11:1–2
Sacred lots were likely the Urim and Thummim (Nehemiah 10:34; Joshua 7:14, 16–18; 14:2).
Study notes
Nehemiah 11
11:1–36
The story goes back to the topic of bringing people back to live in the safe city of Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 7:1–5). The list of names is similar to the one in 1 Chronicles 9:2–17.
11:1–12:43 Section
The book of Nehemiah records one more time when Jews throughout Judah gathered in Jerusalem. They gathered to set apart the wall that had been built around the city.
Ezra and other priests and Levites were there. They made themselves, the people, the wall and the gates pure and clean. Being pure and clean was necessary because God is holy and God was present with them.
The Levites and priests celebrated by marching, playing music, singing and offering sacrifices. Those who played instruments followed the instructions David had given when he was king. This showed that they worshipped God faithfully the way their people from long ago had.
The men, women and children who had gathered were full of joy. The joyful noise they made could be heard from far away. There were many reasons to be happy. God had brought his people back from exile. They had built a second temple and worshipped God there. They were living according to the Law of Moses in the Mount Sinai covenant.
Jerusalem was full of people because many people and leaders agreed to live there. Jerusalem had a strong wall around it again. Earlier in the book of Nehemiah the people had been ashamed. Now they were glad.
11:4
Perez was a son of Judah (Genesis 38:29).
11:16
Outside the temple, the work likely involved collecting tithes from people and managing them in storehouses (Nehemiah 10:37–39; see also 1 Chronicles 26:29).
11:17
the son of Asaph: David selected Asaph and his sons to create music for temple worship (1 Chronicles 25:1–8). Asaph's descendants resumed this role when the new temple was built.
11:21
The hill of Ophel was high ground just south of the temple (Nehemiah 3:26). It was a perfect place for housing temple workers.
11:24
The royal adviser told the king about events in Jerusalem and informed Jewish officials about the king's management of Persian policies.
11:30
from Beersheba all the way to the Valley of Hinnom: Earlier descriptions of where people settled focused on areas north of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3; 11:31–36). This list (Nehemiah 11:25–30) shows the expansion of places where Jewish people lived as they returned to many of their towns from before the exile, both north and south of Jerusalem.
Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources