Nehemiah 11
Nehemiah 11 is the eleventh chapter of the Book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament of the Christian Bible,[1] or the 21st chapter of the book of Ezra-Nehemiah in the Hebrew Bible, which treats the book of Ezra and book of Nehemiah as one book.[2] Jewish tradition states that Ezra is the author of Ezra-Nehemiah as well as the Book of Chronicles,[3] but modern scholars generally accept that a compiler from 5th century BCE (so-called "the Chronicler") is the final author of these books.[4] The chapter describes the repopulation of Jerusalem. Judahites (4-6), Benjamites (7-9), priests (10-14), Levite’s (15-18), gatekeepers (19), ‘the rest of Israel (20-21). The religious organisation of duty to the Temple staff is described. The people cast lots and 1 of 10 are to volunteer to live in the city (still having military duties) whilst the remainder repopulate the surrounding areas ( possession of the land theme)
Nehemiah 11 | |
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"Well of En-Rogel" (Nehemiah's Well) in ca. 1870, by Felix-Adrien Bonfils (1831-1885). Jerusalem, Israel. | |
Book | Book of Nehemiah |
Category | Ketuvim |
Christian Bible part | Old Testament |
Order in the Christian part | 16 |
Text
The original text of this chapter is in Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 36 verses.
Textual witnesses
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes Codex Leningradensis (1008).[5][lower-alpha 1]
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: S; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A; A; 5th century).[7]
Repopulation of Jerusalem (11:1–24)
Jerusalem as the provincial capital already had a decent number of population, but mostly of the ruling class, close to leadership positions, as Nehemiah was recorded having 150 officials dining with him in Nehemiah 5:17, so the city needed more general population to grow [8] The people who would move to Jerusalem were determined by casting lots, one each out of groups of ten family representatives.[9] The detailed list (verses 3–24) demonstrates that each group living outside the city was well represented by families living within its walls.[9]
Verse 1
- 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.[10]
- "Governor": Hebrew: "nine of the hands"; the word "hand" here is 'in the sense or a part or portion'.[11]
Verse 16
- And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, had the oversight of the outward business of the house of God.[12]
Verse 23
- For it was the king's commandment concerning them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every day.[15]
Outside Jerusalem (11:25–36)
This part scans the Jewish habitation outside Jerusalem with enclaves and settlements throughout the Judean countryside, listing the towns of Judah (verses 25–30), the towns of Benjamin (verses 31–35) and a note on the dwellings of the Levites (verse 36).[19]
Verse 31
- Also the children of Benjamin from Geba dwelt in Michmash, Aija, and Bethel, and their villages;[20]
Verse 36
- And of the Levites were divisions in Judah, and in Benjamin.[22]
Based on Joshua 21, the Levites was not given land as inheritance, for 'their portion was the Lord and the honor of his service', but they were given a share of specific towns among the various tribes of Israel.[23]
Notes
- Since 1947 the current text of Aleppo Codex is missing the whole book of Ezra-Nehemiah.[6]
References
- Halley 1965, p. 236.
- Grabbe 2003, p. 313.
- Babylonian Talmud Baba Bathra 15a, apud Fensham 1982, p. 2
- Fensham 1982, pp. 2–4.
- Würthwein 1995, pp. 36-37.
- P. W. Skehan (2003), "BIBLE (TEXTS)", New Catholic Encyclopedia, 2 (2nd ed.), Gale, pp. 355–362
- Würthwein 1995, pp. 73-74.
- Larson, Dahlen & Anders 2005, pp. 253–254.
- Larson, Dahlen & Anders 2005, p. 254.
- Nehemiah 11:1 KJV
- Note [a] on Nehemiah 11:1 in NET Bible
- Nehemiah 11:16 KJV
- Note [a] on Nehemiah 11:16 in NET Bible
- Note [a] on Nehemiah 11:16 in NKJV
- Nehemiah 11:23 KJV
- Note [a] on Nehemiah 11:23 in NET Bible
- Note [a] on Nehemiah 11:23 in NKJV
- Note [b] on Nehemiah 11:23 in NET Bible
- Larson, Dahlen & Anders 2005, pp. 255–256.
- Nehemiah 11:31 NKJV
- Note [a] on Nehemiah 11:31 in NET Bible
- Nehemiah 11:36 KJV
- Larson, Dahlen & Anders 2005, p. 256.
Sources
- Fensham, F. Charles (1982). The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah. New international commentary on the Old Testament (illustrated ed.). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. ISBN 978-0802825278. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- Grabbe, Lester L. (2003). "Nehemiah". In Dunn, James D. G.; Rogerson, John William (eds.). Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible (illustrated ed.). Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing. pp. 320–328. ISBN 978-0802837110. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- Halley, Henry H. (1965). Halley's Bible Handbook: an abbreviated Bible commentary (24th (revised) ed.). Zondervan Publishing House. ISBN 0-310-25720-4.
- Larson, Knute; Dahlen, Kathy; Anders, Max E. (2005). Anders, Max E. (ed.). Holman Old Testament Commentary - Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. Holman Old Testament commentary. Volume 9 (illustrated ed.). B&H Publishing Group. ISBN 978-0805494693. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- Levering, Matthew (2007). Ezra & Nehemiah. Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible. Brazos Press. ISBN 978-1587431616. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- McConville, J. G. (1985). Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. The daily study Bible : Old Testament. Westminster John Knox Press. ISBN 978-0664245832. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
- Smith-Christopher, Daniel L. (2007). "15. Ezra-Nehemiah". In Barton, John; Muddiman, John (eds.). The Oxford Bible Commentary (first (paperback) ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 308–324. ISBN 978-0199277186. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
- Würthwein, Ernst (1995). The Text of the Old Testament. Translated by Rhodes, Erroll F. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans. ISBN 0-8028-0788-7. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
Further reading
- Blenkinsopp, Joseph, "Ezra-Nehemiah: A Commentary" (Eerdmans, 1988)
- Blenkinsopp, Joseph, "Judaism, the first phase" (Eerdmans, 2009)
- Coggins, R.J., "The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah" (Cambridge University Press, 1976)
- Ecker, Ronald L., "Ezra and Nehemiah", Ecker's Biblical Web Pages, 2007.
- Grabbe, L.L., "Ezra-Nehemiah" (Routledge, 1998)
- Grabbe, L.L., "A history of the Jews and Judaism in the Second Temple Period, Volume 1" (T&T Clark, 2004)
- Throntveit, Mark A. (1992) "Ezra-Nehemiah". John Knox Press
External links
- Jewish translations:
- Nechemiah - Nehemiah - Chapter 11 (Judaica Press) translation [with Rashi's commentary] at Chabad.org
- Christian translations:
- Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
- Book of Nehemiah Chapter 11. Bible Gateway