NEHEMIAH LESSON 12
We will begin this lesson in Nehemiah 11:1 "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."
It seemed, at this time, it was very important to increase the
size of Jerusalem. The rulers were already living there. The reasons
for this were, probably, several. One of the reasons would be that
they must have the wall protected. Another reason could have been that
in the event the out-lying cities and farms were destroyed, there
would still be a remnant in Jerusalem. Another very good reason for
them increasing the number in Jerusalem, would be to have innkeepers
for those who came here to worship in the temple. This brought greater
protection to the rulers, as well. The last reason I will give was the
fact that countries were sometimes judged by the size of their capitol
city.
Nehemiah 11:2 "And the people blessed all the men, that willingly
offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem."
It appears, from this, that some volunteered even before they
were selected by lot. These were loyal to their land. They moved their
homes and their families into the wall of Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 11:3 "Now 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."
The chief of the province was speaking of those in authority
within Judah. Of course, they lived in Jerusalem. Those who lived
outside and ministered in Jerusalem were, possibly, those mentioned
here.
Nehemiah 11:4 "And 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;"
This seems to be a listing of the families of Judah and Benjamin,
who dwelt within the city walls. This did not mean they no other
tribes were represented, because we know for sure that some of the
Levites lived in Jerusalem. We, also, know that some of the tribe of
Ephraim and Manasseh, as well, lived there. The Nethinims were not a
tribe, and some of them lived there, as well.
Nehemiah 11:5 "And 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 Shiloni." Nehemiah 11:6 "All the sons of
Perez that dwelt at Jerusalem [were] four hundred threescore and eight
valiant men."
The sons of Perez who were inside the wall, were there for
defending the city. That was what was meant by them being valiant men.
They numbered 468 men. Counting their families, this would be a great
portion of the over 20,000 needed for the city.
Nehemiah 11:7 "And these [are] the sons of Benjamin; Sallu the
son of Meshullam, the son of Joed, the son of Pedaiah, the son of
Kolaiah, the son of Maaseiah, the son of Ithiel, the son of Jesaiah."
Nehemiah 11:8 "And after him Gabbai, Sallai, nine hundred twenty and
eight."
Those of Benjamin, who came to dwell inside the city wall, were
928.
Nehemiah 11:9 "And Joel the son of Zichri [was] their overseer:
and Judah the son of Senuah [was] second over the city."
Joel had a job very similar to what the mayor of a modern city
would have. His assistant, who would take his place if anything
happened to him, was Senuah.
Nehemiah 11:10 "Of the priests: Jedaiah the son of Joiarib,
Jachin." Nehemiah 11:11 "Seraiah the son of Hilkiah, the son of
Meshullam, the son of Zadok, the son of Meraioth, the son of Ahitub,
[was] the ruler of the house of God."
These were speaking of the heads of the families of priests. Some
of them already had homes next to the walls of the city. Seraiah was
the head of the high priestly family.
Nehemiah 11:12 And their brethren that did the work of the house
[were] eight hundred twenty and two: and Adaiah the son of Jeroham,
the son of Pelaliah, the son of Amzi, the son of Zechariah, the son of
Pashur, the son of Malchiah, Nehemiah 11:13 "And his brethren, chief
of the fathers, two hundred forty and two: and Amashai the son of
Azareel, the son of Ahasai, the son of Meshillemoth, the son of
Immer," Nehemiah 11:14 "And their brethren, mighty men of valour, an
hundred twenty and eight: and their overseer [was] Zabdiel, the son of
[one of] the great men."
All of these were families in the service of the LORD in a lesser
capacity than the ones mentioned earlier. They were all Levites. All
of them together were 1192. Mighty men of valour, in this instance,
was pertaining to the service of the LORD.
Nehemiah 11:15 "Also of the Levites: Shemaiah the son of Hashub,
the son of Azrikam, the son of Hashabiah, the son of Bunni;" Nehemiah
11:16 "And Shabbethai and Jozabad, of the chief of the Levites, [had]
the oversight of the outward business of the house of God."
Shemaiah was descended from Merari, one of the three Levitical
families that all the others descended from. It appears, he was in
charge of the affairs of the church in worldly matters. He was in
charge of the treasury,. and Shabbethai and Jozabad were his
subordinates. This service, they did for the LORD, would be like a
deacon in the church today. In the book of Acts, there were men who
were set aside to serve tables. All these did the same thing at a
different time.
Nehemiah 11:17 "And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi,
the son of Asaph, [was] the principal to begin the thanksgiving in
prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son
of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun."
Asaph's descendents would be called to the service of leading the
praise and worship in song and music. They were musicians and singers.
In our churches today, Mattaniah would be choir leader.
Nehemiah 11:18 "All the Levites in the holy city [were] two
hundred fourscore and four."
This was a certain group of Levites and not the whole, that made
up the 284. The priests and the porters were Levites, too, but not
included in this number. They were given separately.
Nehemiah 11:19 "Moreover the porters, Akkub, Talmon, and their
brethren that kept the gates, [were] an hundred seventy and two."
These were Levites, as well, but with a different service to
perform. They were keepers of the gates. Obviously, they did not need
172 all at once. They took shifts, so the gates were watched at all
times.
Nehemiah 11:20 "And the residue of Israel, of the priests, [and]
the Levites, [were] in all the cities of Judah, every one in his
inheritance."
These were just speaking of the others who did not live in
Jerusalem, but lived in the adjoining towns and countryside.
Nehemiah 11:21 "But the Nethinims dwelt in Ophel: and Ziha and
Gispa [were] over the Nethinims."
Ophel was a fortified suburb of Jerusalem. It was not far from
the temple hill. The Nethinims did servile work in the temple. They
had to be near for this purpose. Ziha and Gispa were their leaders.
Nehemiah 11:22 "The overseer also of the Levites at Jerusalem
[was] Uzzi the son of Bani, the son of Hashabiah, the son of
Mattaniah, the son of Micha. Of the sons of Asaph, the singers [were]
over the business of the house of God."
Uzzi seemed to be in charge of the business inside the house of
God. Another name for Uzzi was Huzzi.
Nehemiah 11:23 "For [it was] the king's commandment concerning
them, that a certain portion should be for the singers, due for every
day."
The king, intended here, was Artexarxes. It appears, he had set
aside some funds to care for the living of the singers every day.
Nehemiah 11:24 "And Pethahiah the son of Meshezabeel, of the
children of Zerah the son of Judah, [was] at the king's hand in all
matters concerning the people."
Pethahiah seemed to be in charge of anything, where the king was
dealing with the Jewish people. His service was to take care of
problems that might occur involving the king and the people.
Nehemiah 11:25 "And for the villages, with their fields, [some]
of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjath-arba, and [in] the villages
thereof, and at Dibon, and [in] the villages thereof, and at
Jekabzeel, and [in] the villages thereof," Nehemiah 11:26 "And at
Jeshua, and at Moladah, and at Beth-phelet," Nehemiah 11:27 "And at
Hazar-shual, and at Beer-sheba, and [in] the villages thereof,"
Nehemiah 11:28 "And at Ziklag, and at Mekonah, and in the villages
thereof," Nehemiah 11:29 "And at En-rimmon, and at Zareah, and at
Jarmuth," Nehemiah 11:30 "Zanoah, Adullam, and [in] their villages, at
Lachish, and the fields thereof, at Azekah, and [in] the villages
thereof. And they dwelt from Beer-sheba unto the valley of Hinnom."
The above are a listing of the little villages where the people
of Judah, who did not live inside the wall of Jerusalem, lived. Some
of them lived on farms around these areas, but most of them lived in
the little villages and worked their fields from there. From Beer-
sheba to the valley of Hinnom was speaking of Judah as far as it
reached from the south and the north. There were 17 places listed for
Judah.
Nehemiah 11:31 "The children also of Benjamin from Geba [dwelt]
at Michmash, and Aija, and Beth-el, and [in] their villages,"
Nehemiah 11:32 "[And] at Anathoth, Nob, Ananiah," Nehemiah 11:33
"Hazor, Ramah, Gittaim," Nehemiah 11:34 "Hadid, Zeboim, Neballat,"
Nehemiah 11:35 "Lod, and Ono, the valley of craftsmen."
There were 15, if Geba was, also, to be included in the little
villages mentioned belonging to the descendents of Benjamin, who did
not live in Jerusalem itself. Lod is called Lydda in the book of
Acts. Perhaps, they were woodworkers, which would cause them to be
called the valley of craftsmen.
Nehemiah 11:36 "And of the Levites [were] divisions [in] Judah,
[and] in Benjamin."
Even though the tribes of Judah and Bejamin were both called
Judah, they still separated into their individual tribes. They did not
lose their distinction as being 2 of the tribes of Israel. The Levites
were scattered among both tribes.
Nehemiah 12 Questions
1. The rulers of the people dwelt at ___________.
2. In verse 1, why did they cast lots?
3. Why was it important for a tenth of the people to dwell in
Jerusalem?
4. The country blessed all the men that did what?
5. The chief of the province was speaking of whom?
6. What was verse 4 a listing of?
7. How many of the sons of Perez dwelt at Jeruslaem?
8. They were there to ________ the city.
9. How many of Benjamin came to dwell inside the city wall?
10. Joel had a job very similar to what the __________ of a modern
city would have.
11. Who was his assistant?
12. Verses 10 and 11 were listing who?
13. Who was the head of the high priestly family?
14. The Levites, whose leaders were listed in verses 12 through 14,
were a total of ________.
15. Shemaiah was descended from _________.
16. What was he in charge of?
17. Who were his assistants?
18. Who could you compare them with in our churches today?
19. What were Asaph's descendents called to do?
20. Mattaniah would be ________ ________ in a modern church.
21. What did the porters do?
22. Where did 90% of the general population live?
23. The Nethinims lived in _______.
24. Where was that located?
25. Who was overseer of the Levites at Jerusalem?
26. Who had ordered a certain portion to be given the singers?
27. Pethahiah was in charge of what?
28. How many little towns of Judah were there?
29. How many towns were there of Benjamin?
30. The Levites were _________ among the other tribes.
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