Nehemiah 11


Nehemiah 11 is the eleventh chapter of the Book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible, or the 21st chapter of the book of Ezra-Nehemiah in the Hebrew Bible, which treats the book of Ezra and book of Nehemiah as one book. Jewish tradition states that Ezra is the author of Ezra-Nehemiah as well as the Book of Chronicles, but modern scholars generally accept that a compiler from 5th century BCE is the final author of these books. The chapter describes the repopulation of Jerusalem. Judahites, Benjamites, priests, Levite’s, gatekeepers, ‘the rest of Israel. The religious organisation of duty to the Temple staff is described. The people cast lots and 1 of 10 are to volunteer to live in the city whilst the remainder repopulate the surrounding areas

Text

The original text of this chapter is in Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 36 verses.

Textual witnesses

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes Codex Leningradensis.
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus, Codex Sinaiticus, and Codex Alexandrinus.

Repopulation of Jerusalem (11:1–24)

Jerusalem as the provincial capital already had a decent number of population, but mostly of the ruling class, close to leadership positions, as Nehemiah was recorded having 150 officials dining with him in, so the city needed more general population to grow
The people who would move to Jerusalem were determined by casting lots, one each out of groups of ten family representatives. The detailed list demonstrates that each group living outside the city was well represented by families living within its walls.

Verse 1

This part scans the Jewish habitation outside Jerusalem with enclaves and settlements throughout the Judean countryside, listing the towns of Judah, the towns of Benjamin and a note on the dwellings of the Levites.

Verse 31

Based on, the Levites was not given land as inheritance, for 'their portion was the Lord and the honor of his service', but they were given a share of specific towns among the various tribes of Israel.