This verse underscores the priority of worship in the restored community and the role of Levites in leading prayer.
• “For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.” (Nehemiah 11:23) — A command from the king provided a settled provision for the singers. This shows that the civil authority supported the temple ministry, ensuring that worship continued without lack.

Gospel connection

The resettlement of Jerusalem in Nehemiah 11 points forward to the gathering of God's people into the heavenly city. Just as a remnant was chosen to dwell in the holy city and others supported them, so God is building a new Jerusalem, and His people are called to live as citizens of heaven. The careful listing of priests, Levites, and gatekeepers reflects the order and devotion of a community centered on worship. This anticipates the day when all of God's people will dwell together in the city whose builder and maker is God, with unbroken worship and service. The voluntary offering of the people echoes the willing sacrifice of Christ, who offered Himself to secure a place for us in that eternal city.

Application

This chapter asks us to consider where we are called to live and serve. Some are called to the center of activity, to the hard and visible places, while others support from the surrounding towns. The willingness of the people to offer themselves for Jerusalem challenges our own willingness to take on difficult assignments in the church and community. It also reminds us that worship and prayer are central to a healthy community, and that provision must be made for those who lead in these areas. We are invited to examine our own commitment to the local church and to the work of the gospel, asking whether we are willing to be counted among those who dwell in the city, or to support those who do.

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not claim that all the people moved to Jerusalem, nor does it specify the exact method by which the lots were cast. It does not name the king who gave the command concerning the singers, though the context suggests a Persian king. It does not describe the feelings or reactions of those who were chosen to move, nor does it explain why certain families were listed and others omitted. The text is silent on the conditions in the towns and villages, and it does not give the total population of Jerusalem. It also does not state that the resettlement was permanent or that it was completed in one event. These details are left unstated, and we should not read into the text more than it says.

Questions for study

1. Why do you think the people used lots to decide who would live in Jerusalem, and what does this reveal about their approach to decision making?
2. The people blessed those who willingly offered to dwell in Jerusalem. What does this say about the value they placed on living in the holy city?
3. What can we learn from the detailed lists of priests, Levites, and gatekeepers about the importance of organization and structure in worship?
4. How does the provision for the singers, commanded by the king, challenge or encourage us in supporting those who lead worship today?
5. The chapter ends with people living in towns and villages throughout Judah and Benjamin. How does this picture of a spread-out community inform our understanding of the church's mission today?

Keep reading

Related studies: Nehemiah 1 Bible Study, Nehemiah 10 Bible Study, Nehemiah 12 Bible Study, Nehemiah 13 Bible Study.

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FAQ

Why was it necessary to repopulate Jerusalem?

The city had been rebuilt with a wall, but it was sparsely populated. The leaders lived there, but more residents were needed to sustain the city and its worship.

What was the role of the temple servants and singers?

The temple servants assisted with the work of the house of God, and the singers led thanksgiving and prayer. The king provided for the singers so they could serve daily.

Does this chapter indicate that all Israelites returned to their ancestral towns?

It lists many towns where people lived, but it does not claim that every family returned. It focuses on those who settled in Jerusalem and the surrounding areas.