Neh. 11 The rulers and the tenth man chosen by lot dwell at Jerusalem, Neh. 11:1–2. A catalogue of their names, numbers, and families, Neh. 11:3–19. The residue of the people dwell in other cities, Neh. 11:20–36.

The rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem, which their very office in some sort obliged them to do. To bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem; that the buildings of the city might be completed, and the honour and safety of it better provided for.

Because they denied themselves, and their own safety and profit, for the public good; for this city was the butt of all the malicious plots of their enemies; and for the present it was rather chargeable than beneficial to its inhabitants; whereas the country did more easily and certainly afford…

The chief of the province, i.e. of Judea, which was now made a province. To wit, Israel, i.e. the generality of the people of Israel, whether of Judah, or Benjamin, or any other tribe; as appears by this general enumeration of all the inhabitants of the land, in which either the people of Judah and…

The children of Judah and of Benjamin; for to these two tribes this city anciently and most properly belonged, although some also of other tribes dwelt in it; of which, and other things relating to this catalogue, see 1 Chron. 9:3;c.

Such were most proper for this place and time, because of its many enemies round about it.

So here were more of Benjamin than of Judah, because the city did chiefly and most properly belong to that tribe, as hath been noted before.

Their overseer; the captain of their thousand.

One of the chief priests; who ruled with and under the high priest: see Num. 3:32, 1 Chron. 9:11, 2 Chron. 19:11, 2 Chron. 31:13.

i.e. Of a person then or lately eminent in valour, or worth, or dignity. Or, of Gedolim, or Haggedolim, a man so called.

i.e. For those things belonging to the temple and its service, which were to be done without it, or abroad in the country, as for the gathering in of the voluntary contributions, or other necessary provisions, out of the several parts of the land. See 1 Chron. 26:29.

In prayer, i.e. in the public and solemn prayers and praises which were constantly joined with the morning and evening sacrifice, at which the singers were present, and praised God with a psalm or hymn, which this man began.

i.e. Were to take care at Jerusalem for the supply of such things as were necessary for the temple and the service of God, from time to time, whilst others minded the outward business, Neh. 11:16.

For; or, therefore; for the following words contain either a reason why they were set over that business, or a recompence for it, or a provision that they might diligently attend to it. The king’s commandment; either, 1. David’s, who made this constitution. Or rather, 2.

At the king’s hand, or, on the kings part, to determine civil causes and controversies between man and man by the laws of that kingdom, which peradventure he understood better than Nehemiah, and therefore was appointed for this work, but still under Nehemiah.

Kirjath-arba: this and most of the other places here named had been destroyed by the Chaldeans; but the Jews now repaired the best of the ruinated houses, and by degrees rebuilt others.

Or, in the valley, &c. Or this is another place called Ge-haharasim.

Or, for the Levites (to wit, those of them who were not settled in Jerusalem) there were divisions, i.e. places appointed for them, and distributed among them.