Nehemiah 11

11:1-36 The narrative returns to the issue of repopulating the secure city of Jerusalem (see 7:1-5). The list of names roughly parallels the list in 1 Chr 9:2-17.11:1-2 Sacred lots were probably the Urim and Thummim (10:34; Josh 7:14, 16-18; 14:2).

11:4 Perez was one of Judah’s sons (Gen 38:29).

11:16 The work outside the Temple probably included collecting tithes from people and caring for the tithes in storehouses (10:37-39; see also 1 Chr 26:29).

11:17 a descendant of Asaph: David had chosen Asaph and his sons to provide music for the Temple worship (1 Chr 25:1-8). Asaph’s descendants took up this role again when the new Temple was built.

11:21 The hill of Ophel was high ground just south of the Temple (3:26). It provided an ideal location to house those who worked in the Temple.

11:24 The royal adviser informed the king of events in Jerusalem and notified Jewish officials of the king’s public administration of Persian policies.

11:30 all the way from Beersheba . . . to the valley of Hinnom: Earlier descriptions of places where people settled concentrated on areas north of Jerusalem (ch 3; 11:31-36); this list (11:25-30) reflects progressive expansion of places where Jewish people lived as they occupied many of their preexilic towns, both north and south of Jerusalem.