Nehemiah 11 3

Nehemiah 11:3 kjv

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 nkjv

These are the heads of the province who dwelt in Jerusalem. (But in the cities of Judah everyone dwelt in his own possession in their cities?Israelites, priests, Levites, Nethinim, and descendants of Solomon's servants.)

Nehemiah 11:3 niv

These are the provincial leaders who settled in Jerusalem (now some Israelites, priests, Levites, temple servants and descendants of Solomon's servants lived in the towns of Judah, each on their own property in the various towns,

Nehemiah 11:3 esv

These are the chiefs of the province who lived in Jerusalem; but in the towns of Judah everyone lived on his property in their towns: Israel, the priests, the Levites, the temple servants, and the descendants of Solomon's servants.

Nehemiah 11:3 nlt

Here is a list of the names of the provincial officials who came to live in Jerusalem. (Most of the people, priests, Levites, Temple servants, and descendants of Solomon's servants continued to live in their own homes in the various towns of Judah,

Nehemiah 11 verses

Nehemiah 11 3 Meaning

Nehemiah 11:3 establishes the residential distribution of the post-exilic Jewish community, distinguishing between the leadership and special groups who lived in Jerusalem and the broader population settled in the towns throughout Judah. It serves as an introductory verse, preceding the detailed lists of specific inhabitants for each location, highlighting the strategic repopulation and organization of the restored nation.

Nehemiah 11 3 Context

Nehemiah 11 follows the completion and dedication of Jerusalem’s walls (Neh 6, 12), and the profound spiritual revival and covenant renewal that took place (Neh 8-10). Although the walls were rebuilt, Jerusalem remained largely underpopulated, making it vulnerable and impeding its function as the nation's spiritual and administrative center. Chapter 11 describes the strategic effort to repopulate Jerusalem by transferring a portion of the population from the other towns of Judah. Verse 3 serves as a concise summary, establishing the general settlement pattern before listing the specific individuals and families who came to dwell in Jerusalem and those who remained in the outlying towns. Historically, this effort was crucial for securing the restored community, establishing the functionality of the rebuilt Temple, and strengthening the fragile Jewish province under Persian rule.

Nehemiah 11 3 Word analysis

• These are the chiefs: The Hebrew term for "chiefs" (רָאשֵׁי, rashei) means "heads" or "first ones." It signifies prominent leaders or representatives, highlighting a structured governance. Their presence in Jerusalem denotes central administration and leadership essential for the new provincial government.
• of the province: The Hebrew word for "province" (מְדִינָה, medinah) refers to an administrative district within the Persian Empire. This emphasizes the political reality of Judah as a limited self-governing entity under a foreign power. These chiefs were administrative and religious leaders within this specific region.
• who lived in Jerusalem: This specifies the capital city as the residence for the ruling class, religious leadership, and supporting personnel. Jerusalem was not only the administrative hub but also the spiritual heart of the restored nation, needing continuous presence and vigilance, especially after its walls were rebuilt. Living there was often more costly and potentially dangerous, hence the later emphasis on volunteers (Neh 11:2).
• but in the towns of Judah: This clearly differentiates Jerusalem from the numerous other, generally smaller, settlements scattered throughout the broader region of Judah. These towns formed the economic and agricultural base of the province.
• everyone lived on his property in their towns: The phrase "on his property" (אֲחֻזָּתָם, achuzzatam) highlights the significance of ancestral land inheritance, a fundamental aspect of Israelite identity and a fulfillment of God's covenant promises (e.g., Deut 19:14). It implies a settled and organized life, focused on agricultural livelihood, maintained by the majority outside the capital.
• Israelites: This refers to the general body of the people of Israel, distinguishing them from the specialized religious and servant groups mentioned subsequently. They represent the main demographic of the populace throughout the towns of Judah.
• priests: Descendants of Aaron, consecrated for serving at the Temple by offering sacrifices and ministering before God. They often lived in towns designated for priests throughout Judah, maintaining spiritual oversight. Their presence underscores the re-established religious system.
• Levites: Members of the tribe of Levi, assigned various duties in assisting the priests and performing services at the Temple, such as singing, guarding, and teaching the Law. They also resided in designated Levite cities, providing spiritual instruction to the broader populace.
• temple servants: Known as the Nethinim (נְתִינִים), meaning "given ones" or "those presented." These were non-Israelite servants, often descendants of foreign captives (like the Gibeonites in Josh 9:23), who were designated for menial tasks associated with the Temple service (e.g., cutting wood, drawing water). Their inclusion shows the complete functional restoration of the Temple staff.
• and the descendants of Solomon’s servants: A group distinct but similar to the Nethinim. They were likely also non-Israelites (perhaps descendants of forced laborers during Solomon's reign) who served the temple or the king's administration in ancillary capacities. Their presence confirms the thorough and meticulous restoration of all roles within the restored community.

Nehemiah 11 3 Bonus section

• The emphasis on "property in their towns" reinforces the covenant promise of land inheritance, reminding the people of God's faithfulness in bringing them back to the land He promised their ancestors. It grounds their identity not just spiritually but physically.
• The detailed listing of various groups – Israelites, priests, Levites, Nethinim, Solomon's servants – underscores the meticulous restoration of the entire post-exilic community. It was not a random gathering but an organized return to a functional, covenant-based society with defined roles for its members, mirroring the detailed instructions given in the Torah.
• The voluntary nature of settling in Jerusalem (implied by this introduction and explicitly stated in Nehemiah 11:2) was often due to the perceived economic hardship of living in the city away from agricultural lands. This adds depth to the sacrificial commitment of those who chose to reside in the capital.
• The role of "chiefs of the province" signifies that while God was restoring His people, they were still under the authority of a foreign empire. However, these chiefs held a position of responsibility given to them by both divine providence and imperial decree, essential for mediating between the people and their overlords.

Nehemiah 11 3 Commentary

Nehemiah 11:3 provides a vital demographic summary of post-exilic Judah, distinguishing the specific roles and dwelling places of various societal groups. It emphasizes the critical need to repopulate Jerusalem, not only with a general populace but specifically with leadership and those integral to its spiritual and administrative functions. While the majority of the "Israelites," "priests," and "Levites" lived on their inherited lands in the surrounding towns, this verse underlines that the "chiefs" of the province, alongside a significant contingent of "priests," "Levites," "temple servants," and "descendants of Solomon's servants," resided in Jerusalem. This arrangement reflects a deliberate strategy to bolster Jerusalem's security, centralize governance, and ensure the ongoing operation of the Temple, making it once again the heart of the covenant community. It reveals God's meticulous hand in reorganizing His people for their good and for the manifestation of His promises through a functioning society and worship system. This tiered habitation model facilitated both defense and economic stability for the newly re-established province. For instance, like different organs working together in a body, each group in their designated location contributed to the overall health and functionality of the Israelite community, mirroring how believers today fulfill various roles in the Body of Christ for common edification.