3 These are the leaders in the province who resided in Jerusalem (some Israelites, priests, Levites, Temple staff, and descendants of Solomon's slaves lived in the towns of Judah on their own property in various towns; 4 others from both Judah and Benjamin lived in Jerusalem): From the family of Judah: 5 Maaseiah son of Baruch, the son of Col-Hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, the son of the Shilonite. 6 The descendants of Perez who lived in Jerusalem numbered 468 valiant men. 7 From the family of Benjamin: 8 and his brothers Gabbai and Sallai: 928 men. 9 Joel son of Zicri was their chief and Judah son of Hassenuah was second in command over the city. 10 From the priests: 11 Seraiah son of Hilkiah, the son of Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub, supervisor of The Temple of God, 12 along with their associates responsible for work in The Temple: 822 men. Also Adaiah son of Jeroham, the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of Pashhur, the son of Malkijah, 13 and his associates who were heads of families: 242 men; Amashsai son of Azarel, the son of Ahzai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of Immer, 14 and his associates, all valiant men: 128 men. Their commander was Zabdiel son of Haggedolim. 15 From the Levites: 16 Shabbethai and Jozabad, two of the leaders of the Levites who were in charge of the outside work of The Temple of God; 17 Mattaniah son of Mica, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, the director who led in thanksgiving and prayer; Bakbukiah, second among his associates; and Abda son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun. 18 The Levites in the holy city totaled 284. 19 From the security guards: Akkub, Talmon, and their associates who kept watch over the gates: 172 men.
20 The rest of the Israelites, priests, and Levites were in all the towns of Judah, each on his own family property. 21 The Temple staff lived on the hill Ophel. Ziha and Gishpa were responsible for them. 22 The chief officer over the Levites in Jerusalem was Uzzi son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Mattaniah, the son of Mica. Uzzi was one of Asaph's descendants, singers who led worship in The Temple of God. 23 The singers got their orders from the king, who drew up their daily schedule. 24 Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, a descendant of Zerah son of Judah, represented the people's concerns at the royal court.
25 Some of the Judeans lived in the villages near their farms: Kiriath Arba (Hebron) and suburbs Dibon and suburbs Jekabzeel and suburbs 26 eshua Moladah Beth Pelet 27 Hazar Shual Beersheba and suburbs 28 Ziklag Meconah and suburbs 29 En Rimmon Zorah Jarmuth 30 Zanoah Adullam and their towns Lachish and its fields Azekah and suburbs. They were living all the way from Beersheba to the Valley of Hinnom. 31 The Benjaminites from Geba lived in: Micmash Aijah Bethel and its suburbs 32 Anathoth Nob and Ananiah 33 Hazor Ramah and Gittaim 34 Hadid, Zeboim, and Neballat 35 Lod and Ono and the Valley of the Craftsmen. 36 Also some of the Levitical groups of Judah were assigned to Benjamin.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nehemiah 11:3-36
Chapter Contents
The distribution of the people.
In all ages, men have preferred their own ease and advantage to the public good. Even the professors of religion too commonly seek their own, and not the things of Christ. Few have had such attachment to holy things and holy places, as to renounce pleasure for their sake. Yet surely, our souls should delight to dwell where holy persons and opportunities of spiritual improvement most abound. If we have not this love to the city of our God, and to every thing that assists our communion with the Saviour, how shall we be willing to depart hence; to be absent from the body, that we may be present with the Lord? To the carnal-minded, the perfect holiness of the New Jerusalem would be still harder to bear than the holiness of God's church on earth. Let us seek first the favour of God, and his glory; let us study to be patient, contented, and useful in our several stations, and wait, with cheerful hope, for admission into the holy city of God.