Nehemiah 11:1
New International Version
Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten of them to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns.

New Living Translation
The leaders of the people were living in Jerusalem, the holy city. A tenth of the people from the other towns of Judah and Benjamin were chosen by sacred lots to live there, too, while the rest stayed where they were.

English Standard Version
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns.

Berean Standard Bible
Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in the holy city of Jerusalem, while the remaining nine were to dwell in their own towns.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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, the holy city, and nine-tenths were to dwell in other cities.

New American Standard Bible
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities.

NASB 1995
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities.

NASB 1977
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the officials of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities.

Amplified Bible
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem; but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one [person] out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities.

Christian Standard Bible
Now the leaders of the people stayed in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots for one out of ten to come and live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine-tenths remained in their towns.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now the leaders of the people stayed in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots for one out of ten to come and live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine towns.

American Standard Version
And the princes of the people dwelt in Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.

Contemporary English Version
The nation's leaders and their families settled in Jerusalem. But there was room for only one out of every ten of the remaining families, and so they asked God to show them who would live there.

English Revised Version
And the princes of the people dwelt in Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem. The rest of the people drew lots to bring one out of every ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city. The remaining nine-tenths were supposed to live in the other cities.

Good News Translation
The leaders settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people drew lots to choose one family out of every ten to go and live in the holy city of Jerusalem, while the rest were to live in the other cities and towns.

International Standard Version
The leaders of the people who lived in Jerusalem, along with the rest of the people, decided to choose one out of ten of them by lot to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, leaving the other nine of them in their towns.

Majority Standard Bible
Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in the holy city of Jerusalem, while the remaining nine were to dwell in their own towns.

NET Bible
So the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, while the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of every ten to settle in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine remained in other cities.

New Heart English Bible
And the princes of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
The princes of the people lived in Jerusalem. The rest of the people also cast lots to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the heads of the people dwell in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people have caused lots to fall to bring in one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the cities,

Young's Literal Translation
And the heads of the people dwell in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people have caused to fall lots to bring in one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the cities,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the chiefs of the people dwelt in Jerusalem: and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one from ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine hands in the cities.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the princes of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: but the rest of the people cast lots, to take one part in ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. Yet truly, the remainder of the people cast lots, so that they might choose one part in ten who were to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine parts for the other cities.

New American Bible
The administrators took up residence in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one man in ten to reside in Jerusalem, the holy city, while the other nine would remain in the other cities.

New Revised Standard Version
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem; and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in the holy city Jerusalem, while nine-tenths remained in the other towns.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
LET the elders of the people dwell in Jerusalem; and the rest of the people shall cast lots to bring one out of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city and the remaining nine-tenths to dwell in towns.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Elders of the people shall dwell in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people shall cast lots to bring one of ten children of men to dwell in Jerusalem, the city of Holiness, and nine parts shall be in the villages.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the princes of the people dwelt in Jerusalem; the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the chiefs of the people dwelt in Jerusalem: and the rest of the people cast lots, to bring one of every ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in the other cities.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The New Settlers in Jerusalem
1Now the leaders of the people settled in Jerusalem, and the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in the holy city of Jerusalem, while the remaining nine were to dwell in their own towns. 2And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem.…

Cross References
Nehemiah 7:4
Now the city was large and spacious, but there were few people in it, and the houses had not yet been rebuilt.

Nehemiah 10:34-39
We have cast lots among the priests, Levites, and people for the donation of wood by our families at the appointed times each year. They are to bring it to the house of our God to burn on the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the Law. / We will also bring the firstfruits of our land and of every fruit tree to the house of the LORD year by year. / And we will bring the firstborn of our sons and our livestock, as it is written in the Law, and will bring the firstborn of our herds and flocks to the house of our God, to the priests who minister in the house of our God. ...

Nehemiah 12:27-30
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from all their homes and brought to Jerusalem to celebrate the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing, accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres. / The singers were also assembled from the region around Jerusalem, from the villages of the Netophathites, / from Beth-gilgal, and from the fields of Geba and Azmaveth, for they had built villages for themselves around Jerusalem. ...

Nehemiah 13:10-14
I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields. / So I rebuked the officials and asked, “Why has the house of God been neglected?” Then I gathered the Levites and singers together and stationed them at their posts, / and all Judah brought a tenth of the grain, new wine, and oil into the storerooms. ...

1 Chronicles 9:2-3
Now the first to resettle their own property in their cities were Israelites, priests, Levites, and temple servants. / Some of the descendants of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh lived in Jerusalem:

Ezra 2:70
So the priests, the Levites, the singers, the gatekeepers, and the temple servants, along with some of the people, settled in their own towns; and the rest of the Israelites settled in their towns.

Ezra 6:16-18
Then the people of Israel—the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the exiles—celebrated the dedication of the house of God with joy. / For the dedication of the house of God they offered a hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and a sin offering for all Israel of twelve male goats, one for each tribe of Israel. / They also appointed the priests by their divisions and the Levites by their groups to the service of God in Jerusalem, according to what is written in the Book of Moses.

Ezra 7:27-28
Blessed be the LORD, the God of our fathers, who has put into the heart of the king to so honor the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, / and who has shown me favor before the king, his counselors, and all his powerful officials. And because the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, I took courage and gathered the leaders of Israel to return with me.

Ezra 8:35
Then the exiles who had returned from captivity sacrificed burnt offerings to the God of Israel: 12 bulls for all Israel, 96 rams, 77 lambs, and a sin offering of 12 male goats. All this was a burnt offering to the LORD.

1 Kings 8:29
May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place.

2 Chronicles 6:6
But now I have chosen Jerusalem for My Name to be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’

Psalm 122:3-5
Jerusalem is built up as a city united together, / where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as a testimony for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. / For there the thrones of judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.

Isaiah 62:6-7
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves, / nor give Him any rest until He establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.

Jeremiah 29:10-14
For this is what the LORD says: “When Babylon’s seventy years are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place. / For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. / Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ...

Matthew 5:14
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.


Treasury of Scripture

And the rulers of the people dwelled 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.

the rulers.

Nehemiah 7:4,5
Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded…

Deuteronomy 17:8,9
If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; …

Psalm 122:5
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

cast lots.

Nehemiah 10:34
And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering, to bring it into the house of our God, after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn upon the altar of the LORD our God, as it is written in the law:

Joshua 18:10
And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions.

1 Chronicles 26:13
And they cast lots, as well the small as the great, according to the house of their fathers, for every gate.

one of ten.

Judges 20:9,10
But now this shall be the thing which we will do to Gibeah; we will go up by lot against it; …

the holy.

Nehemiah 11:18
All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.

Isaiah 48:2
For they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; The LORD of hosts is his name.

Isaiah 52:1
Awake, awake; put on thy strength, O Zion; put on thy beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city: for henceforth there shall no more come into thee the uncircumcised and the unclean.

Jump to Previous
Cast Cities City Dwell Dwelt Holy Jerusalem Lots Nine Parts Princes Rest Rulers Ten
Jump to Next
Cast Cities City Dwell Dwelt Holy Jerusalem Lots Nine Parts Princes Rest Rulers Ten
Nehemiah 11
1. The rulers, voluntary men, and the tenth man chosen by lot, dwell at Jerusalem.
3. A catalogue of their names.
20. Those who remain dwell in other cities.














Now the leaders of the people
This phrase indicates the initiative and responsibility taken by the leaders of Israel. The Hebrew word for "leaders" is "sarim," which often refers to princes or officials. In the context of Nehemiah, these leaders were likely those who had shown commitment to the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the spiritual renewal of the people. Their decision to settle in Jerusalem reflects a willingness to lead by example, prioritizing the spiritual and communal well-being of the nation over personal comfort.

settled in Jerusalem
The act of settling in Jerusalem was significant. Jerusalem, known as "Yerushalayim" in Hebrew, was not just a city but the center of Jewish worship and identity. By choosing to live there, the leaders were affirming the city's importance as the heart of the Jewish faith and the place where God's presence dwelt in the temple. This decision also underscores the restoration of Jerusalem as a thriving, populated city, essential for its defense and prosperity.

and the rest of the people cast lots
Casting lots was a common biblical practice used to discern God's will. The Hebrew term "goral" refers to this method, which was seen as a way to allow God to make decisions for the community. This practice ensured fairness and divine guidance in the selection process, emphasizing the belief that God was actively involved in the affairs of His people.

to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem
This phrase highlights the tithe-like selection process, where one-tenth of the population was chosen to reside in Jerusalem. The concept of a tithe, or "ma'aser" in Hebrew, is deeply rooted in Jewish tradition as an offering to God. By applying this principle to the population, it symbolized a dedication of a portion of the people to the service and revitalization of the holy city.

the holy city
Jerusalem is referred to as "the holy city," underscoring its spiritual significance. The Hebrew word "qodesh" means holy or set apart. Jerusalem was the location of the temple, the dwelling place of God's presence on earth. This designation as a holy city reflects its role as the spiritual center of Israel and the focal point of God's covenant with His people.

while the remaining nine were to stay in their own towns
This phrase acknowledges the balance between repopulating Jerusalem and maintaining the surrounding towns. The Hebrew word for "towns" is "ayarot," which refers to the smaller settlements outside the capital. This distribution ensured that the agricultural and economic needs of the nation were met while also supporting the centralization of worship and governance in Jerusalem. It reflects a strategic approach to rebuilding the nation, ensuring both spiritual and practical needs were addressed.

XI.

(1, 2) The history reverts to Nehemiah 7:5; lots are cast for the transfer of one-tenth of the people to the capital.

(1) And the rulers.--The narrative joins on to Nehemiah 7:4. The festival month had prevented the immediate carrying out of the governor's purpose.

The rest of the people.--The rulers being already in the capital, Nehemiah ordered that one man in ten should be chosen by lot to transfer his family.

Jerusalem the holy city.--Remembering the "separation" that had taken place (Nehemiah 9), and the recent covenant (Nehemiah 10), we see the solemnity of this epithet, now first used, and repeated in Nehemiah 11:18. "Then shall Jerusalem be holy, and no strangers shall pass through her any more (Joel 3:17). But the New Testament brings another comment on the phrase. . . .

Verse 1. - The rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the residence of all the nobles from the first (see Nehemiah 2:16); no increase could be made in this element of the population. Nehemiah had to look lower, and to obtain his new settlers from the ranks of the "people." The people ... cast lots. No doubt under direction. The Jews had frequent recourse to the lot for the determining of doubtful matters, believing, as they did, that "the whole disposing thereof was of the Lord (Proverbs 16:33). Divine sanction had been given, in the course of the Jewish history, to the use of the lot for the selection of persons (Joshua 7:16-18 1 Samuel 10:19-21), for the distribution of lands (Numbers 26:25, 26), and for the determination of the order in which different bodies should execute an office (1 Chronicles 24:5; 1 Chronicles 25:8). In the democratic states of Greece it was used widely to determine between candidates for an office. One in ten. Ewald supposes that this was to be the proportion between the population of Jerusalem and the whole population of the country, and ascribes the fixing of the proportion to Zerubbabel ('History of Israel,' vol. 5. p. 159). But there is no statement to this effect in either Ezra or Nehemiah, and the brief narrative of this verse seems to imply the addition of a tenth part of the country population to the previous population of Jerusalem, rather than the establishment of any definite proportion between the two. Nine parts. Literally, "nine hands," as in Genesis 43:34; Genesis 47:24.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now the leaders
שָׂרֵֽי־ (śā·rê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of the people
הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

settled
וַיֵּשְׁב֥וּ (way·yê·šə·ḇū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in Jerusalem,
בִּירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם (bî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

and the rest
וּשְׁאָ֣ר (ū·šə·’ār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7605: Rest, residue, remnant

of the people
הָ֠עָם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

cast
הִפִּ֨ילוּ (hip·pî·lū)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5307: To fall, lie

lots
גוֹרָל֜וֹת (ḡō·w·rā·lō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1486: Lot -- a lot (for casting)

to bring
לְהָבִ֣יא ׀ (lə·hā·ḇî)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

one
אֶחָ֣ד (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

out
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

of ten
הָעֲשָׂרָ֗ה (hā·‘ă·śā·rāh)
Article | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 6235: Ten

to live
לָשֶׁ֙בֶת֙ (lā·še·ḇeṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

in the holy
הַקֹּ֔דֶשׁ (haq·qō·ḏeš)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

city
עִ֣יר (‘îr)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement

of Jerusalem,
בִּֽירוּשָׁלִַ֙ם֙ (bî·rū·šā·lim)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3389: Jerusalem -- probably 'foundation of peace', capital city of all Israel

while
וְתֵ֥שַׁע (wə·ṯê·ša‘)
Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 8672: Nine, ninth

the remaining nine
הַיָּד֖וֹת (hay·yā·ḏō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3027: A hand

[were to dwell] in [their own] cities.
בֶּעָרִֽים׃ (be·‘ā·rîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement


Links
Nehemiah 11:1 NIV
Nehemiah 11:1 NLT
Nehemiah 11:1 ESV
Nehemiah 11:1 NASB
Nehemiah 11:1 KJV

Nehemiah 11:1 BibleApps.com
Nehemiah 11:1 Biblia Paralela
Nehemiah 11:1 Chinese Bible
Nehemiah 11:1 French Bible
Nehemiah 11:1 Catholic Bible

OT History: Nehemiah 11:1 The princes of the people lived (Neh Ne)
Nehemiah 10:39
Top of Page
Top of Page