Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss is that this wasn't just about repopulating Jerusalem, but a deliberate, divinely guided decision to strengthen the city's spiritual and physical safety. Casting lots wasn't arbitrary chance, but a way to seek God's will in ensuring one-tenth of the people, having just committed to the covenant, would now actively live out their faith and serve as guardians in "the holy city."
Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt and a covenant was made, Nehemiah addressed the issue of the city's sparse population. While the leaders already resided in Jerusalem, the rest of the people were chosen by lot, with one out of every ten families being relocated to the capital to ensure its strength and habitation. This decision set the stage for a detailed record of who would populate the rebuilt "holy city" and who would remain in the surrounding towns.
Why did Nehemiah force people to move to Jerusalem? It wasn't just about filling space – it was about life and death for the nation.
Jerusalem wasn't just a city; it was the spiritual and political center of God's people. After the exile, the walls were rebuilt, but the city was sparsely populated and vulnerable.
Imagine being told you have to leave your home and move to a new city. How would you feel? The people of Israel faced this, but there was a divine method.
Moving to Jerusalem wasn't a popular choice. It was a place of danger and required leaving behind familiar lands and livelihoods.
Ask a follow-up
Jerusalem is called 'the holy city.' What did that mean then, and what does it point to for us today?
The title 'the holy city' for Jerusalem wasn't just a label; it carried profound meaning in Nehemiah's time and echoes into our understanding of God's ultimate purposes.
Understand the original words
śār · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, these are men recognized as having authority, influence, or responsibility over a community, often serving in administrative, political, or religious capacities.
gôrāl · Hebrew Noun
An ancient practice of casting stones or tablets to discern the will of God or to make an impartial decision, often used in matters of leadership, land division, or religious duty.
qōdeš · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A city or place set apart, consecrated, or dedicated to the exclusive service and presence of God, signifying holiness and spiritual significance.
The rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls was a major feat, but the verse highlights Nehemiah's practical concern: a strong city needs people. The lottery system was a divinely sanctioned method to ensure the capital had enough residents for defense and to re-establish its centrality.
c. 538 BC
First Return from Exile
Under Zerubbabel, many exiles returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple, but the city itself remained sparsely populated and vulnerable.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
Ezra returned with a significant group, focusing on re-establishing the Law and religious observance, but the issue of Jerusalem's population remained.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Arrives in Jerusalem
Nehemiah, deeply concerned about Jerusalem's state, began the monumental task of rebuilding the city walls, facing significant opposition.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Completion of Jerusalem's Walls
After the walls were successfully rebuilt under Nehemiah, the city was physically secured but still lacked sufficient population to thrive and be defended.
c. 445 BC
Lottery for Jerusalem Residents
To repopulate Jerusalem, Nehemiah organized a lottery where one-tenth of the people from surrounding towns were chosen to relocate to the capital.
This passage describes God's command to Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land, emphasizing the need for courage and obedience to establish their dwelling places.
1 Chronicles 9:1-2Similar to Nehemiah, this passage lists those who returned to Jerusalem and settled there, highlighting the re-establishment of people in the holy city after exile.
Psalm 122:1-9This psalm expresses the joy and desire to dwell in Jerusalem, reflecting the spiritual significance and communal longing for the holy city.
Isaiah 48:2This verse directly calls Jerusalem 'the holy city,' mirroring the language used in Nehemiah and emphasizing its unique status.
Matthew 4:5In the New Testament, Satan quotes scripture to tempt Jesus, referring to Jerusalem as 'the holy city,' showing its continued symbolic importance.
clarkeNehemiah 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."
To bring one of ten - Jerusalem certainly had many inhabitants at this time; but not sufficient to preserve the city, which was now encompassed with a wall, and the rebuilding of which was going on fast. Nehemiah therefore obliged one tenth of the country people to come and dwell in it, that the…
pooleNehemiah 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."
The rulers and the tenth man chosen by lot dwell at Jerusalem, Nehemiah 11:1,2 . A catalogue of their names, numbers, and families, Nehemiah 11:3-19 . The residue of the people dwell in other cities, Nehemiah 11:20-36 . The rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem, which their very office in some…
What's easy to miss is that this wasn't just about repopulating Jerusalem, but a deliberate, divinely guided decision to strengthen the city's spiritual and physical safety. Casting lots wasn't arbitrary chance, but a way to seek God's will in ensuring one-tenth of the people, having just committed to the covenant, would now actively live out their faith and serve as guardians in "the holy city."
After the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt and a covenant was made, Nehemiah addressed the issue of the city's sparse population. While the leaders already resided in Jerusalem, the rest of the people were chosen by lot, with one out of every ten families being relocated to the capital to ensure its strength and habitation. This decision set the stage for a detailed record of who would populate the rebuilt "holy city" and who would remain in the surrounding towns.
After the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt and a covenant was made, Nehemiah addressed the issue of the city's sparse population. While the leaders already resided in Jerusalem, the rest of the people were chosen by lot, with one out of every ten families being relocated to the capital to ensure its strength and habitation. This decision set the stage for a detailed record of who would populate the rebuilt "holy city" and who would remain in the surrounding towns.
"Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem. And the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem the holy city, while nine out of ten remained in the other towns." — What's easy to miss is that this wasn't just about repopulating Jerusalem, but a deliberate, divinely guided decision to strengthen the city's spiritual and physical safety. Casting lots wasn't arbit…
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Last reviewed October 2026