Nehemiah 11:8
and his followers Gabbai and Sallai--928 men.
and his followers
This phrase indicates a group of people who are aligned with a leader, in this case, referring to the men who followed the leaders mentioned in the previous verses. The Hebrew word for "followers" can imply those who are not just physically following but are also in agreement with the mission and purpose of the leader. In the context of Nehemiah, these followers were committed to the restoration and repopulation of Jerusalem, a task that required unity and dedication. This reflects the importance of community and shared vision in accomplishing God's work.

Gabbai and Sallai
These names are significant as they represent individuals who were part of the rebuilding efforts in Jerusalem. "Gabbai" may derive from a root meaning "to collect" or "to gather," suggesting a role in organizing or leading people. "Sallai" could be related to a root meaning "to lift up" or "to exalt," possibly indicating a person of high standing or one who encourages others. The mention of these names highlights the personal contributions of individuals in the collective effort to restore the city, emphasizing that every person has a role in God's plan.

928 men
This specific number underscores the organized and structured approach to the repopulation of Jerusalem. The precision of the number reflects the historical accuracy and the importance of each individual in the community. In the broader biblical narrative, numbers often have symbolic significance, and while the number 928 does not have a specific symbolic meaning, it does convey the idea of completeness and sufficiency for the task at hand. This reminds us that God equips His people with exactly what is needed to fulfill His purposes.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nehemiah
A Jewish leader who played a crucial role in the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the spiritual renewal of the Jewish people after the Babylonian exile.

2. Gabbai
One of the leaders or heads of the people who returned to Jerusalem. His name is mentioned in the context of those who settled in the city.

3. Sallai
Another leader or head of the people who returned to Jerusalem. Like Gabbai, he is noted for his role in the resettlement.

4. 928 Men
This number represents the group of men who accompanied Gabbai and Sallai in resettling Jerusalem, indicating a significant community effort in the restoration of the city.

5. Jerusalem
The central city of Jewish worship and identity, which was being repopulated and rebuilt during Nehemiah's time.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Leadership
Gabbai and Sallai exemplify the role of leaders in guiding and organizing the community. Effective leadership is crucial in any effort to rebuild or restore.

Community Involvement
The mention of 928 men underscores the collective effort required in the work of God. Every individual has a role to play in the community of faith.

Faithfulness in Small Details
The detailed record of names and numbers in Nehemiah reflects God's care for each individual and the importance of faithfulness in seemingly small tasks.

Restoration and Renewal
The repopulation of Jerusalem symbolizes spiritual renewal and the restoration of God's promises. It reminds us of the hope and renewal available through faith.

Heritage and Identity
The return to Jerusalem was not just physical but also a reclaiming of spiritual heritage and identity. Believers today are called to remember and uphold their spiritual heritage.
Bible Study Questions
1. How do the roles of Gabbai and Sallai in Nehemiah 11:8 illustrate the importance of leadership in community restoration efforts?

2. In what ways can we, as modern believers, contribute to the "rebuilding" of our communities, both spiritually and physically?

3. How does the detailed record of those who returned to Jerusalem in Nehemiah 11 encourage us to value each member of our faith community?

4. What parallels can we draw between the restoration of Jerusalem and the spiritual renewal that believers experience through Christ?

5. How can understanding our spiritual heritage, as seen in the return of the exiles, strengthen our faith and identity in Christ today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ezra 2
Provides a list of the exiles who returned to Jerusalem, offering a broader context for the repopulation efforts described in Nehemiah.

Nehemiah 7
Contains a census of the people who returned, similar to the list in Nehemiah 11, emphasizing the importance of community and leadership in rebuilding efforts.

1 Chronicles 9
Chronicles the genealogies and the return of the exiles, highlighting the continuity of God's people and their heritage.
Repeopling the CapitalT. Campbell Finlayson.Nehemiah 11:1-19
The Holy CityW. F. Adeney, M. A.Nehemiah 11:1-19
The Holy City ReplenishedMatthew Henry.Nehemiah 11:1-19
The True CentralisationR.A. Redford Nehemiah 11:1-36
Three Elements in the Church of ChristW. Clarkson Nehemiah 11:3-36
People
Abda, Adaiah, Ahitub, Akkub, Amariah, Amashai, Amzi, Ananiah, Anathoth, Arba, Asaph, Athaiah, Azareel, Azrikam, Bakbukiah, Bani, Baruch, Benjamin, Benjamites, Bunni, Colhozeh, Gabbai, Galal, Gispa, Hashabiah, Hashub, Hasshub, Hazaiah, Hilkiah, Immer, Isaiah, Israelites, Ithiel, Jachin, Jedaiah, Jeduthun, Jeroham, Jesaiah, Jeshaiah, Jeshua, Joed, Joel, Joiarib, Jozabad, Kolaiah, Levites, Maaseiah, Malchiah, Malchijah, Mattaniah, Meraioth, Meshezabeel, Meshillemoth, Meshullam, Micha, Pashur, Pedaiah, Pelaliah, Pelet, Perez, Pethahiah, Sallai, Sallu, Senuah, Seraiah, Shabbethai, Shammua, Shelah, Shemaiah, Shephatiah, Shiloni, Shual, Solomon, Talmon, Uzzi, Uzziah, Zabdi, Zabdiel, Zadok, Zechariah, Zerah, Zichri, Ziha
Places
Adullam, Aija, Ananiah, Anathoth, Azekah, Beersheba, Bethel, Beth-pelet, Dibon, En-rimmon, Geba, Gittaim, Hadid, Hazar-shual, Hazor, Jarmuth, Jekabzeel, Jerusalem, Jeshua, Kiriath-arba, Lachish, Lod, Meconah, Michmash, Moladah, Neballat, Nob, Ono, Ophel, Ramah, Valley of Hinnom, Zanoah, Zeboim, Ziklag, Zorah
Topics
928, Gabbai, Gabba'i, Hundred, Nine, Sallai, Salla'i, Twenty, Twenty-eight
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Nehemiah 11:2

     5262   commendation

Library
Lydda
"Lydda was a village, not yielding to a city in greatness." Concerning its situation, and distance from Jerusalem, the Misna hath these words: "The vineyard of four years" (that is, the fruit of a vineyard now of four years' growth; for, for the first three years, they were trees, as it were, not circumcised) "was brought to Jerusalem, in the space of a day's journey on every side. Now these were the bounds of it; Elath on the south; Acrabatta on the north; Lydda on the west; and Jordan on the east."
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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