Nehemiah 11:4
What does Nehemiah 11:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Nehemiah 11:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nehemiah 11:4 means
The verse notes that people from Judah and Benjamin resided in Jerusalem, emphasizing unity between the two southern tribes historically associated with the city. It then identifies Athaiah of the line of Perez from Judah. Mentioning lineage shows continuity with pre-exilic families and legal right to dwell and serve. The Perez connection hints at leadership potential, since families from Perez were often prominent. Listing specific names personalizes the restoration: real households took real risks to inhabit the once-ruined city. Their presence ensured that Jerusalem had not only walls but also worshipers, workers, and witnesses to God’s restoring mercy.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And 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;
KJV
King James Version · 1611And at 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 Mahalaleel, of the children of Perez;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And 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;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And in Jerusalem there were living certain of the children of Judah and 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;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And in Jerusalem have dwelt of the sons of Judah, and of the sons of Benjamin. Of the sons of Judah: Athaiah son of Uzziah, son of Zechariah, son of Amariah, son of Shephatiah, son of Mahalaleel, of the sons of Perez;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And in Jerusalem there dwelt some of the children of Juda, and some of the children of Benjamin: of the children of Juda, Athaias the son of Aziam, the son of Zacharias, the son of Amarias, the son of Saphatias, the son of Malaleel: of the sons of Phares,
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And in Jerusalem dwelt some 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 Mahalaleel, of the children of Pherez;
Context
This begins the detailed enumeration of Jerusalem’s residents. After the general heading (v. 3), verse 4 starts with Judah and Benjamin, the tribes most closely tied to the capital. It first presents a representative from Judah, Athaiah of Perez, then will add another Judahite lineage in verse 5 and summarize the Perezites’ number in verse 6. After the Judah entries, verses 7–9 will list leading Benjaminites and their overseers. These tribal lists establish legitimacy, heritage, and the distribution of responsibilities within the renewed city.
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.
v.4This passage
v.5and Maaseiah the 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ruth 4:18
Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez begat Hezron,
- 1 Chronicles 9:3
And in Jerusalem dwelt of the children of Judah, and of the children of Benjamin, and of the children of Ephraim and Manasseh:
- Genesis 38:29
And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, Wherefore hast thou made a breach for thyself? therefore his name was called Perez.
- Matthew 1:3
and Judah begat Perez and Zerah of Tamar; and Perez begat Hezron; and Hezron begat Ram;
- Luke 3:33
the son of Amminadab, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah,
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