Nehemiah 11:3

THEIR NAMES. (Neh. 11:3-36)

the chief of the province--that is, Judea. Nehemiah speaks of it, as it then was, a small appendix of the Persian empire.

in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities--The returned exiles, who had come from Babylon, repaired generally, and by a natural impulse, to the lands and cities throughout the country which had been anciently assigned them.

Israel--This general name, which designated the descendants of Jacob before the unhappy division of the two kingdoms under Rehoboam, was restored after the captivity, the Israelites being then united with the Jews, and all traces of their former separation being obliterated. Although the majority of the returned exiles belonged to the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, they are here called Israel because a large number out of all the tribes were now intermingled, and these were principally the occupiers of the rural villages, while none but those of Judah and Benjamin resided in Jerusalem.

the Levites--These took possession of the cities allotted to them according as they had opportunity.

the Nethinims--A certain order of men, either Gibeonites or persons joined with them, who were devoted to the service of God.

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

3. Now these are the chief, &c.] The heading of our list differs from that in 1Ch_9:2, which runs, ‘Now the first inhabitants that dwelt in their possessions in their cities were, Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the Nethinim.’ The purpose of the list in 1 Chronicles 9 is apparently to give the names of the families who had either remained in Judea at the time when the mass of the people were transported to Babylon, or had returned to their own country either from exile or from voluntary flight in Egypt and the neighbouring nations. The purpose of the list in our passage is apparently to state the number of the inhabitants either before or after (Rawlinson) the measures taken to augment them in Nehemiah’s time.

The mention of ‘the king’ in Neh_11:23 and Neh_11:24 is apparently a reference to Artaxerxes; a conclusive proof that the list belongs to the age of Nehemiah.

According to some commentators, the list is intended to give the names of ‘the princes of the people’ mentioned in Neh_11:1. But the expression ‘the chiefs of the province’ (see on Ezr_2:1) suggests that the list and its superscription have no original connexion with Neh_11:1-2. It is more probable that the Compiler having access to this list belonging to the age of Nehemiah, in which the classification is that of ‘the dwellers in Jerusalem’ (4–19) and ‘the residue of Israel’ (20–36) has inserted it here in terms as nearly as possible corresponding to the division of the people in Neh_11:1.

Nethinims] R.V. Nethinim.

and the children of Solomon’s servants] See on Ezr_2:58; Neh_7:57. These are not mentioned in the parallel passage, 1Ch_9:2.

3–10. From this verse to Neh_12:26 we have a succession of lists: (1) the chiefs of the provinces that dwelt in Jerusalem, 4–26; (2) the towns and villages occupied by the Jews, 25–36; (3) the priests and Levites that went up with Zerubbabel from Babylon, Neh_12:1-9; (4) the genealogy of the high-priests beginning at Jeshua, Neh_12:10-11; (5) the heads of the priestly houses in the days of Joiakim, Neh_12:12-21; (6) of the Levitical houses at the same period, Neh_12:22-26.

The origin of the lists is not recorded. That some of them may have been included in the ‘Memoirs’ of Nehemiah is very possible. But all doubtless bear traces of the Compiler’s work either by abridgement or by necessary adaptation from official records.

The first of the lists presents a close resemblance to a list contained in the Book of Chronicles: compare Neh_11:3-19 with 1Ch_9:2-17. The two lists are clearly the same although they differ in certain details. The best way of accounting for the presence of this duplicate list is to suppose that both were copied from the same official document, but by different hands and for different purposes. The Compiler found both copies extant, the one in connexion with the genealogies of the tribes (1 Chronicles 9), the other either embodied in, or preserved along with, the official documents of Nehemiah’s government.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Neh 11:3 Now these [are] the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, [to wit], Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon’s servants.

Ver. 3. Now these are the chief of the province] So Judea is called, because now subject and tributary to the king of Babylon; as afterwards it was to the Romans (and is therefore called a province, Act 25:1), and is now to the Turk. How then could those Jews in the Gospel say, We are Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man; but that they cared not what they said in a bravado? Spaniards are said to be impudent braggers, and extremely proud in the lowest ebb of fortune. These Jews were so certainly; and so they continue.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Neh 11:3. These are the chief of the province — Of Judea, which was now made a province. Israel — The generality of the people of Israel, whether of Judah, or Benjamin, or any other tribe. These he calls Israel, rather than Judah, because there were many of the other tribes now incorporated with them; and because none of the tribes of Israel, except Judah and Benjamin, dwelt in Jerusalem.

Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

LIST OF THE CHIEFS OF THE PROVINCE, Neh_11:3-16.

A comparison of this list with that of 1 Chronicles 9, (where see notes,) shows that they both agree in their plan, and in a considerable number of their names. The differences are too many to allow the opinion that the lists are substantially identical, and that each is an imperfect transcript of an older and fuller catalogue of names. The list in Chronicles contains, according to its heading, the names of those who first settled in their possessions after the exile; the present list is of later date, and belongs to the times of Nehemiah.

3. The chief of the province — The chiefs or heads of families who represented the entire province of Judea in the time of Nehemiah. This providence was then one of the subdivisions of the Persian empire.

But in the cities of Judah — Rather, and in the cities of Judah. The list contains the names of chief fathers dwelling in other cities of the province as well as in Jerusalem. See Neh_11:25-36.

Israel — This word here denotes the entire body of the covenant people, (the laity, so to speak,) exclusive of the four special classes next named.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

The inhabitants of Jerusalem and the other cities. - Neh 11:3 The title reads: "These are the heads of the province who dwelt at Jerusalem; and in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, Israel, the priests, the Levites, the Nethinim, and the sons of Solomon's servants." המּדינה is, as in Ezr 2:1, the land of Judah, as a province of the Persian kingdom. The repetition of ישׁבוּ after יהוּדה בּערי is not to be understood as contrasting those who dwelt in the cities with the dwellers in Jerusalem in the sense of "but in the cities of Judah dwelt," etc., but is here a mere pleonasm. Even the enumeration of the different classes of inhabitants: Israel, the priests, etc., clearly shows that no such contrast is intended; for Israel, the priests, etc., dwelt not only in Jerusalem, but also, according to Neh 11:20, in the other cities of Judah. And this is placed beyond all doubt by the contents of the list following; the inhabitants of Jerusalem being enumerated vv. 4-24, and the inhabitants of the other cities of Judah and Benjamin, Neh 11:25-36. If, however, this title refers to the whole of the following list, it cannot, as Rambach and others thought, contain only an enumeration of those who, in consequence of the lot, had taken up their residence at Jerusalem, but must be intended as a list of the population of the whole province of Judah in the times of Ezra and Nehemiah. It seems strange that the title should announce המּדינה ראשׁי, while in the list of the inhabitants of Jerusalem are given, besides the heads, the numbers of their brethren, i.e., of the individuals or fathers of families under these heads; and that in the list of the inhabitants of the other cities, only inhabitants of Judah and Benjamin are spoken of. Hence this statement refers a potiori to the heads, including the houses and families belonging to them, while in the case of the other cities it is assumed that the inhabitants of each locality were under a head. With Neh 11:4 begins the enumeration of the heads dwelling in Jerusalem, with their houses; and the first clause contains a special title, which affirms that (certain) of the children of Judah and of the children of Benjamin dwelt at Jerusalem. On the parallel list of the inhabitants of Jerusalem before the captivity, 1 Chron 9:2-34, and its relation to the present list, see the remarks on 1 Chron 9.

Neh 11:4-6

Of the children of Judah two heads: Athaiah of the children of Perez (comp. Ch1 2:4), and Maaseiah of the children of Shela. It has been already remarked on Ch1 9:5, that השּׁלני is wrongly pointed, and should be read השּׁלני. כּל־חזה is a proper name, as in Neh 3:15. Athaiah and Maaseiah are not further known. There were in all four hundred and sixty-eight able-bodied men of the sons of Perez, i.e., four hundred and sixty-eight fathers of families of the race of Perez, among whom are probably included the fathers of families belonging to Shela, the younger brother of Perez.

Keil & Delitzsch — Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament (1861–1891) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API. (Old Testament only.)

Verse 3. Now these are the chief] A good deal of difference will be found between the enumeration here and that in 1Ch 9:2, c. There, those only who came with Zerubbabel appear to be numbered here, those, and the persons who came with Ezra and Nehemiah, enter into the account.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(3) Of the province.—This betrays the hand of Nehemiah, who was still a Persian official as well as a governor of Judah; and it shows that here we have a general heading for the rest of the chapter. Both city and country are included in the rest of the verse.

Israel.—The two Israelitish tribes were represented, but, like Judah before, this has become a generic name.

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And at Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin,.... It belonging partly to one tribe and partly to the other, and so inhabited by both, as it originally was, Jos 15:63

of the children of Judah; Athaiah; called Uthai, Ch1 9:4 whose lineage is traced through Uzziah, Zechariah, Amariah, Shephatiah, Mahalaleel:

of the children of Perez; a son of Judah, see Ch1 9:4.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Solomon. See 1 Esdras ii. 55., and 1 Paralipomenon ix. 2.

George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).

The chief of the province, i.e. of Judea, which was now made a province.

To wit, Israel, i.e. the generality of the people of Israel, whether of Judah, or Benjamin, or any other tribe; as appears by this general enumeration of all the inhabitants of the land, in which either the people of Judah and Benjamin are included under the title of Israel, or they are not here mentioned; which is absurd to think, because they made up the greatest number of them. And these he calls

Israel rather than Judah, partly because there were many of the other tribes now joined and incorporated with them; and partly because none of the tribes of Israel, except Judah and Benjamin, dwelt in Jerusalem, as appears from the sequel.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

These are the chief of the province. A comparison is in the writer"s mind between the Jews of Palestine and those of the great Persian capitals, Babylon and Susa, to which, as a Persian official, he himself properly belongs. Compare Neh_1:3 and Ezr_2:1. That dwelt in Jerusalem. i.e. "that were entered in Nehemiah"s census among the inhabitants of Jerusalem after the transfer of population had been made." The names which follow appear in most cases to be personal, but a certain number of them are names of families. In the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession. It follows that those who removed from the country districts to Jerusalem quitted their "possessions, often, it may be, exchanging riches for poverty, a comfortable house for one half in ruins, (Neh_7:4) and the life of a small landed proprietor for that of an artisan or hired labourer. Hence the "blessings" called down by the people on those who volunteered (ver. 2). Israel. Compare 1Ch_9:3, where we find that among those who had returned were mere-bers of the two great Israelitish tribes, Manasseh and Ephraim. On the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon"s servants , see the comment on Ezr_2:43, Ezr_2:55.

Vers. 3-36. Three elements in the Church of Christ.

In the first verse of this chapter Jerusalem is called "the holy city;" as such it was the type of the Church of Christ. In three respects it bore to the Christian Church a real and close resemblance.

1. It was a separated city; separated and fenced from surrounding idolatries and immoralities.

2. It was a distinguished city; distinguished by the manifested presence of God, and by the knowledge of his holy will.

3. It was a commissioned city; charged to hold and preserve a certain deposit of sacred truth against all the world. The Church of Christ is a body

(1) separated from surrounding irreligion, error, and folly;

(2) distinguished by the presence of the indwelling Spirit of God, and the graces he communicates;

(3) commissioned to carry the gospel of the grace of God to the utmost ends of the earth. There are to be in the Church what there were in the city, three things, viz.

I THE ELEMENT OF ORDER. There were dwelling in Jerusalem "the rulers of the people" (ver. 1). Concerning these rulers, we are told who was "overseer" of the "sons of Benjamin" (ver. 9); who was "overseer" of the priests (ver. 14); who also of the Levites (ver. 22); we are told who was presenter, "the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer" (ver. 17); who had "the oversight of the outward business of the house of God;" (ver. 16), and who of the internal business (ver. 22). Everything was obviously ordered most carefully, and every one had his post at which to rule or serve. The "order" of the Church of Christ is something which has given rise to most serious differences and disputes alas! to much bitterness and bloodshed. There are advocates of

(1) one universal visible Church,

(2) national Churches,

(3) large closely-confederated Christian communities,

(4) separate societies united only by occasional non-legislative councils or unions.

But whatever the form which the Christian Church may take, whatever its method of organisation, order should always be conspicuously present. "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all Churches of the saints". (1Co_14:33) Everything is to be done "in order":. (1Co_14:40) There are two complementary duties a Christian man may set before him: one, the bringing about, in an orderly way, that form of Church organisation which, after diligent study and patient observance, he considers to be after the will of Christ; the other, the taking his place in that particular Church of which he is a member, and filling it faithfully and peacefully. He who, in the name of order, brings about contention brings down on himself the condemnation of his Master. (1Co_11:16)

II THE ELEMENT OF VARIETY. Beside the governor were "rulers of the people" (ver. 1) generally; and, particularly, priests (ver. 10), and Levites (ver. 15), and porters (ver. 19), and singers (ver. 22); and, still more particularly,

(1) those who were engaged in the "outward business of the house of God" (ver. 16), and

(2) those who were occupied with the internal arrangements (ver. 22). All these various classes had their work to do; not one was redundant. Some were much higher than others, and did a work of a more valuable and a higher kind, but every one was needed in his place, and the security of Jerusalem, as well as the worship of God, would have been incomplete if all had not done their work at the appointed time and place. In the Christian Church are many services to be rendered, and many orders of servants. Some are higher, others lower. But from the man inspired of God to teach and kindle thousands of human souls, to "the doorkeeper of the house," every one has his work to do for Christ and for man. One workman needs the other, and the world needs them all; and the eye cannot say to the foot, "I have no need of thee," etc. If we "magnify our own office" that we may be found faithful therein, let us not disparage that of others, lest we be counted self- important by our brethren, and injurious by our Lord.

III THE ELEMENT OF UNSUSPECTED STRENGTH. To the eye of flesh Jerusalem seemed weak enough at this time. If we include "the residue of Israel" that were in the cites of Judah (ver. 20), and those in the villages with their fields (ver. 25), all in the outlying provinces of Judah and Benjamin, they make but a very feeble band compared with other places then or with other communities now. How easily might they have been crushed and extirpated by the Persian power, so far as human calculations go. Yet they were the Church of God on earth, the custodians of his holy oracles, the chosen company from which should come forth the Divine Redeemer, and from which should go forth the Divine mission that is to transform the world. The Church of Christ may still seem small as compared with the "un-possessed land" of heathendom; individual Churches may seem weak in the midst of an all-surrounding and overtowering iniquity; but "God is in the midst of her;" his" right hand" is On her side. There is an unsuspected strength in the truth she holds, in the weapons she wields, in the cause of which she is the champion. In ways and by means quite unsuspected by her enemies, and equally unexpected by herself, God will make his Church his agent for the redemption of the world. C.

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Province - Of Judea, which was now made a province. Israel - The generality of the people of Israel, whether of Judah, or Benjamin, or any other tribe. These he calls Israel rather than Judah, because there were many of the other tribes now incorporated with them; and because none of the tribes of Israel, except Judah and Benjamin, dwelt in Jerusalem.

John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.

on his own land, including some Israelites

"on his own land: Israelites"

some of the descendants of Judah and some of the descendants of Benjamin

"some of the people of Judah and some of the people of Benjamin"

The people from Judah included:

"From the descendants of Judah:"

Judah ... Benjamin ... Athaiah ... Uzziah ... Zechariah ... Amariah ... Shephatiah ... Mahalalel ... Perez

These are the names of men. (See: How to Translate Names)

a descendant of Perez

"from the descendants of Perez"

translationWords

Jerusalem

kingdom of Judah

Israel

priest

Levi

temple

servant

descend

Solomon

Judah

Benjamin

son

Zechariah (OT)

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.

And these are the heads of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem these are the ones regarding whom it is stated below: “And in Jerusalem there dwelt of the children of Judah, etc.”

Rashi on the Tanakh — English translations: “The Judaica Press complete Tanach with Rashi, translated by A. J. Rosenberg” (CC BY 4.0); “Pentateuch with Rashi's commentary by M. Rosenbaum and A.M. Silbermann, 1929-1934” (public domain); “The Metsudah Tanach series, Lakewood, N.J” (CC BY 4.0); and “The Book of Joshua, Metsudah Publications, 1997” (CC BY 4.0). Text via Sefaria.