Devine Scripture

Nehemiah 11:1

What does Nehemiah 11:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Nehemiah 11:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Nehemiah 11:1 means

This verse describes the practical solution to a key problem after the walls were rebuilt: Jerusalem needed residents. The leaders already lived there, but the general population was sparse. To fill the city, lots were cast so that one out of every ten families would move into “Jerusalem the holy city,” while the remaining nine tenths stayed in their towns. Casting lots acknowledged God’s sovereignty over the choice, reduced partiality, and shared the burden fairly. Calling Jerusalem “holy” highlights its unique role as the center of worship and national life; inhabiting it was both a privilege and a costly assignment that required trust and sacrifice.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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 theothercities.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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 theothercities.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the rulers of the people were living in Jerusalem: the rest of the people made selection, by the decision of chance, of one out of every ten to be living in Jerusalem, the holy town; the other nine to go to the other towns.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the princes of the people dwelt in Jerusalem; and the rest of the people cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem, the holy city, and nine parts in the cities.

Context

Following the wall’s completion and covenant renewal, the community must now ensure Jerusalem’s stability and vitality. Verse 1 opens the chapter with the policy: a tithe of the people will relocate to the capital by lot, while the rest remain in their ancestral cities. This frames the whole chapter as an administrative and spiritual effort to populate God’s city. The next verse honors those who, beyond being chosen by lot, also volunteered willingly. Thereafter, the chapter lists specific leaders, families, and groups who settled in Jerusalem and in the broader territory.

v.1This passage

v.2And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Judges 20:9

    But now this is the thing which we will do to Gibeah: we will go up against it by lot;

  • Nehemiah 10:34

    And we cast lots, the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood-offering, to bring it into the house of our God, according to our fathers’ houses, at times appointed, year by year, to burn upon the altar of Jehovah our God, as it is written in the law;

  • Nehemiah 11:18

    All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred fourscore and four.

  • Psalms 122:5

    For there are set thrones for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.

  • Isaiah 48:2

    (for they call themselves of the holy city, and stay themselves upon the God of Israel; Jehovah of hosts is his name):

  • Matthew 4:5

    Then the devil taketh him into the holy city; and he set him on the pinnacle of the temple,

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