Nehemiah 11:2
What does Nehemiah 11:2 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 11:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 11:2 means
The people publicly blessed those who volunteered to move to Jerusalem. Beyond the one-in-ten chosen by lot, some offered themselves freely to take up residence in the city. This was not a small commitment; it meant leaving familiar land and livelihoods for the sake of strengthening the spiritual and civic heart of the nation. The congregation’s blessing recognizes the sacrifice and sets an example: service to God’s cause is worthy of honor. The verse shows a healthy community spirit—those who stay and those who go affirm one another, reinforcing unity as Jerusalem’s population and ministry base are rebuilt.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the people gave a blessing to all the men who were freely offering to take up their places in Jerusalem.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and the people give a blessing to all the men who are offering themselves willingly to dwell in Jerusalem.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
Context
After establishing the principle of relocation by lot, the narrative notes a second stream of residents: willing volunteers. This balances compulsion with devotion, showing hearts stirred to serve. With that attitude established, the passage transitions to the detailed rosters of who actually lived in Jerusalem and who remained in their cities. Verse 3 introduces the heads of the province and the various groups (Israel, priests, Levites, Nethinim, Solomon’s servants), and then verses 4–19 specify the families from Judah and Benjamin, the priests, Levites, singers, and gatekeepers within the city.
v.1And 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.
v.2This passage
v.3Now these are the chiefs of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon’s servants.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Deuteronomy 24:13
thou shalt surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goeth down, that he may sleep in his garment, and bless thee: and it shall be righteousness unto thee before Jehovah thy God.
- Judges 5:9
My heart is toward the governors of Israel, That offered themselves willingly among the people: Bless ye Jehovah.
- 2 Corinthians 8:16
But thanks be to God, who putteth the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus.
- Job 29:13
The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me; And I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy.
- Job 31:20
If his loins have not blessed me, And if he hath not been warmed with the fleece of my sheep;
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