Nehemiah 11 20

Nehemiah 11:20 kjv

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 nkjv

And the rest of Israel, of the priests and Levites, were in all the cities of Judah, everyone in his inheritance.

Nehemiah 11:20 niv

The rest of the Israelites, with the priests and Levites, were in all the towns of Judah, each on their ancestral property.

Nehemiah 11:20 esv

And the rest of Israel, and of the priests and the Levites, were in all the towns of Judah, every one in his inheritance.

Nehemiah 11:20 nlt

The other priests, Levites, and the rest of the Israelites lived wherever their family inheritance was located in any of the towns of Judah.

Nehemiah 11 verses

Nehemiah 11 20 Meaning

Nehemiah 11:20 describes the settlement patterns of the returned exiles in Judah, focusing on those who did not reside in Jerusalem. It specifies that the general Israelite population, including the priests, the Levites, the Nethinim, and the descendants of Solomon's servants, lived throughout the various cities of Judah, each returning to their ancestral land or assigned portion. This verse signifies the widespread re-establishment of the post-exilic community across the land of Judah, beyond the capital city. It highlights the divine restoration and the structured rebuilding of the nation in its historical territories, reinforcing their claim and commitment to the land given by God.

Nehemiah 11 20 Context

Nehemiah chapter 11 details the repopulation strategy for post-exilic Judah, primarily focusing on who resided in Jerusalem and who settled in the other cities. Verses 1-19 describe those chosen to live in Jerusalem, including a significant number of officials, priests, Levites, and their families, crucial for the city's defense and religious functions. Nehemiah 11:20 shifts the narrative to the larger demographic—"the rest of Israel." This includes the general populace as well as other dedicated groups like priests, Levites (beyond those in Jerusalem), Nethinim, and Solomon's servants. These groups were dispersed throughout "all the cities of Judah," emphasizing a holistic national re-establishment, ensuring that all inhabited regions benefited from the returning community and that the land was properly cared for and productive. The careful delineation of who lived where underscores the administrative and spiritual reorganization of the Jewish community under Nehemiah’s leadership, re-affirming their presence and claim to the ancient lands of Judah after the Babylonian exile.

Nehemiah 11 20 Word analysis

• And the rest of Israel (וּשְׁאָר יִשְׂרָאֵל, ū·šə·’ār Yiś·rā·’êl):
  • וּשְׁאָר (ū·šə·’ār): "And the rest," or "and the remnant." This phrase signifies the majority of the community who had returned from exile and were now settling outside Jerusalem. It speaks to the fulfillment of prophecies concerning a "remnant" returning (Isa 10:20-22, Zech 8:6). The "remnant" concept in biblical theology refers to the faithful portion of God's people who endure judgment and through whom God's purposes are continued (Rom 9:27).
  • יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yiś·rā·’êl): Israel, God's chosen people. In this post-exilic context, it often refers to the people of Judah, as the Northern Kingdom of Israel had long been scattered. However, it still evokes the identity of the entire covenant nation.
• of the priests (מֵהַכֹּהֲנִים, mê·hak·kō·hă·nîm):
  • מֵהַכֹּהֲנִים (mê·hak·kō·hă·nîm): "From the priests." This refers to descendants of Aaron, designated by God for priestly service. While some priests resided in Jerusalem for temple duties (Neh 11:10-14), others lived in cities throughout Judah, serving their local communities and supporting the overall religious structure (Josh 21:4-19, Neh 10:37). Their presence ensured the continued observance of Mosaic law and the worship of G-D.
• the Levites (הַלְוִיִּם, hal·lə·wiy·yim):
  • הַלְוִיִּם (hal·lə·wiy·yim): The Levites, descendants of Levi. These were tribal members appointed for various services in the Tabernacle and later the Temple (Num 3:6-9). Like the priests, some Levites lived in Jerusalem (Neh 11:15-18), but many resided in other "Levitical cities" and towns across Judah (Num 35:6, Josh 21:41), providing instruction, guarding holy things, and serving as judges or administrators (2 Chr 17:7-9).
• and the Nethinim (וְהַנְּתִינִים, wə·han·nə·ṯînîm):
  • וְהַנְּתִינִים (wə·han·nə·ṯînîm): "And the given ones." This refers to temple servants who were not Levites or priests. Their origin is often traced back to the Gibeonites whom Joshua dedicated to the service of the house of G-D (Josh 9:27). They performed menial tasks like drawing water and cutting wood (Ezra 8:20, Neh 7:46-56). Their inclusion in the census and settlement demonstrates the organized re-establishment of the entire temple service system and highlights their integration into the community, regardless of non-Israelite origins, serving the God of Israel.
• and the children of Solomon's servants (וּבְנֵי עַבְדֵי שְׁלֹמֹה, ū·ḇə·nê ʿab·dê šə·lō·mōh):
  • וּבְנֵי עַבְדֵי שְׁלֹמֹה (ū·ḇə·nê ʿab·dê šə·lō·mōh): "And the children of Solomon's servants." These were descendants of servants brought into royal and temple service by King Solomon (1 Kin 9:20-21, Ezra 2:55-58). They were distinct from the Nethinim but also performed various functions, likely including temple support. Like the Nethinim, their inclusion signifies the diverse nature of the post-exilic community and the restoration of a structured support system for both religious and civil functions across Judah.
• lived in all the cities of Judah (בְּכֹל עָרֵי יְהוּדָה, bə·ḵol·lə ʿā·rê Yə·hū·ḏāh):
  • בְּכֹל עָרֵי יְהוּדָה (bə·ḵol·lə ʿā·rê Yə·hū·ḏāh): "In all the cities of Judah." This phrase broadens the scope from Jerusalem (mentioned in prior verses) to the entire provincial territory of Judah. It emphasizes the complete restoration and reoccupation of the ancestral lands after the desolation of the exile (Ezek 36:33-35). This dispersion was vital for agricultural production, local governance, and religious practice throughout the land, contrasting with a purely Jerusalem-centric revival.
• everyone in his inheritance (אִישׁ בַּאֲחֻזָּתוֹ, ’îš ba·’ă·ḥuz·zā·ṯōw):
  • אִישׁ בַּאֲחֻזָּתוֹ (’îš ba·’ă·ḥuz·zā·ṯōw): "Each man in his possession/inheritance." This speaks to the land given by God to their ancestors. It means people were returning to the traditional land allocations or portions within their tribe or family (Num 26:52-56, Josh 14:1-2). This return to "inheritance" highlights the re-establishment of land tenure as ordained by Mosaic law, strengthening their claim to the land and indicating a return to God's intended order and faithfulness (Deut 19:14). It implicitly pushes against any notion of foreign powers claiming permanent possession of their land.