Nehemiah 11
Lutheran reading notes
In Nehemiah chapter 11, the account continues the story of rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls and renewing covenant life. Lutheran interpretation frequently highlights how these events reveal both human sinfulness and God’s faithful promises. The chapter demonstrates the tension between human failure and God’s ongoing grace working through history.
1
And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts {to dwell} in {other} cities.
Nehemiah 11:1 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:2 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
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.
Nehemiah 11:3 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
And at Jerusalem dwelt {certain} of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah; Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez; {Perez: also called, Pharez}
Nehemiah 11:4 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
And Maaseiah the son of Baruch, the son of Colhozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of Shiloni.
Nehemiah 11:5 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
All the sons of Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem {were} four hundred threescore and eight valiant men.
Nehemiah 11:6 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
And these {are} the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the 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 Jesaiah.
Nehemiah 11:7 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8
And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and eight.
Nehemiah 11:8 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
And Joel the son of Zichri {was} their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah {was} second over the city.
Nehemiah 11:9 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib, Jachin.
Nehemiah 11:10 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, {was} the ruler of the house of God.
Nehemiah 11:11 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
And their brethren that did the work of the house {were} eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashur, the son of Malchiah,
Nehemiah 11:12 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
And his brethren, chief of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer,
Nehemiah 11:13 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer {was} Zabdiel, the son of {one of} the great men. {the son...: or, the son of Haggedolim}
Nehemiah 11:14 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub, the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;
Nehemiah 11:15 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, {had} the oversight of the outward business of the house of God. {had...: Heb. were over}
Nehemiah 11:16 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, {was} the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
Nehemiah 11:17 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
All the Levites in the holy city {were} two hundred fourscore and four.
Nehemiah 11:18 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their brethren that kept the gates, {were} an hundred seventy and two. {the gates: Heb. at the gates}
Nehemiah 11:19 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
And the residue of Israel, of the priests, {and} the Levites, {were} in all the cities of Judah, every one in his inheritance.
Nehemiah 11:20 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and Gispa {were} over the Nethinims. {Ophel: or, the tower}
Nehemiah 11:21 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem {was} Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers {were} over the business of the house of God.
Nehemiah 11:22 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
For {it was} the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day. {a certain...: or, a sure ordinance}
Nehemiah 11:23 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the children of Zerah the son of Judah, {was} at the king's hand in all matters concerning the people. {Zerah: also called, Zarah}
Nehemiah 11:24 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
And for the villages, with their fields, {some} of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjatharba, and {in} the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and {in} the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and {in} the villages thereof,
Nehemiah 11:25 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
26
And at Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Bethphelet,
Nehemiah 11:26 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
27
And at Hazarshual, and at Beersheba, and {in} the villages thereof,
Nehemiah 11:27 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
28
And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages thereof,
Nehemiah 11:28 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
29
And at Enrimmon, and at Zareah, and at Jarmuth,
Nehemiah 11:29 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
30
Zanoah, Adullam, and {in} their villages, at Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and {in} the villages thereof. And they dwelt from Beersheba unto the valley of Hinnom.
Nehemiah 11:30 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
31
The children also of Benjamin from Geba {dwelt} at Michmash, and Aija, and Bethel, and {in} their villages, {from: or, of} {at: or, to}
Nehemiah 11:31 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
32
{And} at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah,
Nehemiah 11:32 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
33
Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim,
Nehemiah 11:33 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
34
Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,
35
Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen.
Nehemiah 11:35 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
36
And of the Levites {were} divisions {in} Judah, {and} in Benjamin.
Nehemiah 11:36 highlights covenant history and god’s providence with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.