Nehemiah 11:1-2
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This verse highlights a strategic, even drastic, measure to repopulate Jerusalem. It wasn't just about moving people in; it was a carefully calculated selection process, using lots to ensure a fair, though potentially disruptive, division of the population for the city's security and spiritual significance.
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. And the people blessed all the men who willingly offered to live in Jerusalem.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Nehemiah had overseen the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the people had reaffirmed their covenant, the focus shifts to repopulating the city. The leaders were already residing in Jerusalem, but to strengthen and secure it, a lottery system was implemented to bring one out of every ten people from the surrounding towns to live in the capital. This move aimed to bolster Jerusalem's population for its defense and completion, ensuring it remained the vibrant "holy city" for the community.
Why did Nehemiah and the people feel the need to repopulate Jerusalem so strategically? It wasn't just about filling empty spaces.
Jerusalem wasn't just any city; it was the 'holy city,' the heart of Israel's identity and faith. After the exile and the rebuilding of the walls, Nehemiah recognized that a strong population was crucial for its security, its function as a center of worship, and its spiritual distinctiveness. The rulers already resided there, but the remaining population needed to be intentionally distributed.
Casting lots to bring one in ten to live in Jerusalem was a practical, divinely-sanctioned method to ensure the city could be properly inhabited, defended, and maintained. This wasn't about forcing people out of their homes in the countryside but about strategically strengthening the capital so it could fulfill its God-ordained purpose.
Casting lots might seem random to us, but for the people of God, it held profound significance. What did it mean for them?
The use of the lot in Nehemiah 11:1 wasn't a gamble or a superstition. The ancient Israelites understood the lot as a way to discern God's will, believing 'the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord' (Proverbs 16:33).
When facing decisions about assigning people to a critical role, like repopulating Jerusalem, they would cast lots. This process acknowledged that God was ultimately in control, guiding the outcome. It ensured fairness and prevented disputes, as the decision was seen as coming from God, not from human preference or coercion. The 'one in ten' chosen by lot was seen as divinely appointed to this important task.
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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.
bārak · Hebrew Verb
To invoke divine favor, goodness, or prosperity upon someone; it represents an act of praise and the recognition of God’s grace working through others.
nādab · Hebrew Verb
Those who provide service to the Lord or His people out of their own free will and desire, demonstrating devotion and commitment.
This verse highlights a critical post-exilic challenge: repopulating Jerusalem after its walls were rebuilt. The lottery system demonstrates a divinely guided, yet practical, effort to ensure the city's security and the consolidation of the Jewish community in their restored homeland.
c. 538 BC
First Return from Exile
Following Cyrus the Great's decree, many Judeans returned to Jerusalem, beginning the rebuilding of the Temple and the city.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
Ezra, a scribe, led another group of exiles back to Jerusalem, focusing on religious reform and the re-establishment of the Law.
c. 445-433 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Governorship and Wall Building
Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem as governor and led the people in the remarkable feat of rebuilding the city walls in just 52 days, facing significant opposition.
Post-Wall Construction
Population Shortage Identified
After the walls were completed, Nehemiah recognized a critical shortage of people living within Jerusalem, making the city vulnerable.
Post-Wall Construction
Lot Casting for Resettlement
Nehemiah instituted a system of casting lots, requiring one out of every ten people from the surrounding towns to move into Jerusalem to bolster its population.
This passage describes the Israelites using the lot to divide the land of Canaan among the tribes, mirroring Nehemiah 11:1 where lots are cast to decide who would relocate to Jerusalem, showing the use of divine guidance for distribution.
1 Samuel 14:41Here, Saul and Jonathan use the lot to discover who had sinned, illustrating the practice of casting lots to reveal wrongdoing or to make a specific selection, similar to how Nehemiah's people used it to populate the city.
Proverbs 16:33This verse states, 'The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord,' underscoring the belief that even a random draw was under God's sovereign control, which is crucial for understanding why Nehemiah's people would resort to casting lots for such an important decision.
Isaiah 48:2This prophecy refers to Jerusalem as the 'holy city,' echoing the description in Nehemiah 11:1 and highlighting the spiritual significance and divine calling of Jerusalem as a central place of worship and residence.
Matthew 4:5In this New Testament passage, the devil takes Jesus to the holy city, again calling Jerusalem the 'holy city,' which connects to Nehemiah's purposeful repopulation of the city to maintain its sacred status and security.
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…
This verse highlights a strategic, even drastic, measure to repopulate Jerusalem. It wasn't just about moving people in; it was a carefully calculated selection process, using lots to ensure a fair, though potentially disruptive, division of the population for the city's security and spiritual significance.
After Nehemiah had overseen the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the people had reaffirmed their covenant, the focus shifts to repopulating the city. The leaders were already residing in Jerusalem, but to strengthen and secure it, a lottery system was implemented to bring one out of every ten people from the surrounding towns to live in the capital. This move aimed to bolster Jerusalem's population for its defense and completion, ensuring it remained the vibrant "holy city" for the community.
After Nehemiah had overseen the rebuilding of Jerusalem's walls and the people had reaffirmed their covenant, the focus shifts to repopulating the city. The leaders were already residing in Jerusalem, but to strengthen and secure it, a lottery system was implemented to bring one out of every ten people from the surrounding towns to live in the capital. This move aimed to bolster Jerusalem's population for its defense and completion, ensuring it remained the vibrant "holy city" for the community.
"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. And the people blessed all the men who wi…" — This verse highlights a strategic, even drastic, measure to repopulate Jerusalem. It wasn't just about moving people in; it was a carefully calculated selection process, using lots to ensure a fair,…
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Last reviewed October 2026
