Nehemiah 11:1 - Meaning and Application

Jerusalem is called the holy city here (Nehemiah 11:1) because the temple stood there, and God had chosen that place for his name. You would expect all the faithful people to want to live there and seek a home there. Yet, in fact, many did not want to dwell there.

One reason may have been that life in Jerusalem called for a stricter way of living than elsewhere, and they were unwilling to meet that standard. People who do not want to be holy themselves often avoid living in a holy city. They would not want to live in the New Jerusalem for that same reason, but would rather have a lasting city here on earth.

Another reason may have been that Jerusalem was especially hated by the nations around them, and their attacks were aimed at it. That made it the place of greatest danger, and so many were unwilling to put themselves there. Fear of persecution, shame, trouble, and reproach keeps many out of the holy city and makes them slow to stand for God and religion. They do not consider that, just as Jerusalem is specially threatened and mocked by its enemies, it is also specially protected by its God and made a quiet home there (Isaiah 33:20; Psalm 46:4, 46:5).

A third reason may have been worldly advantage. It was more profitable to live in the country. Jerusalem was not a trading city, so there was less money to be made there from business, while the country offered gains from grain and livestock. The sad truth is that most people look after their own interests instead of the things of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:21). It is a common and fair complaint that people often put their wealth, reputation, comfort, pleasure, and safety before God's glory and the public good.

Since people were so unwilling to live in Jerusalem, now that it was poor, the chapter tells us how it was filled again. First, the rulers lived there (Nehemiah 11:1). That was the right place for them, because the thrones of judgment were there (Psalm 122:5), and the people came there with their hardest appeals. If living there at such a time showed strong love for God's house, zeal for the public good, faith, courage, and self-denial, then the rulers should have been examples of these things to those under them. Their presence would invite and encourage others to live there too. Great people are like magnets, they draw others after them. When leaders choose the holy city for their home, they make holiness more respected, and their zeal stirs many others.

Second, some willingly offered themselves to live in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11:2). They gave up their own earthly advantage for the sake of the public good. Their names are recorded to their honor, because while others were careful to avoid hardship, loss, and danger, these people sought the good of Jerusalem because of the house of the Lord their God. Those who love Zion will prosper (Psalm 122:6, 122:9). The people blessed them, meaning they spoke well of them, prayed for them, and praised God for them. Many who are not ready to serve the public good themselves will still gladly give a good word to those who do. God and people will bless those who become a blessing to others, and that should encourage us to do good with zeal.

Third, when they found there was still room, they decided to bring one out of every ten people to live in Jerusalem. Who those people would be was determined by lot, and everyone knew the outcome was directed by the Lord. This would prevent quarrels, and it would also comfort those chosen, because they could see that God was appointing the place of their dwelling. They kept the proportion of one in ten, as if to keep a fair balance between city and country. It may also point to the old rule of giving the tenth to God, and what was given to the holy city was counted as given to him.

Next, the chapter tells us who lived there. A general count is given because the rulers of Judah regarded these people as their strength in the Lord of hosts their God, and valued them as such (Zechariah 12:5).

Many of the people of Judah and Benjamin lived there. At first, part of Jerusalem fell in the lot of one tribe and part in the lot of the other. Most of it belonged to Benjamin, so we find only 468 families of Judah in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11:6), but 928 of Benjamin (Nehemiah 11:7, 11:8). These were small beginnings, but later, before our Savior’s time, the city became much more crowded. The people of Judah were all descended from Perez, or Pharez, the son of Judah through whom Christ came in his human line. And though the Benjamites were more numerous, the men of Judah are called valiant men, fit for service and able to defend the city if it were attacked. Judah had not lost its old character as a lion’s cub, bold and strong. Of the Benjamites living in Jerusalem, the writer names the chief man and the one under him (Nehemiah 11:9). It is just as necessary for a people to keep good order among themselves as it is to defend against enemies from outside. They need good leaders as much as soldiers.

Many of the priests and Levites also settled in Jerusalem, where else should those who were holy to God live except in the holy city? Most of the priests likely lived there, since their work was in the temple. Among those who served in the house of God in their courses were 822 from one family, 242 from another, and 128 from another (Nehemiah 11:12-14). It was good that these workers were not few. Some of them are called mighty men of valor (Nehemiah 11:14), and that was fitting, because the priesthood was not only work that needed strength, but also a kind of warfare that needed courage, especially at that time. One priest is described as the son of one of the great men. It was no shame for the greatest man among them to have a son serving as a priest, for that office did not lower his honor in any way.

Some Levites also lived in Jerusalem, though fewer of them, 284 in all (Nehemiah 11:18), along with 172 porters, or gatekeepers (Nehemiah 11:19). Much of the Levites’ work was to teach the good knowledge of God throughout the country, which is why they were to be scattered among Israel. Enough of them stayed in Jerusalem for the work there, while the rest were doing good elsewhere.

One of the Levites is said to have oversight of the outward business of the house of God (Nehemiah 11:16).

The priests were the main managers of the work inside the temple gates. But this Levite was given charge of the practical needs of God’s house, things that served its spiritual work. He oversaw the gathering of gifts, the providing of materials for temple service, and similar tasks. These matters had to be watched carefully, or the more inward work would have been left short and stalled.

Those who handle the outward work of the church, like serving its tables, are just as needed in their place as those who handle the inward work. The latter give themselves to the word and prayer. Both kinds of service support the life of God’s house.

Another man is said to have been the first to begin the thanksgiving in prayer. He likely had a good ear, a strong voice, and skill in singing, so he was chosen to lead the psalm. He acted as the chief singer in the temple. Thanksgiving should always go with prayer. Giving thanks for past mercies is a fitting way to ask for more mercies. Public worship should also be done with care and order, so that everything is done well, with one person leading and the others joining in.