Nehemiah 11:3
What does Nehemiah 11:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 11:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 11:3 means
This verse functions as a heading, distinguishing those who lived within Jerusalem from those who remained in their ancestral holdings throughout Judah. It identifies the key categories of residents: Israel (the general populace), priests, Levites, Nethinim (temple servants), and the children of Solomon’s servants (another class of hereditary temple workers). It also calls the region a “province,” reflecting Persian imperial administration. The verse underscores order and inclusivity: both sacred workers and laypeople are part of the city’s life, while the wider land remains populated by families in their inheritances, preserving continuity with the past even as the center is reestablished.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Now 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Now these are the chief 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 Nethinims, and the children of Solomon’s servants.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Now 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Now these are the chiefs of the divisions of the country who were living in Jerusalem: but in the towns of Judah everyone was living on his heritage in the towns, that is, Israel, the priests, the Levites, the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And these <FI>are<Fi> heads of the province who have dwelt in Jerusalem, and in cities of Judah, they have dwelt each in his possession in their cities; Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the sons of the servants of Solomon.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752These therefore are the chief men of the province, who dwelt in Jerusalem, and in the cities of Juda. And every one dwelt in his possession, in their cities: Israel, the priests, the Levites, the Nathinites, and the children of the servants of Solomon.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And 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, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants.
Context
Having commended the volunteers, the text clarifies the scope of the population. Verse 3 frames the lists that follow, separating Jerusalem’s residents from those spread through Judah. It highlights that the restoration involves both the holy city and the countryside. Next, verses 4–9 name those from Judah and Benjamin who lived in Jerusalem, with their lineages and leaders. Following that, verses 10–14 list priests and their numbers, and verses 15–19 identify Levites, singers, and gatekeepers—those responsible for worship and the city’s security.
v.2And the people blessed all the men that willingly offered themselves to dwell in Jerusalem.
v.3This passage
v.4And in Jerusalem dwelt certain of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin. Of the children of Judah: Athaiah the son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, of the children of Perez;
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezra 2:1
Now these are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and that returned unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;
- Nehemiah 7:73
So the priests, and the Levites, and the porters, and the singers, and some of the people, and the Nethinim, and all Israel, dwelt in their cities. And when the seventh month was come, the children of Israel were in their cities.
- Ezra 2:70
So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
- Ezra 2:55
The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,
- Nehemiah 7:57
The children of Solomon’s servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,
- 1 Chronicles 9:1
So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel. And Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their transgression.
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