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Texts -- Nehemiah 11:1-26 (NET)

Context
The Population of Jerusalem
11:1 So the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem , while the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to settle in Jerusalem , the holy city , while the other nine remained in other cities . 11:2 The people gave their blessing on all the men who volunteered to settle in Jerusalem . 11:3 These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem . (While other Israelites , the priests , the Levites , the temple attendants , and the sons of the servants of Solomon settled in the cities of Judah , each on his own property in their cities , 11:4 some of the descendants of Judah and some of the descendants of Benjamin settled in Jerusalem .) Of the descendants of Judah : Athaiah son of Uzziah , the son of Zechariah , the son of Amariah , the son of Shephatiah , the son of Mahalalel , from the descendants of Perez ; 11:5 and Maaseiah son of Baruch , the son of Col-Hozeh , the son of Hazaiah , the son of Adaiah , the son of Joiarib , the son of Zechariah , from the descendants of Shelah . 11:6 The sum total of the descendants of Perez who were settling in Jerusalem was 468 exceptional men . 11:7 These are the descendants of Benjamin : Sallu 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 , 11:8 and his followers , Gabbai and Sallai – 928 in all. 11:9 Joel son of Zicri was the officer in charge of them, and Judah son of Hassenuah was second-in-command over the city . 11:10 From the priests : Jedaiah son of Joiarib , Jakin , 11:11 Seraiah son of Hilkiah , the son of Meshullam , the son of Zadok , the son of Meraioth , the son of Ahitub , supervisor in the temple of God , 11:12 and their colleagues who were carrying out work for the temple – 822 ; and Adaiah son of Jeroham , the son of Pelaliah , the son of Amzi , the son of Zechariah , the son of Pashhur , the son of Malkijah , 11:13 and his colleagues who were heads of families – 242 ; and Amashsai son of Azarel , the son of Ahzai , the son of Meshillemoth , the son of Immer , 11:14 and his colleagues who were exceptional men – 128 . The officer over them was Zabdiel the son of Haggedolim . 11:15 From the Levites : Shemaiah son of Hasshub , the son of Azrikam , the son of Hashabiah , the son of Bunni ; 11:16 Shabbethai and Jozabad , leaders of the Levites , were in charge of the external work for the temple of God ; 11:17 Mattaniah son of Mica , the son of Zabdi , the son of Asaph , the praise leader who led in thanksgiving and prayer ; Bakbukiah , second among his colleagues ; and Abda son of Shammua , the son of Galal , the son of Jeduthun . 11:18 The sum total of the Levites in the holy city was 284 . 11:19 And the gatekeepers : Akkub , Talmon and their colleagues who were guarding the gates – 172 . 11:20 And the rest of the Israelites , with the priests and the Levites , were in all the cities of Judah , each on his own property . 11:21 The temple attendants were living on Ophel , and Ziha and Gishpa were over them . 11:22 The overseer of the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani , the son of Hashabiah , the son of Mattaniah , the son of Mica . He was one of Asaph’s descendants who were the singers responsible for the service of the temple of God . 11:23 For they were under royal orders which determined their activity day by day . 11:24 Pethahiah son of Meshezabel , one of the descendants of Zerah son of Judah , was an adviser to the king in every matter pertaining to the people . 11:25 As for the settlements with their fields , some of the people of Judah settled in Kiriath Arba and its neighboring villages , in Dibon and its villages , in Jekabzeel and its settlements , 11:26 in Jeshua , in Moladah , in Beth Pelet ,

Pericope

NET

Bible Dictionary

  • Israel

    [smith] (the prince that prevails with God). The name given, (Genesis 32:28) to Jacob after his wrestling with the angel, (Hosea 12:4) at Peniel. Gesenius interprets Israel "soldier of God." It became the national name of the twelve...
    [nave] ISRAEL 1. A name given to Jacob, Gen. 32:24-32; 2 Kin. 17:34; Hos. 12:3, 4. 2. A name of the Christ in prophecy, Isa. 49:3. 3. A name given to the descendants of Jacob, a nation. Called also Israelites, and Hebrews, Gen. 4...

  • Nehemiah

    [nave] NEHEMIAH 1. Son of Hachaliah, Neh. 1:1. Cupbearer of Artaxerxes, Neh. 1:11; 2:1. Is grieved over the desolation of his country, Neh. 1. Is sent by the king to rebuild Jerusalem, Neh. 2:1-8. Register of the people whom he...

  • GENEALOGY, 8 part 2

    [isbe] GENEALOGY, 8 part 2 - I. Primeval Genealogies (1 Chronicals 1:1-54). To show Israel's place among the nations; follows Genesis closely, omitting only the Cainites; boldly, skillfully compressed, as if the omitted facts were ...

  • HACALIAH

    [isbe] HACALIAH - hak-a-li'-a (chakhalyah, meaning doubtful, perhaps "wait for Yahweh"; the King James Version Hachaliah): Father of Nehemiah (Neh 11; 10:1).

  • CHRONICLES, BOOKS OF

    [isbe] CHRONICLES, BOOKS OF - kron'-i-k'-ls (dibhere ha-yamim, "The Words of the Days"; Septuagint paraleipomenon: 1. The Name 2. The Position of Chronicles in the Old Testament 3. Two Books, or One? 4. The Contents 5. Sources Bibl...

  • LAW IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

    [isbe] LAW IN THE OLD TESTAMENT - || I. TERMS USED 1. Torah ("Law") 2. Synonyms of Torah (1) Mitswah ("Command") (2) `Edhah ("Witness," "Testimony") (3) MishpaTim ("Judgments") (4) Chuqqim ("Statutes") (5) Piqqudhim ("Precepts") II...

  • Zechariah

    [ebd] Jehovah is renowned or remembered. (1.) A prophet of Judah, the eleventh of the twelve minor prophets. Like Ezekiel, he was of priestly extraction. He describes himself (1:1) as "the son of Berechiah." In Ezra 5:1 and 6:14 h...
    [smith] The eleventh in order of the twelve minor prophets. He is called in his prophecy the son of Berechiah and the grandson of Iddo, whereas in the book of Ezra, (Ezra 5:1; 6:14) he is said to have been the son of Iddo. It is nat...
    [nave] ZECHARIAH 1. A Reubenite, 1 Chr. 5:7. 2. Three Levites in the days of David, 1 Chr. 9:21; 15:18, 20, 24; 16:5; 26:2, 14. 3. A Benjamite, 1 Chr. 9:37. Called Zacher in 1 Chr. 8:31. 4. Two Kohathites, 1 Chr. 24:25; 2 Chr. ...

  • Meshullam

    [ebd] befriended. (1.) One of the chief Gadites in Bashan in the time of Jotham (1 Chr. 5:13). (2.) Grandfather of Shaphan, "the scribe," in the reign of Josiah (2 Kings 22:3). (3.) A priest, father of Hilkiah (1 Chr. 9:11; Neh. 1...
    [isbe] MESHULLAM - me-shul'-am (meshullam, "resigned" or "devoted"; compare Arabic Muslim; Mesollam): An Old Testament name very common in post-exilic times. (1) The grandfather of Shaphan (2 Ki 22:3). (2) A son of Zerubbabel (1 Ch...
    [smith] (friend). Ancestor of Shaphan the scribe. (2 Kings 22:3) The son of Zerubbabel. (1 Chronicles 3:19) A Gadite in the reign of Jotham king of Judah. (1 Chronicles 5:13) A Benjamite, of the sons of Elpaal. (1 Chroni...
    [nave] MESHULLAM 1. Grandfather of Shaphan, 2 Kin. 22:3. 2. A son of Zerubbabel, 1 Chr. 3:19. 3. A Gadite of Bashan, 1 Chr. 5:13. 4. Three Benjamites, 1 Chr. 8:17; 9:7, 8. 5. An Aaronite, 1 Chr. 9:11; Neh. 11:11. 6. A priest, ...

  • Shemaiah

    [ebd] whom Jehovah heard. (1.) A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:22-24). (2.) Neh. 3:29. (3.) A Simeonite (1 Chr. 4:37). (4.) A priest (Neh. 12:42). (5.) A Levite (1 Chr. 9:16). (6.) 1 Chr. 9:14; Neh. 11:15. (7.) A Le...
    [isbe] SHEMAIAH - she-ma'-ya, she-mi'-a (shema`yah (in 2 Ch 11:2; 17:8; 31:15; 35:9; Jer 26:20; 29:24; 36:12, shema`yahu), "Jahveh hears"): The name is most frequently borne by priests, Levites and prophets. (1) Codex Vaticanus Sam...
    [smith] (heard by Jehovah). A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam. (1 Kings 12:22; 2 Chronicles 11:2) (B.C. 972.) He wrote a chronicle containing the events of Rehoboam?s reign. (2 Chronicles 12:5,15) The son of Shechaniah, am...
    [nave] SHEMAIAH 1. A prophet in the time of Rehoboam. Prevents Rehoboam from war with Jeroboam, 1 Kin. 12:22-24; 2 Chr. 11:2-4. Prophesies the punishment of Rehoboam by Shishak, king of Egypt, 2 Chr. 12:5, 7. Writes chronicles, 2...

  • Hashabiah

    [ebd] regarded by Jehovah. (1.) Merarite Levite (1 Chr. 6:45; 9:14). (2.) A son of Jeduthun (25:3, 19). (3.) Son of Kemuel (26:30). (4.) One of the chief Levites (2 Chr. 35:9). (5.) A Levite (Neh. 11:22). (6.) One of the chief pri...
    [isbe] HASHABIAH - hash-a-bi'-a (chashabhyah): (1) Two Levites of the family of Merari (1 Ch 6:45; 9:14). (2) A Levite who dwelt in Jerusalem at the time of Nehemiah (Neh 11:15). (3) A son of Jeduthun (1 Ch 25:3). (4) A Hebronite, ...
    [smith] (whom God regards). A Merarite Levite. (1 Chronicles 6:45) Another Merarite Levite. (1 Chronicles 9:14) The fourth of the six sons of Jeduthun, (1 Chronicles 25:3) who had charge of the twelfth course. ver. 19. (B.C...
    [nave] HASHABIAH 1. Son of Amaziah, a Levite, 1 Chr. 6:45. 2. Son of Jeduthun, a Levite, 1 Chr. 25:3, 19. 3. Son of Kemuel, 1 Chr. 26:30; 27:17. 4. A chief Levite, 2 Chr. 35:9. 5. Son of Bui, 1 Chr. 9:14; Neh. 11:15. 6. Son of...

  • Maaseiah

    [isbe] MAASEIAH - ma-a-se'-ya, ma-a-si'a (ma`aseyahu, "Yahweh's work"; Maassaia, and Massaias in the Septuagint): A name common in exilic and late monarchic times (Gray, H P N). (1) A Levite musician named in connection with David'...
    [smith] (work of the Lord), the name of four persons who had married foreign wives. In the time of Ezra, A descendant of Jeshua the priest. (Ezra 10:18) A priest, of the sons of Harim. (Ezra 10:21) A priest, of the sons of Pashur. (...
    [nave] MAASEIAH 1. A Levite musician, 1 Chr. 15:18, 20. 2. A captain of hundreds, 2 Chr. 23:1. 3. An officer of Uzziah, 2 Chr. 26:11. 4. Son of Ahaz. Slain by Zichri, 2 Chr. 28:7. 5. Governor of Jerusalem, 2 Chr. 34:8. 6. The ...

  • Joiarib

    [ebd] (whom Jehovah defends) = Jehoiarib. (1.) The founder of one of the courses of the priests (Neh. 11:10). (2.) Neh. 11:5; a descendant of Judah. (3.) Neh. 12:6. (4.) Ezra 8:16, a "man of understanding" whom Ezra sent to "bring...
    [isbe] JOIARIB - joi'-a-rib (yoyaribh, "Yahweh pleads" or "contends"; compare JEHOIARIB): (1) A "teacher" of Ezra's time (Ezr 8:16). (2) A Judahite (Neh 11:5). (3) In Neh 11:10; 12:6,19 = JEHOIARIB (which see).
    [smith] (whom Jehovah defends.) A layman who returned form Babylon with Ezra. (Ezra 8:16) (B.C. 459.) The founder of one of the courses of priests, elsewhere called in full JEHOIARIB. (Nehemiah 12:6,19) A Shilonite --i.e. probably a...
    [nave] JOIARIB 1. A returned exile, Ezra 8:16. 2. A descendant of Judah, Neh. 11:5. 3. A priest who returned from Babylon, Neh. 12:6, 19. 4. See: Jehoiarib.

  • Adaiah

    [isbe] ADAIAH - a-da'-ya, a-di'-a (`adhayah, "Yahweh hath adorned"): (1) Apparently the seventh of the nine sons of Shimei, who is apparently the same with Shema, who is the fifth of the sons of Elpaal, who is the second of the two...
    [smith] (adorned by Jehovah). Maternal grandfather of King Josiah, and native of Boscath in the lowlands of Judah. (2 Kings 22:1) (B.C. 648.) A Levite of the Gershonite branch, and ancestor of Asaph. (1 Chronicles 6:41) In v. ...
    [nave] ADAIAH 1. Grandfather of Josiah, 2 Kin. 22:1. 2. A musician, 1 Chr. 6:41. 3. A priest, 1 Chr. 9:12; Neh. 11:12. 4. A Benjamite, 1 Chr. 8:21. 5. Father of Maaseiah, 2 Chr. 23:1. 6. Two sons of Bani, Ezra 10:29, 39. 7. S...

  • Micha

    [ebd] (1.) 2 Sam. 9:12 =MICAH (2). (2.) The son of Zabdi, a Levite of the family of Asaph (Neh. 11:17, 22).
    [smith] (who is like God?). The son of Mephibosheth. (2 Samuel 9:12) A Levite who signed the covenant with Nehemiah. (Nehemiah 10:11) The father of Mattaniah, a Gershonite Levite and descendant of Ashaph. (Nehemiah 11:17,22)
    [nave] MICHA 1. See: Micah, 3. 2. A Levite, Neh. 10:11; 11:17, 22.

  • Ziha

    [ebd] drought. (1.) The name of a family of Nethinim (Ezra 2:43; Neh. 7:46). (2.) A ruler among the Nethinim (Neh. 11:21).
    [isbe] ZIHA - zi'-ha (tsicha', tsicha' (Neh 7:46), meaning unknown): An overseer of Nethinim (Neh 11:21) who are called (Ezr 2:43; Neh 7:46) "the children (or sons) of Ziha." The Septuagint's Codex Vaticanus and Alexandrinus omit N...
    [smith] (parched). The children of Ziha were a family of Nethinim who returned with Zerubbabel. (Ezra 2:43; Nehemiah 7:46) (B.C. 536.) Chief of the Nethinim in Ophel. (Nehemiah 11:21) The name is probably identical with the precedin...
    [nave] ZIHA 1. One of the Nethinim, Ezra 2:43; Neh. 7:46. 2. A ruler of the Nethinim, Neh. 11:21.

  • Seraiah

    [ebd] soldier of Jehovah. (1.) The father of Joab (1 Chr. 4:13, 14). (2.) The grandfather of Jehu (1 Chr. 4:35). (3.) One of David's scribes or secretaries (2 Sam. 8:17). (4.) A Netophathite (Jer. 40:8), a chief priest of the time...
    [isbe] SERAIAH - se-ra'-ya, se-ri'-a (serayahu, "Yah hath prevailed"; Septuagint Saraias, or Saraia): (1) Secretary of David (2 Sam 8:17); in 2 Sam 20:25 he is called Sheva; in 1 Ki 4:3 the name appears as Shisha. This last or Shas...
    [smith] The king?s scribe or secretary in the reign of David. (2 Samuel 8:17) (B.C. 1043.) The high priest in the reign of Zedekiah. (2 Kings 25:18; 1 Chronicles 6:14; Jeremiah 52:24) (B.C. 594.) The son of Tanhumeth the Ne...
    [nave] SERAIAH 1. Called also Sheva, Shisha, and Shavsha. David's scribe, 2 Sam. 8:17; 20:25; 1 Kin. 4:3; 1 Chr. 18:16. 2. Chief priest at time of taking of Jerusalem, 2 Kin. 25:18. Father of Ezra, Ezra 7:1. Slain by Nebuchadne...

  • Sallai

    [ebd] basket-maker. (1.) A Benjamite (Neh. 11:8). (2.) A priest in the days of Joshua and Zerubbabel (Neh. 12:20).
    [isbe] SALLAI - sal'-a-i, sal'-i (callay; Salom; Codex Alexandrinus Salo, with variants): (1) Eponym of a Benjamite family which settled at Jerusalem after the return, descendants of "Sallu" (1 Ch 9:7; Neh 11:7,8); the pedigrees of...
    [nave] SALLAI 1. A Benjamite dwelling in Jerusalem, Neh. 11:8. 2. A priest who returned to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, Neh. 12:20. Called Sallu, Neh. 12:7.

  • NAMES, PROPER

    [isbe] NAMES, PROPER - I. THE FORM OF HEBREW NAMES 1. Various Types 2. Vocalization 3. Transposition of Parts 4. Methods of Abbreviation II. THE RANGE OF PROPER NAMES 1. Personal Names (1) Not Exclusively Descriptive (2) Drawn from...

  • Zabdiel

    [ebd] gift of God. (1.) The father of Jashobeam, who was one of David's officers (1 Chr. 27:2). (2.) An overseer of the priests after the Captivity (Neh. 11:14).
    [isbe] ZABDIEL - zab'-di-el (zabhdi'el, "my gift is El (God)"; Zabdiel): (1) Father of Jashobeam (1 Ch 27:2), or rather Ishbaal (Curtis, Chronicles, 290 f). (2) An overseer of the priests (Neh 11:14). (3) An Arabian who beheaded Al...
    [smith] (gift of God). Father of Jashobeam, a chief of David?s guard. (1 Chronicles 27:2) (B.C. before 1046.) A priest, son of the great men or as the margin gives it, "Haggedolim." (Nehemiah 11:14) (B.C. 459.)
    [nave] ZABDIEL 1. Father of Jashobeam, 1 Chr. 27:2. 2. An overseer of one hundred and twenty-eight mighty men of valor, who dwelt in Jerusalem, Neh. 11:14.

  • Talmon

    [ebd] oppressed. (1.) A Levite porter (1 Chr. 9:17; Neh. 11:19). (2.) One whose descendants returned with Zerubbabel to Jerusalem (Ezra 2:42; Neh. 7:45); probably the same as (1).
    [isbe] TALMON - tal'-mon (talmon): One of the porters in connection with the temple-service (1 Ch 9:17; Ezr 2:42; Neh 7:45; 11:19; 12:25).
    [smith] (oppressor), the head of a family of door-keepers in the temple, "the porters for the camps of the sons: of Levi." (1 Chronicles 9:17; Nehemiah 11:19) (B.C. 1013.) Some of his descendants returned with Zerubbabel, (Ezra 2:...
    [nave] TALMON A porter of the temple, 1 Chr. 9:17. Family of, return from captivity with Zerubbabel, Ezra 2:42; Neh. 7:45; 11:19; 12:25.
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Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • The Book of Samuel covers the period of Israel's history bracketed by Samuel's conception and the end of David's reign. David turned the kingdom over to Solomon in 971 B.C.3David reigned for 40 and one-half years (2 Sam. 2:11...
  • The years of history the book covers are 445-431 B.C. or perhaps a few years after that.In 445 B.C. (the twentieth year of Artaxerxes' reign, 1:1) Nehemiah learned of the conditions in Jerusalem that led him to request permis...
  • I. The fortification of Jerusalem chs. 1-7A. The return under Nehemiah chs. 1-21. The news concerning Jerusalem 1:1-32. The response of Nehemiah 1:4-113. The request of Nehemiah 2:1-84. The return to Jerusalem 2:9-20B. The re...
  • "The first seven chapters of Nehemiah as well as 12:31-13:31 are written in the first person. This, as well as all or part of Neh 11 and the rest of Neh 12, constitutes what is called the Nehemiah Memoirs. As such it offers a...
  • The builders finished the walls only 52 days after construction had begun (v. 15). "Elul"is late August and early September. Israel's enemies viewed their rapid progress as evidence that God had helped the workers (v. 16)."Th...
  • This is not a list of the people who accompanied Nehemiah to Jerusalem in 444 B.C. but a record of those who returned with Sheshbazzar, Zerubbabel, and Jeshua in 537 B.C. (v. 7). It is almost identical to the list in Ezra 2.W...
  • One writer viewed chapters 8-13 (really 7:73-13:37) as the third part of the tripartite structure of Ezra-Nehemiah. Ezra 1:1-4 deals with "potentiality,"the decree to the community to build God's house. Ezra 1:5--Nehemiah 7:7...
  • When the exiles returned to the Promised Land, living in Jerusalem was not an attractive prospect because the city lay in ruins. However with the rebuilding of the temple and the walls the capital became a more desirable plac...
  • Some leaders had already chosen to live in Jerusalem (v. 1). Nehemiah initiated a plan to determine which one family in ten of those not living in the city would move into it (v. 1). Additional immigrants volunteered to live ...
  • The towns south of Jerusalem, from the Hinnom Valley just south of the city as far as Beersheba, were those in the territory belonging to the tribe of Judah. Those north of Jerusalem stretching to the neighboring province of ...
  • This portion of the book resumes the historical narrative in chronological order from 11:2 where it stopped. Probably the dedication took place soon after the covenant renewal ceremonies (chs. 8-10)....
  • The Book of Nehemiah records the fortification of Jerusalem and the restoration of the Jews, two essential steps that were necessary to reestablish God's people in His will and in their land.Nehemiah continued the good work t...
  • The title of this book is the name of its writer, as is true of all the prophetical books of the Old Testament.We know little about Joel, whose name means "Yahweh is God."He was the son of Pethuel, who does not appear to have...
  • 1:7 In view of the inevitability of coming judgment for idolatry, it was appropriate for the Judeans to be quiet before sovereign Yahweh (cf. Hab. 2:20)."This is a call to the people of Judah to cease every manner of oppositi...
  • This is the first of four oracles that appear within the visions that Zechariah saw. These were messages that the prophet was to deliver along with the revelation of the vision."The vision had lifted the veil which hides the ...
  • 2:1-2 In the next scene of his vision, Zechariah saw a man (i.e., an angel who looked like a man) with a measuring line in his hand (cf. 1:11; 6:12; Ezek. 40:2-3). When the prophet asked him where he was going, he replied tha...
  • Jesus' genealogy and virgin birth prove His legal human qualification as Israel's King. His baptism was the occasion of His divine approval. His temptation demonstrated His moral fitness to reign. The natural question a thoug...
  • 1:15 In view of Peter's leadership gifts, so obvious in the Gospels, it is no surprise that he is the one who took the initiative on this occasion."Undoubtedly, the key disciple in Luke's writings is Peter. He was the represe...
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