Nehemiah 11:2 kjv
And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:2 nkjv
And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:2 niv
The people commended all who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:2 esv
And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:2 nlt
And the people commended everyone who volunteered to resettle in Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 35:5 | ‘Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever is of a willing heart… | Principle of willing offering for God's work. |
| 1 Chr 29:9 | Then the people rejoiced because they had offered willingly… | Joy in willing offering for the Temple. |
| Ezra 1:6 | ...all those about them aided them with articles of silver, with gold, ... | Gentiles helping those willing to return. |
| Ps 122:6-9 | Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. | Blessings associated with loving Jerusalem. |
| Prov 3:33 | The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the habitation of the righteous. | Divine blessing on the righteous home. |
| Prov 22:9 | He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor. | Blessings on the generous and giving. |
| Zech 8:3 | ‘Thus says the Lord: “I will return to Zion, And will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem…” | God's promised return to dwell in Jerusalem. |
| Rom 12:1 | …present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. | Offering oneself to God as spiritual worship. |
| Rom 12:10 | Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. | Mutual honor and preference within community. |
| 2 Cor 8:3 | For I bear witness that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing… | Willing giving despite limited means. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. | Giving must be cheerful and voluntary. |
| Phil 2:3-4 | Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. | Esteeming others above oneself. |
| Phil 2:17 | Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad… | Paul's willingness to sacrifice for faith. |
| Heb 6:10 | For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name… | God remembers and rewards deeds of love. |
| Heb 12:22 | But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem… | Believers come to spiritual Jerusalem. |
| 1 Pet 4:10 | As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. | Using gifts to serve others voluntarily. |
| 1 Pet 5:2 | Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving oversight, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly… | Serving God willingly, not for compulsion. |
| Luke 6:38 | Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over… | Principle of giving leading to blessing. |
| Ezra 7:16 | And all the silver and gold that you may find in all the province of Babylon, with the freewill offering of the people… | Freewill offerings collected for Jerusalem. |
| Neh 11:1 | Now the leaders of the people dwelt at Jerusalem; the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem… | Immediate context: populating Jerusalem by lot and voluntary. |
| Zech 1:16 | ‘Therefore thus says the Lord: “I will return to Jerusalem with mercies; My house shall be rebuilt in it,” says the Lord of hosts… | God's intention to restore Jerusalem and its Temple. |
| Isa 62:6-7 | I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem… They shall never hold their peace day or night… | Dedicated servants watching over Jerusalem. |
Nehemiah 11 verses
Nehemiah 11 2 Meaning
Nehemiah 11:2 states that the wider community publicly honored and commended all the individuals who willingly and voluntarily committed themselves to settle and reside in Jerusalem. This expresses a profound communal appreciation for those who made a personal sacrifice for the re-establishment and welfare of the holy city.
Nehemiah 11 2 Context
Nehemiah 11 describes the repopulation of Jerusalem following its rebuilding. The city's walls and gates had been reconstructed, and the temple services restored, but Jerusalem remained sparsely inhabited, unlike other cities of Judah (Neh 11:3, 3:3-5). To properly secure, protect, and develop the capital and center of worship, a larger resident population was vital. While tribal leaders and Levites were designated to live there (Neh 11:3, 15), lots were cast to select one-tenth of the remaining populace to move to Jerusalem. However, this verse highlights an additional group: those who did not have to be chosen by lot, but "willingly offered themselves." Living in Jerusalem at this time implied economic hardship (fewer commercial opportunities, greater focus on religious duties) and potential danger (exposure to surrounding enemies), making their decision an act of faith and considerable sacrifice for the community and God's holy city.
Nehemiah 11 2 Word analysis
And the people blessed: (וְהָעָם בֵּרֲכוּ - ve-ha'am bērakhū)
- "the people": Refers to the collective Israelite community living outside Jerusalem in other towns and villages of Judah. It underscores broad, communal recognition, not just a governmental decree.
- "blessed": From the Hebrew root barakh (בֵּרַךְ), which means "to bless, praise, salute." Here, it signifies public acclamation, commendation, honor, and recognition. It suggests they expressed gratitude and good wishes, possibly calling down God's favor upon these volunteers, acknowledging their deed as commendable in God's eyes. This was not a formal priestly blessing but a popular expression of approval and respect.
all the men: This phrase emphasizes the inclusiveness and universality of the praise. It signifies that the commendation extended to every single individual who volunteered, reinforcing the communal value placed on their self-sacrificing act. It was not a partial or selective acknowledgement.
that willingly offered themselves: (אֲשֶׁר הִתְנַדְּבוּ - asher hitnaddəvū)
- "willingly offered themselves": Derived from the Hebrew root nadav (נָדַב), which means "to volunteer, to be generous, to give freely." The Hithpael stem (hitnaddəvū) implies a reflexive and active volunteering – they "made themselves willing" or "offered themselves spontaneously." This term strongly emphasizes a free, uncoerced, and self-motivated act driven by devotion, contrasting sharply with any form of forced labor or obligation. It highlights the inward disposition and fervent spirit of the individuals. This mirrors the concept of "freewill offerings" found throughout the Torah (e.g., Lev 22:21, Num 29:39).
to dwell at Jerusalem: This phrase defines the specific act of sacrifice and service.
- "to dwell": Implies permanent residency, making Jerusalem their home, not merely a temporary visit or a place of work. This commitment was crucial for the long-term viability and security of the city.
- "at Jerusalem": Points to the specific location that held immense spiritual, national, and historical significance as the holy city, the center of Jewish worship, and the capital of the returned remnant. Living there during this period was challenging, making the willingness to do so particularly commendable.
Words-group Analysis:
- "And the people blessed... that willingly offered themselves": This grouping highlights the interplay between communal appreciation and individual devotion. It underscores that acts of genuine, freewill sacrifice for God's work are seen and honored by the broader community, reinforcing a culture of selfless contribution. This reflects the early Israelite emphasis on generosity and willing contributions to sacred purposes, often linked to joy and divine approval.
- "willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem": This phrase captures the essence of their sacrifice. It wasn't just any volunteerism, but specifically for the demanding task of inhabiting and securing a holy but vulnerable city. This act required deep spiritual conviction, trust in God's provision, and commitment to the restoration of their national and religious identity. It symbolizes true dedication where personal comfort is secondary to collective sacred purpose.
Nehemiah 11 2 Bonus section
- The public blessing acted as both an honorific and a potential incentive, cultivating a spirit of generous volunteering within the community. It showed that acts of faith and service were not unnoticed or unappreciated.
- This verse provides a blueprint for healthy community dynamics where mutual encouragement and recognition of spiritual gifts and sacrificial service foster unity and purpose.
- The emphasis on "willingness" (nadav) counters any potential notion of a forced burden to dwell in Jerusalem, emphasizing God's desire for willing hearts in His service, echoing patterns from the building of the Tabernacle and Temple where freewill offerings were paramount (Exo 35:5; 1 Chr 29:9).
- For the original audience, it resonated deeply with their history, reminding them of how their ancestors were asked to give willingly for sacred endeavors. This voluntary act set a strong spiritual precedent for future generations.
- This act of self-giving foreshadows the ultimate willing self-offering of Jesus Christ and the call for believers to present themselves as living sacrifices for God's purposes (Rom 12:1), living lives of dedicated service to His "city," the heavenly Jerusalem (Heb 12:22).
Nehemiah 11 2 Commentary
Nehemiah 11:2 concisely articulates a fundamental principle of Kingdom living: the value of voluntary sacrifice for the communal good and the work of God. In a time when Jerusalem was rebuilt but still vulnerable and challenging for residency, those who willingly stepped forward demonstrated profound faith and commitment. Their act was not compelled by lot or decree, but sprang from an inward disposition of dedication (nadav). The people's "blessing" of these volunteers signifies public acknowledgment and high regard for their selfless choice. It serves as an encouragement for others and reflects God's own delight in those who offer themselves wholeheartedly for His purposes (2 Cor 9:7). This verse underscores that true honor comes not from worldly gain or ease, but from a life offered in service and devotion, particularly in areas of need for God's kingdom.